Jason doesn't finish his day until way after his siblings gets home. Things are going well and now that he has all the day to spend reading at the library he can actually sit back and relax with Kyle and Ana.
"Meatloaf again? This is the fourth time just this month. Could we do Spaghetti next time?" Jason whines at the smell of the same bland meatloaf he has had over and over this past year. It lasts so dang long cause the only way he can eat it is with loads of sauce. Even Ana is starting to complain.
"Big brother, just promise us. Please." Ana begs with a fervor unlike her. Kyle bursts out in laughter.
"Didn't know it was that bad. Alright kids who is going to cook instead of me then." They both turn away. Jason can't cook and Ana can't exactly maneuver crutches and cooking tools.
After bickering for a while and eating. They lay back and watch an anime from the early 2000s before all heading to bed.
Jason throws off his clothes and checks the system. It's 11pm.
[Idle System: Lvl 1] [8.3/10]
[8:43:26- 24:00:00]
[Slot 1: Improved Memorization: Lvl 1] [Exp: 3.5/25]
[Skills: Speed Reading Lvl: 2; Gaming Lvl: 1; Improved Memorization Lvl: 1]
'Allocate 8 hours'
[No bonus]
[Slot 1: Improved Memorization: Lvl 1] [Exp: 3.5/25]->[Exp:5.5/25]
'Hmm, so If I allocate the time even if it's the same day the bonus doesn't carry over. Well that wastes those eight hours. I will just have to hold off until the full 24 hours then.
...
Jason sleeps and wakes up for the next day. He quickly 'gets ready for school' and heads to the library. Jason doesn't know what skills might pop from these books but anything and everything would be perfect. He grabs a few books on communication and a couple books on programming and hacking. Jason realized quickly that the two books he read aren't enough for a skill to pop. They require a lot more general knowledge before being put into practice.
Jason moves through the library and tries to find a spot in one of the corners of the first floor. He passes book shelves after book shelves. A sweet old librarian slowly organizes some books by the far bookcase which happens to be right next to a worn down couch.
'Perfect, let's just hope she doesn't rat on me for skipping school.'
Jason nods at her while passing and sits down to open up his books.
"Public speaking 101" -> A basic self-help book with tips on speech making, how to practice speaking to large audiences and ways to persuade people to your point. Around 40,000 words and lots of diagrhams.
"4 essential keys to effective communication"-> From empathetic dialogue to effective listening. This book will teach you the ways to effectively communicate with anyone and everyone.
Jason sets the two books down after finishing them. Three hours seem to fly by. The books are pretty simple and informative. A lot to do with how to connect with you are talking and something he has struggled with since he was a kid. He hates to admit that even when his parent's were alive he couldn't really connect with people his age. Even his family he mostly bickers with and has small surface level conversations. Nothing he talks about is all that important even if he feels 'close' to them. He lacks vulnerability.
Jason knows if he wants to make it in this world he needs connection and the ability to persuade people to his view point. The only problem is that the only time he can talk a lot is if he is ranting about something he has learned. This made him an outcast early on. No one likes to listen to someone talk without even a chance to jump in. Except maybe Carol and his siblings have learned to just deal with his occasional rants.
'This will be a step to a power that's only possible for normal people... Networking. Ugh. At least it should make school easier if I can get on my teacher's good sides. Currently they side with those damn nepo babies. If I can be a tad more persuasive and maybe hack some personal information I could get the leg up on this shit school and city.'
Jason mulls over his plan for revenge not noticing the familiar face sitting next to him.
"If it isn't double o' seven. You come here often?" Vivian sits down as if they have been friends for years. She jokingly asks as if she didn't know he was already going to be here. She's wearing a jean jacket that makes her look like one of those art teachers that everyone loves. It's got numbers, letters and little science and math symbols patched on the pockets. A light blue blouse peeks from under it and a pretty gold belt holds her tight jeans up.
She is beaultiful. In the way that it makes someones heart stop.
"Oh, hi.. At least two days in a row" Jason is trying to maintain his cool and focus on the books she's got. Something on quantum mechanics and another of drawing anatomy. He is amazed by her talent.
"Well, two days is often enough. So 007? More communication books this time. I would say you don't need it but," She chuckles," you are more awkward than me."
Jason is in shock. Her more awkward. She's gotta have a screw loose.
He blurts out his first thoughts from how taken aback he is. "If you are awkward I can't tell what I am. Beautiful, smart and nice. It's like you are shaming the rest of us with just existing. I have to read books to even talk to people other wise I'm a bumbling idiot."
She blushes lightly.
"Aww you think i'm beautiful,"Vivian says trying to squash the light blush on her cheeks.
"Shit.. i said that out loud. I just-it was so stupid thinking you were awkward I don't even know." Jason tries to hide his face behind a book. He acts like a preteen in some rom-com as if he wasn't plotting the demise of his enemies just moments ago.
"Its cool 007, just stop before you embarrass me anymore." Vivian quickly changes the subject, "so what exactly are you studying for? Your books are all over the place."
Jason sighs a breathe of relief.
"Well I was tired of being a loser. Tired of people thinking they can walk all over me and so I'm learning how to better myself." Jason says confidently and thinks to himself. 'And I want revenge, to put the people that have pushed me down in a pit where they can't get back up. Can't exactly tell her that though.'
"Wow that's admirable. So communicating, speed reading, studying and stuff like that. I'm not going to ask what that hacking book is for but cool. Way better than me. My parents just force all this on me." Vivian says a little dejected.
"Even if its forced, I think you have a leg up people could only dream of. Is the drawing book forced too?" Jask asks.
"No.. that's for me." Vivian says shyly.
"Oh so an artist forced to be an academic. That does suck." Jason says while secretly cheering himself on. That's the empathetic speech he needs to practice.
"Yeah, its not that I don't like science. I'd just rather draw and create art."
"I get what you are saying. Well i won't say anything if you don't. Just draw here. We can pretend we are working on a project." Jason responds.
"Not sure if my parents will be convinced but thanks anyway." Vivian chuckles. " it was good talking to you, I really should start reading."
Jason can almost feel is heart sink. For the first time sad a conversation was ending. "Yeah me too. I'll see you around." Jason gets back to reading.
There is a lot to get done.