Fortnite Dreamer
A twelve year old's journey to Mars.
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.”
-J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan
On a Friday morning, nestled comfortably on the couch at my family friend's house, I basked in the warm embrace of their hospitality, and happily accepted their invitation to go camping with them that night and Saturday, all while balancing my commitment to a play I was performing in that weekend.
As the morning light gently tiptoed into the room, I was met with a symphony of commotion by my family friends and their twelve year old son, George. He had woken me by faking a painful sounding cough. This way, he could avoid going to school. Despite several attempts from his mother, sisters, and cousin to get him up and moving, he refused. His resistance, albeit amusing, was met with the inevitable decree from his mom that today, he had to attend school online. WHERE WAS THIS OPTION WHEN I WAS A KID?!
I was catching up with his family and the town gossip I had missed out on, since moving to the city, when within an hour George finished his school days worth of work. This left George with ample time to play Fortnite, as soon as he logged in, his mother told him “no video game privileges today.” George sank into their couch with a twelve year old’s rage, a feeling I knew too well and that resonated deep within me.
His mother asked me to keep an eye on him while she worked on getting the house together before camping that night. “Not a problem” I said, I’ve known George since he was a mere toddler. Anyways, George explained to me it was Friday the 13th and it being October, we needed to watch a scary movie. Eager to assume the role of the not-actually-related-but-cool-uncle, I obliged. George proceeded to put on a pile of fun 2000's hot garbage, Final Destination. I swear to you every single moment a character cursed or said something crude his mom just happened to be walking in at the exact same time, just like the memes. To which George was reprimanded for, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I am more than positive George encounters much worse things in his middle school than what he witnessed in Final Destination.
After the movie George and I went on a walk with their faithful dog Rocky, to the local coffee shop, where I asked him what he wanted in life. He confided in me his burning desire to move to Texas, driven by the single minded purpose of attaining a seamless zero ping Fortnite experience. I asked him how exactly he was going to do that. What followed was a meticulously detailed blueprint that involved a journey to Mars, a live TikTok encounter with Elon Musk where they would share a kiss. Then using his newly gained popularity, he would sell his feet-pics online to fund the construction of his gamer's haven, a mansion nestled in the heart of Texas. I couldn't help but admire the fervor with which George pursued his vision. A man with a plan to have zero ping in Fortnite. I respected it.
His determination was palpable, and as we returned to the house, I told him if he wins a game of Fortnite right now, I'd give him $20 to help fund his venture. George said, "bet", and proceeded to come in a disappointing fourth place in front of his family and dog. Unwilling to admit defeat, he proposed a daring "double or nothing" wager. I countered his proposal with a twist, I said "how about, if you win I'll give you $20. But if you lose, you give me $20." The intensity escalated as he promptly initiated another game, the energy in the room was crackling with anticipation. His sister and cousin joined in playfully teasing him, as I found myself unexpectedly cheering him on. I believed in him ...
George now owes me $20.
As I reflected on the day's adventures, I couldn't help but smile at the vivid portrait of childhood that George painted, with his unwavering enthusiasm, his dreams woven with threads of innocence, and his indomitable spirit that refused to yield. Watching George, it was like looking back at my younger adolescent self, a reminder of how those early years shaped the twenty-five year old man I am today. Seeing the world through his eyes brought me a fresh wave of hope and a deeper insight into the younger generation, each child filled with so much promise and a firm drive to make their mark. I think we a have a distinct responsibility to dream more like George does, to help cultivate what makes us and the people around us so creative and unique.
Oh, to be twelve years old, with a heart full of ambition and a world brimming with endless possibilities.