PHEME: The Ultimate Celebrity System

Chapter 7

Asher's POV 

“That was some crazy stuff you pulled off there…” Theo said as we got the last bit of equipment into the car. “Neil surely didn't see that coming.” 

“Of course he didn't…” I hadn't felt that level of satisfaction in a while. But my satisfaction was taken away each time I remembered that I would have to work with the system while keeping it secret from Theo. 

That was my biggest concern at the moment. 

“You had to see the look on his face when he just realized that he was going to pay for the building of a new cafeteria. That's sure to dig a deep hole in his pocket.” Theo laughed as we got in the car. 

Getting in the car made me remember what Neil had said about his car. I was suddenly aware of how uncomfortable it was there. 

“How about we get a new ride?” My words made Neil freeze. I watched his smile vanish as he had his hands on his steering. He stared at me like a mannequin for the next couple of seconds.

“Say what?” Theo seemed so sure of the fact he had heard me wrong. 

“You heard me right. I was asking what if we got a new ride. This one's really served its cause and I think we could really use a new one.” I was already preparing what response I would give when he asked about the money to buy it. 

“Are you for real? Are you letting Neil's words get to you…?” Theo sounded like he was trying to talk some sense into me. 

It left me wondering just how off I'd sounded. “This has nothing to do with Neil. I just realized that we've built a following from today and we could use that to get a step closer to our dreams as music stars. But we need to build a better reputation than this…” I paused as I realized just how lost he was. 

That left me really wishing I could just tell him about the system. But then, I wasn't going to give it up that easily. 

“Let's just go home…” I stared at my watch, checking out my rewards. That brought an instant smile until I saw the timer was running for the next mission.

“You've earned a bonus of five million dollars for exceeding in your last mission…” Pheme said and it was clear I was the only one hearing her. “Now it's time for the next mission. Build your crew and level up your looks and appearance.” 

That was easier said than done, considering how noncompliant Theo was with leveling up. I had no idea how I was meant to build my crew as I barely had any friends besides Theo. 

“Oh come on…” Theo grumbled as he was having some trouble getting the car to start. “Not now…” 

I had been out of touch with the moment for a while and was just realizing how much struggle he had been having with his car. 

“Aren't you going to help me out here?” Theo asked in frustration. 

“I'm guessing you can see why I suggested we get a new ride.” I really had no idea what he was expecting me to do, but then I got out of the car with him. 

“Maybe we could give it a push or something…” Theo said, stepping out. “I'm sure I filled the tank yesterday.”

“No freaking way…” I took out my phone and went online to check out for cars. I would have to make the move instantly as my time for the next mission was already running quick and I couldn't afford to waste one more moment with an old busted car. 

“What are you doing? We are supposed to figure out how to get us home and you're glued to your phone…come on, man…” Theo threw his hands up in frustration. 

“Just a moment…” I said, as I chose the car I wanted, made the payment and shared my location. I made an extra payment for the car to be brought to me. 

“For real, dude?” Theo was getting even more frustrated with every moment that passed by. “We have to get out of here as soon as we can.”

“I'm working on that. We will be out of here before anyone sees us.” I said, putting my phone in my pocket. “Our ride will be here soon. Just a matter of minutes.”

“Speaking of someone seeing us, here comes Neil on his ride. Crap…” Theo hissed. “Now he's going to make it even worse. After how you humiliated him, I'm sure he'll eat us alive verbally. Talk about adding salt injury.”

“That's just perfect…” I said, folding my arms, turning to the direction where Neil was coming from and leaning against the trunk. At the same time, I turned my face away from Theo's confused facial expression. 

“Uh oh…” Neil laughed as he stopped right in front us. “Wait a minute…I've gotta take a closer look at these two…”

“Oh come on…” Theo sighed under his breath as he just couldn't handle the humiliation. “Are we just going to stand here?”

“Just calm down.” I reassured Theo. “This will be fun.” 

“Fun…? Are you out of your mind…?” Theo was on the verge of freaking out right in front of me. 

“Looks like the guy who claims to be able to feed the whole school can't even get a decent car.” Neil was having the time of his life picking on the both of us. “Just what sort of fraud are you? A shameless one at that.” 

I didn't say a word and he was probably thinking that I was simply feeling from the shame of the moment. But I was just waiting patiently. 

“What are you going to do now, fraud?” Neil said as he pulled out his phone and began a live stream.

Just what I wanted. 

“Let's get out of here…” Theo suggested.

“No… you stay right there, loser…!” Neil said as his men and Cheryl came out of the car and were soon feasting their eyes on the scene that Neil was trying to greet to redeem himself. “Look at these two bastards, claiming to be able to feed the entire school when they can't even get a decent ride.” 

That got everyone's attention instantly. Soon enough, people gathered around to watch. But then, I was able to keep my calm in the midst of all the clamor. 

I took a glance at my watch and then up ahead and there it was. The black Porsche. I calmly walked over there and soon enough everyone was following the action. 

“Where do you think you're going?” Neil's voice kept ringing behind me but I ignored it. 

“Asher Coleman…” the young man who stepped out of the car with a clipboard was rather shocked to see me. “You placed the order for this Porsche…”

“Yeah… I did…” I had everyone silenced with that. “Keys…?”

The young man slowly handed them over with a clipboard I was supposed to sign on. “Sign here…”

“Thank you…” I signed with a smile as I took the keys from him. “Let's get out of here Theo… I'll have your car towed out of here with all the equipment in it.”

Theo was just as shocked as Neil and everyone watching.

“What…?” Neil's phone fell from his shaky hands. “How's that possible…?

“Anything's possible, Neil. Catch you later…” And I was just getting started.