Page 42 of From Drummer to Gamer

Tin stepped forward, his hands curling to the side. “Like you can speak, Shadow. You’re nothing but a lousy…”

I held up my hand before he could say anything. Getting into an unnecessary beef with the opposite team would do us no good. It was evident that Shadow felt threatened enough to grace us with his presence.

It was both interesting and amusing, but it was a clear threat that they didn’t like us, especially me. I didn’t give a fuck about that.

I stepped forward slowly, smiling. “I think I agree. We, of course, don’t stand a chance against the all-mighty Xerxes. You guys are amazing. I’m a huge fan,” I lied, adding saccharine to my tone. I did study their gameplay, but I wasn’t a fan. They were too boastful and arrogant for that.

Tin frowned at me while Vincent looked taken aback for once. Agreeing with the narcissist was a far reach game strategy. If they had it in their mind that I wasn’t a threat, I could hit them where it hurt the most—in the game. I knew he was too smart for that, but one slip and we could take them down.

“I think Luna here is smart, Tin,” Vincent said, smiling smugly. “You should listen to her. Let’s go, guys.”

And with that, the Xerxes sashayed off like they owned the place. A few fans approached them asking for pictures and signs, which added to their conceited overconfidence.

“Why would you let them talk to you like that, Si?” Tin’s jaw clenched as he regarded me.

I fixed my co-leader with a glare. “It’s for the best, Tin. Remember, we’re at a tournament. The game is more important. If you want to show Shadow who you are, I suggest you do it in the game.”

Kiki, Ken, and Freddy held their breaths as they watched their leaders having a stare down.

“Fine.” Tin sighed, his gaze softening. “I just… I don’t want anyone to talk down on you.”

“I know,” I said with a smile. “And thank you for standing up for me, but you’d only be wasting your energy if you argued with those assholes.”

“I agree,” Freddy added, sliding his arm around my shoulders. “You know best, captain.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile that slipped across my lips. “Look, as much as I’d love to stay here with you guys, I really have to go. It’s getting late.”

“Okay,” they all replied, except for Tin, who was staring intently at my shoulder for some reason.

“Hey, Tin.” I waved a hand in front of his face. “I’m leaving.”

Freddy flashed me a smirk before he dropped his hand and stepped aside.

Finally, Tin caught my attention. “Ah, yes, Si. Do you want me to drop you off?”

“Nah.” I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. I’ll call an Uber.”

“Okay, text me when you get home,” he said, smiling softly.

“I will,” I replied, waving them bye as I hurried out of the arena. It was going to be a pain trying to find an Uber with all the crowd exiting the arena.

My app showed that the car was twenty minutes away as I waited at the pickup point, huddling closer to my jacket as a cold breeze dipped the temperature.

All of a sudden, I felt something bump my leg. I rotated to see a small girl, no older than ten, in adorable pigtails, wearing a costume similar to mine, grinning up at me.

An instant smile lifted my lips as I crouched down. “Hey, little one. Are you lost?”

She shook her head, placing a finger in her mouth.

“What’s your…”

“Lylah.” A frantic woman came running over to us. “Lylah, thank God. Don’t you ever run away like that.” She crashed the little girl into her arms.

“I’m sorry.” She looked up at me with an apologetic smile. “She saw you and came running over.”

“That’s okay.”

“She’s your huge fan and wanted to take a picture with you,” her mother explained.