Page 14

Mischief: Sure.

Iknow saying more would be a mistake, so I leave it.

Rogue: Hey, I gotta go. Early meeting tomorrow.

I stare at his message, throat tight.

Mischief: Yeah, whatever.

His status switches to offline before I can say anything else. I grab my phone, pull Jenna’s contact information, and stop. Her“I told you so”hovers redundant in my mind. She warned me about getting too invested in online friendships. I didn’t want to hear it.

The worst part? I’d built this whole fantasy in my head. Meeting Rogue at the Con, maybe discovering we had chemistry in real life. Stupid. So stupid.

I flop back on my bed, staring at my ceiling and wiping my tears. A bitter laugh tears from me. Here I am, crying over some guy I’ve never even met. What am I, fifteen?

My reflection in the monitor catches my eye—mascara smudged, hair a mess. This isn’t me. I’m not this pathetic girl pining over keyboard warriors who can’t commit to showing up.

“Fuck this,” I huff, grabbing my phone to call Jenna.

She picks up on the second ring. “What’s wrong?” The concern in her voice makes me smile.

“Nothing’s wrong. Well, okay, Rogue’s being a dick, but whatever. Want to go out? I must dance, drink, and forget about stupid guys hiding behind screens.”

“Now that’s the Kira I know.” Jenna’s laugh fills the line. “Give me thirty minutes. I’ll bring that bottle of tequila I’ve been saving. We can pre-game while getting ready.”

“You’re literally the best friend ever.”

“I know. And Kira? I’m proud of you for not letting this bring you down.”

“Yeah, well.” I stand up, already moving to my closet. “Life’s too short to waste on people who won’t show up for you, right?”

“Exactly. See you soon, babe. Wear that new black dress—the one with the mesh panels.”

I hang up and toss my phone on the bed. The heaviness in my chest lifts as I dig through my closet. Screw Rogue and his excuses. Screw mysterious hackers and their mind-blowing orgasms. Tonight’s about me hanging out with my best friend.

I pull out the black dress Jenna mentioned. It’s time to remind myself that there’s more to life than gaming and online relationships.

The doorbell chimes, and I practically skip to answer it. Jenna stands there, a bottle of tequila in one hand, a makeup bag in the other, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

“Ready to forget about Rogue?” She waves the bottle.

“God, yes.” I pull her inside.

We sprawl on my bed, passing the bottle back and forth while I vent about Rogue. Jenna nods, adding just the right amount of supportive sounds and“what an asshole”comments.

“Hold still,” she commands, wielding an eyeliner pencil. “I’m giving you smokey eyes that’ll make every guy at the club wish they were worthy.”

I try not to laugh as she works her magic. The tequila settles warm in my belly, making everything feel lighter. “Remember when you tried to teach me winged eyeliner, and I looked like a raccoon?”

“Oh my god, yes!” She snorts, nearly poking my eye. “Sorry! Don’t move!”

I help curl her hair while she does her lipstick. Our practiced choreography of getting ready together smoothly after years of friendship makes my heart happy. The music from my playlist fills the room as we dance around, take selfies, and down a couple more shots.

“Uber’s here!” Jenna announces, checking her phone. “Last mirror check!”

We stumble to the full-length mirror, arms around each other. My black dress shows just enough skin to be sexy without trying too hard. Jenna looks amazing in a red dress that hugs her curvy body.

“We’re hot,” I declare, the tequila apparently providing liquid courage.