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“Yeah! You’ve heard of it?”

I gave him a small smile as I nodded. “I used to play the original game as a kid.” It felt strange to admit this aloud. I used to be completely addicted to my PlayStation, but some of the girls at school made fun of me for it. Because of their taunts, I’d stopped playing. It was a long time ago now, but it made me sad to think about how I’d allowed the opinions of a few snotty girls stop me from doing something I enjoyed. It was probably a part of the reason why I didn’t bow to peer pressure anymore. I refused to change who I was just to please other people.

“So,Horde II,” I continued. “I didn’t realize they brought out a new version.”

“Yeah, it just came out!” Elliot exclaimed. “They released it early because of the pandemic. I think they figured everyone would be at home with plenty of time free on their hands.”

“Makes sense.”

“So, you in?”

“Sure.” Killing a few zombies sounded like it might be oddly cathartic. I was so angry at the stupid virus for putting my parents in danger, and since I couldn’t do anything to harm the virus, zombies would have to do.

I smiled warmly at Elliot as I jumped from the bed and happily followed him downstairs to his bedroom. His room was typical for a boy. There was a slightly funky smell to it, like it hadn’t been aired in months, and there were clothes and stray socks littered across the floor. Elliot didn’t seem to notice the clutter as he got his PlayStation booted up. There were two beanbags in front of his small TV, and I sank down into the closest one.

“So, you really like zombie games?” he asked, taking the beanbag next to me.

“Yeah, and zombie shows. Anything to do with horror, really. My dad and I were obsessed withThe Walking Deaduntil it lost its edge.” Speaking of my dad made my chest tighten, and I tried to ignore the feeling as I focused on Elliot. When would my dad and I get to watch a horror movie together again? We spent most the time during movies trying to scare Mom, and her squeals were so funny it had turned into a kind of game. I missed that.

“Cool.” Elliot was trying to sound unimpressed, but he was looking at me like he was seeing me in a different light. He slowly shook his head. “No girls in my class are into this kind of stuff.”

“Maybe there are girls who are into this stuff, but you just don’t know it.” I certainly had been at his age, but I’d been forced to hide it.

Elliot tilted his head like he was considering the idea but then dismissed the thought. “I still think it’s cool you’re into this,” he said. “You’re like the ultimate dream babe.”

“Ultimate dream babe?” I smiled. It was certainly the first time I’d been called that.

Elliot’s cheeks pinked a little, but he nodded and continued like he wasn’t at all embarrassed. “Yeah, you’re hot, but you’re also chilled.”

“Um, thanks,” I murmured, feeling a little embarrassed. It was a nice compliment but thoroughly inappropriate coming from a twelve-year-old kid. “Should we start playing?” I nodded toward the screen.

“Oh. Yeah.” Elliot grabbed his controller and passed me the other one before launching into the game.

The two of us quickly became completely absorbed by it. I hadn’t played a video game for years, so it took me some time to get used to the controls again. For the most part, it felt like I was playing with frozen thumbs. They were slow, and my movements were sluggish. I was useless, and my character kept getting overwhelmed by the attacking zombies. Nine-year-old Clary would have been so disappointed in me. It was fun playing a new version of a game I used to love so much though.

After a couple of hours, I placed my controller down, in desperate need of a break. “I think I’m going to call it for the day.”

Elliot’s shoulders slouched in disappointment. He looked like he was only just getting started. Meanwhile, my eyes felt like they were fuzzing over and my hand was cramping up from playing. I didn’t have Elliot’s gaming stamina.

“Thanks for inviting me to play with you. It was just the distraction I needed.”

Elliot’s expression warmed as he smiled at me. “You can play with me any time.”

“Thanks.” I returned his smile.

As I left his room, easing the door shut behind me, a cough sounded in the hallway. I spun around to find Aiden standing there. His expression was gentle as he looked at me, and I had a bad feeling he was going to bring up my parents.

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk though. “Please tell me you’re not sneaking out from mybrother’sroom,” he said.

“I’m not sneaking…”

“But you don’t deny you were in there?”

“Well, of course not.” Irritation flared through me. I had no idea why he was grilling me with questions. But at least I could be grateful he wasn’t asking how I felt about my parents’ situation.

“You haven’t finally agreed to become his lockdown girlfriend, have you?”

“What?” I practically choked on the word.