Page 136 of Wherever You Are

I choke out, “How’d you know?” Are there hidden cameras in his house? In my cubicle? What. The.Fuck.

“You’re working for Connor Cobalt, man. The guy probably has fifteen brains and seven pairs of eyes. You might not know what he’s thinking, but he knows what you are.” Lo touches his chest. “And he’s my best friend. He told me you’re working on a game based on a comic book character.”

I sway backwards, disbelieving. Connor Cobalt already knows I’m creating a video game on Sorin-X… “And he didn’t give a shit? I thought he’d pull the plug on the project.”

“He actually likes the idea. So do I.”

I’m in another dimension. “What?”

“Iown the video game rights toThe Fourth Degreeseries.” Halway Comics is the publisher, duh. “And Belinda and Jackson told me they’d rather eat their left arms than see a thousand people turning the game into a money-making soulless franchise.”

Of course I recognize those names. Belinda and Jackson Howell are the young brother-sister duo and artists and writer ofThe Fourth Degreeuniverse.

My head is spinning, but I gather my thoughts fast. “I have most of the technical shit coded, but I’m at the point where storyline is important. That’s why I was looking through the comics, but eventually I’d need Belinda and Jackson for the art. I can only code, and what I’m making is classic, indie. I think the game style fits what the comic intended to be.”

“I’ve been mentioning the video game to Belinda and Jackson for a full year,” Lo says, “and they’re interested. I know they’d work with you. I’ll give you their numbers.”

My jaw is on the floor.

Speechless.

In shock.

Lo has known for a full year about the video game because of Connor. He’s already mentioned the project to the most important people. And they’re interested.

My eyes burn, and I think for so long, I didn’t believe I should try to chase after what I loved. When other people are faster and smarter, it felt pointless.

It took work to get here, but I know the first step was always belief.

Belief that I could.

Belief that I should.

And yeah…I’m happy I did.

32BACK THEN – August

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WILLOW MOORE

Age 18

Dalton Academy is officially in my past. While all the seniors were ripping open their acceptance letters to Ivy Leagues and fancy private universities, they turned to me and asked where I was accepted.

With a weak, dying smile, I told them I never applied.

The shock and horror on their faces is forever engrained in my brain. But I’m happy with my decision to work at Superheroes & Scones for a while.

I’ll save up money, so that when I’m ready for college, I can afford it myself. Lo offered to pay my tuition, but he’s already financed my last year of high schoolandgiven me a place to stay. Coming to Philly wasn’t about reconnecting with my brother for his wealth, and I have to be self-sufficient in order to prove that.

“Lily tried to slip me extra money in my paycheck,” I whisper to Garrison in the storage room of Superheroes & Scones. I don’t know why I’m whispering. It’s after-hours, and we’re the only ones here.

I’m supposed to be closing up, but Garrison stayed back to help me unpack the newSpider-Man/Deadpoolissues that’ve been flying off the rack.

Garrison holds onto a plastic-wrapped comic, and his brows furrow. “Jesus. She wants you to go to college that badly?”

I shake my head. “She knows I want to go, and I think she feels guilty that I don’t have the money for it yet. Anyway, I told her I wouldn’t accept any bonus that the other employees aren’t given.”