Page 12 of Love in Development

I held out the book.“Thanks.Though I left some notes to show where you were wrong.”

He took the book and held it at his side.This hand-off was much more chill.

“You’re already done?”he asked.

I nodded, feeling like a bobblehead.“Thanks again.”I didn’t know what else to do or say.I planned on going outside for some fresh air, to enjoy my snack and get away from...this.

“You wanna sit?I know it’s busy.You could use my computer.I’m done editing.”

“Why are you editing here?”

“I got anA-on my last calc test, so my dad took away my laptop.”

“What?”I was shocked.What kind of parents were so strict?

“Please sit.You’ve been running around all afternoon.I can stand for a few minutes while you play.”

He wanted to watch me play?Buzz was always saying it was good for his business.Maybe it was true.It would be awkward having him watch over my shoulder—I didn’t like people watching me—but for some reason I wanted to show off.And he’d be watching ScarlettSaber, not me,right?I logged in and cut through some mobs to find someone worth fighting.Just behind me, I could hear the rustle of turning pages and a soft expellation of breath as if he were laughing silently.Was he actually watching, or was he reading my notes?Well, he could agree or disagree, for all I cared.It wasn’t as if it mattered if he threw all my notes away.I’d never know.I swallowed hard and ignored the things his laugh did to my stomach, putting all my focus into fighting the mini-boss, whom I completelywrekt.It helped clear my mind.The doorbell beeped again, and I turned my head, only to find him leaning close, watching my screen intently.His eyes caught mine, and something glimmered.

“Molly.Can you come here help?”Buzz’s accent cut through the tension.

I jumped in the chair and scooted back.“My break’s over.”

He instantly made way for me.I grabbed my snack and scuttled off like a giant cockroach hiding from the light.What the heck had that been?

Chapter 4

The cold and rain ofthe last couple of days had been pushing more people inside, but first thing in the morning, DragonByte was still quiet.My stomach sank as the spreadsheet for a single semester at each of the nearby colleges sneered at me from the screen.I’d pulled anA+on my English essay, but the future roared at me with all its teeth, each a unique item I needed to think about.Entries for tuition, books, food, housing, etc.Everyone wanted not just good grades, but extracurriculars too!How was I going to fit an after-school activity into my already busy schedule?And then there was my last history test...I looked down at my backpack on the floor, which held the offending paper.

I needed top grades to get a scholarship.Mom had stressed the importance of not getting financial assistance that required to be paid back because it took decades to get out from under the debt.But I just had to go to college.My options were limited, and application deadlines were coming up.And, and, and...I still needed money to get my laptop fixed.My stomach cramped.Some gaming time sounded good.Better than good.Essential.At least that was free.I could also take the opportunity to check if the prize loot was in my account yet.It had been over four weeks.

The headphones—at good old number twelve—slipped on comfortably, blocking out the sounds of the real world.I logged in and my muscles sighed, as DragonByte faded away and I became ScarlettSaber, wielding my blood sword and blood armor once more.

First, I checked my inbox.There were several uncomplimentary messages, calling me a griefer.Strange.Then I smiled.My not-first-place-but second-best loot was here.I combed through it, looking at all the different items and their various abilities, while mentally pricing them.

A high-level sword with a fire ability was one of the better pieces.Under normal circumstances, I would have just sold it.I had become obsessed with squeezing every dollar I could out of every aspect of my life.But influenced by the recent hopelessness—my savings were such a tiny percentage of what I really needed—I moved the sword to my personal inventory.I could always sell it after using it for a bit.