Page 40 of Love in Development

“A full ride?”

The page had turned.from something I’d wanted as a way to be close to the friends I planned on letting down into a holy grail.My future suddenly opened, and it was as if a lead weight had dropped from me.I could be a dev.Luckily, I was sitting and he was standing, because I could’ve hugged him in that moment.Thank goodness I didn’t.

“Good luck!”he called.He swept off to slap some backs.

I checked my watch.I had some time.My hand shook as I rushed, filling in box after box.I had a chance.Now I just needed to think of ideas for possible games.Not that I would know the theme until the day of.

Chapter 12

IvoryKnight: I missedyou yesterday.

I stared at the words, and something squirmed inside me.The same something that a certain person’s smile seemed to awaken with no effort whatsoever.

Still in my lollipop PJs and cozy in my room, I thought about how to answer him.We were meeting soon to complete the next boss in the quest.Maybe I could respond then.This would be our last big quest because I’d told everyone I was taking the next few weeks off to prepare for the game jam.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Mom knocked once before bursting in.“You have something to tell me, young lady?”

Her angry tone caught my attention before I even processed the words.I swiveled toward her, taking in the folded arms.

My mind spun like a loading screen.What had I done lately?

“I just got off the phone with your father.”

Nothing clicked.I mean, Dad always made her mad, but why would talking to him make her upset with me?

“You didn’t go with him for Christmas, so where exactly did you go?And why didn’t you tell me?”

Uh-oh.Recognition dawned.That terrible slushy day seemed so far removed from today’s sunny summer, but in Mom’s world there was no statute of limitations.Dad...Why the idiot would go and make himself look bad, I didn’t know.But Mom got him to say things he hadn’t meant to.I was honestly surprised he’d lasted this long.

“I didn’t want you to miss out on spending time with your friends.”

Honestly, I had wanted her to have her own life without it being screwed up by Dad’s failures.

She moved forward and took my hands in hers.“Are you okay?”