Page 57 of Love in Development

IvoryKnight: I had a bit of an accident.But Ill be fine.

ScarlettSaber: Like a car accident?

The articles I’d looked up fled through my mind.

IvoryKnight: No nothing like that.I just couldn’t make it yesterday.Are you sure you forgive me?

ScarlettSaber: Yes I have something for you.

I set the ring on the ground between us, and he picked it up into his inventory.

IvoryKnight: The dragons eye.How did you get it?

ScarlettSaber: A little birdie told me.

IvoryKnight: I knew you could return the gesture.

There was a pause as he checked it out and probably tried it on.The noodles in my stomach sloshed.It was now or never.

ScarlettSaber: Do you want to meet?

IvoryKnight: Arent we already?

ScarlettSaber: Face to face.

IvoryKnight: You mean irl?

ScarlettSaber: Online.But maybe after.

IvoryKnight: Like a date?

Was he like me with RogueStriker?Charisse’s words about being brave whispered in my ear.

ScarlettSaber: Yes.

What was I doing?As soon as we saw each other, he would figure out we went to the same school.

ScarlettSaber: Im also at SCAD.

Nothing.Not even little dots, as if he was trying to type the right words.He really didn’t want to meet.

IvoryKnight: I have some things I have to take care of.

He didn’t want to meet.It had been silly of me to think that he felt those kinds of things for an avatar as well.

IvoryKnight: Forget meeting online.I’d rather take you to the homecoming dance.

Take me to the dance?The dance would be busy.Lots of people.Charisse and Lin could be there for backup.

ScarlettSaber: Okay.

Okay?Why had I written okay?What if he wasn’t who he said he was?

IvoryKnight: Lets meet at the dance.Ill be wearing a red rose boutonniere.

I was going to my first dance.Well, date-dance.The ramen threatened a return.We said our goodbyes.I shut down my computer and screamed.