I’ve got time. And this time, I’ll definitely own my story.
AARON: So.
AARON: Would it be weird if I like, came to visit?
D1V: Am I still saved as D1V in your phone?
AARON: No...
D1V: You can’t see me, but I’m making a face.
AARON: I’ll fix it right away, promise.
DIVYA: And as for the other question, I don’t think so?
DIVYA: Would it be weird for you?
AARON: No. Not really.
AARON: I’d like to...you know, maybe go on a...
AARON: You know, like a date.
AARON: A date type of thing.
DIVYA: Wow, I am swept off my feet. Like, clean off.
AARON: Good, good. I was rehearsing that for hours.
DIVYA: I can tell.
DIVYA: Also the answer is yes.
DIVYA: If you bring me flowers though, I will slay you.
27
DIVYA
“Streaming for fun isn’t as...well, fun as it was before,” Rebekah grumbles.
“Come on, be happy for me,” I whine into the phone, even though I know she is. Mom’s last class is paid for, and I’ve got enough to register for two courses at County, plus some funds leftover after selling some of my gear. With no plans to return to streaming professionally, I traded in my gaming PC and curved monitor for something smaller.
I pet my new little laptop, which can run most modern games—barely. I have to turn the graphics down. But I don’t mind.
“I am, I am.” She chuckles. “And your little pal Maggs is doing great, running the channel now. Way to pass the torch.”
I smile. I knew Maggs would be perfect.
“When are we gonna get online next?” she asks. “The feeds are exploding, and I’m out of patches again in the shop. You might not be the leader in the Armada anymore, but you’re still a figurehead.”
“So I’m your queen?” I ask innocently.
“Stop it.”
I pause for a moment. “Beks,” I say at last. “I need some time. I think you do, too.”
“I know, you’re right,” she relents. “But can we try for once a week? A lot of my friends who play World of Warcraft, they at least do weekly raids.”
“That I think I can manage.” I smile.
The doorbell rings, and I smile harder.
“Still on to go flea marketing for vintage games tomorrow?” I ask.
“If you aren’t still on your date, I am.” Rebekah laughs.
“You’re the worst,” I say. “Love you.”
“You, too,” she says. “Have fun.”
* * *
I rush downstairs, and there’s Aaron, in real life, waiting for me.
On any other Tuesday, I’d be preparing for my stream. Talking back and forth with Rebekah. Going over sponsorships, trying to figure out who we had to bring up, link to. What products to potentially show off. Where we might go raid, what the plan might be. It might have been in Reclaim the Sun, or any other massive multiplayer game. Destiny. Halo. World of Warcraft.
Today, I’m going out with a boy who likes me.
One who just took a bus across New Jersey to go on a date with me.
I grab his hand, and we walk away from my apartment building. The wind blows, and the warm sun shines down on us.
Reclaimed.
* * *