Selene’s apartment was the kind of pce you’d expect from someone with her level of focus and precision. It had clean lines and modern decor, and not a single item was out of pce. It was big enough to comfortably host our group, with an open floor pn that let the kitchen, living room, and dining area flow seamlessly together.

  “Everyone else will be here soon,” Selene said, pcing two mugs of coffee on the table. She gnced at me as I paced near the window. “Nervous?”

  I stopped mid-step and shrugged. “A little. It’s one thing to work together in the game, but meeting Fi and Mason in person? I don’t know what to expect.”

  Selene smirked faintly. “They’re your team. You’ll be fine.”

  The doorbell rang, and Selene moved to answer it. When the door opened, two figures stepped inside, and my first thought was how wildly different they looked from their in-game avatars.

  Fi walked in first, a bundle of energy wrapped in a baggy hoodie and leggings. Her hair was short and slightly messy, and she pushed up her rge round gsses as she gnced around the room with wide, curious eyes. She was so tiny—barely over five feet tall—but the mischievous glint in her gaze was unmistakable.

  “Yo!” she said, grinning at me. “Kiera, right? Or should I say, Boss?”

  “Fi,” I said, smiling back. “It’s... different seeing you like this.”

  She struck a pose, puffing out her chest dramatically. “What? Not as intimidating without my twin swords? I promise I’m still deadly.”

  “Deadly adorable,” came a deep voice behind her.

  Mason stepped in, and I blinked at the sheer size of him. He was massive—easily over six and a half feet tall, with broad shoulders and a build that screamed linebacker. His sandy brown hair was neatly trimmed, and his easy grin softened the otherwise intimidating figure.

  “Wow,” I said, staring up at him. “You’re... Mason, alright.”

  “Yeah,” he said with a ugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess I kinda look like my avatar, huh?”

  “Kinda?” Fi said, gncing up at him. “You’re basically your avatar but, like, bigger.”

  “Doesn’t hurt to have the build for it,” Mason said, his grin widening.

  Fi rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Tower over the rest of us like always, why don’t you?”

  “You make it too easy,” Mason quipped.

  Their banter was familiar, but seeing it py out in person made it entertaining. I exchanged a gnce with Selene, who raised an eyebrow as if to say, See? You had nothing to worry about.

  Fi flopped onto the sectional, kicking off her sneakers and tucking her legs underneath her. “Alright, Boss, spill. Why the big IRL meeting? Did we get hacked or something?”

  Mason sat beside her, his rge frame making the couch seem smaller. “Yeah, this is serious, right? I mean, you don’t just call people together like this for fun.”

  “It’s serious,” Selene said, handing each of them a cup of tea. “But we’ll go over everything once Ethan gets here.”

  Fi’s head snapped up. “Wait. Ethan’s coming? You’ve met him IRL already, right? What’s he like?”

  “Yeah,” Mason added. “Does he look like his avatar? Or is he one of those people who, you know...”

  “...catfishes everyone?” Fi finished with a ugh.

  Selene smirked, her tone dry. “You’ll see soon enough.”

  The doorbell rang again, and Selene moved to answer it. When the door opened, Ethan stepped in, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. His scruffy jeans and hoodie gave him the same rugged, slightly disheveled look I’d seen before, but there was a quiet confidence in his posture that wasn’t there during our first meeting.

  Fi tilted her head, inspecting him like he was a character in a new game. “Huh. So you’re Ethan.”

  Ethan’s gaze flicked to her, and he raised an eyebrow. “And you must be Fi. You’re... smaller than I expected.”

  Fi gasped in mock offense, pointing a finger at him. “Excuse me! I’m fun-sized, thank you very much.”

  Ethan smirked, his attention shifting to Mason. “And you’re Mason. Tank in-game, tank in real life. Nice to meet you.”

  Mason shook his hand, his grip firm. “Nice to meet you, too. You’re... quieter than I thought you’d be.”

  “That’s because you haven’t heard him in stealth,” Devon muttered, his arms crossed as he watched from the corner of the room.

  Ethan shot him a gnce but didn’t take the bait. Instead, he moved to the empty seat on the couch, leaning back casually.

  Once everyone was seated, the pyful energy in the room shifted. The group looked at me, waiting for answers.

  “I called this meeting because of a message from UNKNOWN,” I began, gncing around the room. “There’s another Binary Fragment. It’s hidden beneath the dungeon we’re about to raid—buried in the Facility Code. And it’s guarded by a Guardian Mod.”

  Fi let out a low whistle. “A Guardian Mod? Like Oberon?”

  I nodded. “Exactly like Oberon. Except this time, it’s a dragon.”

  The room fell silent as they processed the information.

  “Well,” Mason said, breaking the silence. “That sounds... terrifying.”

  “And impossible,” Devon added, his tone grim.

  “It’s not impossible,” I said firmly. “We’ve dealt with a Guardian Mod before. We can do it again.”

  “With Kaelion and his crew helping,” Selene pointed out. “This time, it’s just us.”

  Ethan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “If the fragment’s in the Facility Code, we’ll need to bypass the devs’ systems to access it. That’s where I come in.”

  “And if we mess up?” Devon asked his gaze hard.

  Ethan met his eyes without flinching. “Then the devs will know. And we’ll have bigger problems than a Guardian Mod.”

  The tension in Selene’s apartment had finally started to dissolve after the heavy discussion. UNKNOWN’s cryptic message and the revetion about the Guardian Mod had left everyone quiet, but the mood lightened when Fi cpped her hands and decred, “Alright, enough doom and gloom! We’ve got the brains, the skills, and the courage to handle it. Now, let’s have some fun!”

  Her enthusiasm was infectious. I’d been so focused on pnning and strategizing that I’d forgotten what it felt like to rex with my friends. “Actually,” I said, a small smile forming, “I was thinking the same thing. It’s rare for us all to meet up like this. Let’s hang out.”

  Mason leaned back against the couch, crossing his arms. “What did you have in mind, Boss?”

  Fi’s hand shot up, and she grinned like she’d just scored a critical hit. “I know! Let’s go to Summit Point Golf and Raceway. They’ve got mini-golf, a race track, and the best fries in the city. Mason and I go there after school sometimes.”

  “Mini-golf?” Selene asked, raising an eyebrow. “Really?”

  “Oh, come on,” Fi said, nudging Mason. “Tell them it’s fun!”

  Mason chuckled, his rge frame shifting slightly on the couch. “It’s not bad. The race track’s cool, and the mini-golf is actually pretty good for a ugh. Plus, like she said, the fries are top-tier.”

  “I’m in,” I said, feeling a sense of warmth as I looked around at my team. “What about everyone else?”

  Selene gave a slight shrug. “It’s not the worst idea. Could be a good way to reset before diving back into the game.”

  Devon leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as he gnced at me. “If you’re going, I’m going.”

  Fi cheered, punching the air. “Yes! Majority rules!”

  As the group talked excitedly about carpooling and whether the fries lived up to Fi’s hype, I noticed Ethan hanging back, his hands stuffed deep into his jacket pockets. He stood near the edge of the room, his gaze on the floor as the energy around him buzzed.

  I excused myself from the group and walked over to him. “Ethan? You coming?”

  He gnced up at me, his dark eyes filled with hesitation. “Probably not,” he said, his voice low. “Crowds aren’t really my thing.”

  I frowned, stepping closer. “It’s not going to be a crowd. It’s just us.”

  He ughed softly, though there was no humor in it. “You say that like I’m not the odd one out here. I’m sure I’m real popur right now.” He quickly gnced at Devon, who was talking with Mason and Fi, but still shot the occasional look our way.

  “Ethan,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “You’re not an outsider. You’re part of this group, whether you believe it or not. I want you there.”

  He looked at me, and his guarded expression softened for a moment. Something in his eyes—adoration, maybe even love—made my heart ache. “For you?” he murmured. “Anything.”

  Before I could say anything else, Devon’s presence loomed behind me. His hand rested lightly on my back, but the possessive gesture wasn’t lost on either of us. “What are you two talking about?” Devon asked, his tone casual, but his sharp eyes locked on Ethan.

  Ethan straightened, his usual smirk returning as if he were wearing armor. “Just discussing whether I should tag along.”

  “And?” Devon prompted, his gaze unwavering.

  Ethan shrugged. “Guess I’ll see.”

  “We’re about to leave,” Devon said, his hand lingering on my back as he subtly pulled me closer. He gnced at Ethan one st time, his expression hard to read but full of unspoken warning.

  Ethan met his gaze for a moment before looking at me. “I’ll figure it out,” he said softly, his voice just for me.

  I nodded, offering him a small smile before Devon guided me toward the group. The air between them was heavy, but I pushed it aside for now. We had a team outing to look forward to—hopefully, one that wouldn’t end in more tension.

  ?????°???°?????

  Summit Point Golf and Raceway was bustling with activity. Neon lights cast a colorful glow over the sprawling facility, which featured an 18-hole mini-golf course, a winding race track, and a lively arcade. The scent of fresh fries and sweet funnel cakes filled the air, mixing with the hum of excited chatter and the occasional roar of engines.

  “This pce is amazing,” I said, looking around as we entered.

  “Told you!” Fi said, practically bouncing on her feet. “Now, let’s see if your mini-golf skills match your boss vibes.”

  Devon smirked beside me, his arm casually draped over my shoulders. “You’ve never seen Kiera on a real course. She’s a total wildcard.”

  Fi ughed. “Great! That means we’ve got a chance to crush her.”

  Mason chuckled, his deep voice carrying easily. “We’ll see about that.”

  Selene, ever composed, raised an eyebrow. “I’m just here for the fries. But I’ll py along.”

  As we moved toward the golf area, Ethan lingered slightly behind, his hands shoved in his jacket pockets. His gaze flicked between the glowing course and our group, his usual smirk repced by a subtle, contemptive expression.

  The mini-golf course was decked out with themed obstacles—pirate ships, spinning windmills, and even a mechanical dragon roaring when pyers shot through its mouth. It was lively, colorful, and, as Fi pointed out with a grin, “totally a couples’ paradise.”

  Fi and Mason took the lead, their dynamic as pyful and competitive offline as in the game.

  “Better not miss,” Fi teased as Mason lined up his shot.

  He grinned, taking his time. “Better start thinking of excuses for when I beat you.”

  “Oh, please,” Fi said, rolling her eyes. “I’ve got this in the bag.”

  When Mason sank the shot perfectly, Fi’s dramatic groan echoed across the course.

  Selene pyed more strategically, her focus ser-sharp as she navigated the obstacles with quiet precision. Devon kept close to me, his teasing encouragement making me ugh as I struggled with one particurly tricky hole.

  “You know,” he said, leaning close, “you’re supposed to hit the ball, not the obstacle.”

  “Thanks for the tip,” I said dryly, sticking my tongue out at him.

  Halfway through the course, I noticed Ethan hanging back, his club barely in use as he watched the rest of us. His eyes lingered on the pairings—Fi and Mason, Selene content in her solo role, and Devon and me. The flicker of loneliness in his expression made my chest tighten.

  While the others focused on their next shots, I made my way over to him. “Hey,” I said softly. “You doing okay?”

  He gnced at me, his smirk returning, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah. Just not really my scene, you know?”

  “Then why’d you come?” I asked, tilting my head.

  “For you,” he said simply, his tone light, but the words carried weight.

  I blinked, unsure how to respond. Before the moment could stretch too long, I handed him my club. “Here. Let me show you something.”

  Ethan raised an eyebrow but took the club. “Alright, Boss. Impress me.”

  “Step here,” I said, nudging his foot into position with mine. I leaned closer, pcing my hands over his on the club. “And keep the angle steady. It’s all in the follow-through.”

  Ethan’s breath hitched slightly, and I felt the tension in his shoulders as I guided him through the motion. The ball rolled smoothly, bouncing off the obstacle and nding perfectly in the hole.

  “Nice,” I said, grinning up at him.

  Ethan’s smile was softer this time, his gaze lingering on me. “Thanks,” he said quietly.

  The moment stretched, and I suddenly realized how close we were standing. Clearing my throat, I stepped back. “Your turn. Let’s see if you can do that without me.”

  “Challenge accepted,” Ethan said, his smirk returning.

  From across the course, Devon watched the interaction, his expression darkening as he caught the look on Ethan’s face. The way Ethan’s gaze lingered on me was too familiar, too charged.

  When I rejoined Devon, his jaw was tight, and his usual teasing tone was absent. “What was that about?” he asked, his voice low.

  “Just showing Ethan how to py,” I said, brushing it off.

  Devon’s eyes narrowed slightly. “He doesn’t need you to hold his hand for that.”

  “Devon,” I said softly, touching his arm. “It’s fine. He’s just... adjusting. This is new for him.”

  Devon exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Yeah, well, I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

  I didn’t have an answer for that, so I squeezed his arm instead. “Come on. Let’s finish the course.”

  The cheerful chaos of Summit Point Golf and Raceway provided the perfect backdrop for a fun evening, but underneath the ughter and pyful banter, the tension between Ethan and Devon was palpable. I could feel it in their gnces, careful avoidance, and orbiting me like opposing forces, never quite colliding.

  Fi and Mason, on the other hand, were in their own little world.

  “Alright, Mason,” Fi said, pointing dramatically at a spinning windmill obstacle. “If you can get this in one shot, I’ll buy us a round of fries.”

  Mason grinned, lining up his shot. “And if I miss?”

  Fi smirked, stepping closer and poking him in the chest. “Then I’ll still buy us fries, but you have to admit I’m the better pyer.”

  “Deal,” Mason said, his eyes glinting with determination. He swung his club with precision, sending the ball through the windmill and straight into the hole.

  Fi’s jaw dropped. “What? No way!”

  Mason ughed, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Looks like you’re still buying fries.”

  Fi pouted for a moment before breaking into a grin. “Fine. But only because I like you.”

  Mason raised an eyebrow, pulling her into a quick hug. “Good to know.”

  As Fi and Mason wandered off toward the food stand, Selene, Devon, and I lingered near the final hole. Devon pced his arm around my waist, pulling me closer as we watched Selene sink her st shot effortlessly.

  “You make this look easy,” I told her, shaking my head.

  Selene smirked, pcing her club back in its stand. “It’s all about patience. Something you could use a bit more of on the course.”

  “Hey!” I said, feigning offense, but Devon chuckled, his lips brushing against my temple.

  “She’s not wrong,” he teased.

  I pyfully elbowed him, but the warmth of his presence made me rex. Selene stood nearby, her expression soft as she watched us. She always had a way of grounding me, even in the middle of chaos.

  Later, as Devon went to grab drinks and Fi and Mason were absorbed in a conversation about racing, I pulled Selene aside.

  “Selene, can I ask you something?”

  Her sharp gaze softened. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

  I hesitated, then sighed. “It’s about Ethan. I don’t know what to do.”

  Selene tilted her head slightly. “Do about what? Him being in love with you, or you realizing you might feel something for him too?”

  Her directness hit me like a hammer, and I blinked, unsure how to respond.

  “Kiera,” she said gently, touching my shoulder. “You’re in a complicated position. But you need to be honest with yourself. Do you love him too? And if you do... do you want him to be part of what you already have with Devon and me?”

  The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I opened my mouth to reply but couldn’t find the words. I didn’t know how to answer.

  Selene gave me a small, understanding smile. “Take your time, Kiera. But you’ll have to decide eventually. For everyone’s sake.”

  As the evening went on, I found Ethan sitting on a bench near the edge of the course, his gaze fixed on the glowing lights of the race track in the distance. I approached slowly, the sounds of ughter and excitement fading into the background.

  “Hey,” I said softly, sitting beside him.

  “Hey,” he replied, his voice quiet.

  We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words thick between us. Finally, Ethan gnced at me, his expression unreadable. “Why do you keep trying so hard to include me, Kiera? You’ve got everything you need already.”

  “Because you’re part of this,” I said firmly. “You’re my friend, Ethan. I care about you.”

  He ughed softly, shaking his head. “Sometimes I wish I could just stop feeling the way I do about you. But I can’t.”

  Before I could respond, he turned to face me, his dark eyes filled with something raw and unguarded. “Kiera, I love you. I’ve loved you for a while now. And I can’t keep pretending I don’t.”

  The words hit me like a tidal wave. Before I could process what was happening, Ethan leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a tentative, searching kiss.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  Devon’s voice cut through the moment like a bde. I pulled back, my heart racing as I turned to see him standing a few feet away, his fists clenched at his sides.

  Ethan stood, his expression calm but defiant. “I’m not sorry,” he said. “She deserves to know how I feel.”

  “You think you can just come in and take her?” Devon growled, stepping closer.

  “I’m not trying to take her,” Ethan shot back. “But I’m not going to sit on the sidelines and watch her slip away.”

  The tension snapped as Devon lunged at Ethan, his fist connecting with Ethan’s jaw. Ethan stumbled back but quickly recovered, shoving Devon in return.

  “Stop it!” I shouted, rushing between them.

  “Stay out of this, Kiera!” Devon barked.

  “Don’t talk to her like that!” Ethan snapped, his voice rising.

  In the chaos, someone’s filing arm hit me, sending me stumbling to the ground.

  “Kiera!” Selene’s voice cut through the noise as she rushed to my side. She gred at both of them, her voice sharp and commanding. “Enough! You’re acting like idiots!”

  Devon froze, his eyes wide as he saw me on the ground. Ethan’s anger melted into concern, and they both took a step back.

  “Kiera, are you okay?” Selene asked, helping me to my feet.

  “I’m fine,” I said shakily, though my voice trembled with frustration.

  Selene turned back to them, her expression cold. “If you two can’t stop fighting over her, you’re going to ruin everything.”

  She was right. And as I looked between Devon and Ethan, I knew I couldn’t avoid the decision any longer.

  “I’ll figure this out,” I said, my voice stronger now. “But until I do, you both need to stop. If you love me, you’ll respect that.”

  The tension hung heavy as we all stood there, waiting for the next move.