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CHAPTERONE
Blaze
The soundof rapid gunfire fills my headphones as I sit in front of my computer, immersed in the virtual world. My fingers dance over the keyboard with ease, a testament to countless hours spent honing my skills. Blaze Montgomery – that's me, a computer programmer by day and an avid gamer by night. The glow of the screen reflects off my tattooed arms, a canvas of ink and dedication.
"Nice shot, man!" Dylan Sinclair's voice comes through the headset, complimenting my latest kill. He's my best friend, my right-hand man in this pixelated chaos. We've been gaming together for years, our camaraderie forged through shared victories and crushing defeats.
"Thanks, bro," I reply, grinning. "You're not doing so bad yourself."
Our avatars charge through the battlefield, side by side, just like we've always been. Dylan's got my back, and I've got his. It's a bond that goes beyond the game, extending into the real world where we've laughed, fought, and celebrated life together.
"Watch your six, Blaze!" Dylan warns, and I instinctively dodge an incoming attack.
"Saved my ass there," I say with a chuckle.
"Always, man," he responds, his laughter echoing mine.
We push forward, our teamwork and skill dominating the match. It feels good, this perfect rhythm we've found together. But despite the thrill of the game and the satisfaction of our partnership, I can't shake the nagging feeling that something is missing—or rather, someone.
My mind drifts to Nova, Dylan's little sister. She's like the sun—warm, radiant, and impossible to ignore. But she's also forbidden fruit, her brother's most treasured possession. I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt as I think about her, knowing how much it would hurt Dylan if he knew the truth about my obsession.
"Focus, Blaze!" Dylan's voice snaps me out of my reverie, and I quickly return my attention to the game. We can't afford to lose now, not when we've come this far.
"Sorry, man," I mumble, shaking off my thoughts of Nova. "I'm back in it."
"Good," Dylan says, his tone light and teasing. "Can't have you daydreaming on me now."
We continue playing, our focus sharp and our determination unwavering. But as I steal glances at Nova's social media profile, open on my second monitor, I can't help but wonder how long I can keep up this charade. My loyalty to Dylan is absolute, but my desire for Nova is a wildfire that threatens to consume me.
"Great game, Blaze," Dylan praises, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
"Same to you, man," I respond, forcing myself to stay present in the moment. "Again tomorrow night?"
"Definitely," he agrees, and we sign off for the night.
As I sit in the dim glow of my computer screen, the sound of gunfire replaced by silence, I can't help but feel a sense of longing. My thoughts drift toward Nova again. I imagine her blonde hair, the way she seems so carefree and how chipper her voice always sounds when I hear her talking to Dylan over the headset.
I smile to myself as I pull up her social media profile and browse through her pictures for the millioneth time.
I don't know how long I get lost in her, but I finally come to my senses with a shake of my head and a long sigh.
I need to take my ass to bed and stop dreaming of what can never be.
* * *
The sun dips low on the horizon as I settle into my desk chair, a fresh cup of coffee steaming beside my computer. My fingers tap an impatient rhythm along the edge of my keyboard, itching for the familiar sensation of WASD keys beneath them. I've spent all day tangled in the web of code that pays my bills, but now it's time for the play that keeps me sane.
"Ready to roll?" Dylan's voice crackles through my headset, and I can picture him lounging in his own gaming lair, hundreds of miles away.
"Born ready," I reply with a smirk, cracking my knuckles before diving headfirst into the virtual battleground we've conquered countless times before.
As bullets whiz past and explosions rock our shared digital world, I thrive in the chaos. This is where I belong, in control and untouchable. But even with my focus honed to a razor's edge, there's still a part of me that drifts, thinking of a certain social media icon.
"Shit, Blaze, watch your six!" Dylan shouts, snapping me back to the present. I suppress a curse at myself, spinning to take out the enemy that snuck up behind me.
"Thanks, man," I mutter, trying to shove the image of Nova's latest selfie out of my mind. It's not the first time she's been a distraction, and if I'm honest, it won't be the last.
"Anytime," Dylan grins, oblivious to the inner turmoil he's just saved me from. "Now let's go kick some ass."
