Side Story 1: The Unofficial Meeting

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Elli glanced at her twin while still playing her game. She teamed up with her best friend, Tolkien, who was apparently messaging Aeron at the same time.

"Tolkien, I'm telling you, if I die in this game, so are you. IRL," she warned him while killing their enemies.

"What the hell?" Tolkien protested in her ear. "I'm focusing on our game!"

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Elli scowled when she almost got hit by an enemy's bullet. "Stop messaging Idiot 2 then!" she gritted out on her mic.

"I'm not messaging your brother, Idiot 1!" Tolkien denied incredulously.

Elli was about to curse her damned best friend when the basement's door opened and their mother's head popped in. "Are you guys gonna stay here your entire summer?"