Page 97 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

“Not as much as me,” Lady Bunny says.

“Mia Park loves me!”

“Not as much as me!”

“When will you believe me? When I lose one of my eyes?”

Lady Bunny is about to respond, but I hear a soft laugh escape Declan. And then I’m transported back to the real world, where a sixteen-year-old girl playing with her stuffed animals is very silly.

“Oh…” My cheeks flame. “I forgot for a second where I was.” I put them down and scramble off my bed. “I don’t usually do that,” I tell him. “Only sometimes…”

Ugh, I probably look like a total dork.

Declan smiles. “That was really adorable. I used to do that all the time with my toys when I was a kid.”

“Yeah, the keyword is ‘kid,’” I mutter.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” he assures me. “Like I said, I think it’s adorable. You’re creating characters and giving them personalities.”

I slowly lift my eyes to his. He gets it.

Pushing that aside, I say, “We should play before it gets late. I’ll log you in to Queenie and then launch Chronicles of the Eternals. You can sign into your account.” After that’s done, I settle down at Minnie.

“Are you sure you don’t want to play on Queenie?” Declan asks. “I can play on Minnie.”

“She and I spend quality time with each other every night,” I assure him with a smile. “And it’s my present to you, remember?”

“Thanks. Wow.” He gasps as the game loads with its exceptionally beautiful colors, all thanks to my awesome computer. “These graphics are insane.”

“Right? Just wait until you see the landscapes and cities. They look more beautiful than real life.”

When the character selection screen loads, he turns to me. “Want me to use my alternate or my main? My main is veteran.”

“Hmm. Do you want to quest or kill bosses? Because there are some really hard bosses I might need help with.”

“Okay, I’ll use my main. He’s also better for group activities. There are some cool dungeons we can do.”

“I’m logged in to Valarina. Send me a friend request when you’re in.”

Once he does that, I meet him in the city he’s in.

“My, my, Valarina.” Declan whistles. Then he has his character, named Gunthard the Bard, bow down. “I have never gazed upon a more beautiful maiden.”

“Thank you, my good sir.” I make Valarina bow. “I must say, I have never met a bard before. You may serenade me with a wondrous melody.”

He uses an emote where his character takes out a lute and starts singing a love song. I have my character dance to it. Some players from around the world who are in the city stop and watch us. Soon a crowd forms, many of them dancing or singing as well.

“Will you look at that,” I say. “He’s just as popular in the virtual world as he is in real life.”

“What can I say?” Declan says with a chuckle as he switches to the drums and changes the song. “People just love me.”

Eventually, he stops and the crowd disperses. Declan and I visit one of his houses, where he, of course, shows off how amazing it is. He’s far more advanced in the game than I am because he’s been playing for years, and I have to say his home is incredible.

“You must have put a lot of time and effort into it,” I tell him. “I didn’t think you’d have patience for that.”

“Odd, I know. But Gunthard needs a good place where he can entertain the many ladies fighting for his attention.” Declan turns around and winks. “The ladies love bards.”

“And here Valarina thought she was special,” I mutter.

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