Page 99 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

Sleeping doesn’t really do anything for the game—it’s just for fun. Declan spins around in his chair and smiles. “I never get to roleplay like this. My friends and I usually do dungeons or super hard bosses. I’m having lots of fun with you.”

“Thanks.” I play with my hair. “I’m having lots of fun with you, too.”

We’re quiet.

“What got you into gaming?” I ask him.

“Same boring story as every other kid. My dad and brother introduced me to it. I would sit by Chase’s side and watch him for hours before playing myself. What about you?”

I raise my shoulders. “I don’t know. I think my dad let me play some demos and I was hooked. He’s not much of a gamer, but we did play some games together when I was younger. I mostly played on Xbox because my parents didn’t want to buy me a gaming PC when I was younger. They thought I’d never do my homework.”

Declan gives me a wry smile. “And now you just stay up all night gaming instead.”

“Indeed, she does,” WillowBot says from where she’s still putting my books in order.

“Do you still play with your brother?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “He doesn’t play as much as he used to—I guess since he became my manager. But he used to play all the time when he was in high school. I remember Tori getting annoyed sometimes.”

“I can’t believe they went to school together,” I say. “That’s so wild.”

“Yeah. She was always so nice to me—like the older sister I never had. It sucks she couldn’t make it on Broadway.”

“Wait, what? What do you mean?”

“Oh, I thought you knew about her past.”

I shake my head.

“She moved to New York City after high school and tried for years to get on the stage. But she never broke into the industry.”

“That sucks,” I say. “She’s such a good actor and her voice is amazing.”

“I agree. But she told me the best job she’s ever had was working at Edenbury High School as the theater director. So maybe it all worked out for the best.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I muse.

We’re quiet. When I glance at him, I notice he seems deep in thought.

“What is it?” I ask.

He blinks. “What?”

“You look bothered about something.”

He sighs. “It’s just my brother. He’s so stubborn sometimes.”

“More than me?” I joke.

“No one is as stubborn as you,” he jokes back. Then he frowns again. “I know he’s still in love with Tori. If he would just admit it to himself—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Rewind. Did you just say he’s in love with Miss Lane?”

“Yeah. Sorry. They dated in high school. I thought I mentioned that.”

I gape at him. “They dated in high school?! No, you forgot to mention that very important detail, Declan!”

He laughs lightly. “Sorry. But yeah, they were inseparable. I have no idea why they broke up. It was after they graduated. I really thought they’d get married. He seemed really hurt.”

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