Marina wasn't around when I pulled up to Trent's apartment, which was exactly what I needed. Don't get me wrong—I still care about Marinaa lot, but if she'd been there, I would've had to be cautious of what I said, answer questions, keep up a smile I didn't have the strength for. Tonight, I needed something else. Something simple.

Trent was sprawled on the couch, controller in hand, eyes glued to the TV as his character tore through enemies in whatever new shooter he was obsessed with. He barely glanced up when I let myself in.

"Yo," he muttered, thumbs moving at the speed of light.

"Yo," I echoed, already dropping onto the chair beside him.

The truth? I didn't even think about it. If there was one thing I needed right now, it was a distraction. And if there was one person who could give me that without asking for too much in return, it was Trent.

"Grab a controller," he said, eyes still on the screen. "I'm not carrying your ass again though."

I smirked, grabbed the spare controller, and within minutes I was dropped into his game world. The rhythm of it was comforting—the sharp focus, the trash talk, the quick reactions. For a little while, the noise in my head quieted.

But Trent wasn't blind. He never was.

"So," he said casually as we ran through another level, "another Celestia problem? Or something different this time?"

I groaned, tilting my head back. "Bro. You have no idea."

That made him smirk. "Oh, I have some idea. Spill."

I hesitated, but the words were already pressing at the back of my teeth. "Avery came over."

His character died instantly. He dropped the controller onto his lap and turned to me with wide eyes. "Wait. Avery? As in Avery Brooke Prescott?"

I gave a flat look. "Yeah, that one. Do you know another Avery?"

"Dude." He shook his head slowly, like he was trying to wrap his brain around it. "Why?"

I shrugged. "Apparently she likes me. Has liked me for a long time."

Trent leaned back against the couch with a dry laugh. "Yeah."

That one word. The way he said it. I froze. "…Wait. You knew?"

He gave me a look like I'd just asked if water was wet. "Anybody with eyes could tell."

I dragged a hand down my face. "Great. Fantastic. I'm the only idiot who didn't notice."

He shrugged. "Selective blindness, man. Happens."

I leaned forward. "She said she's gonna wait for me."

That finally cracked him. He burst out laughing, shaking his head. "Damn. Guess she's waiting forever then."

"Not funny, dude."

] "Pretty funny from where I'm sitting."

I tried to glare, but the corner of my mouth twitched. A small laugh escaped me, even though I didn't want it to. That was the thing about Trent—he didn't let you drown in your own seriousness.

But I wasn't done. "That's not even the part that's rattling me."

Trent glanced over, curious now. "Oh? There's more?"

"There's this girl at my office," I started. "Actually… she's my team leader."

Trent didn't even let me finish. "How hot are we talking here?"

I threw my controller at him. "Seriously?"

He cackled, dodging it and tossing it back. "What? That's a valid question!"

I shook my head, but I couldn't hold back a chuckle.

"So," Trent leaned in, lowering his voice like this was about to be a spy mission. "She try to kiss you? Corner you in the break room? Or did she go full psycho and try to, like, jump you?"

I stared at him. "…What the hell is wrong with you?"

He grinned. "Answer the question bro."

"She asked me if I was really married," I said flatly. "And she admitted she looked up my file."

Trent blinked, gave a small nod, and let out a low "Mhm." His eyes stayed on the screen, like this was confirmation of something he already expected.

I narrowed my eyes. "You're not even remotely surprised."

"Why would I be?" he asked, pausing the game and turning toward me. "Dude. You're literally the guy who bagged the hottest girl in a school filled with hot girls and somehow made her obsessed with you. So even if you told me—" he held up a finger like he needed the right name, "—that, I dunno, Margot Robbie herself walked up to you and offered you a ring, I'd believe you."

My jaw dropped. "Wow. I actually came here for advice."

] "And I'm giving it!"

"No, you're roasting me."

He grinned. "Sometimes they're the same thing."

I shook my head, laughing despite myself.

But eventually, he sobered, leaning back into the couch. "Look, all jokes aside? Girls can be… dangerous. You already know that though. Celestia keeps you on your toes, doesn't she?"

I smirked, thinking of her, how she could spin me in circles without even trying. "Yeah. Every second."

"Exactly. And you handled that. You're still handling it. So don't let Avery or your boss or whoever else shake you. Stay grounded. You know who you love. You know where you're headed."

I exhaled slowly, nodding. "Thanks, bro. You're the best."

"Anytime, bud." He picked the controller back up, unpausing the game like we hadn't just had a heart-to-heart.

We played in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again, voice casual, almost too casual. "You didn't answer my question though."

I glanced at him. "…What question?"

He kept his eyes on the screen, smirking. "Is this team leader of yours hot?"

I stared at him, deadpan.

Then we both cracked up, laughter spilling out until my chest actually hurt. For the first time in days, the ache in my stomach eased.

The laughter, the banter, the game—it was exactly what I needed. For a little while, I wasn't thinking about unanswered calls or unexpected visits. For a little while, I wasn't weighed down by the ache of missing Val or the strangeness Avery and Tasha had dropped in my lap.

For a little while, I was just... me.

---

To be continued...

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