Sarah leaned forward, her bck eyes gleaming like polished gss, words tumbling out in an unstoppable flood. “Okay, so first—Realms of Valor. You wouldn’t believe the raid boss st week—this giant fire-breathing dragon with wings like molten va! And then there was this weird quest where I had to deliver stinky cheese to some old NPC who kept talking about his pet goat. So randht? I have to say that the devs probably have a very uhy obsession with cheese!” She giggled. “But then again, who could live without at least a little?” She waved her hands, animated, almost like she could jure the dragon or cheese ience.

  “And then there’s that rhythm game I mentio the rave—oh my gosh! I swear I’m one missed beat away from being a full-on pop star!” She cpped her hands, boung a little ooes. “I mean, not really, but in my head? Total stardom.”

  Leona couldn’t even think of interrupting. She didn’t want to. Sarah’s energy was iious, sweeping over her like a tidal wave, all-ing and exhirating.

  “And anime!” Sarah gasped, as if struck by an epiphany, her hands flying to her cheeks in mock shock. “Have you seen any? I’m obsessed with catgirls—obviously—totally obvious. I mean, who isn’t? Have you seen that old anime, Catgirl Nu?” She balled her fingers into mock paws, her grin so wide it could’ve split her face. “Nyaaa! Boom!” She mimed an explosion with her hands, her energy electric.

  Leoed her in her palm, utterly captivated, her smile growing wider with each word Sarah hurled like verbal fireworks. She didn’t dare interrupt. Why would she? Sarah’s enthusiasm was like a tidal wave, sweeping everything in its path, and Leona was more than happy to be caught in the flood. “I think I’ve heard of it somewhere,” she said, her toeasing. “But I haven’t had a ce to see it.”

  Sarah’s eyes sparkled like freshly polished gems. “I’ve got you covered! I’ll loan you my DVD colle. I’ve got every episode—and the OVAs.”

  Leona tilted her head, amusement dang in her eyes. “Why not watch it together instead? That sounds like way more fun.”

  Sarah’s grin widened, if that were even possible, and she nodded eagerly. “Absolutely! We could totally do a marathon.” Her excitement faltered for just a moment, a shadow of hesitation crossing her face. “Maybe at your house sometime? My parents aren’t super thrilled about sleepovers… or noise… or, well, much of anything, really.”

  “I haven’t experienced a sleepover either!” Leona chuckled, finding an ued sense of camaraderie in Sarah’s fession.

  Sarah’s face softened, her brow furrowing slightly. “Is yours as unsupportive as mine?” she asked, her voice tentative. “After meeting Quinn, I ’t imagihat being the case, but…”

  Leona shook her head, a warm smile lingering on her lips. “Nope. My family’s been nothing but supportive. But holy, I never had anyone I wao invite over before. Heck, I’ve ayed over at anyone else’s pce either.”

  Sarah blinked in surprise, her mouth f a small “o” before morphing into a knowing smile. “I guess we’re not so different then.” She lifted a hand, a high five like it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Leona ughed, unsure why the moment called for a high five but delighted heless. She spped her palm against Sarah’s with a satisfying cp, their shared ughter bubbling up between them.

  Sarah’s positivity was iious, and Leona soaked it in like sunlight. Maybe it was time to shift her perspective, she thought. Sarah seemed to have every reason to be weighed down by life—strict parents, a ret move, uainty—but she met the world with boundless energy and a grin that could rival the sun.

  Leo something shift inside her, a quiet but resolute deaybe it was time to let a little more light in.

  Leona leaned forward on her elbows, eyes bright with ughter, as Sarah rattled on at breakneck speed. Her arms filed animatedly, sketg invisible diagrams in the air. “Okay, okay, but seriously, you have to uand—the Reven Patch was supposed to fix everything, right? But noooo, instead, it barely did anything!” Sarah huffed, blowing a loose strand of hair from her face, her frustration adorably over-the-top. “I mean, sure, they bahe csses a bit, but the core issues? Still there. Like, how hard is it to revamp the skill tree?”

  Leona smirked, thhly eained by the passioirade. “Sounds like they took a sledgehammer to tweak a clock.”

  “Yes!” Sarah’s eyes lit up, and she pointed dramatically. “Exactly! That’s the perfealogy! It’s like they’re terrified of alienating the older pyers who, let’s be real, probably have nostalgia goggles super-glued to their faces.” She rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh. “I get it, okay? I love the cssics too, but at some point, you have to evolve.”

  Leona nodded, resting her in her hand. “I’m guessing your team’s all about, ‘burn it all down and rebuild it from scratch’?”

  “Oh, totally. Wipe the ste ! And, you know, for newers like you”—Sarah gave a pyful wink—“it’s actually the perfect time to jump in. The reset leveled the pying field. It’s like everyone’s starting fresh. You’d love it.”

  Leona tilted her head, intrigued despite herself. “I’ve heard the game retty hardcore before. The patch actually made me curious, but I figured the learning curve was too steep.”

  “That’s the beauty of it now!” Sarah leaned closer, her excitement tagious. “It’s so much more weling. And the devs are doing this super cool thing—they’re colborating with pyers who are into cospy to create unity events.” She clutched her hands together, practically vibrating with glee. “Imagi—real-life avatars of the game’s characters, marg around ventions, holdiups. It’s going to be epic. Did I mention how much I like ventions?”

  Leona chuckled. “So, you’re telli’s not just a game; it’s a lifestyle? And nah. I’ve never been to one myself, but I’d sure love to go to a Justi sometime.”

  “Exactly!” Sarah’s eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and mischief. “It’s more than just grinding levels or raiding dungeons. It’s about e, creativity, and…” She paused, tapping a fio her as if deep in thought, her lips curling into a grin. “…kig dragon butt, obviously.” She finished with a dramatic flourish, leaning in pyfully. Then her head tilted, curiosity softening her expression. “What’s Justi?”

  Leona ughed, the sound light and genuine. “It’s the biggest superhero vention there is. Like, the biggest. Sometimes it’s held on the West Coast—LA or San Diego—but they’ve moved it around to Atnta, New York City, and even Chicago a few years ago.” She shrugged. “It’s kind of a big deal.”

  “Oh!” Sarah’s smile widened. “You mentioned you’re super into superheroes, right?”

  “Yeah…” Leona chuckled, her cheeks c as she ruffled her hair, suddenly shy. “I’m a total superhero geek. When it es to them…” She groaned and facepalmed dramatically. “Let’s just say I go on and on and on… and on.” She peeked at Sarah through her fingers, grinning sheepishly. “But hey, I’ve been kinda hijag the versation, haven’t I? So—are you pnning to cospy at the for yame?”

  Sarah’s face lit up like a burst of fireworks, her energy practically vibrating in the air between them. “Yes! I’ve been pnning it for months,” she gushed, her hands flittiedly as she spoke. “I want to cospy Zorina—the rogue queen.” Her eyes gleamed with admiration. “She’s fierce, fast, and her armor is this sleek, bck leather with these wicked twin daggers. She’s such a badass.”

  Leona leaned back, clearly impressed. “Zorina, huh? Although I never saw her, the way you paint the picture in my mind, I already see it. You’d pull that off perfectly.” She gave Sarah a thumbs up.

  Sarah’s cheeks flushed with pleasure, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You think so? I mean, I’m still w on the daggers. I want them to look real but, you know, not actually be dangerous. And the leather armor? Let’s just say finding the right material without blowing all my savings has been a a bit of a journey.” She rolled her eyes but smiled all the same.

  Leona leaned forward, her grin widening. “I think you’ve got the rogue spirit down already. And if you need help, I’m sure Quinn could find something ihrift shop adventures.”

  Sarah’s eyes lit up at the mention of Quinn. “Oh my gosh, that would be amazing! You think she’d help?”

  “Absolutely,” Leona assured her, fidence ringing in her voice. “Quinn’s got an eye for that stuff. She loves a good challenge.”

  Sarah’s smile softened, her gaze lingering on Leona. “Thanks, Leona. You’re pretty awesome, you know?”

  Leohe warmth bloom in her chest, a soft blush creeping across her cheeks. “Right back at you, Zorina.” She winked. “Bck leather, huh?” Leona teased, arg a brow. “Sounds… bold.”

  Sarah flushed, the pink in her cheeks deepening, but she grinned anyway, shrugging pyfully. “Hey, if you’ve got it, funt it, right? Not that my parents would agree.” She rolled her eyes, the grin lingering even as she let out a small sigh. “If they ever caught me dressed like that at home? Oh man, they’d take me apart, burn the e, and probably sprihe ashes in the garden as a warning.” She leaned in spiratorially, l her voice as if sharing a deep secret. “So, part of the whole journey isn’t just making the e—it’s figuring out how to smuggle it in and out without getting caught.”

  Leona blinked, caught between amusement and disbelief. “Wait, smuggle? Like you’re sneaking traband?”

  “Exactly!” Sarah ughed, her eyes bright with mischief. “I have to be sneaky as bleep. Since I don’t have a loy door, I have to be hyper-aware of when one of my parents might barge in for whatever random reason.” She mimed a frantic scramble, wide-eyed and filing as if hastily hiding the e. “Imagirying to stuff semi-skimpy leather armor under your bed in like, two seds ft. It’s a skill.”

  Leona srying to hold in her ughter but failing miserably. “Oh my God, that sounds like you’re live ag a spy movie. Do you have an escape pn too? Maybe a rope dder out the window?”

  Sarah snapped her fingers, mock-serious. “Now that’s a good idea! I’ll o get one of those, for sure. But for now, I’ve got a decoy—a big, fluffy b. If I hear footsteps, I throw the b over whatever’s incriminating and pretend I’m cold.” She shot Leona a devilish grin. “I’m basically a rogue IRL.”

  Leona wiped a tear from the er of her eye, shaking her head. “That’s wild. But it’s also impressive. Like, I ’t imagine living uhat kind of stant surveilnce.”

  Sarah shrugged, the pyful glint in her eye dimming just a little. “It’s exhausting sometimes. But I get why they’re like that. They’re trying to protect me or whatever. Even if it feels like they’re just trying to trol every little thing.”

  Leona tilted her head, her smile softening. “Sounds tough. But you’re still finding ways to be yourself. That takes guts.”

  Sarah’s griurned, softer but no less genuine. “Yeah. I guess it does. Thanks, Leona. You make it feel… worth it.” She paused, then added with a wink, “And hey, maybe one day you’ll see me sneaking out of a window in full rogue armor. Nyaaa!”

  Leona snickered. “You’d definitely rock it. But won’t your parents freak out? Bck leather and daggers doly scream ‘Sunday school.’”

  Sarah giggled, the sound light and carefree. “Oh, they’ll lose their minds if they find out. But that’s half the fun, isn’t it? Besides, it’s not like I’m hurting anyone. I’m just… expl who I am.”

  Leona softe that, the siy behind Sarah’s wrounding the moment. “Sounds like you’re braver than you give yourself credit for.”

  Sarah blihen smiled shyly. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just a little reckless.”

  They shared a fortable silence for a moment, the din of the mall fading into the background. Leona found herself marveling at how easily they ected. She’d never felt this way before—so at ease, so uood.

  “So, are you in?” Sarah broke the quiet, her grin mischievous. “Going to join me in Realms of Valor?”

  Leona preteo think, tapping her . “Hmm… will I get to wear cool armor and sy dragons?”

  “Duh,” Sarah replied, tossing her hair. “It’s a requirement.”

  “Then I’m in,” Leona said, ughing.

  Sarah was mid-sentence, her voice climbing in volume as she smmed home the point that feline-focused cospyers were being criminally overlooked. “I’m telling you, cat ears are iic! We need more panels, more merch, more everything—”

  Quinn’s arrival cut through the iy like a breeze on a scorg day. She sauntered up, her grin wide and easy, the te-afternoon sun glinting off her sungsses perched atop her head. “Well, well,” she teased, pnting her hands on her hips. “How’re things going with you two?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, taking in the se like she’d walked into the middle of something she didn’t want to miss.

  Sarah whipped around, her animated expression softening into a grin, cheeks slightly flushed from the tirade. “Quinn!” she chirped, waving. “We’re thriving out here! Sun, new best friend, and serious talk about cospy justice!” She shot Leona a glowing look, as if she hadn’t just been ranting with the passion of a battle-hardened rogue queen.

  Sarah’s face lit up even more—if that ossible—as she turoward Quinn, practically boung in her seat. “It’s so o be out here in the sun with my new best friend!” Her words were directed at Leona, sparkling eyes full of warmth aement.

  Quinn’s smile faltered for a split sed, her brow twitg in a wihat she quickly masked with an even wider grin. New best friend? How had Leona mao get friend-zoned already? She shook her head, internally ughing at her sister’s luck—or ck thereof.

  As Sarah had been saying earlier, summer was still ging on with stubborn warmth, though the first hints of autumn were creeping in. The end of the break was just around the er, and soon enough, Quinn would be fag the grind of her final year of high school. That thought g her for a moment before she pushed it aside.

  “So,” Quinn said, leaning against the bench, “is it true yonna be going to our school too?” Her eyes widened in i curiosity, though there was a knowing edge beh it.

  Sarah nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! I’m transferring soon, but not because of Leona or anything, I swear. It’s just a total ce we’re in the same area. My parents wao put me in some private church school, but let’s just say there were some ‘ideological differences.’” She giggled, clearly enjoying the euphemism. “I pouted hard until they let me go to public school instead.”

  Leona arched her brow, amused. “Pouted, huh?”

  “Oh, big time,” Sarah admitted with a grin. “We moved here right before summer break, so I’ve been waiting forever for school to start.”

  “Isn’t it tough moving from a rural pce to a city like San Isidro?” Leona asked. “How are you holding up? Our school isly top-tier, you know. We’ve got metal detectors to keep out ons.”

  Sarah frowned slightly, sidering the question. “Not really. My grades are fine. And yeah, my parents aren’t thrilled about the crime or anything, but my dad’s job didn’t leave them much of a choice. They’re so strict it’s like I barely breathe, but even that’s better than Montana. It’s so much more exg here.” She ughed, the sound bright but edged with a hint of rebellion.

  Before Leona could respond, Quinn held up a hand, giving Sarah an apologetic smile. “Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I borrow my sister for a sec? There’s something I o say to her privately.”

  Without waiting for permission, she tugged Leona to the side, out of earshot. “Hey,” Quinn whispered, voice low but sharp, “does she know you used to be a boy yet?”

  Leona’s cheeks fred red, and she shook her head. “No,” she muttered, gng nervously back at Sarah, atg them curiously from the bench. “She just treats me like any irl-friend, I think. Telling her now would feel weird, like I’ve been lying just to spend time with her. Her parents don’t sound like they’d exactly embrace a boyfrieher.”

  Quinn shrugged, her expression softening. “It’s not a big deal. Don’t stress it. If you’re just her friend, it’s no biggie.” She pulled Leona back toward Sarah, whose entire posture screamed curiosity, like a cat waiting to pouhe tail and ears perked up.

  “What was that about?” Sarah asked, tilting her head, her voice light with . “Secret sister stuff? Oh gosh, will your mom be mad if we spend too much time out?”

  “No, nothing like that,” Quinn ughed, waving a hand dismissively. “Actually, I was just suggesti the beach.”

  Sarah’s eyes widened, and then she blinked, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. “I don’t have a bathing suit with me!” she admitted, then brightened. “But I’d love to go. The o’s always been this distant dream for me. I’ve never seen it up close. I didn’t want to go alohough, and my parents are busy—Dad with work, and Mom’s off doing Bible study with her new group.”

  Quinn nodded knowingly. “Nht now, but soon. We’ve only got a week before school starts, and the weather won’t stay perfect forever. We’ll check the o off your bucket list, no worries. Right, kiddo?” She cpped a hand on Sarah’s shoulder, adding, “Oh, but there’s also an amazing water park nearby, right on the o. Less hassle, no risk of rashes or sunburn if you don’t shht away, and you just dive in and have fun.”

  Sarah tilted her head, sidering. “That sounds fun too! But I’m broke. I spent everything on dressing up for the rave.”

  “I’ve got you covered!” Leona announced, giving a thumbs-up. “I mean, I’ve got enough.”

  Quinn grinned. “Generous, huh? Alright, I hope you have a swimsuit, Sarah?”

  Sarah purred, loyful. “I do! It’s a cute one. No spoilers, though.”

  Leona’s face fell as she realized she didn’t have a swimsuit herself. It had never been a priority. All she had were old boy’s trunks that she couldn’t wear anymore. It robably time to get rid of some of those old clothes. She g Quinn, panic creeping in.

  Quinn noticed, ughing. “Don’t sweat it, sis. I’ve got a special gift for you. Just not on me right now.”

  “My birthday was months ago,” Leona deadpanned.

  “Well,” Quinn smirked, “sider it a te present.”

  Sarah shifted on her feet, gng at the sky as if it held a clock she could read. “Umm, I really should head home now,” she murmured, her voice soft but tinged with reluce. “My parents dropped me off, and I’ve told them all about you, Leona.” Her lips curled into a half-smile, though it wavered. “They seemed okay with you, surprisingly, but as I said, not enough to invite you over. As you know… they’re super uptight.” She pouted, crossing her arms, the defiance softened by the vulnerability ione.

  Leona frowilting her head. “Wait, didn’t you say they didn’t know where you are?”

  Sarah rolled her eyes, exasperated. “I meant for the rave. How do you think I got here? Took the bus? Ha! My parents would never let me use public transportation.”

  Quinn snorted. “Holy, I don’t bme them. I’ve seen some real weirdos riding in the back more than a few times.”

  Sarah’s curiosity fred, her eyes sparkling as she leaned closer. “How weird are we talking? Like creepy weird or fun weird?”

  Quiated, scratg the back of her neck awkwardly. “Erm… ah… maybe best not to say too much. Just… don’t ride alone, okay? Always go with friends if you have to.”

  Sarah houghtfully before turnitention back to Leona, her expression more serious now. “Leona, I think my parents will want to meet sometime.” She hesitated, chewing on her lip before tinuing, “I o warn you though. If they don’t approve of the people I hang out with… they get—well—upset. Depending on the impression you make ohey may ban you.”

  Leona’s eyes widened in shock, and she blurted out, “No way! That’s so overboard! Why are they so trolling? I mean—what would they have against me?” Her voice cracked slightly, and her face flushed with sudden self-sciousness.

  Quinn, sensing the versatioering on dangerous ground, stepped in smoothly. “We get you home,” she said, nodding toward Sarah. “But give us just another sec, okay?” With that, she gently tugged Leona aside, l her voice to a whisper. “Remind me again why you haven’t told her?” she asked, her tone careful but firm. “I mean, sure, it’s fine now, but what if this does turn out to be particurly romantic? You don’t want to drop that kind of surprise ter on.”

  Leona’s jaw tightened, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. “Not yet,” she hissed through gritted teeth. “You know how her parents are. you imagine how that would go over? I’ve only just met her!”

  Quinn exhaled, her brow furrowing in sympathy. “Yeah, you’re probably right. It’d be like, ‘Hey, Sarah, by the way, the girl you’ve been hanging out with used to be a guy.’ Or worse, ‘I ’t tell if you like boys or not because you don’t want your parents to think you might be into girls.’” She sighed. “She’s got that vibe, you know? And her parents… they sound like they wouldn’t approve of anything outside their little box.”

  Leona’s shoulders sagged, the fight draining from her. “Exactly,” she muttered. “It just wouldn’t go well.”

  Quinn softened, reag out to stroke Leona’s hair in a reassuriure. “Look, on the bright side, even if you don’t tell her, I’ll help when you ge into your swimsuit. You’ve got that nice gaff, so no worries there.” She winked, her voice lighter now. “Let’s finish your date, and we’ll figure the rest out ter when we have some privacy.”

  Leona rolled her eyes, puffing out an exasperated breath. “We’ll see,” she grumbled, before suddenly snapping upright, gring pyfully. “Wait a sed! I told you—this is NOT a date!”

  Quinn ughed, ruffling Leona’s hair before leading her back toward Sarah, atg them with curious, twitg-cat energy, as if expeg a juicy secret to spill any sed.