“Alright, well, thanks then,” Bugz said nervously. She held her phone up to examine her reflection and fiddled with her hair quickly. Nonchalantly, she checked the appearance of the other two young women in the Floraverse. They’d upgraded. But they’d bought their new skins from influencers again. Some boys might like them, but a real gamer would give them no cred for using those. She glanced at Feng. His expression was serious.

“Just with everything going on, with our hero here down but not out”—Stormy smiled at Waawaate—“it really puts things into perspective. I hope we can be friends again.”

“Friends?” Bugz felt lighter for hearing Stormy describe their relationship as such. She’d always assumed any conversation between them was only a transaction. My friend Stormy. Bugz tried the phrase on in her head.

“Let’s be friends!” Chalice said with forced exuberance. The young women and Waawaate laughed. Feng looked on skeptically. Stormy pulled out her phone and smiled as she saw Bugz’s ’Versona through her screen. She turned to Chalice and they looked at each other through their own devices.

“Damn girl,” Stormy exclaimed. “Twinsies!”

“Twinning is winning!” Chalice fired back.

Bugz’s mom and dad walked in with Liumei and exchanged pleasantries with the visitors. They asked about Stormy’s parents, grandparents, and second cousins, as is the Anishinaabe custom. She assured them of everyone’s health. They asked Chalice who her mom and dad were again, as is the Anishinaabe custom with people less familiar to you. They nodded, and a few seconds later explained how they all formed an extended family. “So I guess that makes you and Bugz cousins,” Bugz’s father concluded. “How do you like that, Chalice?” Chalice flashed an uncomfortable smile.

“That means you and Waawaate are cousins, girl!” Stormy said with a huge grin. “So hands off!” The room laughed. “Omigod, I’m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Holiday. I don’t know why I said that. I’m totally not like that!” Stormy flashed a mischievous glance at Waawaate.

After a few no-kissing-cousins jokes, the room settled down. Frank and Summer became serious. “Excuse us, kids. Can we take some time alone with Waawaate?” Summer asked. “We need to discuss a few things.”

“Sure, can we come back up later?” Stormy asked, and received a nod from Summer. “Alright then, maybe we’ll just go wait downstairs.” She led Chalice out of the room.

Bugz looked to her parents and found silence. They wanted her to leave too. She glanced at Feng and he followed her out of the room.

CHAPTER 44

As Bugz and Feng waited for the elevator, he looked at her and shook his head. “Bugz, those girls are fake.”

“We’re all fake.” Bugz showed him a screen cap of her ’Versona.

“Not like them. Be careful…” The sliding elevator doors interrupted him, opening to reveal Stormy and Chalice. They broke out giggling.

“We must be lost,” Chalice said.