After a pause, a feminine voice snuck through the door. “It’s me, Stormy.” Stormy waited another moment and spoke again, gently but firmly. “Open up.” She rapped softly on the door one final time before Bugz stood and opened it a crack. She knew Stormy could see her red, swollen eyes, but she didn’t care.

“Can I come in?” the girl asked.

“I’m not going to hurt myself.”

“Well, that’s good.” Stormy smiled. “But I actually just wanted to ask how you’re feeling.”

Bugz stepped back from the door and Stormy slid through the opening. Bugz noted Stormy’s skinniness.

“That was harsh, bro,” Stormy said. “That’s why I hate guys our age…so immature. Like, you’re arguing and they just bring up random stuff to make you feel bad?”

“Yeah…,” Bugz responded. She turned and stared into the mirror above the sink. She fiddled with her hair before running the water, splashing it on her face, and checking herself again. She looked like a mess.

“He went crazy on you.” Stormy paused for a second and smiled. “Chalice was all ‘I told you so!’ ” Stormy’s laugh filled the room. “I’m sorry, but it was funny. Anyway, don’t let it get you down. He’s not thinking straight. I mean, how could he? Your brother’s in the hospital, and he pulls this?”

Bugz nodded. Stormy stood behind her and smiled into the mirror. “Here, let me.” She took over from Bugz’s fiddling and started pulling Bugz’s hair into tight French braids. “Yeah, he went off on you. He must be really mad. Who knew games were so important?”

“It’s more than just a game,” Bugz said emphatically. She searched Stormy’s eyes for understanding.

“It’s the money, right?”

“No. I still have everything I saved up.” Bugz paused. “You don’t understand. It’s not just a game. It’s my life.”

Stormy scrunched her forehead.

The wounded girl continued, “All the time I spent building myself up in the game, everything I created, everything I cared for in there—that’s the part you don’t understand.”

“No, I do understand,” Stormy said, still deep in concentration over Bugz’s hair. She wet her finger under the faucet and corralled a few stray wisps along Bugz’s hairline. “I lost my beadwork in a fire two years ago. All of my fancy shawl regalia, actually.” She shook her head and went on. “But it was the beadwork that really got to me. I cried so hard!” Stormy smiled again. “Girl, I cried so hard I’d make your little meltdown here look like a pregame show!”

Bugz grinned.