Simulated Love (2024)

Chapter 16

Chase

There was a knock at my room door.

"Chase, are you ready? Alejandro is outside."

"Yeah. You can come in."

Elijah opened the door. "You look nice."

There was that warm feeling in my chest again, but I knew that time he was giving me that compliment as just a friend.

"Thanks. You too."

He chuckled. "Save the compliments for your date."

I nodded. "So are you and Maggie actually coming? I told Alejandro you guys were."

He slapped his forehead. "Chase. Why would you tell him?"

"Because I don't want you and Maggie to creep behind us. I want you guys to sit next to me. Elijah, I am going home soon. I really want to spend as much time with you as I can. Is that so wrong?"

"No, but you always wanted a boyfriend. Alejandro is right there. I just don't want you to mess it up."

"There's no guarantee that Alejandro and I will be together once I leave, but at least with you, I know we'll always be friends. I know I'll be in touch with you, so I want to work on us."

His eyes shifted down to his feet. "Just hurry out."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

He smiled. "You didn't. I just don't wanna miss the movie. Now hurry the hell up."

We shared a laugh.

~

Getting into Alejandro's car felt wrong. The seats weren't as comfortable as the seats in Elijah's car. The ride wasn't as smooth and even with the heat on; I was shivering.

And of course, Alejandro noticed.

"Everything okay?" He asked.

I forced a smile. "Yeah. I'm okay. Just not used to being in your car."

"I know it isn't as fancy as the ones you're probably used to, but it does the trick."

Believe it or not, he had a nice car. I just wish the person driving was Elijah. "No, your car is nice. Besides, back home, I ride the bus. I don't have money for a car. I barely have money for food back home."

"How come? Job not paying you well?"

"Yeah. I come from a tiny studio. The fact that Game Spotlight chose to work with me was a blessing."

"I hope the game you are working on turns out great. I was doing some reading about the whole thing and it seems like a pretty big thing."

"You read about it?"

"Of course." He chuckled. "Not to be weird or anything, but when I'm interested in something or someone, I do some research. The game you are working on with Elijah is highly anticipated. It's all-over social media."

"Seriously? I didn't even think to check social media."

As I scrolled through my phone, I noticed all the articles and posts about our upcoming game. The pressure was on for us to deliver. So many people were waiting for it. I never had so much attention in my life. Even if it was because I was associated with Elijah.

"Crazy right?"

"Yeah. I'm not used to the attention."

"Is that why you seem weird around me? Not used to being the center of attention?"