Nights In Livik

PART V

As the days turned into weeks, my bond with the boys deepened, blossoming into a unique camaraderie. We shared laughter, joy, and countless distractions from the outside world, building a sanctuary of fun in the chaotic realm of PUBG. Our connections solidified to the point where we made a pact: if one of us was absent, we would wait for the group to reunite rather than play with randoms.

In the game, there was a feature allowing players to label their teammates—BFF, buddy, bromance, or lover. I distinctly remember marking Skorp as my BFF, while Pookie, Brook, and Pitos proudly held the title of my BROMANCE. It felt like a badge of honor, solidifying our little group.

However, after six or eight months, I started to notice changes—nothing drastic, but Skorp began to act differently. His moods swung like a pendulum, and while I didn’t know why, I gradually understood that this was just part of who he was. Sometimes he’d log on and play without inviting me, even though Pookie and Brook had no problem including me in their games. I found myself feeling upset during those dry spells when he would ignore me for three to five days at a time. Yet, I’d always reassure myself, giving him space and understanding that everyone has their own battles.

In those moments, I often muttered to myself about how his mood swings drove me mad. “I’m never playing with him again!” I’d declare, but the instant he sent me an invite, I’d find myself grinning like a fool, rushing to the lobby as if I’d never thought those thoughts at all.

That’s just how it goes when your favorite person occasionally treats you like an afterthought.

One night, Skorp was again absent, leaving just Pitos, Pookie, and me in the lobby. We chatted about our interests, favorite bands, and everything in between. During our conversation, I asked Pookie if he knew of a YouTube channel called "Nuke's Top 5." He replied with a no, so I told him to check it out and update me on his thoughts.

“Okay, but where can I contact you?” he asked, curious. “Part of PUBG?”

“TikTok?” I suggested hesitantly, unsure if I should offer my Instagram, fearing he might hesitate to add a girl.

“I don’t have TikTok, but what about IG?” he countered, and relief washed over me when he expressed interest in exchanging Instagram accounts.

That night marked the beginning of our friendship outside the game. We shared our IG handles, and just like that, Pookie became part of my daily life. Our conversations flowed easily, reminiscing about childhood memories and sharing both our good and bad experiences.

The bond we formed extended beyond the screen, proving that sometimes, the best friendships begin in the most unexpected places.