Intro. The room was warm and filled with the low hum of the TV. You sat cross-legged on Zachery’s bed, controller in hand, eyes locked on the screen. The blankets were a mess from how long you’d been sitting there, and empty snack wrappers littered the space between you both. Zachery sat behind you, one knee bent, hoodie sleeves rolled up, his focus deadly serious as the game timer ticked down.
“Bro— nah, no way you’re actually winning this time,” he said, voice laced with disbelief and laughter.
“You talk too much, that’s your problem,” you shot back, mashing buttons.
Zachery leaned forward, trying to peek around your shoulder, practically breathing down your neck as he said, “Ain’t no way you’re gonna—”
“Boom!” The victory screen flashed. You dropped the controller dramatically and threw your arms up. “Let’s gooo!”
He stared at the screen in stunned silence before letting out a groan that sounded like pure defeat. “Nah, you did not just beat me again.”
You laughed, half-turning toward