Shifting my gaze to where the voice came from, I saw Eva and Brandon.

Without even realizing it, we had walked all the way downtown already. We were supposed to meet at this entertainment venue called the NEXUS. For all intents and purposes, it was the go-to place for all the rich kids in town. The venue was part of a global chain catering to society's higher echelons. The chain was a collaboration between families of the esteemed Zigmis & Avis Grex groups.

“Shit, here we are,” I thought.

I did not want to be here. Having so many things to preoccupy myself with right now, important things, to say the least. Here I was, stuck with a bunch of horny and jealous 15-year-old teenagers. I should also include myself in that group, but I just can't.

I said it before: I’m not interested in relationships. My goal was to make money and live a carefree life.

Would I want a woman? I would think so. I'd have to say something in the future. What good is one for me right now when I don’t have money or a clear future yet?

So, playing babysitter to Brandon and three female pains in the asses was not my idea of a good time.

As we walked up, Brandon and Eva were standing outside the venue.

“Hey, Brandon,” I said.

“Hi,” followed Cora and Yara.

There was a long silence between everybody before Yara interrupted it.

“Are you guys ok?” she said.

Both Eva and Brandon were just staring at Cora.

Hearts and lust are in Brandon’s eyes, and daggers and envy are in Eva’s.

“Hmm, Hmm.” I cleared my throat, trying to get Brandon to snap out of it, but he was very captivated by the scenery.

The one that snapped out of it first was Eva.

“Hi,” she said, a little embarrassed.

“I’m sorry for being rude. I was just a little surprised by Cora. She looks gorgeous, right Khyrum?” she said while glaring at me.

There was also a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

“I’m not sure why you’re asking me, but yes, she does look very nice,” I said, dismissing the comment as nothing.

“Well, I’m just saying, since she did get all dressed up for you, didn’t she?” she continued.

I’m unsure if she did; I wanted to say before another voice jumped in.

“Cora, wow, you look amazing,” said Brandon, his eyes almost falling from his skull.

“Thank you” was all the Cora said as she stood beside her sister.

“Well, since we are all here and everyone seems to be ready, let's go in,” said Eva as she approached me.

I’m not sure what her intention was, but I quickly sidestepped and moved toward Brandon, altogether avoiding any contact with Eva.

She just stood there frozen, looking at me like I just wronged her in some cruel and unjust way.

Seeing what had just happened, the twins smirked at each other and quickly followed behind me.

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“Hey Brandon, let's get this shit going, as I need to be somewhere later today,” I said annoyed.

Brandon looked at me as if I was an idiot before finally whispering to me.

“You need to watch your mouth; don’t forget who you are talking to, asshole.”

He then looked up to Cora, Yara, and Eva, and a big smile appeared on his face.

“Ladies, let's go inside; everything is on me today, so don’t be shy if you want to play or buy something,” he said in a smug voice.

As we started walking inside, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder as if we were good buddies before whispering.

“Not you fucker; if you want something, pay for it yourself," he said, snickering.

I knew something like this was bound to happen, so I brought some credits. They weren’t much, only about 500 Silver credits.

I nodded in agreement as all five of us went in.

The venue was significant as it housed several different attractions. There was VRfighting, Karaoke, First-Shooter Games, Sports Games, and more. It even had a restaurant inside.

As we got to the lobby, Eva asked,

“OK, so what do we want to start with? I vote Karaoke.”

Cora and Yara looked at each other and nodded, agreeing with Eva’s choice.

I wanted to say I didn’t care, but Brandon jumped in.

“Karaoke is nice, but it's more of a girl thing. We can do that towards the end.”

I looked at him, a little suspicious of where this was going.

“So, what do you want to start with then, Mr. Machoman?” said Yara in a condescending tone.

Brandon just eyed her briefly before turning back to Eva and Cora.

“I’m actually learning some new fighting skills from my dad; I wouldn’t mind trying them out,” he said as he looked at me.

“Shit, this asshole is trying to fight me,” I thought.

Eva and Cora looked at Brandon and then at me for a few seconds before Eva finally spoke up.

“Yeah, let's have Brandon and Khyrum fight it out for a little bit. That should get everyone’s blood going.”

Cora and Yara just smiled, and I just sighed.

“You hear that, Khyrum? These girls want me to teach you a lesson on fighting. Let's go to the VRfighting arena,” he said as he walked away.

“Do we need to? I admit you are better than me,” I said, trying to get out of it.

“Are you scared? It's only VR, so you can't get hurt,” said Eva.

I knew that; I did not feel like wasting time on something silly. I would rather spend it eating and playing sports or hunting games.

I knew what Brandon was trying to do. He wanted to show off in front of Eva and Cora so they could see that he was way better than me.

“Let's go, Khyrum. The girls want a show, and I will give them one. No backing out now,” he said.

Cora came up to me and said in a soft voice.

“I don’t really care if you lose or win, Khyrum; I will always stand in your corner.”

Eva felt a jolt in her heart when she saw this. She didn’t know why, but she wanted to approach Khyrum and pull him away from Cora.

She watched from afar as she clenched her fist.

“What’s with me today? I know there is this aura of mystery around him, but I shouldn’t be this attracted.”

Brandon turned around after not seeing Khyrum follow him. Only to be greeted by the sight of both girls staring at Khy.

Brandon felt a sharp and vicious pain in his heart right then.

“This can’t be. If I’m the better catch, why don’t these girls follow me?” he said, visibly annoyed.

“I don’t understand why they always follow him; he doesn’t even like them. He is probably gay or something,” he continued.

“I need to do something about this now; I can’t let this slide anymore,” he finished as he had a hideous, contorted grin on his face.

“Khyrum, Let's Go Now!” he said in a commanding tone.

“I’m going to beat and humiliate you so bad that you are going to want to kill yourself,” he thought.

I couldn’t care less, but seeing Brandon so adamant about this, I did my best to appease him so he wouldn’t be a pain in my ass later.

“Alright, alright, I’m going. Sheesh, you don’t have to be such a hard ass over this,” I said as I walked towards him.

As we walked to the fighting area, the attendant explained the rules.

“Gentlemen, this fight is in a VR setting. Although you won't use your physical body, you can still use any skill or technique, as those are stored in the brain. You can also still feel pain, and that can leave a mental wound, so let's make sure we set the pain reception correctly.”

“We can set the pain reception to minimal, normal, or 100%, as this would equal what you would feel in the real world. Most people request minimal, with experts selecting the normal mode,” the attendant said.

Brandon looked at Khyrum and then at the girls. He wanted to teach him a lesson so he would understand that he would never be able to reach or have what Brandon had; in his mind, this would be the starting point.

“Let's set it at minimal,” he said as the girls and Khyrum watched.

Everyone agreed, and Khyrum went into his pod to put on his helmet. While everyone walked away. Brandon looked at the attendant and then whispered.

“Hey buddy, here are 500 silver credits; put the pain reception to 100%. Just let's keep this to ourselves,” he said inauspiciously.

The attendant just nodded at him with a sly grin.

“I’m going to hurt him so bad right now; I’m sure he is going to go home crying like a little schoolgirl,” thought Brandon with an evil smile on his face.

As Khyrum and Bradon put on their helmets, the attendant started counting down.

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1…...initialize.