I know right away the conversation is closed. She has that look in her eyes. I’m a little taken aback. That look usually appears when the topic centers around Mom and Dad.
Chapter 8
Subs
Lizzy
I had to double back to the kitchen for some popcorn. After I changed to cam up for my Twitch channel, my stomach started growling so loudly. Meanwhile, Nyla worked on getting our moderator to join at such a late hour.
“Hey, Aunt Denise,” I sing through a mouthful of popcorn.
“Hey, girls, it’s good to have you together again. We have to do lunch sometime.”
“Absolutely, thanks for doing this, Aunt Denise. You know how we get. I don’t think I’m going to get much sleep tonight,” Nyla says.
“I hear you. I can’t get my brain to shut up. Hopefully this popcorn will quiet my stomach.”
“You girls know I don’t sleep. Especially since Martin passed. You girls keep me young and give me something to do. Besides, I love watching you work. I’d swear you girls have been on tour before.”
“I, for one, can’t wait to get at this new map,” Nyla says, quickly changing the subject. Probably because, like me, she can feel the mention of our parents coming.
From what I know, my parents were super tight with both Elijah and Aunt Denise. I guess that’s why they have never left our lives.
Luckily, Aunt Denise is a night owl. I guess it comes with her PTSD. We call her Aunt Denise, but she’s our godmother. She stepped up to help Elijah with the girlie stuff when he stepped in for our parents. Aunt Denise was who he called when I started my period and she took me for my first bra.
I always wondered why Elijah didn’t marry her and make her our mom. I was so young I didn’t realize she was already married. However, she has remained in our lives nonetheless—now as our admin for the chats on our channels.
“Let’s get this show on the road,” I say into my headset and pick up my controller.
“All set,” Nyla says.
“I’m in both chats and ready to go,” Denise says.
“Cool, Judge Sin, I’m bringing you in now.”
I read the chat and it goes crazy at the mention of Judge Sin. It’s been so long since Ny and I have been able to play together.
“Hey guys, this is Izzy Gunz. I’m so glad to be live and playing tonight. You know, it’s always good to take a bit of a break, but I’ve missed you guys.”
I read to myself some of the comments coming in. Jacob_eats grabs my attention as the comments roll by. I can’t help but to smile.
“Aww, Rajaz, you miss being here too? Thanks for the love.”
“Hey, guys. You’re all making me feel so special,” Nyla says. “Dude, I’m excited for this new map.”
“You love my tank, Ponygirl? Thanks. These are actually new up on the site.” I push up my glasses and focus on the game as we’re about to be dropped onto the map. Nyla and I zone in and start our first battle royal.
We crush our first round and, of course, the trolls jump into the room to call us hackers. My sister and I are just that damn good at this. We make it look so easy. A few rape and death threats come through, but Denise is quick to block and handle those.
While we wait in the lobby for our next deployment, I start to look through the chat once again.
“Thanks for the love, Kimmie, Broc, Ahsha.”
“No, guys. I’m not going to cam up,” Nyla says. “Nothing has changed.”
I murmur to myself as I read. “I loved the blue and gray braids, Izzy. Will you do them again?” I laugh. “I’m thinking about it. I loved them too.”
“Am I looking forward to the holidays with my loved one? I don’t know, Doll Collector. I’m just getting settled in. I’m waiting to see if a few friends will reach out,” Ny replies to the comment she reads.
I continue to read the chat before I glance at the incoming donations. “Thanks for the six months, Hellon. Thanks for the year, Goliath. Awww, Jacob_eats, thanks for the hundred subs. That’s so sweet.”
“Wow, Iz. He’s asking for a date in the chat. I don’t know Jacob_eats. Maybe if you donate another hundred subs she’ll think about it,” Nyla says, sometimes we pull up an extra scene to be able to read each other’s chats. I’m not surprised she has mine up since she has her home set up.
I try not to laugh but fail. Jacob replies, done, in the chat and my cheeks heat.
“Whoa, he did two hundred.”
Nyla laughs so hard she snorts. “I think this guy really wants a date, sis.”
“Hold on, guys. I know Jacob. We were supposed to go on a date, but I had to cancel for work. Please don’t start donating subs thinking you’re going to get to shoot your shot.” I’m holding my stomach at this point as I laugh.