Gray cursed loudly as the game over theme played on the tiny television. He gestured toward the screen, as if it were the machine’s fault.

“See? It’s the damn flinch animation! All you have to do is get touched by an enemy, and then you fall straight into the pit!”

Karen rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. We’ll go with that.” She gave the bill of his hat a playful tug.

“What are you talking about? You didn’t even get past the second level!”

She shrugged, waving her controller. “I’m just goofing around on here. I didn’t grow up playing this like you and Ann did.”

He felt his ears go red as he furrowed his brow. “I really did used to be able to do this all in one go! It’s been a while, so-”

An airy laugh stopped him from protesting further. “It’s alright, Gray. I’m not judging you for being a little rusty. Besides, you should know by now that you don’t have to impress me. It’s okay, I still think you’re cool.”

Her cheeky wink caused his cheeks to burn. “Gah, why do you have to say stuff like that?”

“Would you rather I not think you’re cool?”

He wasn’t sure why her question had him blushing even harder. “You’re just a tease. It’s hard to tell when you’re being sincere.”

She gasped, placing a hand dramatically over her wounded heart. “How could you say such a thing? I’m always sincere!”

He didn’t look away from the screen as he restarted the game. “You’re a flirt and you coddle a select few.”

It was Karen’s turn to blush as she looked over at the blonde, who was chatting away eagerly with Ann. “I do not coddle Claire! Or… at least I’ve been trying to get better about it!”

“I didn’t even say her name.”

And you didn’t deny being a flirt, either…

“You didn’t have to. I could just tell by the way you said it,” she huffed. She stole his hat in response and plopped it on top of her head. “Consider your hat privileges revoked.”

He paused and looked over at her.

“I’m rocking this look, huh?” Karen asked with a playful smirk.

He shrugged. “Looks better on you than it does on me.”

“Hey, you’re not supposed to agree!” A scowl covered her face. “C’mon! Where’s your sass?”

Starry Night… a lot of the teens in Akiyama Village gossiped about who would ask who out on what they referred to as “Date Night”.  Wren and her grandfather had joined their family a few times, but as they grew older, the smirk on Ivy’s face would only get wider as his cheeks became warmer, too afraid to look at the girl sitting beside his sister.  They were happy memories with his family – the hunters were always home, so that meant the whole family would trek out to watch the stars together.  He never thought about it much as a child, but he could recall the way his parents would always look out into the night, wrapping their arms around each other, the stars reflecting in their eyes.

Ah, now that I’m adult I can just ask Claire if we could…

I'm nearing the end of my fourth year I feel like I've been lacking, crying too many tears Everyone seemed to say it was so great But did I miss out, was it a huge mistake?

I can't help the fact I like to be alone It might sound kinda sad, but that's just what I seem to know I tend to handle things usually by myself And I can't ever seem to try and ask for help

I'm sitting here, crying in my prom dress I'd be the prom queen if crying was a contest Makeup is running down, feelings are all around How did I get here? I need to know

I guess I maybe had a couple expectations I thought I'd get to them, but no I didn't I guess I thought that prom was gonna be fun But now I'm sitting on the floor and all I wanna do is run

All I wanna do is run

I keep collections of masks upon my wall To try and stop myself from revealing it all Affecting others is the last thing I would do I keep to myself though I want to break through

I ache to be someone with guts in situations But it's been far too long now, they all have foundations I took too much time to try and settle in I lost a couple friends before I could begin I seem so stuck upon the past I wish it played out differently I've never been quite that good I sit in silence, miserably

I hold so many small regrets And what-ifs down inside my head Some confidence it couldn't hurt me My demeanor is often misread

I'm sitting here, crying in my prom dress I'd be the prom queen if crying was a contest Makeup is running down, feelings are all around How did I get here I need to know

I guess I maybe had a couple expectations Thought I'd get to them, but no I didn't I guess I thought that prom was gonna be fun But now I'm sitting on the floor and all I wanna do is run All I wanna do is run All I wanna do is run All I wanna do is run