Confession

Layla was working on a digital painting of a tiger soaring alongside a bird. 

Ash was buried in calculations for a major corporation.

Luke was training in a digital cube where you could practice anything from martial arts to underwater basketball.

Neon was nodding along to some old-school tunes. 

Meanwhile, Mark had his nose in a fairytale involving a dragon and, oddly enough, a chainsaw.

Ash’s calculations were due today, and he was known as the "Numbers God" by almost everyone at work. Never wrong, never stressed, always perfect, or so people thought. But today, Ash made a mistake. A big one. Realizing it instantly, he quickly corrected it and sent out the right numbers. Everyone else was still amazed by how he fixed it on the spot, chalking it up to "the legend" at work.

But Ash wasn’t feeling legendary. Despite everyone moving on, he was frustrated, spiraling as he kept replaying the error in his mind. Then, an image of Layla popped up in his head,probably that wild pink hair of hers,and for some reason, it made him smile.

He glanced at the food tube in his apartment, tempted to order some comfort food delivered at the speed of light. But instead, he picked up his phone and called Mark.

“Hey, Mark. You busy? Feel like hanging out?” Ash asked.

Mark chuckled. “Only if you bring snacks and don’t make me look at any spreadsheets.”

Ash laughed. “Deal. Actually, let’s call Luke too; he could use a break from sparring with virtual ninjas.”

Mark smiled. “Perfect. Let’s see if ‘Mr. Cube Warrior’ can hang with us mortals.”

Ash fired off a quick message to Luke: "Hey, meet us at Mark’s if you’re free, no ninjas allowed."

With that, Ash grabbed his jacket, hopped into his Fly-Car, and zoomed off, feeling a little better already. 

The three friends gathered in Mark's apartment, which had the atmosphere of a futuristic art studio crossed with a cozy lounge. Soft, neon lights pulsed along the edges of the room, casting a warm glow over their holographic sketches and coffee cups. It was a high-tech haven, yet it felt like home.

Mark's playlist filled the air, kicking off with a slow, haunting riff that built into a powerful, epic tune. It sounded oddly like “November Rain,” but reworked with heavy guitars and an intense synth overlay.

Luke tilted his head. “Mark, is this... like, "November Rain"if it was made by cyborgs?”

Mark nodded. “Pretty much. It’s called ‘Metal Rain’, a reimagined classic with a bit more punch.”

Ash couldn’t help but laugh. “Only you, Mark, would mix hard rock and rain and turn it into… whatever this is.”

“Hey, it’s art,” Mark replied with a shrug. “Besides, nothing says ‘inspiration’ like metal ballads and digital colors.”

They all gathered in front of Mark’s massive holographic display, each with digital paintbrushes in hand. Luke, naturally, went bold, drawing a massive, neon-colored lion with flames for a mane.

“Behold!” he said dramatically. “This is what I’d look like in another life.”

Ash chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Pretty sure you’d still just be lifting weights in any lifetime.”

Mark shook his head, amused. “Actually, Luke, if you were a lion, you’d probably still find a way to skip leg day.”

Luke shot back, “Hey, no leg-shaming in this room!”

They laughed, and the playlist shifted to a metal-infused version of an old Guns N' Roses tune, echoing around them. Mark started sketching too, filling the display with intricate, abstract shapes that somehow balanced out Luke’s chaotic lion.

Luke looked over. “I don’t get it, what are you even drawing?”

Mark smiled. “It’s... balance. Like harmony in chaos. You wouldn’t get it; it’s called nuance, Luke.”

Ash laughed. “Right, because Mark here is all about subtlety.”

Luke held up his digital brush in mock surrender. “Fine, you keep your ‘balance.’ I’ll stick to my flaming lion.”

Ash, pulled up a grid overlay and started sketching a perfectly symmetrical digital cityscape. “There. Now that’s balance, look, even the buildings have matching shadows.”

Mark sighed, “Ash, only you would bring math to an art jam.”

They all started laughing, filling the apartment with the kind of easy joy that only old friends can bring out. They took turns showing each other their creations, making up wild backstories for the digital animals and structures.

As they settled into the moment, Mark glanced around at his friends. In that mix of colors, laughter, and metal riffs, it felt like they’d captured something special: a little corner of calm in a world full of noise.

Meanwhile in Neon apparrment she leaned back in her chair and swiped her hand through the air, activating a holographic call. Layla’s face appeared almost instantly.

“Hey, Layla! Want to come over? I’m working on some crazy digital clothes designs, and I need a fashion genius like you to help me out,” Neon said.

Layla raised an eyebrow. “Digital clothes, huh? Is this one of your ‘I’m bored and want to bend reality’ projects again?”

Neon chuckled. “Pretty much. I’m thinking LED jackets, color-changing shoes, the usual madness. What do you say?”

Layla smirked. “Alright, I’m in. But no neon-blindness this time, deal?”

Neon winked. “Deal! I’ll keep it under 'emergency runway lights' level.”

“I’ll be there in few seconds",Layla said before hanging up.

Neon swiped to call her assistant drone and buzzed the door open. A few moments later, Layla arrived, eyes wide at the high-tech living room filled with floating screens and crazy colors.

“This place could give a spaceship a run for its money,” Layla said.

Neon shrugged. “Spaceships don’t come with disco lights.”

As Layla entered, she crossed her arms and said, “If they did, I’d be living in one right now. So, what’s the plan?”

Neon swiped through holographic designs. “I’ve got these, but I’m thinking holographic fur coats plus digital tattoos that move with the fabric.”

Layla laughed. “You’ve really lost it, but I’m in. No glowing outfits though, right?”

Neon smiled. “Okay, no space alien costumes this time.”

Layla raised an eyebrow and leaned in, smirking. “Is this your 4th wall break moment, Neon?”

Neon looked at her in surprise. “Wait what?”

“You know, the part where you break the whole ‘story reality’ thing and talk to the audience. I’ve seen it enough,” Layla teased.

Neon blinked. “You’re not supposed to notice that.”

“Well, I did. So, what now? Are you going to wink at the camera or something?” 

Neon threw her hands up. “Alright, fine. I’m breaking the fourth wall. Happy now?”

Layla shook her head, laughing. “I mean, I guess it’s the most exciting thing happening in here right now.”

They both chuckled, the tension slipping away as they dove into their creative work. As the designs floated around them, Layla looked at Neon and smiled. “It’s not just the designs, though. It’s... being here with you. It feels like we’re building something together.”

Neon’s smile softened. “Yeah. It’s about creating something that lasts... with people who get it.”

Layla nodded. “Exactly.”

They exchanged a look, the playful banter replaced with understanding. Then Layla gestured to the swirling designs. “Enough serious talk. Let’s make some chaos.”

Neon laughed. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

Meanwhile in Mark appartment Luke was painting and laughing with the guys, but there was something on his mind. He felt it was time to confess something that could change everything.