Red Pretender

Weeks had passed since Simon's dramatic escape from rehab, and life had begun to settle into a new rhythm. The digital garden, where the group often met, buzzed with the soft hum of hovering lights, casting colorful shadows over their gatherings. For Neon, the days felt strangely lighter and heavier at the same time. She had officially given up on Simon, some people simply didn’t want to change. Instead, she focused on herself, her friends, and, as much as she tried to avoid admitting it, Luke.

Luke had become her anchor in the storm. They’d grown closer than ever, a quiet understanding forming between them. He was there for her, always present but never pushy, always knowing just how much space to give her. They spent hours together, talking, laughing, and sometimes just sitting in comfortable silence.

Mark watched it all unfold, his heart a cocktail of emotions he couldn’t fully untangle. His friends were finding love, connections deepening and flourishing all around him, while he remained the "Red Pretender." He smiled, joked, and pretended everything was fine, but inside, he felt like the odd piece in a perfect puzzle. Yet, even he had let his defenses down a little, allowing himself to be more vulnerable, even if only a fraction.

“Neon, you can’t seriously think that adding flaming holographic tacos to the order was a good idea,” Ash said, rolling his eyes as he and Layla leaned against one of the garden’s levitating tables.

“Why not? You don’t think tacos should also be an experience?!” 

Layla laughed, nudging Ash. “Come on, Mr. Pragmatic. Life is short; eat the flaming taco.”

Ash smirked, his calculating gaze softening as he looked at Layla. “Fine. But if I get heartburn, you’re the one babysitting me.”

Neon raised an eyebrow. “Babysitting? Dude, she’s not your nurse. She’s your girlfriend, not your fire-extinguisher-handler.”

Layla crossed her arms, acting offended. “Excuse you, Neon. I’m a multi-purpose girlfriend. Nurse, extinguisher-handler, and, apparently, taco connoisseur.”

“Multi-purpose girlfriend,” Neon repeated, snorting. “That’s what every girl dreams of being.”

Luke smiled beside Neon, his voice warm. “You’re just jealous because you can’t handle the spice, Neon.”

Neon shot him a glare. “Excuse me, I am the spice!”

The evening unfolded with laughter and playful banter. Mark with his usual wit, deflecting any questions about himself with jokes that were just sharp enough to keep anyone from digging too deep.

Later, as the group dispersed, Neon and Luke lingered in the garden. The hovering lights dimmed, casting a soft glow around them. Neon leaned closer to Luke, her usual fiery energy muted but not gone.

“Thanks for today,” she said softly, looking up at Luke. “I needed this.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” Luke replied, his voice gentle. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

She shrugged, her gaze dropping. “Am I, though? Okay, I mean?”

Luke stepped even closer, his hand brushing against hers. “You’re getting there. And if you’re not, I’ll be here until you are.”

Neon smiled, her usual sarcasm replaced with something softer. “You’re annoyingly good at this, you know that?”

“At what?”

“Being… nice. Being there. It’s kind of infuriating.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the faint sound of holo nature filling the space between them.

Meanwhile, Mark sat in his apartment, staring out at the city protective shilds. The lights danced on the horizon, but they felt distant, almost unreal. He thought about Ash and Layla, their unlikely yet perfect dynamic. He thought about Neon and Luke, the way they gravitated toward each other. And he thought about himself, the Pretender, always the supporting character in someone else’s story.

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. Maybe he didn’t need to be the star. Maybe pretending wasn’t so bad if it meant his friends were happy. But a small part of him ,the part he tried to ignore, wondered if he’d ever stop pretending.

A few days later, the group reconvened for a small celebration. Ash and Layla had officially hit their one-month mark, and though Ash insisted it wasn’t a big deal, Layla had other ideas.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Layla said, laughing as Ash tried to protest and stop her from getting the floating cake with holographic fireworks she’d ordered.

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate it,” Ash said, his tone exasperated but fond. “It’s just… excessive.”

“Life is excessive, Ashy,” Neon chimed in. “Just roll with it.”

"Ashyyy??" everyone was confused by this

Mark raised his glass. “To excessive celebrations and multi-purpose girlfriends.”

Layla laughed, while Ash shot Mark a glare. “Don’t encourage her.”

As the evening wore on, Neon found herself pulled onto the dance floor by Layla, who refused to take no for an answer.

“Come on, Neon! Just one dance!” Layla pleaded.

“Fine, but only because I like you more than I like Ash,” Neon teased.

Luke watched from the sidelines, smiling as Neon spun and laughed, her usual blue fire blazing brighter than it had in weeks.

As the night wound down, Luke approached Neon. “One last dance?” he asked, holding out his hand.

Neon hesitated, but the look in Luke’s eyes steady, warm, and patient made her relent. “Fine. But if you step on my toes, I’m filing a complaint.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Luke said with a smile.

They swayed to the music, the rest of the world fading away. Neon’s usual bravado melted, replaced by something raw and unguarded. Luke held her close, his touch light but steady, as if he knew she might bolt at any moment.

“Do you ever stop being annoyingly perfect?” Neon asked, her voice teasing but soft.

“Do you ever stop pretending you don’t like it?” Luke shot back.

Neon didn’t reply. Instead, she leaned into him, letting herself get lost in the moment.

From across the room, Mark watched, his expression unreadable. He raised his glass to no one in particular, murmuring under his breath, “To the Red Pretender.”

Neon and Luke locked in a slow dance, their eyes meeting in a moment that felt like the world had paused just for them.

And for once, Neon wasn’t sure if she wanted it to start again.