Over the weekend, Silas told Kali, Tanya, Dinedyi, Videl and Genesis what happened much to their shock. Naturally, Dinedyi spoke first.

"Wait, so let me get this straight, he asked girls from your school to set up that app to test your compatibility?! Why, he insecure? He got his girl back and he thinks that's the next step? Don't tell me she fell for it."

"She was mad at him too, but she wasn't sure if I was being open and honest with her about hanging out with Tanya."

"If she's not into you, why would she care who you're with?"

"Shouldn't best friends tell each other almost everything?"

"I'm just saying she's an idiot for staying with him. But I don't play around. Arden is it?" She looked through to find his profile online. "Waste of a hot face. Maybe I can steal him her from her and fix him up myself."

He sighed as the ladies stared at her with annoyance, turning to Videl.

"What's it called when a woman hates another woman to get a man's attention?"

"Internalized misogyny."

"Pick me," Genesis added.

"Hey! I'm trying to kill two fires with one hose."

"More like stealing another person's hose instead of putting out the fire," Kali teased.

Tanya's mind sharpened with empathy. "Still, she doesn't deserve to get played like that," looking at Silas. "No one does."

"I just don't want you all getting hurt because of me."

Dinedyi bounced back. "Don't worry. He wants a war, we'll give it to him. She said a friend was tailgating us, and caught you two together. That means his friends list should have his other followers."

They looked down on her phone. A blond with a mohawk,stlying it up with a comb and looking smug in his profile picture caught her eye the most.

"He's the one who was probably spying on us."

The other two caught Silas' eye. A goth with black and yellow symmetric hair, wild, with a down to earth look, and a more professional clothed but with a buzzcut and cargo clothes, none of whom were sure was smiling or scowling.

"Must be her old friends."

"Did she ever mention she felt jealous?"

"She told me he'd do things with other girls that made her doubtful."

"So alt girl's probably the one he fooled around with, So when we're free, we'll break this up. Mohawk boy's my prey."

Kali looked closer at the girl. "I love her style. I think I know someone who shops at a store who does that."

Videl had an idea. "Silas, you said those girls were able to track down your teacher's boyfriend once?"

"Yeah why?"

"I think they could help me do the same with combat bro. If they enabled her, we could stop them from causing her pain in the future."

"Wow, you guys would do that for us?"

"Of course."

"Then what should I do?"

Dinedyi tapped his head. "In relationships, what type of people play games?"

He had to think about it, trying to get in Arden's mind, before developing an answer.

"The ones that love control. Afraid they'll disconnect from the puppet they command. But I don't want to play his game."

"We know, you're too naive for that. So you're gonna go out with someone else for now with the same predicament as you."

"I have a name."

"Tanya?"

"I might have someone who I'm shy about confessing to as well. But I also want a bit more experience."

"Just tell your Cam girl you're gonna see what happens with Tanya so she doesn't get suspicious. You're gonna move on," snickering, "if you can make yourself believe that."

"Of course I can!"

"Could you?" She watched him try not to crack into blush. "You fell harder and you won't climb out of that hole for some time," laughing.

Tanya lightly elbowed her to get to the point.

I'm gonna be completely honest with you. She didn't pick you because you were the risky option. You can give her adventure, but she knows what she's getting into going back to him."

"Right, she's known him for longer. Then there's me. I'm not rich, I don't have too parents, any wrong mistake and my life is over."

"Aye, that's not the point!" She pinched him out of being startled. "What's the key to any relationship? Care, acceptance, trust, forgiveness, but for both people?"

"Stability: can you be there for the other person?"

"Yeah. Sometimes I can be a bit harsh," giving him and Tanya the look the moment their mouths widened.

"The point is, I wear my heart on my sleeve. And you need to start doing the same. You're sweet, you care, you're kind, but you're too shy to show it."

"Well, it's not like people are willing to give me a chance."

"You don't have to change yourself. But your face's gotta reflect your heart, so everyone can see. I know you've been through a lot, but you've got to be in the mindset and prove you're the right person if push comes to shove."

He looked down at his fingers. "I have to evolve."

Videl raised a good question. "If you and Tanya date, won't Camila just feel like she's losing you, especially if things go south?"

"Well, this could be a bit risky," being honest about a mental debate that left Dinedyi surprised.

"If you use that word: you're really serious about this?"

"Evolution means taking a big step."

—

"So you decided to go out with her?"

"I mean, we get along, and I want to put myself out there."

Though torn, she smiled. "Hope it works out."

"But," taking a deep breath. "I want you to be my soulmate."

She stuttered. "You sure?"

"Yeah, we've formed an unbreakable bond. It feels right," offering his hand.

The confident smile made her look back at their connection. Against everything going on, it stayed sturdy.

"Sure. Soulmates."