LUKE IS ONE TRICKY BASTARD to shop for.

His terrible twelfth birthday is next week, and from my lack of interest in his general life, I only really know that he likes video games.

I may act hostile towards him, but deep, deep, in the darkest caverns of my heart, I love him. Though I never would have accepted the role of good big sister if I knew it meant spending money on a video game he'll play twice — which is probably how long it'll take him to ace every level and unlock every weapon coded into it — and not touch again.

Hence, I am trying to find the best game I can with a budget for him.

Luckily, Carsonville has a video game store in the town centre, where they also sell music cards and cameras. You know, like a department store for tech geeks. The neon sign should be lit at night, but at quarter to four, it simply reads GameStop next to an outlined video game console in dull wiring.

A rush of cold air-conditioning and the faint smell of plastic meets me when I walk in through automatic sliding doors, creating the sense of sterilisation. I am slightly shocked to see inside set up like a small library, shelves creating a mini-labyrinth with signs pointing to the different areas of the shop.

There is almost no-one here, but the odd person is strolling around. I guess gaming is not a common hobby in Carsonville. If I weren't here for Luke, I probably would never step into this place. Of my own will anyway.

For a few minutes I wander the shop aimlessly, trying to find a reasonably violent game suitable for a child. Yes, that does scream contradiction. It also screams the only things Lucas Olsen looks for in a game. I know that if my present lacks some degree of senseless beating, he'll would probably spit on it and trample it to the ground.

But I know nothing about games, so this might take a while. Candyland, no. Freelance Fluffiness, no way. Dentistry Adventure, not a snowflake's chance in hell.

Most of the games have vague descriptions on the back cover, and even more obscure hints on the front. It's nothing like book-shopping, which is where I find most of my buying skills, and why I catch myself staring puzzledly at most of the games I pick up. Eventually, I find a promising-looking game called Blood Bounty, the only copy on the shelf. The cover has a picture of a Grim Reaper-ish character standing shrouded in shadow, one hand reaching menacingly toward me. I shrug. Alright. What's the worst it could do?

I reach for it at the same time someone else does, from around the corner of the shelf. I turn and see a familiar face. Bus Stop Boy.

The nickname flashes to mind immediately at his curly hair and graphic t-shirts, a look I've definitely gotten used to. A few days after starting Carsonville High School, I noticed that he would sometimes be at the same bus stop Luke and I use. Our commute times didn't always line up, but from before and after school glimpses, I gather that he lives on my street.

He recognises me too, because he smiles and raises his eyebrows in greeting: our default way of communicating. I find myself talking, and register the embarrassment only after I've called him,"Bus Stop Boy."

"Drew," he Mombles, "actually."

"Oh, sorry, I just got into a habit of calling you that," I apologise, looking down at the game in my hand. "My name's Sophie."

"Sophie—" Drew's hands appear in my line of vision. I'm confused why, and then I realise his hands are going straight to the game. "—I know these are pretty crappy first words but, that's my game."

I don't know how to react to this but my awkward silence is soon interrupted.

"Sorry, but I've been waiting so long for this game to come out."

"Oh." And because I understand just how fanatic boys can get over games, I offer it to him willingly. "No worries, it just looked like something my brother would have liked."

"Really? Do I know him?" Drew asks, looking excited at the mention of another possible gamer buddy for him.

"I don't think so, he goes to Carsonville Middle School."

Drew stops short, having to tear his awed gaze from the case to stare, mortified, at me. "You were going to give this to him? It's R-16."

"I'm guessing that's a bad thing," I cringe, feeling the embarrassment at being such a — what's the word? — noob at this. The game can't be that bad, right? I mean, I know there's an age limit but I've seen Luke play some pretty full-on stuff, clad with promiscuous, buxom women and gory battle scenes.

"Hell, yeah."

"Well, in my defence—" I raise a finger, like that'll raise Drew's opinion of me, "—he's played some pretty explicit stuff."

He asks instead, "Why do you need a game?"

"Birthday."

Drew nods at my explanation. A girl's voice comes from around the corner and is soon followed by the girl herself, brown hair bouncing behind her. "Drew! You said you wouldn't be long."

Seeing me, the girl stops short in her tracks, pulling up with surprise. She looks roughly the same age as Luke. Her youth is expressed in her shyness; one foot crossed behind the other, hooking it around her ankle, and clasping her hands behind her back.

"Sophie, this is my sister, Sasha. Sasha, Sophie. We go to school together."

Sasha's originally wary look fades to delight and she bounds forward, stopping in front of me. When she talks, the innocence her appearance suggests melts right off, and in her, I see a fiery spirit held back by some confidence issues. "Finally! Drew's such a loser, spending all his time in his room. I haven't met any of his friends since—"

Drew hastily interrupts whatever she was about to say, "Okay! Sasha, we might have to stay a little longer because Sophie needs my help."

"Whatever, just find me when you're done."

And then she walks away, head dropped to her chest. Drew turns to me and we set off down the aisle. After an hour, we find a good one; mild coarse language, medium violence. Drew seems concerned about whether we should give this game to Lucas.

So I ask him, "What sort of games did you play when you were twelve?"

The righteous expression on his face slips just enough for guilt to flood him and he relents. "Fair enough."

The three of us decide to take the bus home together because— well, why not? We live on the same street. Sasha sits in the seat in front of Drew, where he can keep an eye on her. Her music is turned up so loudly, I can hear it emanating from her earphones. It reminds of the way Luke wears his headphones slightly askew, so some gory sound can escape into the air.

After a few minutes of contrived talking, Drew explains to me the basic concept of Blood Bounty, which I find really disturbing. I can't fathom the excitement that drips from Drew's voice.

"A lost soul is desperate for a second life so he makes a deal with the Devil, which he has to repay in blood. Only problem is he doesn't have enough blood so he has to go around killing people to repay his debt. Cool, huh?"

"Huh."

After that, I decide gaming isn't for me and our conversation turns to school. Somehow, the Monarchy comes up, making Drew's eyebrows furrow and his jaw clench. Wow, how many people have the Monarchy pissed off? Soon, we drift from the topic, because I suspect neither of us want a ruined mood.

Not really a good conversation, is it?

Drew has an awesome sense of humour. He can't help spit deadpan sarcasm into everything, and every time I almost tell him I'm being sarcastic, he cracks up in my face. It'd be almost annoying, if it wasn't even more funny. By the time we reach my house, my ribs are sore from laughing so much.

Being greeted by the smell of teriyaki chicken is a wonderful way to come home, and I gesture for Drew and Sasha to come in before closing the door behind them. I know I've been out a while, since Mom is home from her job — which usually holds her captive till just before dinner — and midway through cooking. I lead Drew and Sasha to the kitchen, where my mother is bent over the stove, throwing vegetables into a hissing fry pan.

She must have gotten distracted by the urge to cook because she's half changed. The baggy t-shirt which she usually wears at home is drooping off her shoulders, but her pressed suit trousers from work are still on. Sensing human presence, Mom turns around and smiles.

"Sophie! You brought friends over!" she exclaims, looking weirdly happy about the arrangement.

She turns the heat down and walks over, slinging the flannel cloth she was using to hold the hot pan handle over her shoulder. I know she was worried about me settling in at the start of the year, because at my old school, my social circle depended a lot on my cousins and their friends.

Even when I branched out a bit in junior year, I only invited my new friends around once or twice, whereas I went over to their houses many times. I guess Mom was concerned I was ashamed of her, or something. Which is complete bullshit, because her cooking is something I want to boast about all the time.

"Yeah, this is Drew and Sasha." I nod to them as they file in front of me. "They live down the street from us."

"That's great! It's about time I met one of Sophie's new friends. Drew, Sasha, would you like to join us for dinner? I made extra chicken." Drew looks at me for permission — which isn't necessary — to which I smile and shrug one shoulder. If he wants.

"Sure. I'll just text my dad to tell him Sash and I are staying."

Drew and I help set the table when the food is done. Sasha runs around after us, making sure the forks and knives are perfectly straight, laying down napkins. After plating up with the good china that we don't usually use, Mom sends me to fetch Luke. I find him in his room, feet thrown on top a pile of clothing, unsurprisingly, playing a game.

When I tell him we have guests he complains. Not because he is introverted but because he never can bother to be polite. The look on his face when he walks into the kitchen is priceless. His eyes widen at the sight of Sasha and his ears start to redden like they're blushing.

"Hey, Lucas!" she greets cheerfully. "I didn't know Sophie was your sister. How've you been?"

Aw. They must go to school together.

"Yeah. This is my house. I mean, of course it's my house. You already knew that—"

"Dinner time!" I interject, shooting Luke a smirk. Poor, awkward boy. Even though I'm a bit antisocial, I know my brother. And he knows I know him, as he glares at me. Don't understand why. It's not like I made him such a nervous dweeb. I'm just watching.

Anyway, he could have picked worse girls to crush on. Sasha seems especially sweet.

After we have taken our seats, we dig in, Drew exhibiting his manners by commenting on Mom's culinary skill. Unlike me, my mother reacts perfectly to every situation and graciously accepts his compliment.

It's almost bizarre to see Mom interacting better with Drew than me, but at the same time, I'm comforted by the fact that I only met him two hours ago. Bringing friends home so soon after introduction is not usual for me, though it seems to be the one thing Mom has been wishing of me. Luke certainly doesn't mind that they're here, I can tell you that.

He and Sasha have started a conversation about why there should be an e-sports club at their school. Luke's voice is lower than it usually is, like he is straining to deepen it, compared to when he is yelling at me for being lame. I want to audibly coo at how cheesy he's being.

Mom asks Drew what he wants to be when he leaves school. Apparently, he wants to be a graphic designer or animator. Either that, or working with electronics. Mom replies by saying that he'd be good at both.

I don't understand how I ended up fifth-wheeled when I was the one who instigated this whole dinner. I'm looking in two different conversations at once, whilst being in my own little fifth-wheel bubble. Nor do I understand how people can talk when there's a plateful of heavenly food sitting so tantalisingly in front of them. Food first, I say.

Okay, I kind of get why no-one talked to me.

After dinner, Drew and Sasha leave with my brother heading them off at the front door. Luke even opens the door for them. Since when was he a gentleman? Oh right, since Sasha.

Mom and I start to clear the table and wash the dishes. Drew ate everything on his plate and the marks look suspiciously like he licked the plate, though I hadn't seen him doing it. Then again, my head was practically buried in my food the whole night.

"Drew seems nice."

"Yeah, he's pretty cool," I answer, thinking back to his obsession with that satanic game.

Mom looks at me over a pile of plates, "Do you like him?"

"I suppose, I mean, I only met him today. He's really funny."

"I mean, do you like-like him?" she says, adding a suggestive wink. My eyebrows raise in indignation as her meaning comes across.

"Mom! I think it's too early to be making that sort of analysis, don't you?" I say, baffled at how she could jump to that conclusion.

Did he give off a vibe that I wasn't picking up on? Did I give off a vibe I wasn't picking up on?

"Just saying, you've never brought home a guy."

"Hey, are you forgetting his sister was there?"

"Of course not," she says. "In fact, Luke seemed particularly interested in her."

Yes, I knew there was something there. Mom seeing it too only reaffirms my instincts. The urge to matchmake tugs at my brain, trying to form a plan for them.

But I can't get involved in this. I have to step back and let Luke sort out his own feelings. As I try to restrain my overprotective, big-sister nature, I picture Sasha and Lucas engaged in animated conversation the whole duration of dinner.

The thought puts a smile on my face for the rest of the night.