Nick. Apparently our little stunt in the lecture hall has made the rounds.

"Uh." For some reason, after realizing I'm not dreaming, any contact with the outside world with Joy stuck to me sends me into a panic. My brain basically shuts down, my hands still holding the straps of my undershirt. Joy obviously doesn't have that problem. Stretching herself a little, she reaches for my phone lying on the desk and swipes to unlock it before I can react.

"Hiii~, you've reached Matt, this is Joy talking?"

In the pause that follows I barely register Nick's voice answering. If I thought I was panicking before, the heartbeat thundering in my ears tells me otherwise. Now I'm panicking. My legs feel weak suddenly, and I barely make it to my desk chair and plop down heavily.

"Of course not, I only met him yesterday! He did mention you, though. You're always gaming together, right?"

Hearing only half of the conversation, I have to guess what Nick is asking. But at least trying to do that helps distract me from the fact that Joy is on the phone with my best bud! Happily chatting away! Groaning, I put my hands on my face and slump forwards, only to hit my head on Joys.

"Oww!" Turning around as far as she can, Joy shoves me away roughly, and dazed as I am, I don't resist and end up leaning back in my chair. "What the hell?! Watch it!"

I can't even fault her for that reaction. It hurts quite a bit... Rubbing my head, I realize that the knock to the head seems to have calmed me down a little. What's done is done. And really, this was bound to happen. I won't be able to hide Joy anymore, so easing my friends into this might be the proper way.

"Hey, headbutt boy! Nick wants to talk to you!" Joy interrupts my thoughts, holding up my phone over her head. "C'mon, my arm's getting tired."

Numbly, I take the phone and put it to my ear.

"Hey..." My voice sounds like a croak, and I have to clear my throat before continuing. "Hey Nick. 'Sup?"

"'Sup yourself, man!" I can hear the shit-eating grin on his face over the phone. "Why didn't you tell me you finally got yourself a new girlfriend?!"

"Uh, she's not... It's complicated, okay?"

"Yeah, nah. Not buying it. She told me you're inseparable, dude!"

"She did what?!" I give Joy an angry stare, and she answers it with a giant grin as if she just pulled off a great prank. "Listen, man, it's... we're not..."

"Hey, I dunno why you want to keep her a secret, but I get it. You don't want her to meet me so your brother from another mother doesn't steal her away."

"You know I hate when you say that." Still, I can't help but grin. Nick might be crass and annoying at times, but if he realizes he's pushing too far, he always backs off.

"Sure, that's why I keep doing it, bro. Alright, since you're not going to introduce me to Joy properly, are we at least still on for tonight. Last boss of chapter three is still standing!"

"You bet I am! Been looking forward to it the whole week."

"Awesome, man! And... think about maybe introducing me to Joy, alright? She sounds cool."

"Mmmaybe. Depends."

"On what?"

"Get a higher kill count than me tonight and maybe I'll tell you!"

"Oh, you're on, Matt! You... are... on!"

"Nice. See ya tonight!" I laugh, hanging up after Nick has said goodbye as well.

"Sooo... what were you planning for me to do tonight?"

Damn. Right, Joy would probably be bored out of her mind just watching me and Nick play. And I know what happens when she gets bored. Judging by the mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she looks at me, she knows that I know and is willing to use it to her advantage.