Page 103 of A Farmer’s Guide To Gamers

When we pulled up in front to park beside Mom’s van we saw that Dean’s family was already convening with my parents.

So were quite a few citizens of Magnolia Ridge.

They were all likely convinced by my mother and her many speeches on it in public spaces. She was probably the reason they did this hidden meeting.

“There you are!” Mom called out as she frantically waved us over to the group. Sabrina grinned, and I stopped next to her. Then she breathed in and her eyes widened.

“Woah, bestie, you’re potent.” I winced, not even thinking about that aspect.

“So, the heat suppressants I picked up are ineffective. I’m days away,” I explained quickly before Mom was pushing picket signs into our hands.

“Okay, we need a good chant,” Mom said, projecting her voice so everyone could hear. “Like no means no, consent is key.”

“That’s a bit…” Wyatt started, but she was already waving the air.

“No, no, you’re right,” she said, thinking it over again.

“How about something simple like ‘keep our town data center free?’” Sabrina offered.

Mom muttered it under her breath before nodding sagely at Sabrina. “That’ll do, kid. Now get to moving!”

“Any chances this will stay peaceful?” Dean asked as he grabbed a picket sign from my mom.

“Not a chance,” I said cheerfully.

“At least we could really put this as us against data centers and for the environment if it starts looking bad on the game,” Jack pointed out.

“You know what? I’m going to call my mom,” Kai said, pulling out his phone. “I’m shit at keeping in touch but she would absolutely love this and she works for an online paper that would totally love this story.”

“Did you say paper?” My mom bustled over, pushing through the others. “Which one?”

“The Omega Vlog Diaries?” Kai said with uncertainty. “She’s a writer and travels all the time because it’s online. Lots of environmental pieces lately and I think this could be something she loves.”

“Oh my gosh! Is your mom Maria Alves?!”

“Yessss…?” Kai dragged it out as my mom squealed.

“Oh my gosh! I love her articles.” She clapped her hands and seemed to have a fangirl moment before she took a calming breath. “Yes, call her. Send videos. Everything! That would be amazing. I’d have to add the article to my wall.”

“Let’s start with the protest, Goldie,” my pop said.

“Keep our town data center free! Keep our town data center free!”

The chanting picked up quickly. Everyone was getting a rhythm until it was all you could hear and all you could see were picket signs everywhere. This was so much bigger than our families now and impossible to ignore.

I looked around to check on my pack and saw that Kai was in the back on what looked like a video call. Aiden had popped on some headphones and was closer to Kai in the back but he had his sign raised up proudly.

Dean and Jack stayed beside me, both calling out the chant on time and I could practically see my mom bursting with pride at my pack and the town turnout.

The chanting grew louder and louder until someone handed Mom a megaphone. Then it went beyond even that.

It was truly epic.

“Cops are here,” Dean groaned, and I turned to see a single cop car pull up and walk slowly through the crowd.

“Hello Sheriff Harlow!” Mom greeted me via the megaphone. “No laws are being violated here.”

“Goldie,” he tried to reason, but she was back to leading the chant.