Spikes, Dice and Other Variables

Life is over for Riley McMahon.

Well, it isn’t really, but when you’re the star setter of the volleyball team and on the brink of academic ineligibility, the actual end of Everything™ feels closer than you think. Terrified of failing math and losing her spot on the team, she’s desperate to do anything to save her grades.

So when she finds out about the gaming club run by Simon, the smart kid in her math class, she joins without a second thought in order to convince him to tutor her. The problem? She sort of told him she loves the game he plays. And she’s never rolled a single D20 in her life.

But as they spend time together, Riley realizes she might feel something other than friendship towards Simon. Riley’s been avoiding relationships her whole life, and as her friends start to notice her not-so-platonic feelings for Simon, she’s forced to face her discomfort around dating, and what being in a romantic relationship means for her. Balancing her own fears against society’s expectations, Riley must figure out what matters most to her, and how to let everyone else’s expectations go.

Content warnings: Toxic and unsupportive parental figures, bullying, childhood bullying (mention), harassment of a person with disabilities (mention), ableism, fat-shaming, aphobia and homophobia.