After three more rounds, Fale shook her head.
“Alright, that’s obviously your game. Let’s move on to the next one and I’ll beat you there,” she huffed.
“Okay, okay. Choose away,” I laughed.
I crushed her at Dance Rev, out-drifted her in Wario Kart, and left her in the dust at Pak Man. The competitive streak I thought I’d buried years ago flared back to life with every neon flash and arcade chime. By the time the ‘Game Over’ screen blinked on the last cabinet, the dull ache of hunger had finally overridden the adrenaline. I checked my watch; three hours had vanished, and my stomach was making a louder scene than the speakers.
“I’m starving. Should we go and get something?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m totally with you, but first, ice cream,” she said.
“Agreed,” I laughed as we headed to the front of the arcade.
I told her my last flavor was pickle, which made her nose scrunch up.
“I know. It sounds gross, but it was amazing,” I laughed.
“Are you sure you aren’t pregnant?” She teased, but I tensed. Before she could catch on, I forced out a chuckle.
“Definitely not,” I said as I scratched the back of my head.
We ordered our cones, hibiscus for me, and guava for her.
“It tastes like it just came off the tree,” she hummed. “I don’t think I could ever eat anything hibiscus flavored.”
“Why not?” I teased.
“Because I wear the flower in my hair. It would be so weird to eat it,” she said it as if that was obvious.
“Mm.. here’s the key. I’ll be right out,” I said.
“Okay!” she said as she pushed the door open.
I turned back to the woman at the counter. I grabbed the sodas Fale had touched.
“I’ll take these too. Can I get a bag, please?” I asked.
“There’s a charge for that,” she said.
“That’s fine,” I said.
She rang me up, and I grabbed the bag from her and put them all in carefully. I thanked her and headed to the car.
I hopped in, acutely aware that I’m the most awkward person when it comes to showing affection. I stared out of the windshield as I handed Fale the bag. Only when she grabbed it and pulled it to her lap, did I glance over and watch the genuine smile spread across her face. When her head whipped in my direction, eyes glittering, I fought the urge to look away. And then I was uncomfortable. I cleared my throat, turned away from her, and started the engine.
“Thanks, Ra.”
“No worries. I know how much you love sweet drinks.”
I grabbed my phone, my eyes widened. Ten missed Snarls stared back at me. Uriel sent me at least ten and I tried to hide the emotions that were trying to crawl onto my face. I do not need her to think I have a boyfriend and tell Amos, or worse, his Mother. I tapped the first notification.
Uriel: Hey unknown.
Uriel: That was my stupid way of trying to make you remember me.
Uriel: Why can’t I unsend messages here?
Uriel: You would think SnarlChat would understand that sometimes, we need to be able to unsend.
