Chapter 7

"Let's go to Richies'. It's a small arcade not too far. You love going there, well I hope you still do." Camila said while grabbing my arm, lleading the way to the bus stop. I must admit that sounds like a fun way to unwind after the week. Now that I have a parent, I should let mommy know of my whereabouts. I thought while pulling out my phone from my pocket sending mom a message.

Hi mommy. goin to arcade wit Cam. I be home round 7pm

"No driver today?" I asked, noticing the bus approaching. I wasn't sure how wealthy Camila is that her family sent her to school with a driver.

"Nah. I told them i'll be staying late for the audition. My driver will come later. Don't worry, we'll drop you home" she said with a wide grin. We arrived after five stops to a small arcade with a neon red sign "Richies' Game".

"Nice Harley bike" I whistle at the motorcycle parked out front, the owner must be loaded.

"I wonder who it is" Camila held the door open waiting for me to get inside.

"Welcome back girls. Long time no see. What can I get y'all started" a bald older man greeted us with a huge smile. The name tag read "RICHIE '' and by all the pictures up on the wall, I assumed he's the owner.

"Hey Richie! Give us 500 chips and two double chocolate chip shakes" Camila slid a $20 bill onto the counter.

"Let me pay half" I rumbled through my wallet finding two fives. However, Camila refused to take my money.

"Don't worry ‘bout it. Get the next round cus i'm going kickass your ass in Zombie Battlefield"

"Oh. We'll see about that" I responded cockily sipping on my drink.

Camila slurped on her shake impatiently that she almost choked to death.

"Gahh. I almost choked" she coughed

"haha see what bullshit talk does to you... BTW that's what she said " I mocked laughing my ass off.

We played a couple of rounds, Camila winning them all. I sucked at this game, at this rate I was going to use my weekly allowance losing to her. I was beyond rusty on gaming in my past life, I had no time to indulge in gaming as I was joggling part time jobs and school. I have to find a game that requires some physical movement to lose against Camila.

I raise my eyebrows with a smile upon seeing the ping pong table.

"Ah how about a match of ping pong?"

"Fine. Just one match." Camila wasn't good at it so we bought more chips this time I paid. We played more than one match, I won them all.

"I'm tired of this. Let's play something else" she complained, giving me a tired look.

"Why. We are just gettin started. Don't be such a sore loser" I exclaimed bouncing like a bunny.

"Sore is what my arms will be tomorrow." She began rubbing her aching wrist. "Hey. Why don't play against the champion ..." squinting to something behind me, I turned seeing the white board behind me.

"PING PONG CHAMPION: PLAYER X"

"Player X?" Camila quickly paced to the counter reaching Richie who was busy preparing some drinks and I followed behind her wondering what she's thinking.

"Richie, who's player X? Jaye would like to play against them"

"Ahh. How exciting a worthy opponent for Mr. X. Today is your lucky day, that's him sitting in that gaming booth" we both turned following Mike's finger to a broad back wearing our school uniform.

"Thank you Richie" without warning she walked toward Player X.

"Hi there. I'm Camila and this is Jaye. My friend wants to play a game of ping pong against you"

"Cam, what are you doin-" I was trying to explain to her to drop it before she cut me off.

"Hey!" Tapping on his shoulder. He stopped the game and turned to face us.

"Tell your friend I'm not interested." Geralt coldly replied and returned back to the game.

"What. afraid that'll beat. I don't mean to bragged, but I'm good." I said using my best confident voice crossing my arms.

My response caught his attention turning around looking straight at me. Our eyes meeting for the first time eyes - he lowered his eyebrows, squinted his eyes as an attempt to process what's going on. I return his stare not backing down.

"Best out of 3" he cut in between us, reaching the table and taking his place at the end.

Geralt served the ball, bouncing once and I tapped it lightly dancing in the air between us. Until falling on my side.

"ugh" I grunted missing the ball again, he chuckled at my failing attempt. I have the urge to wipe that smug off his face. C'mon Jaye- i mean Alexa, you can do it with that thought in mind, I refocus back on the game.

The ball got served, bounced, dropped and I lost.

"Best out 5?" I announced and he nodded in agreement. I paid Richies at the counter handing him my last five dollar bill.

By the 4th round I was panting, sweating around my forehead and pits. I took a glance at Geralt- fresh face probably smelling clean like an Irish Spring bar soap. I wanted to sniff the crook of his neck to confirm it but, that'd be weird. Stop thinking silly thoughts, focus on winning.

"You ok there hamster" He called me and served the ball to me.

"My name.. is not hamster"

"Okay guys, it's getting late. I have to go home. Jaye you coming?" Camila's abrupt interruption startled me that I missed the ball losing the match again.

"Yeah you're right let's head out. Congratulations, you won, this round. But the match it not over!" I yelled to him.

"If you say so. They don't call me the champion for no reason " He said casually playing with the ball bouncing it on the racket effortless.

I balled my fists, choosing to ignore him. I'm competitive as hell and I hate losing. That's it, I'll come back tomorrow and practice until I'm in good shape and will call for a rematch. A car honk brought my attention back to reality that the driver is waiting for us.

" My ride's here. Coming Jaye? or do you want to stay with Player X for awhile" She wiggled her eyebrows at us.

"uh nope" I responded with a disgusted face.

"yeah because If she stays one more second, she would lose more than five bucks," Geralt said as we walked out of the arcade. Camila giggled, grabbing my hand to stop me from going back and punching that cocky smile off.