Chapter 13

"You know what, let's just move on, what's next."

"Glad to hear that, I don't think it'd be comfortable to ride in this thick tension. The next thing on our list is paintballing."

"That sounds like fun."

He pressed a hand to his chest where his heart is and mocked pain. "You don't think I can come up with something fun?!"

I played along "Yes, you seem.... rather dull." He playfully narrowed he's eyes at me and scoffed.

"I am not dull. How dare you utter such absurd rubbish."

" You're pushing it." My face turned serious.

"Sorry" he sunk back into the carseat and apologized immediately.

"Just kidding." We laughed. Jacob parked he's car and released he's seat belt. I was about to follow in he's steps when he stopped me.

"No let me." He pushed the button to release mine and dismount the vehicle only for him to jog to my side and open the door.

"What a fine gentleman you are." Going into the fake British accent from earlier.

"Why thank you my lady." He bowed and patiently waited for me to alight the car so he can close it.

"Shall we carry on to the place of much fun my good man?"

"Yes we shall my lady."Arms linked together we waltz across the parking space to the front of a four story building, a green neon sign that says Game Dome was centered on the top floor, the whole building was made of opaque glass. The type where those from outside can't see through but those from inside can.

Inside, the floor was carpeted neon green the walls were covered in wallpaper consisting of various superheroes from marvel and DC. The first floor is an arcade with different types of games both modern and classic, there was a gift shop at the far end where the rows of machinery stopped. At the front closest to the door was a kiosk like room where I bet the tickets and other services are being sold. The rooms wall that was facing us is protected by transparent glass where a girl with dark green Polo uniform and a name tag had a permanent fake smile plastered on her face.

She saw us coming and immediately straightened her back to welcome us.

"Good afternoon my name is Sarah, welcome to Game Dome. I'd be happy to assist you. Now tell me what would you like to do today."

Sarah wasn't a cheerful person. She didn't seem like a dull person either. She reminds me of myself having to choose moments to be a pessimist and a realist. Right now forcing herself to be in a job which requires you to keep track on a lot of kids is probably exhausting. She was absolutely pretty with her grey half dyed hair in a messy bun, little amount of makeup with just a black mascara stroked on the lashes of her very bright blue eyes and gloss covered small sized lips. She had a cool septum ring and a little butterfly tattoo under her ear.

"We want to paintball."

"Alright and would that be indoors or outdoors."

"Outdoors." Indoors or outdoors, how big is this place!.

"Ok we have team of three, five and seven, what team would you like?"

"Team of three. I actually called ahead."

"What's your name?"

"J. Gibson." He answered shuffling from one foot to the other. While Sarah looks like she'd rather be anywhere else.

"Ok it's right here team of three, team name Disney...." She lifted her head up from the computer and eyed him. I also did the same but mine was with understanding. "....Playing for two hours in the Endgame Arena..." The Endgame Arena " .....and team color grey. Are these information correct?"

"Yes it is.”

"Very well then, the paintballing sector is in the second floor, just go up there with this tickets and they'll explain everything you need and provide you with the necessary gadgets. Good luck and enjoy your time."

"Thank you" I smiled politely hoping that the small gesture would at least brighten her up. "By the way I love your hair."

This time she had a pleased glint in her eyes.

"Thank you very much."

Lots of kids ran around the arcade carrying small coin filled buckets around scavenging for the next game to win. Jacob and I maneuvoered around Thier moving bodies and arrived at the elevator that took us to the second floor.

"This place is huge!!" The second floor was dedicated to both paintballing and laser tagging. There's also the trampoline room that was at a far distance with people both adult and children bouncing around. The paintballing sector was easy to find as it had cardboard copies of players in a camouflage jumpsuit with a padded vest and mask holding up a paintball rifle.

"Can you believe they also have an underground gaming room with PS fives and virtual reality rollercoaster simulator?"

"Shut up." Jacob basked in satisfaction at the gleeful expression I currently possessed.

"I got the idea when I glanced through your Instagram and saw that you loved games. How many brownie points does that get me?"

"10"

"10!, I thought I'd be in 15 or 16 by now."

"Well the stunt you pulled erased some."

" Again I'm sorry for that."

" I know, there still hope."

We entered a room which had a desk and someone behind it. He was moving some things around before he saw us come in. The room was big and had several doors. My guess is the rest of the Arenas. There was a TV that had a picture of the scoreboard for different arenas.

Infinity wars

Endgame

Dawn of justice

Zombie apocalypse

Alien invasion

Planet of apes

My theory is that the different arenas are based on how these movies set are. Currently only four of them are in use. The scores are looking very good with several teams in play.

"Hey I'm Drax, Are you with your tickets?" Drax had the appearance of a nerd with an athletic body. His hair was long and packed in a sleek ponytail.

"I got'em right here." Jacob handed him the tickets while I was stood busy admiring the place. From here you could hear different music and yells from players.

"Yep, verified..." Drax had two dark red plastic in his hands and started wrapping it around Jacobs wrist "....You can change in there, no sharp or harmful objects and personal belongings are not allowed in the arena. The score depends on the paintballs that is shot and shown on the other teams body...." After he locked mine he directed us to another large room stocked with different colours of jumpsuits, rifles and vests. Players were already gearing up for the game. The room had three cubicles which was makeshift changing room ".... since you're team color is grey your jumpsuits is grey camouflage that's how you Identify your partner."

He removed two of the said costume. "Go in and change you can place you belongings in those lockers when done here are the keys..." He each gave us a key "... Make haste the game starts in ten minutes."

Fully clothed and belongings kept away we made it out to meet the other teams.

"Now that team Disney is out let's go over some things. The teams playing against each other are Team Jaegers, Team Bronx and Team Disney. Team Disney Team Bronx are a team of three so one of them had to join your group is that okay?" We both nodded not minding the addition "Alright the rules, no physical contact of any kind especially with players of other teams if caught you will be disqualified. We are not liable of any complains of stolen assets as you've already been warned about it. If by any point in time you would like to forfeit that's okay all you have to do is press the button on the left downside of the mask. That's it any questions.... If there are no questions get ready to start. Oh and what ever Team wins gets a prize."

We lost.

Not really lost but we took second place.

It wasn't really a big deal winning anyways seeing that the prize they won was just a T-shirt for each of them in the neon colors.

My stomach grumbled as my body sagged with exhaustion. I was ready to crash for the night when Jacob informed me about the last surprise. On hearing that I felt the urge to snap his neck like a twig, he later told me we had reservation for dinner at Cohen a really fancy restaurant that just opened in town. He bragged about how his uncle is the manager and that explained how he was able to book a reservation there.

~~~~~~~~~

"Thanks a lot for today, I had a great time." The dinner went well with a small conversation here and there and playful jeer.

"It was nothing just really wanted to Impress you." He offered to walk me to the apartment safely. I almost let a snort escape when I heard that.

"You did impress me. Despite your intensive dullness."

"What intensive dullness, I will have you know I am the most fun person you can ever come across."

"Oh yeah?" I taunted.

"mhmm, tonight's a proof."

"It sure is." A pregnant pause came after "Well it's time to clock in."

Jacobs head leaned in slowly with an intense stare on my lips as if controlling himself from ravishing it. I'm not ready for this.

With the intent of breaking whatever daze he's in right now I opened the door.

"Goodnight Jacob." I went in and and got ready to close the door.

"Goodnight René." He turned to leave "how many brownie points did I score?"

"20" with a look of triumph Jacob took the elevator and left.

The first thing on my mind after bidding him farewell was,

I'm really in need of a bath.