AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Alright, but I’m buying double the ammo we usually use for our next lesson, so you have some to use when you want to,” I said and Oliver frowned, clearly about to argue, but I glared.
“Nope, you’re not the only one who can be stubborn. I’m not budging.”
A beat passed, his eyes burning into me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. When the tension was thick enough to choke on, Sara broke it with a low whistle. “I’m impressed, you have the same stubbornness that Oliver has. That’ll make for some interesting situations. Be sure to put him in his place when he starts getting that ego of his inflated, will you?”
Oliver stopped staring at me to scowl at Sara. “My ego isn’t that bad, thank you very much. If any of us have ego issues, it’s you, brat.”
Sara made a low noise of fake offense before pointedly turning away from him. “We should head out. Maybe, if we can get there before he who shall not be named, we can even ditch him.” That grin was back, and Oliver sighed.
“Sara…”
She winked his way, and then all but danced back to her car. “Hurry up, Jen!”
Once she was seat belted in and ready to go, I turned partially to Oliver, who was rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“It’s nice to see you two getting along so well.” I said and he grunted.
“I just wish she’d ease back on it with you here.”
Flashing back to what he’d said before, about not having enough friends, I made a snap decision. Putting a hand on his arm, I squeezed, smiling up at him.
“I think it’s charming, so you don’t have to worry about her chasing me off. I’m hard to get rid of, I’ll have you know. At least for my friends.”
Just like before he froze for half a second, then his eyes warmed. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that…” He trailed off, as if there were something else he wanted to say too, but after a beat he shook himself and made for his car.
“We should go before she starts honking at us.”
A pang of disappointment hit that he hadn’t said whatever was on his mind before I shoved it down. He had a right to the privacy of his own thoughts. Getting into my car, I followed them, my head full of what I’d learned today.
Maybe when we had another lesson–this time I could even bring myowngun–I could ask him about why Emily was dead set on warning me. Something told me that there was a reason, and whatever it was, I wasn’t going to like it.
With that in mind, I put the subject off for later and focused on now. I’d never been to an arcade before, so this was sure to be exciting!
Chapter 6
Flashing lights and a rainbow of colors met my eyes the minute we walked in. The dark carpet was covered in purple and orange constellations, rocket ships, and planets. The walls were painted with glow-in-the-dark paint; swirls and arrows leading you to different portions of the arcade.
My head spun from all the sounds and sights, but before it could completely overwhelm me, Oliver’s hand brushed the base of my spine.
“You alright? I know it can be a lot when you’re first getting used to it.”
I nodded, leaning back into his hand as I came to grips with it. “I’m fine, it’s just…a lot.” He’d had that right.
Sara had already disappeared after he’d given her twenty dollars with a roll of his eyes, which just left us two. I could only be glad he hadn’t wandered off too. With how my head was spinning from everything, I probably would have sat outside for a while.
Instead, he led me to a sitting area off to the side, the scent of food drifting over as he took the seat across from me with a smile. “You feel up to eating something or want water?”
I snuck a glance at the food options, and nausea hit hard. “Water, please.” I said, knowing my stomach wouldn’t handle the oil and grease right now. He nodded, breezing off to get that while I did another sweep of the building.
There seemed to be every kind of game I knew here. Pinball machines, claw machines, pool tables, air hockey, and that was just inonearea of it! Off to the side, there sat shooting games, what looked like some kind of dance machine, and the further I looked, the more there was.
My head started to spin again, so I focused on the table and my uneasy stomach. Hopefully, I could adapt to all the sound and lights soon. I didn’t want to saddle poor Oliver with watching over me until I felt well again.
A glass of water cut into my vision, pulling me back to the present as Oliver lifted a brow, concern clear. “Are you alright? You look a bit…pale.”
I offered my best smile. “I have trouble with a lot of noises and colors at once, but you can go have fun. I should be fine soon.”
Even as I said it, I didn’t want him to go. I didn’t know anyone here and while it was selfish, I felt better having him next to me while I adapted.
