I Can, I Will, I Did // Vinnie Hacker

Chapter 5: I am a HUGE Geek

"So uh, what do you want to do now?" Vinnie said.

"I don't mind going out somewhere," Sarah replied, half-interested as Hera came back to play on her lap. She ruffled Hera's fur and then smoothened it. Hera seemed to like it as she kept purring, occasionally closing her eyes.

"We could go to the arcade," Vinnie suggested eagerly.

"The arcade? Isn't that just a waste of time and money?" Sarah retorted. She continued to play with Hera.

"Relax, it will be fun trust me. I could teach you how to play some of the games if you'd like," Vinnie persuaded.

"Okay then fine let's go!"

Vinnie squealed as he hi-5ed Sarah. He was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Boys. Sarah rarely went to the arcade. Mostly because Dylan never took her there. However, she knew with Vinnie, she knew she would be at the arcade often now. She giggled when Vinnie started dancing in happiness.

Bye Hera! I'll be back soon don't you worry." Sarah cooed as she picked Hera to her face and brushed her nose against Hera's. Sarah was starting to get fond of Hera. She did not have a pet of hers but Hera seemed to like Sarah too. She turned to face Vinnie who was staring at her.

"Vinnie? Is everything all right?" Sarah asked, slightly concerned.

"I can't believe you have already gotten closer to Hera in a matter of an hour. It took me almost a whole month for me to touch her without getting scratched back." Vinnie recounted disappointedly.

"HAHAHA oh well I guess she's mine now. Anyways let's go!"

When they both reached there, the atmosphere of the place rejuvenated Sarah. It was so energetic. Sarah could feel an adrenaline rush through her. Rows of machines with colourful pictures on the sides and glowing screens overwhelmed the area. Squinting in the low light, she could see Vinnie trying to find his favourite game in the arcade. There were many claw machines filled with stuffed toy prizes. It was a carnival-like atmosphere. People, especially children, were screaming here and there over who's winning. Loud bomb blasts and gunfire belching out the nearby shoot-em-up games filled the atmosphere. People on the bikes trying their best to overtake their opponents and rejoice in victory. It was a competitive yet enjoyable atmosphere.

"Here!" Vinnie shouted over the loud noises as he held Sarah's hand and dragged her to his favourite gaming machine. He passed a couple of tokens to Sarah.

"We're gonna play one of my favourites which is street fighters. So judging by the puzzled look you are giving me right now let me run you over the basics and we will go against each other okay?"

"Okay."

After instructing Sarah on how to play the game, they started. A few minutes into the game and Vinnie was screaming his lungs out. "THERE IS NO WAY U ARE BEATING ME! YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY?! I AM RANKED SECOND IN THIS PLACE-HOW? HOW DID THAT NOT WORK!? STUPID CHARACTER WORK!"

Meanwhile, Sarah was laughing so hard, she was tearing up in happiness this time. Watching Vinnie scream and shout over a small game was certainly entertaining. Every time he got hit, he would shout and Sarah would make a funny face at him. He would glare at Sarah and continue trying to beat her. When was the last time she had laughed so much? She was enjoying this so much that her past thoughts with Dylan and Tessa all faded away. She was with someone better, someone who made her laugh, someone who cared for her no matter how stranger they were to each other.

Both went on playing more games. The whole time Sarah kept winning and Vinnie was busy whining and shouting at his loss. Sarah was enjoying this competitive side of Vinnie. She was competitive herself so meeting someone who was just as competitive as her brought the fun out of the game. She had to put in extra effort and think of new strategies to beat Vinnie. He was really good. The only game she could not win him was 'Halo Infinite'. Being a Valorant player, Vinnie had a really good aim and won easily.

"HAHA WON YOU! MVP!" he would shout every time the game would end with Vinnie having the most shots. He would look at Sarah and wink with a proud smile on his face. Sarah would just roll her eyes and laugh. Vinnie was still a small kid. Although an adult, he was still immature like that and Sarah found that cute about him.

"I still won you in the other games," Sarah would say and wink back at him.

"Nobody cares! Try to beat me now."

Hours flew by and Sarah and Vinnie were starting to get hungry. They decided to head back home but as they were leaving, Sarah caught Vinnie looking at an anime figurine in the claw machine. Sarah smiled. She did not know he liked anime too. Well, they had a love for anime in common.

"Want one?" Sarah asked. Vinnie looked at Sarah and shook his head.

"Come on. I am good at claw machines, I'll get you one," Sarah said as she dragged Vinnie to the claw machine.

"You know my father used to win me gifts from claw machines every time we went to the arcade. Memories," Vinnie recounted.

"Which one do you want?" Sarah asked as she tossed a dollar into the coin hole.

"Anything is fine but you really don't have to win any."

"Shut up and watch," Sarah snapped as she scanned the soft toys planning on how to get them.

"Why?"

"You're my friend okay and take it as a gift for being there for me in my vulnerable state. Now shut up."

The whole time Sarah had her eyes on the soft toys, Vinnie admired her focused self. She looked prettier with her eyes concentrated. She knew what she was doing, she knew where and how to win the soft toys there. Claw machines are said to be rigged and Vinnie was convinced they were but watching Sarah, he knew these machines were made for this kind of people. People like his dad and Sarah. The claw machine picked up a soft toy and Sarah swiftly turned the knob and the soft toy fell on the basket. Sarah squealed at her win and so did Vinnie. Sarah was extremely good at the claw machines.

"Oh it's a Hashibira Inosuke soft toy, I hope you don't mind," Sarah giggled as she handed the soft toy to Vinnie.

"As I said you could win me anything even yourself I would have accepted," Vinnie teased and Sarah punched his chest playfully as they both burst out laughing.

I love Demon slayer, thank you!" Vinnie said as he pulled Sarah into a hug. Sarah hesitated and Vinnie noticed the hesitation and pulled away quickly. He apologized immediately and Sarah told him it was alright.

"You know most of the time the guys win girls prizes in the arcade but in our case, it was a girl winning a guy a prize," Vinnie joked.

"Well I guess we are different from the rest," Sarah replied and walked away smiling.

"In that case, let me pay for dinner," Vinnie insisted as he ran after her catching up. Sarah shook her head but Vinnie pressed on and finally, after much convincing, Sarah agreed. They decided to take out from Taco Bell and walk home while eating. 

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A/N: I forgot to update yesterday LOLOL So who would have thought that Sarah would be so good at playing games in the arcade? Anyways, do you ship Vinnie and Sarah? 

What is your favourite anime? If you don't watch anime, then what's your fav show? My favourite anime would be AOT and show hmmm idk. 

I'll see you in chapter 6! Peace :)