The Girl With The Flamethrower

II.I.I

Kimberly smiled, and leaned against the Dig Dug machine, "You've been at this game for... at least two hours, trying to beat the high score?"

"Please, the high score was a joke. I've already beaten it four different times, I'm trying to beat my own high score," a very brightly colored-haired individual smirked.

Kimberly chuckled, "Well what are you trying to beat? I could give you some pointers," she looked at the screen and saw the score, "Or maybe you could give me some pointers. Holy shit."

The girl laughed, and completed the level, shouting out with joy.

"Nice work, kid." Kimberly held her hand up for a high five. The younger girl hesitantly returned it. "I haven't seen you in here before, you just move here?"

"Ya, my family and I moved here from California."

"You must miss all the sunshine."

She laughed, "I do ya. It was a lot more fun skateboarding when it was warm outside."

"Oh I bet. And we get a lot more rain here, which sucks."

"It does suck," she fiddled with the machine's joystick for a second, "But it's not so bad, yet of course. You guys have a cool arcade, and there are a lot fewer people."

"Oh yes, this is definitely a town where everyone knows everyone. Speaking of which, I'm Kimberly."

"Max."

"You starting at Hawkins Middle Monday?"

"Unfortunately."

Kimberly laughed again, "I get it. It's not so bad once you get used to it, and if anyone gives you a hard time just make up some out-of-the-box rumor about California and it'll scare them right off. Most people are incredibly gullible."

Max grinned at her, "Like what?"

"Like how in California, people have to wear these special goggles otherwise the sun would be so bright that their eyes would fry right out their heads."

Max laughed, "No one would ever believe that."

"Of course they would, they'll ask you what they are called, and you say sunglasses."

"Sunglasses? They are never gonna believe that's what they are for," Max laughed.

"Then you just say 'have they ever seen someone in California not wear sunglasses?' They will obviously say no, and bam: they will believe you 100%."

Max laughed again, "You know I may just have to try it."

"Oh please do, and please tell me how stupid their faces look!"

The two started laughing.

Kimberly stopped laughing when she noticed Keith, "Oh shit. Keith's gotta be looking for me again."

"Don't you work here?"

"Yes! And if some kid puked I am so not cleaning it up!"

Max laughed, and Kimberly ducked down.

"He's gone, you're all clear."

Kimberly slowly stood, "I'm going to go hide behind the prize counter, here's two quarters for your troubles. You never saw me!"

Max laughed again, as Kimberly quickly ran behind the counter, not wanting to clean up whatever mess Keith had found.

A few hours later, the boys had come up to the counter, all looking at her expectantly.