Who Knew

28

I stayed on my dad's good side for the rest of the time. Jasmine had started coming to the house more. I exaggerated all my actions. I pretended to be excited to see her and offered her my greatest hospitality. She made her snide comments to me, but I kept my façade going. I only did it because I wanted to go the arcade and if I kept upsetting my dad, he might not allow me to go. This was my only option. Jasmine thought she won. In my eyes though, she was the biggest loser. She tried too hard to impress my dad. Nothing came natural to her. She was just as fake as I was acting. I left it alone and focused on the arcade.

Malesha said that everyone would be there. When the day came, I showed up last. Since this was a new place, my dad had trouble finding it.

"Hey pretty little lady." Jarquavius was the first to greet me.

"Hello," I acknowledged everyone.

Malesha linked arms with Melina and I.

"Guess we should let the M ladies go first and might I say that you are all looking fine tonight."

Malesha pushed Jarquavius aside. Annoyance was all over her face. When we entered inside, my eyes wondered the place. It was more than an arcade. The place was divided into sections. The main area was where the arcade games were located. On the far left, there was an area for the younger children to play. On the right side, it had a bar and pool table for the adults. This place suited everyone of all ages.

Malesha gave Antonio, Melina, and I a coupon to get a discount. When the girl at the desk applied it, it saved me a lot of money. Gerald and Keith paid in full price. Jarquavius attempted to charm the girl, who looked our age, into giving him a discount. She rejected him saying that she didn't want to lose her job. Malesha stuck her tongue out at his failed attempt. Jarquavius ignored it and paid for his fees.

Melina broke from our linked arms and dragged Antonio to play some games.

Malesha shrugged and played a game near them.

"Guess it's just us then," Gerald said with Keith beside.

I spent my time with them. We played multiple games. We competed against each other to see who can win the most tickets. There were a variety of games. We found a motorcycle simulation game in the back. It had a long line, but we still wanted to try it. When it was our turn, we put on our headset to give the feeling that we were on a race track. There were four tracks with three laps around. In the end, Keith won all rounds, which earned him a lot of points.

About an hour later, Malesha caught up with me. We agreed to go the concession stand. Gerald and Keith wanted to play more games, so it was only Malesha, Melina, and me.

"I'll be back." Melina headed for the restroom.

Malesha and I ordered our food at the concession stand. I had the chicken tenders and fries. Malesha had a chili cheese nachos and ordered a hot dog for Melina. We claimed a table in the back, but to avoid doubling back, we waited on our food. By the time it was ready, Melina caught up with us from her restroom break. When we sat down, I let Melina and Malesha chat. I snap my fingers and sang along to the music. On the other side of the place, I saw Jarquavius talking to a girl. From the looks of it, she liked the attention he gave her.

"Such an asshole," Melina mumbled looking in the same direction.

Antonio was a few feet away with his eyes wandering the place. He looked uncomfortable. Another girl was beside the one Jarquavius talked to. She attempted to flirt with Antonio but failed when he turned to her with his disapproving frown. She backed away and moved on.

"That's my Antonio." Melina nodded at the scene before us.

"Look what we have here." Chelsea's voice sounded off in the distance. I searched the room to see if that really was her. It was her, and Ranea was with her.