Nothing Stays Secret Too Long on SWAT

7. Annie

TW /// shooter, guns

"I can't believe you convinced me to come here," Chris said while looking around the arcade Street had brought her to. She could hear noises emitting from each game that all collided annoyingly. In addition, she felt her ears were also being attacked by the sounds of children running around and laughing. But the sight of this arcade was far worse; each game had bright lights attempting to catch your attention with the way they flashed. It was enough to make her unsettled.

Street's arm reached beside him to encircle her waist and pull her into his chest. "I think we're gonna have fun," he remarked hopefully with his lips against her hair.

Everything stopped around her. No more irritating lights or blaring sounds thanks to his presence. She nestled into him to enjoy the stillness, and he didn't seem to protest.

"What do you wanna play first?" He finally asked, popping their bubble of calm. Stepping closer to all of the options, he looked around in excitement.

"This is all a little much. Let's just go grab lunch," she proposed.

"We will! But after we play a game or two."

She shot him a disapproving look.

"Come on, it'll be fun! And, I'm gonna win a prize for my girl," he smiled.

She didn't like that her heart betrayed her with a flutter every time he said "my girl".

Without waiting for her to reply, he took by the hand towards a basketball shooting game.

"Haven't I already proven I can beat you at basketball?" She sassed.

"That game didn't prove a thing! Let's do this!" He challenged and paid to start a game.

There was no chance she would admit it, but she was starting to have fun. Two hours passed, and they had played pretty much every game Street wanted to try, so they went to redeem their tickets for prizes.

"What can I get for 152 tickets?" Street asked. The employee standing with the prizes pointed at a few small toys and stuffed animals. He pointed to a small red bear, and the employee handed it to Street.

"For you," Street presented the red stuffed bear with a smile to his girlfriend.

"Thanks," she accepted it with a guilty smile. It may have been cheesy, but she not-so-secretly loved it.

"So, what can I get for 1,495 tickets?" She asked the employee behind the prize counter and laid down her stack of tickets.

The employee looked a little stunned and pointed to some of the biggest prizes on display behind him. "That one," she pointed at a prize. With some effort, the employee took it down and handed it to her. She immediately spun to Street and said, "I won this for you," with outstretched arms holding a HUGE white stuffed polar bear.

"I don't want it," he pouted and moved away from her.

"Don't act like a child!" She pleaded.

He shook his head. "I was supposed to win today, and you beat me at pretty much everything. I wanted to get you a big prize, and all I was able to give you was a stupid little bear."

"Hey, I love this bear!" She promised and dropped little kisses along his chin and up to his cheek until she felt his dimples appear to let her know he was smiling again. "There's still time left. You can beat me at pool," she offered and pointed to the one pool table in the darkly lit corner.

"You're on!" He challenged and finally happily accepted the big polar bear from her hand.

They set their prized stuffed animals on some chairs and began to play. Not surprisingly, Chris took an early lead, but Street was determined to win.