The Serpent Queen

Counterbalance | Part Two

Eli and Phoebe got out of his mother's car and waved her goodbye when she drove away. She looked to the boy's chosen destination for their 'not date'. Large multi coloured parasols stood over people as they competed in rounds of mini golf. Bright spot lights lit up the area. A few wooden porches and canopies were scattered around the main building of the centre. Children and people were everywhere, doing anything and everything made available to the public. It was quite busy for a Wednesday night.

The girl read the bright red sign that spun around slowly, "Golf N Stuff. Family Fun Centre." She turned to Eli. "What's this?"

His face read pure panic for a few seconds when he noticed lots of parents and families around with their young kids of all ages. "We can go somewhere else. I can call my mom back to get us."

Phoebe took her phone out and googled the place. She scrolled down on the screen, reading what all the centre had in it. "Are you kidding? This place sounds awesome."

He seemed unsure, "Really?"

"Yeah! It has an arcade, mini golf, lazer tag, bowling, and paddle boats. We'll have a cracker of a time. You chose well, Eli."

He smiled a little, impressed by himself.

"Come on." Without thinking, she grabbed his hand leading him inside the main building with her.

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The teenagers found themselves in the arcade section of the centre, they started at the Pop-A-Shot game. The aim of the game was that they had to dunk as many basketballs into the hoop in two minutes.

Phoebe tossed one orange ball at the hoop. It just hit the rim and rolled to the bottom of the slope where she caught it again. Glancing to Eli, she noticed that he got one in. She smiled at him, impressed. "Not bad..."

"I came here many times with my Dad when I was a kid. This is actually my favourite game."

"Is it?"

"Yeah...I'm somewhat the best player of this game."

"Oh, really?" She faced him while leaning against the game with her head propped up by an elbow. "Okay, Eli Moskowitz, who have you beaten?"

"My mom, Dad, Demetri and even the manager of this place."

"That's some list."

"Yeah...though I think they let me win out of pity." He mumbled.

"Why?"

"I was born with a cleft lip and the scar is from the surgery that fixed it. I had no friends other than Demetri and I was a social outcast. Nothing's changed since then."

"Oh..." Was all she could say. "You have Miguel and I as friends now."

"Yeah, I guess so."

It was nice to see Eli come out of his shell and open up to her a little. He was not a 'man of few words' tonight. "Now, I'll have the honour of adding me, the very talented gymnast and karate student. Not out of pity, but amazing skills." She added. "You're mopping the floor with me." Phoebe smiled. She punched him lightly in the arm playfully. She tossed another ball at the basket and she missed completely. "Oh, come on!" The timer counted down to zero and the score stood at ten to zero. "You won."

"I'll let you in on my secret." Eli collected the tickets from the game. They could trade the tickets in for prizes at the counter if they had enough for certain items. He put a few quarters into the game to make it start again, "Stand straight with your knees slightly bent. Look at where you want the ball to go and shoot it at the hoop. When you shoot it, turn your body ever so slightly to your left." He had fixed her stance. His hands brushed against hers as she held the ball in the air.