The Summer We Changed

a shift

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The arcade was buzzing with people, pinball machines and other mechanical games ringing with both winning and losing sounds. The group approached the laser tag arena, quickly moving inside to prepare for their first competitive round of the day.
"All right, everyone. All right. The games are best of five rounds. The first and last rounds, everyone plays. The middle rounds, it's a one-on-one competition, so choose your best fighter." Belly explained, Jewel knowing exactly which round she wanted. She had always chosen the same soccer stand, knowing that she had an advantage over everyone but Jeremiah. Belly played volleyball, and Conrad played football, usually leaving the lower-body strength rounds to the two of them.
"Probably not gonna be me." Skye spoke with insecurity, still not feeling as if they belonged in the tight-knit family games.
"Hey, don't sell yourself short, all right?" Belly reassured Skye, knowing that unleashed potential was trapped inside.
"Okay." Skye agreed, lifting their head as they adjusted the straps of their vest. Jewel did the same, grabbing her laser gun to prepare for the battle ahead.
Belly moved to Jewel's side, a familiar look of competitiveness evident in her eyes as she came closer.
"You know the plan?" Belly asked, the two coming together every time to plot their method of attack.
"As always. I'll go high." Jewel confirmed, a smile etching on their faces.
"I got low." Belly nodded, both girls allowing their competitive traits to be used to their advantage.
"Stay against the walls in case they got the same idea." Jewel reminded her, curiously glancing toward the motivated boys behind them.
"All right, you losers ready? Three, two, one. Go! First to 21 wins!" Jeremiah shouted, calling them off as each member of the teams dispersed into the dark maze before them. Jewel kept to the right, Jeremiah taking left, feeling the minute pass before their targets were activated. Jewel had made it her mission to find the highest spot in the room, peeking over the wall to look down at some of the paths below. A scream of surprise sounded from Belly, Taylor, or Sky, Jewel watching as a point was added to Conrad's team. A flash of blue drew her eyes back down below however, Jewel watching as Jeremiah turned a corner. She took the opportunity to get Team Belly a point, sneaking quietly down the ramp, careful not to alert Jeremiah with her footsteps. She turned the corner swiftly, pressing her laser gun to Jeremiah's target and pulling the trigger before he could react. A buzzing noises sounded off from his vest, another point added to Team Belly as Jeremiah sighed.
"It's alright. I'll get you back." Jeremiah spoke confidently, a cockiness in his voice she only ever heard during playful competitions.
"Oh, we'll see about that." She matched, turning the corner to disappear into the maze again. By the time Jeremiah's vest had been activated again, Jewel had lost sight of him entirely. She moved quietly through the maze, deliberately listening out for any signs of her competitors. The darkness of the maze only added to the suspense, the paintings reflecting in bright neons under the black-lights. She could hear Taylor's groan and Steven's laugh echoing nearby, knowing that Team Conrad had just scored the first point. She could hear footsteps nearby, unsure of who was approaching. She turned to a hiding spot, crouching down behind the decorative barrels, as she waited for her competitor to approach. Conrad's back came into view, Jewel watching as he crept cautiously before her. She slid out from her hiding place while his back faced her, moving forward to press her laser gun against his target.
"Drop the gun." She smiled proudly, hearing Conrad sigh as he allowed the gun to slip from his hand. It bounced against its strap, Conrad turning to face her.
"Where's Jere?" She asked, a playful amusement evident in her tone that prompted a smile from Conrad.
"I don't think you're allowed to take hostages." He replied, purposefully avoiding her question.
"I don't remember that being in the rules." She challenged, watching as he playfully rolled his eyes.
"Like you pay attention to rules." He reminded her, watching as her eyes narrowed into a competitive glare. Her finger pushed back on the trigger of her laser gun, finally allowing his vest to buzz loudly and deactivate.
"I pay attention to the score." She reminded him cheekily, running off into the maze before his vest could activate once again.
Once she had gotten a safe distance away, Jewel stopped to look out, scanning the area for any trace of Jeremiah or Steven. It wasn't for but a split moment that Jewel had seen a glimpse of Jeremiah's striped t-shirt, knowing that her next opportunity was quickly approaching. She moved toward an opening, a clear path ahead of her as she jogged down the ramp. Before she could continue however, her waist was entrapped in a strong arm, the sound of her vest buzzing as the trigger was pulled. Jewel groaned as she heard her vest buzz, although, she had only assumed Jeremiah was her perpetrator. The girl turned to meet Conrad's familiar eyes, a laugh erupting from him as another point was added to his team's total. The two shifted their eyes to look back at each other, locking together as Conrad's arm remained against her waist.
"I pay attention too." He spoke, a teasing tone in his voice as his hand rested on her back. Jewel wasn't sure what she had felt in that moment, perhaps something in his eyes resembling that of Jeremiah's, but she hadn't minded it. His embrace was as comforting as it had always been, but Jewel wondered what had made it feel different this time. Footsteps sound around the corner, Conrad and Jewel quickly moving away from each other as Jeremiah came into view. Just as Conrad and Jewel had, Jeremiah too could feel a shift in the air, his playful demeanor quickly fading.
"He got me." Jewel quickly excused, hoping Jeremiah wouldn't jump to his own conclusions just due to their proximity. Jeremiah could feel the change however, even if the two hadn't actually done anything. Jewel watched as he nodded his head, leaving the two behind as he took off into the maze.
"Jere." Jewel called out, following after Jeremiah as he ran up the ramp...only turning to meet Conrad's eyes once more.