Riley x Val (Inside Out 2)

Chapter 6

Riley's POV

I saw Bree and Grace, running over and hugging them.

"Heyy!" we all said in unison.

"So, what we doing first?" I questioned. They shrugged, but I heard someone speak.

"I was thinking like, there's a laser tag place near us? I'm down if you guys are."

"Omg, I love laser tag, we got—" Bree got cut off by Grace, "WE HAVE TO GO!!"

We laughed, our excitement bubbling over. Laser tag, arcades, and a movie sounded like the perfect way to spend the day. As we chatted, Val appeared, joining our little group.

"Hey, you ready for some laser tag?" Val asked with a grin.

"Absolutely! Let's go!" I replied, feeling a rush of enthusiasm.

We made our way to the laser tag place, the sun shining brightly above us. The city was alive with the sounds of summer, and we soaked it all in as we walked. The laser tag arena was just a few blocks away, and before long, we arrived.

Inside, the place was buzzing with activity. Kids and teenagers were everywhere, laughter and shouts filling the air. We paid for our games and suited up, the vests and laser guns feeling cool and high-tech.

"Alright, teams?" Grace asked, looking at each of us.

"How about me and Val against you and Bree?" I suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Bree said, already looking competitive.

Grace nodded, and we split into our teams. The arena was dark and maze-like, neon lights casting eerie glows on the walls. As the countdown began, my heart raced. This was going to be fun.

The game started, and we scattered. Val and I moved quietly, trying to find good spots to ambush Bree and Grace. We ducked behind obstacles, our eyes scanning the shadows.

"There they are." Val whispered, pointing ahead.

Sure enough, Bree and Grace were sneaking along a corridor. We waited until they were closer, then jumped out, our lasers flashing. They yelped in surprise, but quickly recovered, firing back.

The game was intense. We chased each other through the maze, laughing and shouting. At one point, Val and I got separated, and I found myself cornered by Bree. She grinned mischievously as she aimed her laser gun at me.

"Gotcha," she said, tagging me.

"Nuh-uh" Val called, appearing behind her and tagging her in return.

We all ended up in a heap, laughing breathlessly. The game continued, our competitive spirits driving us to play harder. By the end, we were all exhausted but exhilarated. The final scores were close, but in the end, Val and I emerged victorious.

"Good game, guys," Val said, high-fiving everyone.

"Yeah, that was awesome," Grace agreed, still catching her breath.

After laser tag, we decided to hit the arcades. The place was filled with flashing lights and the sounds of electronic beeps and jingles. We each got a stack of tokens and went our separate ways, eager to try different games.

I started with a racing game, gripping the steering wheel and feeling the adrenaline rush as I sped down virtual tracks. Val joined me, and we competed fiercely, our cars bumping and crashing.

Next, we tried a shooting game, aiming at targets on a screen. Bree and Grace were at a dance machine, their movements synchronized perfectly as they hit every step. They were amazing to watch, and we cheered them on.

After a while, we gathered around a claw machine, trying to win stuffed animals. It was frustrating but fun, and eventually, Val managed to grab a cute teddy bear.

"Here, Riley, you can have it," she said, handing it to me, I felt my cheeks heating up.

"Really? Thanks! This is adorable," I said, hugging the bear.

We played until our tokens ran out, then decided it was time for the final part of our day: the cinema. The theater was just down the street, and we arrived just in time for the next showing. We bought popcorn, candy, and drinks, settling into our seats.

The movie was a new action film, and the theater was packed. As the lights dimmed and the previews started, I felt a wave of contentment.

Val's POV

We reached the cinema, but I couldn't help but think how fun the day was with Riley. I'd normally go to some skatepark or abandoned places, but this was oddly different. Spending the day with Riley, Bree, and Grace had a way of making everything feel more exciting, more vibrant.

We decided to watch "Avengers: Endgame," which was playing at 9:30 PM. The theater was packed, and we managed to find seats in a corner. I found myself sitting next to Riley, her friends next to eachother.

As the movie started, I could still feel the adrenaline from our laser tag and arcade games coursing through me. The action on screen was intense, but I couldn't stop thinking about how much fun we'd had. Every laugh, every shout, every victory—it all played back in my mind.

Halfway through the movie, I felt a weight shift onto my shoulder. I turned my head slightly and realized Riley had fallen asleep. Her head rested gently against me, her breathing soft and steady. She looked so peaceful, so... cute.

Wait. I blinked. What? What were these weird feelings in my stomach? And why was heat rushing to my cheeks? I felt my heart start to race, but it wasn't from the movie. Riley's proximity, the way she trusted me enough to fall asleep like this, it all made me feel... different.

I tried to focus on the movie, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Riley. I couldn't help but smile a little. This day had been amazing, and now, with Riley asleep on my shoulder, it felt perfect in a way I hadn't expected.

As the movie continued, I stayed as still as possible, not wanting to wake her. I glanced over at Bree and Grace, who were engrossed in the film.

I think I realised what I was feeling.

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👀!!

1000 words! 🫶

I took many ideas and put them all together, thanks for the suggestions! You can always leave some for what you want to see in the next chapter

Also thank you for the support!

I'm thinking of uploading a few more chapters within the next few days, so leave as many ideas as you'd like.

🫶🫶