Find your faith

Chapter 25: Timezone hangout

Ethan's POV
"Thanks for the suggestion that we bring our own shirts, Simon," I told Simon. "I'd probably be dying dancing in house shirt and a jacket."

"Of course, buddy!" Simon replied, roughly grabbing me and ruffling my hair. "And I've got the whole team covered for the points. Dad just renewed my points yesterday!"

"Your dad is forever a hero. Now let's not waste any time and get right into the party!" Nicole declared.
Nicole's POV
"Dance Dance Revolution!" I screamed. "Always a staple, huh?"

"Now, let's see who does better," Chloe declared as she stepped onto the machine. "So what's the first song, ma'am?"

"Eve Psyche and the Bluebeard's Wife. And what's your song, Chlo?"

"I'm going with Mirai."

With passion, we stepped on the machines, making sure our feet hit the right arrows at the right time. Chloe wasn't athletic for sure, but it's not the same for Dance Dance Revolution. Ever since I introduced this game to her last year in hopes of building her stamina to for NDP, she's been getting better by the session. Now, she keeps her hands up in the air in a childlike way. I couldn't help but realise she always smiles when playing the game. And now, even brighter despite the comparisons against her.

"96?" We chorused when we looked at the scoreboard distribution. Chloe was getting good at this.

"Don't be a bore," Chloe remarked. "Now, let's go and do Mirai!"

We went again, and she started to sing the lyrics in the midst of the arcade. Varied and off key as it might sound, I decided not to correct her since she was seamlessly alternating between the bars and her hands while singing. She's like the school idol she's always been into.
Chloe's POV
"The coast is clear, everyone," I declared. I moved the claw around with passion. When I found the anime toy I have been eyeing, I pressed the red button and secretly hoped for the toy to come out of the toy. Squinting my eyes shut, I kept chanting the anime name as I waited for the toy to get to me. All of a sudden, I thought someone shoved the toy into my arms.

"You got the Jujutsu Kaisen toy you were praying so hard for." I opened my eyes only to see Ethan reach out to me. I thanked him and realised it was none other than Gojo! I loved his mysterious looks above everything, after all.

"So how's your progress?" He asked.

"Season 2 finale if I don't get interrupted by my parents."
Simon's POV
Counting Ethan in, we started the strike. I glided the AirTag seamlessly on the smooth surface, and we vigorously exchanged the disc. And despite my best efforts, Ethan managed to score into my goal, a few times. Yet I didn't care. I was in the zone with only a single goal to spare. I looked at Ethan's hands, and they were moving faster than ever. He has gotten too good at his reaction time ever since competing under table tennis. He was going to hit my goal when I managed to grab the ball and sent it into his goal.

The beep echoed through the arcade. "Good game bro," I said in between huffs and puffs as we shared a handshake of friendship. "3-1 is impressive, huh?"

"Well, you're finally catching up to me," Ethan admitted. "Let's go get lunch."
Ethan's POV
KFC
"78," the waiter announced. Nicole and I went to take the trays for our table. I opened the box and we gasped in awe. The curly brown skin of the chicken screamed our names. We all grabbed one piece each, savouring the taste of KFC chicken as we recalled all the crazy incidents in our new classes and the drama in our CCAs.

With Simon having a different schedule from us, we must cherish the times we have together. After all, both 8-point-compass and the 2 Faith group are important to me. And no matter where I go socially, I will go back to them. Always.