Pen Ink

Simon - Shhhhhh!

The two of us head inside, the bright colorful arcade lights nearly blinding me. The inside of the arcade was filled with life. The floor was fitted with vivid blue carpet. The walls were covered with different designs from older retro arcade games. There was a whole wall dedicated to Pacman. The blue maze was painted on the black wall. Along with all the ghosts and Pacman himself. I've always been a fan of Clyde myself. The little orange guy is just trying his best. 

And as we entered in further, I didn't think it could get any cooler as eight-bit parodies of different songs played over the speakers. The two of us passed near the counter, sadly getting stopped before I could explore the arcade that was currently causing me to have an inner nerdgasm. "Kennedy!" The two of us stopped in our tracks as I turned on my heel, to face the stranger who had called Kennedy's name. It was a tall lanky young man, looked to be about the same age as us. He had a head of curly brown hair and dark brown eyes that matched. 

"Nicky!" Kennedy smiled as 'Nicky' moved to wrap his arms around her, the two hugged before both let go and took a step back.

"I told you. It's Nick. There's no y."

"Whatever you say Nicky ol' pal. So what's up?"

"Nothing much. I see you have brought a new friend. I don't recognize him." He looked in my direction and scanned me over with his eyes.

"Simon," I say introducing myself, as I offer my hand.

He shakes it and smiles. "Nick."

From beside me, Kennedy clears his throat. "Nicky." She says, covering it up like it was a cough. Nick rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest before Kennedy speaks up once more, "But yeah, I wanted to show him the arcade, like how the rest of the gang showed me." She says, staring off as if she's recalling the event in her head.

"I actually just saw your brother. He and Lucas are hanging out near the back." He gestures.

Kennedy snaps her head back towards Nick as her eyes widen slightly. "Oh? hm." She shrugs.

Nick nods, "Well, I've got to get back to work before I get yelled at. As always, It was nicing seeing you, Kennedy." He turns towards me. "And it was nice meeting you Simon." 

"The same to you." I smile warmly as he returns the same friendly gesture before turning and heading back behind the counter. "So. I guess Bailey and Lucas are here too." I say as I look back towards Kennedy.

She shrugs, "I guess so."

The two of us turn to head deeper into the arcade, as I spot heading straight towards the entrance, and us for that matter is Bailey and Lucas. Bailey's face is a deep red, and it appears as though any minute, he'll be blowing steam out of his nose when he breathes. Lucas is smiling ever so slightly as the two of them near us. Lucas waves, "Hey guys."

"Hya boys!" Kennedy says, voice chipper. 

Bailey huffs and looks us over before slowly collecting himself. "Hi." Is all he says as the blood slowly drains from his head so his face is not so red anymore. 

Kennedy chuckles and stares at him for a moment before looking at Lucas. "What's up with him."

Lucas looks at her for a moment, sighing. "You know how he is. It's his never-ending man period, what else?"

I can't help but laugh as I put my hand over my mouth. Bailey punches Lucas' arm and exhales dramatically before looking at Kennedy. "I just can't believe Simon is all." He says casually crossing his arms over his chest.

"Me? What did I do?" I question, my brows stitching together in confusion.

Bailey looks at me shocked as if I should know. His mood slowly starts to shift from extremely pissed off to playful. He puts a hand on the side of his mouth that's closest to Kennedy as he tries to hide what he's saying from her, even though she can easily hear him.

"Speaking with the enemy." He gestures with a nod of his to Kennedy, speaking each word with extra emphasis.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I can see Lucas has a hand over his mouth and is trying to keep from laughing as Bailey continues, staring me down with his eyes as he waits for me to explain myself.

I roll my eyes playfully and shake my head. "Why? Why do we all have to be so secretive and stupid." I laugh slightly and look beside me. "Kennedy. Bailey formed a secret group chat with us guys behind your back because he doesn't want you in the group."

"Shhhhh!!" Bailey shouts waving his arms wildly. "It was a secret dumbass! What is so hard to understand about secret?!" Lucas can't continue with his quiet chuckling anymore as starts laughing loudly, his eyes scrunching up as he does so. I have to admit at this moment because I can't deny it forever. The boy was cute. He was like that perfect guy at school that was also a quarterback, and literally, everyone had a crush on him. After Lucas loses it laughing, Kennedy can't take it either, laughing as well as she doubles over holding her stomach. Bailey looks towards Kennedy and chuckles slightly under his breath. Kennedy catches her breath, collecting herself as she stands back up straight. "You're a dumbass." She says to Bailey, still chuckling quietly.

"As are you, but you're still my sister and I love you, sometimes."

"Love you too bro. Oh, and another dollar to the swear jar for that dumbass remark. Don't think it went unnoticed. I hear all." She smirks proudly and crosses her arms over her chest. Bailey rolls his eyes in response, and I find that I am the only one staring slightly confused at everyone, still trying to comprehend everything that just happened.