"Mom could I have some money to go to the arcade please!" Little 14 year old Ethan asked, wanting to go to the arcade and watch the boy who would always be playing Space Invaders. And to play some games himself too.
Lisa, being Ethan's mom, walked upstairs to her room, grabbing her purse, taking out her wallet and taking some money out. She handed Ethan fifteen dollars when she came back downstairs and told him to be careful. Ethan yelled a goodbye and waved as he left through the front door, making his way to the arcade a few blocks away from his house.
As Ethan walked along the sidewalk, turning left and right, his mind kept going to the boy he almost always saw when he went there. Ethan hoped he would be there today, to be able to stare at him from a far and admire his breathtaking features, for he could never actually go up to him and have a conversation. His golden-brown hair that swayed to the side, his muscular physique, tall and handsome, hazelnut eyes that reminded me of rich milk chocolate, and a jaw so strong and chiseled with smooth yet soft looking skin.
The arcade was in view as I rounded the last corner onto the block, I walked up to the front doors, pushing them open and instantly being engulfed in cold air that warmed me up from the hot humid summer air.
I was always nervous now to come in here, scared that something would happen and I would embarrass myself in front of him. Or he would find out my crush on him and break me either physically or emotionally, either way both would hurt.
I cautiously walked around, looking at games here and there, trying to look casual like I was contemplating on which game to play. I saw the game Space Invaders and no one was there. I walked up to the game still staying a few feet away to check the leaderboard, the screen flashing in multiple neon colored lights and in white letters at the top of the list, number one, AngelWing. Yep still there.
I walked away and up to my usual spot after buying a slushee to drink while I waited for the boy that had my heart. I stationed myself in the spot and got comfortable, sipping on my drink and staring blankly at the empty seat.
I felt two gentle taps on my shoulder and heard a cough from behind. I slowly turned around expecting a little kid to be waiting to ask for some spare change. When I turned around and looked up in the eyes of the 'child', I was faced with the beautiful face of the boy I watched almost everyday, he wasn't supposed to be here, why is he here?
I started to panic on the inside but stayed still and composed on the outside, shocked to see the one I've been admiring for weeks stood before me.
He looked even better up close, everything I thought of him increased ten folds as I stared into his deep brown eyes. We stood there just staring at one another, his intimidating yet comforting stare making me weak at the knees.
"I see you're here to watch me again" he stated softly with a slight curve of his lips forming a smile. "Wh-what n-no I-I was just sitting here and well um-"
"It's ok" he whispered, reaching over and placing his hand on top of mine as a way to comfort me, just making me more nervous and bringing a heat to rise to my cheeks.
"It's cute," he mumbled slightly, grinning a little and eyes scrunching up a bit, bringing a faint crows feet on the sides of his eyes.
I blushed even more from his comment, just becoming even more nervous, my heart beating slightly faster than before.
"Want to play?" He asked gesturing to Space Invaders, his game. I stayed silent not knowing what to say, how was I supposed to respond? He waited a bit before pulling my hand and walking us to the game, entering two quarters, one for the both of us so we could play the multiplayer mode.
He let go of my hand and placed his own on the joystick and button, I mimicking his actions still shocked I was sitting right next to him. "I'm Grayson by the way" he smiled looking over at me for a moment before turning back to the game and selecting multiplayer mode. "So that's his name" i thought to myself. The game started, Stage 1 flashing across the screen before two ships appeared on the dark canvas, mine being blue while his was red.
Enemies started to fall down the screen as Grayson immediately started maneuvering left and right, shooting one after another. All I could do was stare as he demolished every last one of them. The first round had ended with the caption Stage 2 soon flashing across the screen. "Ethan" I whispered. "Sorry?" Grayson questioned. "My names Ethan"
Grayson smiled warmly and we continued on with the game, making small talk and having fun. "So how old are you" he asked. "Fourteen, you?" "Fifteen... so do you come here a lot?" "Yeah, it relaxes me and it's just fun to hang out here" I responded. After a bit of some more conversing there was an awkward silence between us where all that was heard were the shots from our ships and the other sounds from other games and kids in the arcade.
"Sorry" I apologized. "For what?" "For spying on you, I know it was wrong and you probably think I'm weird or something, not to mentioned creeped out...sorry" I whispered the last part, my voice faltering a bit as I started to tear up a little from the thought of Grayson hating me.
Grayson looked over noticing my change of voice and pauses the game, looking down at me with soft caring eyes. He gently grasps my cheek and rubs over it with the pad of his thumb, calming me down some, and me leaning into his comfortable hold as my tears started to flow down at a quicker rate. He crouched down slightly and hugged me, I immediately looped my arms around his neck with his around my waist as I just stood there, weeping softly into his chest. "Ethan it's ok, really I don't mind, I kind of , um, liked it honestly" he chuckles nervously as he scratches the back of his head with a free hand.
I look up at him from our embrace with glossy eyes and sniff slightly, "really?" My voice raspy from crying. "Yeah" he gently stared yet made sure to make me know he wasn't lying. He leaned down and lightly kissed my lips, his mouth so soft yet rough, they were perfect. I hesitated but soon kissed back, loving the way his lips felt on mine.
We detached and just looked into each other's eyes, both holding so much emotion and passion, we could feel it radiating off one another. "I've been wanting to do that for so long" he whispered with a grin.
I was shocked, first he kissed me and then admits to me that he's wanted to for a while now? "Re-really?" I question breathlessly, wanting to be sure this is what he wanted, that he really meant what he said. "Yes, really"
I grinned back and hugged him tightly, he instantly hugging me back as we cling on to each other, swaying side to side as he snuggled his head in the crook of my neck with my head on his chest, enjoying his scent that smelled of nothing but coffee and vanilla, it was warm and comforting.
"You know ever since the first day I noticed you watching me I've been wanting to go over and talk to you, I was just to nervous to actually go over and do it" He stated nervously, chuckling a little.
I smiled and separated myself from him slightly to be able to look up at him asking him why he did today. "I forgot to set up my alarm clock the night before and overslept, as I did everything to get ready for the day, I stepped out and walked down here to the arcade, the second I walked in," the room darkening from the bright sun that shined outside, "You stood out among them all Ethan, I saw you sitting at your usual spot, I wanted to play it off as if I hadn't seen you and just go and play but it's like I was being forced to go talk to you, not that I minded, after all look what happened" I laughed.
"Yeah," I responded, mentally thanking to who or whatever for the cause of him forgetting to set his alarm, for it led me find my soulmate, my love, everything that mattered to me right here. In the arcade.
