Peer Pressure [S.Barber]

[01] I WANTED TO IMPRESS YOU

For the entire week, Stanley had dedicated his time to learning how to play Dance Dance Revolution. He'd spend almost hours of his lunch break on the game, and would sometimes use his key to go and play late at night.

Half of his earnings had gone to the machine. While he waits for Lana to arrive, he decides to play one last game on his own.

He was alright, one could say. Though, definitely not what he claimed. She'd surely notice he had lied. But how could he tell her? She already seemed skeptical as is.

When the game ends, he sighs, looking down at his watch. She's already fifteen minutes late. What if she forgot? He thought. She probably forgot.

Or worse, what if she didn't want to come in the first place? Anyways, who would want to hang out with some random boy dressed in baggy clothes and wore his hair in messy curls?

Suddenly, the bell on the door rings, and in comes the blonde, dressed a striped short sleeve shirt, that hung loosely around her torso, and black sweatpants.

"Hey! I am so sorry I was late. My mom needed help with something." She sighs, setting her bright blue backpack down. "I thought you weren't gonna come." He chuckles anxiously, scratching the back of his neck.

"Come on. I would never pass up an opportunity to play this game. Are you kidding?" She smiles, reaching for a quarter in her pant pocket, then stepping onto the machine.

Stanley sighs, reaching into his pocket, yet realizing that he had nothing left. He had used up all of his quarters practicing. "Shit, Um. I think.. I ran out of quarters." He admits, emptying out his pockets.

"Oh! No worries. I've got a ton." She holds one out towards him. "No, I can't—"

"I insist. Come on. Let's play." She grins. Reluctant, he takes it from her, inserting it inside the slot.

"Time to put your talents to the test, Lana." Stanley smirks confidently, though he was the opposite of confident. "Yeah, Yeah. Get ready to lose." She playfully rolls her eyes.

"I'm ready." He mutters under his breath, then presses down on the start button.

Within a count down from three, the game had begun. Lana remained focused on the instructed steps, deciding to show off and do a little spin.

Stanley, his mouth slightly agape from the concentration. He nearly trips over his feet, sighing to himself.

Suddenly, the song had ended, and Lana grabs her water bottle, taking a large sip from it.

"Ooh! How does it feel getting full-on destroyed, Stanley Barber." She jokes, leaning her elbow on his shoulder as she checks the score.

"Yeah, Uh— just a— bad day, I guess. You know, also... not my type of music." He lies. "Yeah." Lana nods, taking her backpack and slipping her arms in the straps. "I totally get it."

It goes silent for a moment, Stanley watching the girl prepare to leave. "You've never actually played Dance Dance Revolution, have you?" She raises her eyebrows.

He scoffs, laughing. "I- Of course I have." He nods. She crosses her arms, not being fooled. "You got me." He admits, pursing his lips.

"Right." She says, turning around to walk away. "Wait! Lana!" He calls. She sighs, stopping in her tracks. "I'm not doing this to get in your pants. I just thought you were cool and... I wanted to impress you." He explains.

She spins back to face him. "I know I lied, alright? But I had good intentions." He sends her an innocent smile. For an odd, reason, she couldn't walk away.

Not from that smile. "So, when's the bowling match?" She asks, causing him to send her a confused stare.

"You work here, right? Or did you lie about that, too?" She questions. "No, I didn't lie." He shakes his head.

"Great. Then you've got to be good at bowling, right? I suck at bowling. I got to beat you at something. It's your turn." She picks up a ball with one hand, then quickly sets it down. "Fuck, those are heavy." She curses.

Stanley chuckles, making his way over to the girl. "You're on, Cars-on." He switches the pronunciation to rhyme, causing her to cringe. "Yeah, don't do that again or I'm leaving." She shakes her head, laughing.

"Why naw, Lana?" He continues, smiling idiotically. "Yeah, Yeah. Don't make me Stan-Leave you to play with the five year olds." She nudges him.

"Hey, this is Tammy's seventh birthday party. Get it right." He corrects. "My sincerest apologies. Send my regards to Tammy and her family." She jokes, earning a small snicker from the boy.