Not Just Another Number

Mad Max?

Sarah's POV

"Will! C'mon, I need to get to work!" I yell down the hall as I pull my hair into a pony tail. I straighten my t-shirt as I spin my keys around my finger. "In a minute! I'm looking for quarters." He yells back at me.

I sigh and rub my temples. "I have extra quarters, you can use them. Just hurry up!" I yell again. I hear Mom and Bob laugh from the kitchen. I playfully glare at them as I lean against the wall next to them.

"Sarah, are you sure you don't mind taking him to the arcade?" Mom asks, sipping her cup of water. I smile and wave her off, shaking my head. "It's fine Mom. And I have to be there too, so it'll just make things easier."

She nods and places her cup down. Bob smiles at me and reaches over. He hands me a couple of quarters. "Here, so you don't go and give Will all of your coins." He says. I try to reject the coins, but he doesn't take them back.

"I insist. And she who holds it, owns it." He says, making me laugh. "Fine, but I hope you know you won't be getting these back." I joke as I pocket the coins.

He laughs as he puts his hands in the air and nods. I hear rushed footstpes coming from the hall. I look up to see Will running into the room.

I see him shoving his hands into his pockets. "C'mon Will, let's go." I say, holding my keys loosely in my hand. He nods and runs up to the door. We yell bye to Mom and Bob and run up to the car.

I unlock the car and slide across the hood over to the driver's side. I climb in and start the car. Will buckles up as I pull out of the dirt drive way.

"Did you really have to slide across the hood?" Will asks, laughing. I laugh too and ruffle up his hair. "Of course, Will. Only cool kids do that." He laughs at me and shakes his head.

I reach over and turn on the radio, hearing Madonna play again. I nod my head along to the song 'Material Girl' and tap on the wheel. "How many quarters you got?" I ask him.

Will reaches into his pockets and pulls out a few. "Maybe five." He sighs. I point at the glove compartment as I turn down the road. "There's a boatload in there. And I got a couple from Bob if you need 'em." I tell him.

He quickly opens the glove compartment, looking around in it. "They're in that purple pouch." I tell him.

He pulls out the little drawstring bag and digs into it. He pulls out a few quarters and puts the bag back. I shake my head and take the bag. "You can have them Will, I don't have too much use for them. When you run out of coins, just come to me to get more." I tell him, placing the pouch in my pocket.

He nods his head and pockets the coins he took. I pull up to the arcade and pull into the parking lot. I see three kids bring their bikes to the bike racks. There's the rest of the Party.

I honk my horn twice, gaining their attention. They run up to the car after I park, smiling wide. I roll down my window and lean out. "Hey guys."

"Sarah!" They cheer while Will and I climb out. I lock up the car and put my keys in my pockets. I gesture to the arcade and they all run in. I laugh and shake my head as I follow them.

I walk up to the ounter and hop over it. I hear Keith scoff, but I ignore him, 'cause well, it's Keith. I lean over the counter and watch all the kids play every game they can get their hands on.

Hmmm, wonder if I can play some of these later. I could beat my score in Galaga again. I wath the boys run over to one of the newer games, Dragon's Lair. They crowd around it, taking turns trying to save Princess Daphne.

I hear them yell about them dying several times. "Hey, um, hi." I hear a small voice say. I look down to see a kid, maybe in 8th grade by the looks of it, look at me shyly.