As I got to the mall I took up my phone, checking my messages in hope that anyone would write that they were also a bit too early. To my disappointment there were no new messages, making me frown at the screen. I sighed as I shoved my phone into my light gray coat pocket, as well as opening it to reveal the dark gray, long sleeved, off-the-shoulder shirt I wore underneath, with tight light blue jeans along with it.
Even if no one else was here yet I decided to head on into the cinema, passing some foodcorts and shops before I arrived at my destination. But as I got to the smell of buttery popcorn a familiar face crossed my path, locking eyes with me, flashing me a soft smile. Yet again me and the alpha were the only ones with punctuality.
I walked up to Shawn, watching his styled black hair enhance his sculpted cheekbones perfectly. He had his brown coat slung over his arm, wearing a loose white dress shirt tucked into his black skinny jeans.
- Hey.
- Hi. You’ve been here for long?
- Just got here.
- Oh, I guess the other’s aren’t here yet?
- Yeah. Just like always.
There was a silence that fell between us, making it a bit awkward as to what we should say or do until the others make it here. I glanced over at him, making me remember his kindness the other day. I cleared my throat to make him pay attention to me.
- Thank you...for helping me the other day.
- Oh. Yeah no problem... Glad to help.
I wanted to say more but couldn’t bring myself, not that I got the chance to as a slight buzz erupted from both mine and Shawn's phone.
Group chat: Tee GangI felt how let down I got from the message, knowing it would mean I was stuck with an alpha for the next hour or so. But if I had to spend time with an alpha I’m at least thankful it is with Shawn.
I looked up, meeting his light brown eyes. I knew he had seen the message as well, seeing as he was fiddling with his shirt as to what to do of the situation.
- Should we just maybe do something to kill the time until they’re here?
I looked around, searching for an activity we could do as he suggested “to kill time”. Not too far from where we were standing my eyes locked onto a suitable suggestion.
- There’s an arcade over there on the other side, does that sound interesting to you?
- Sure. It was a long time ago since I went to an arcade, could be fun.
We decided to head over to the colorful arcade, the dim star-like lights and game screens being the only light to help us find our way in there.
We looked around a little as to see what game we should start with, having multiple choices to pick from. However we came to a halt as we stood in front of an air hockey table. No one seemed to have claimed it yet, making me glance over at Shawn who did the same.
- Best out of ten?
- Sure, but just letting you know. I’m pretty competitive.
- That makes us two, so bring it on.
I watched as a smile creeped onto his lips, the gesture making me return a smaller one before placing myself at the edge of one of the air hockey tables. I took off my coat, hanging it on a nearby hook, before putting in a coin. I could see Shawn roll up his shirtsleeves, revealing his toned biceps. We waited with bated breath for the timer to reach zero, watching the hole where the puck was to be shot out.
As it did, both me and Shawn were at it in an instance as we battled for who would score a goal. I managed to get it the first time, hitting it into Shawns goal. I gave him a playful and teasing smile, which seemingly made something spark within him as he suddenly managed to grab the next three, hitting them into the goal at the speed of light. I knew I would have to step up my game, which I did, scoring the next two before Shawn managed to yet again regain the puck. However in the end I was the one who won, dancing a small little victory dance as I smiled wide, almost forgetting my guard I usually held up towards Shawn.
I stopped in my tracks, finally realizing what I was doing. I felt my cheeks flush up slightly from embarrassment, making me glance over at Shawn, wondering what his reaction to my childish behavior was. A soft smile caught my eye as he combed a hand through his jet black hair. A small snort escaping his nose as he walked up to me with his coat in hand.
- Beginner's luck.
I could hear the sarcasm in his words, making me play along.
- You wish.
I said with confidence, taking my coat from the hook before looking around what to play next. My gaze went from game to game, unsure of what to pick before Shawn tapped on my shoulder. I followed the direction his hand pointed towards with my gaze as he suggested a shooting game further down the row of arcade games. As I didn’t have any suggestions on my own I agreed to it as we walked towards it. As I got closer I could see the graphic painted title clearer as it screamed “SPACE INVADERS”. The title gave it away, being a retro alien shooting game. Shooting games weren’t anything I had tried before, however it took my interest, wanting me to try it out.
But as we got to the game we could see that there were already others playing. I looked back at Shawn, unsure if he wanted to play something else instead or wait for this one to get available.
- Do you wanna play something else instead?
Shawn met my gaze, giving me an unsure smile.
- If you don’t mind the wait, I’d like to play this one, it’s one I haven’t played in a while.
- I don’t mind.
I was about to sink into my own thoughts as to make the time pass by, but before I could, the gentle tone of Shawn's voice cut through, making me look back at him.
- Have you... not played something like this before?
- Oh not really.
- Oh... I guess it might seem a bit outdated to some, but it’s surprisingly intense once you play.
- That makes you sound like you have experience with these kinds of games. Should I be scared?
- Oh yeah. I basically live here. I'd be terrified if I were you.
I couldn’t help but giggle slightly, feeling a smile creep up on my lips as I didn’t anticipate for him to follow along with my teasing.
- That would explain a lot.
- Hey... What's that supposed to mean?
- Let’s just say, I now have a few questions answered about you.
I could barely hold back my laughter and disbelief, as he was now pouting, his lower lip jutted out and puppy eyes shining at me in the most dejected manner I had ever seen an alpha pull off authentically. He looked like a kicked puppy. His voice was a few pitches higher and whinier than normal, like a childish pup’s as he continued to play along.
- What do you even see me as?
- Other than you being a baby alpha, nothing much.
Expecting Shawn to finally bristle, and show his true colors as a typical alpha, dominating and arrogant, he immediately let out a roaring laughter. I wasn’t expecting it, so it took a moment longer for me to join in when realizing he hadn’t taken offense, rather he’d found it amusing.
- Ah you too? I’ll never get rid of that nickname, huh.
- Can’t help you act like a pup, it suits you.
- The name or my childish attitude?
As I was about to answer, the people that had been in front of us playing the game finally moved on to the next one, we were quickly moved along to begin playing ourselves. Shawn immediately motioned for me to play first. As I looked at the screen, I saw how it wanted me to choose a nickname. I gave it some thought before grabbing a hold of the joystick, letting it go through the letters at the screen as I typed out “Bambi”. It was the only name I could think of in the moment as it was a nickname Evelynn and Aria would sometimes call me.
- Bambi? Is it because you're a klutz by nature?
- No. It's because my parents are dead.
I watched as Shawns smirk from earlier suddenly turned into concern, his eyes filled with worry, lips pulled into a strained frown. I had to bite my lips not to burst out laughing, wanting to watch him squirm for as long as I could hold out for. I could almost imagine his ears down and tail between his legs. Just as he was about to open his mouth, likely to apologize, I beat him to it.
- I'm just fucking with you, pup.
I quickly turned around, barely catching Shawn’s reaction as he frowned and let out an annoyed huff.
- Don’t joke about stuff like that, I’m sensitive.
- Aww. poor whittle baby alpha. Did I hwurt your fewings?
I could only imagine the look on his face, but by the way he began to huff and puff behind me, I figured he was a bit grumpy, but not angry. I could smell he was just a bit embarrassed.
I pressed the red button on the game, watching it count down before it started. The white alien pixels came lining up as my spaceship hovered in the lower middle part of the screen. The game ended almost as fast as I began shooting, as a few minutes into the game I saw my spaceship taking the last hit, watching it erupt in an animation of a pixelated explosion following with the big letters “GAME OVER” across the screen. I felt myself pout in annoyance, thinking I would do better than an average score in such a seemingly simple game. However I didn’t let it get to me as it was the first time I had ever played this type of game. I simply looked back at Shawn, seeing him grinning from ear to ear only made my pout that much bigger.
- Did your beginner's luck run out, Bambi?
I didn’t even give him a response, as he clearly wasn’t deserving of one. I just stuck my tongue out, huffing as I stepped aside for Shawn to step up and play for himself. As he was about to type in his username, he quickly looked over at me, before squeezing himself closer to the screen to block me from seeing what he was typing. I didn’t bother making fun of his odd behaviour, and just let him do his stupid thing as the game now suddenly began. I watched as one line of aliens after the other got destroyed, Shawn swiftly moving the pixelated spaceship around the screen as he again and again avoided the incoming attacks. It was clear he was good at this game, almost too good which made initial shock turn into annoyance. It didn’t take long before he had passed my embarrassing high score, a smile creeping up the corner of his lip as I knew he had noticed it as well. But he didn’t stop there, continuing level after level as he got further and further away from the average scores of most players. Now it felt like he only played to show off his skills, as he knew I was watching him. There was no actual real point in continuing, except for stroking his big alpha ego. I did hesitate as I tried to throw him off his game, crossing my arms as I leaned up against the plastic piece of machinery Shawn was so enthralled in, letting myself occupy some of his peripheral vision.
- I almost forgot you were an alpha, at least until now. Cheater.
Shawn momentarily looked over at me, his lips quirked up in a teasing smile before refocusing on the game before him.
- I have no idea what you’re talking about.
- Oh but you do. I know now your ego took a hit when I won earlier, and you couldn't take it.
- I genuinely haven’t played this in a while, but sure, whatever makes you feel better sweetheart.
I blanked momentarily by his choice of nickname, though realizing he’d barely reacted himself, possibly not realizing he’d called me that in the first place. I decided if he was allowed to crank the teasing up a few notches, then so was I.
- I can see how you’d need the advantage, since you seem to be such a sore loser.
- I am not.
- Could have fooled me, pup.
By this point he seemed to have begun to actively ignore me, which just wouldn’t do. So I began to think of a plan to get him distracted enough to fail the game. I didn’t want to do anything drastic, and words didn’t seem to get to him as well as I’d like. Which only left me with one option.
I quickly let my fingers rapidly tickle his side that was facing me. His reaction was instantaneous, as he folded himself in half, wheezing for air as he began to giggle, giggle.
- S-stop I ca-an’t. I’m sensitive!
- Should have never told me you were you big baby!
I barely had to do anything before he was forced to release the controls to defend himself from my incessant attacks. His hands quickly grabbed my own, holding them steadfast in his own, his grip tight, but not extremely so, just enough so I wouldn’t be able to slip out.
- Are you trying to kill me?!
- I didn’t know this was your big red detonation button.
- It is! So stop tickling me, you cheater!
We were both slightly out of breath, laughing at each other as we tried to calm down from the little playfight. As we were winding down, I couldn't help but realize he still hadn’t let me go, his hands were large, but quite warm as they completely enveloped my own. I let my eyes take a closer look at the tendons on the back of his hands, as they were spent from restraining me, following the muscles along his arm and back up towards his face. Once I met his gaze, I realized he was blushing, cheeks a fiery red color. I watched as he opened his mouth to say something, but before he could there was a loud sound coming from the game and the giant letters “GAME OVER” were once again across the whole screen. As if Shawn had suddenly burnt himself he quickly let go of my hands, simply smashing the continue button on the game, litting up the high score board, showing how he’d placed 102nd, and the ruling leader on the top five rows had the same nickname: “bby_alpha”. I looked back at Shawn, his face stuck on the screen, jaw slightly dropped.
- I DIDN’T EVEN MAKE TOP 100??
It clicked immediately after that, I burst out laughing, holding my stomach as I barely held myself up.
- You-You’re BABY ALPHA! YOU’RE SUCH A FUCKING NERD!
I looked back up only to see Shawn, also laughing, once again blushing as he spluttered about trying to find a good way of telling me he was likely a former arcade fanatic and complete nerd.
- Wha- I- It doesn’t have to be me!
- Oh, but your new score and nickname is riiight there.
I shoved past him, practically punching the screen as I pointed out the exact same nicknames being used. At that he huffed, shoulders tight as he leaned back towards the game, trying to excuse the use of the same nickname as coincidence or destiny. I obviously didn’t buy it and began poking him harshly in his side again. Making us both double over laughing.
- Uhh? Are we interrupting something?
We quickly pulled apart, looking up only to see Simon standing in front of us, smile devious and all-knowing as the rest of our friends stood around, snickering. Someone clearing their throat brought our attention back towards the line, people now looking pissed, huffing and stomping as they were likely waiting for us to move the hell along already so they could also play. We both flustered, excusing ourselves as we walked over to join the others, not sparing each other another look as we exited the arcade.
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