As the sunset drew closer and the heat-wave brought by the lingering summer season dissipated, the temperature of the sea-side town cooled down as it welcomed the ocean breeze after rush hour. The large crowd that once swarmed the streets had dispersed and thinned-out considerably that only the sound of the passing vehicles could be heard.

Swish!

The automatic, sliding doors opened as Matthew stepped foot in front of a bright, colorful shop at the corner of the street. The sign above presented large letters that spelled, “Game Heaven” in teal colors, appropriately enclosed by two symbols of feathered wings.

The room was wide and well-lit. It housed countless shelves separated into four isles, all filled with various gaming merchandise ranging from small keychains to large consoles and entertainment systems.

“Were here… ”

“Mhhmmn… Five more minutes…”

“I said we're here! Get off already!” Matthew shouted, waking the girl dozing peacefully in his arms.

“But I don't want to!” She answered, shaking her head as she wrapped her arms over his shoulders in a locked-embrace, refusing to leave the comforts of her makeshift cradle.

“Well too bad! My arms are tired!” He shouted.

“Don't want to!” She shouted back.

“I don't care! Get away from me!”

“Hubby, you're mean!”

“I’m not your hubby and I’ll never be!”

“You don't know that!” The longer they fought the more ridiculous they seemed from the customers inside, even attracting the attention of a female attendant.

“Where’ve you been!” The clerk shouted as she hurriedly approached us. A furious expression haunted her face, betraying the beauty of her unblemished skin with wrinkled brows. “Do you know how much trouble you’ve put me through?”

She had a slender frame and a pale complexion. Her brown hair carried loose waves that almost reached her waist. Rectangular spectacles hid the gleam of her green eyes yet her stare still sent shivers down the girl's spine.

Ah, so she works here… Matthew thought as he observed their similar attire. He noticed that the small logo on the front of their navy shirts matched the style of the sign outside.

“Oh, C'mon, Hailey. I wasn't gone that long… was I?” She asked with a sheepish smile.

“You were gone for freaking 3 hours!” Hailey shouted as her hand clenched tight.

“What? Really?”

“Yes! You ran off and left me with an endless line of customers!”

“Well, you said our delivery truck broke down a few blocks back.” She answered. “It’s our job to get the products in time, right?” She winked, appealing to her friend with a charming smile.

“No, you idiot! That was his job! Yours was to help me with the customers!” Hailey screamed as the veins on her forehead throbbed. Even Matthew was startled by the roar of her furious voice.

“Ah, so that's why he looked surprised when I showed up… My bad.”

“Gah! You can't just do whatever the hell you want like always! For once, learn to be responsible!”

“Eh? But that sounds so boring…”

“B-bor—ugh—boring! Look, I know it's only been a month but please, help me out here or I’ll fucking lose my mind!”

“Uhm, excuse me…” Matthew spoke, fortifying his presence as he interrupted their argument. “As much as I want to watch her get berated like this… My arms are getting tired… ” He sighed.

“Oh! You poor thing! I’m so sorry.” Distraught haunted Hailey’s face as she noticed the tremble on his limbs. “Alex! Get off him this instant!” She growled, glaring at her friend like a mother to her insolent child.

“Boo!” Alex grumbled, pouting at Hailey as she unwrapped her arms allowing Matthew to ease her down onto the floor.

“A-are you alright?”

“Ah, yeah… much… better…” Matthew groaned as he stretched his arms, twisting and turning to relieve their built-up fatigue.

“I’m sorry for the trouble she caused you.”

“Oh, it's alright… ”

“No its not! Please forgive me for not noticing it sooner… ” Hailey frowned and bowed her head, committed to earning his forgiveness. “I know she’s my best friend and all but whenever she goes crazy my view just… darkens and my hands just want to… Gah!” She grumbled as exhaustion strained her face.

“Please, I think I should be the one apologizing… Thank you for all your hard work watching over her… ” Matthew cried, patting her shoulders as he fashioned her as a saintly figure in his head. He felt even more amazed that she considered a human hurricane to be her best friend.

“It's not an easy task, I tell you.” Hailey shrugged as she sighed, remembering their chaotic childhood together.

“I know. She’s crazy after all.” Matthew met her eyes with a somber gaze, sympathizing with her as he recalled his own encounter with her friend.

“Y-you understand how I feel?” She gasped as she leaned forward, embracing him as she cried for joy. “Waaa!”

“Woah.” Matthew staggered, as he caught her in his arms. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

“They always look past her wild behavior because of her good looks… But you… you’re different. You see through her illusions—You see the true demon that hides behind that charming mask!” She sniffed as she looked up, staring at him.

“Y-yes, I do…” Matthew answered, gazing at her wavering eyes.

“Hey, are you two trying to piss me off?”

“I’m Hailey by the way. Hailey McAllister.”

“Hey, don’t you dare ignore me!” Alex growled.

“It's nice to meet you, Hailey. You can call me Matt—”

“—And I’m Alex! A-lex!” Feeling brushed aside, Alex zipped between them, parting the two with her hands. “Hailey, stop stealing hubby away!” She screamed as a snarl haunted the corners of her jaw.

“Uh, I don’t recall belonging to anyone, least of all you.”

“I’m sorry, Matt. She tends to go boy-crazy sometimes.” Hailey sighed as she shook her head. “Just take it as a compliment since it means she finds you interesting.” She grinned.

“Really? Then why do I feel creeped out by it?”

“Well, then you have sharp instincts. Nothing we can do about that…”

“Hey, I have feelings too you know! I swear, any more and I'm gonna cry!”

“Hahaha. Just kidding!” Hailey laughed as she teased her friend. “So, what caught your eye this time?”

“Oh, well... Y-you know…” Alex blushed as the question startled her, fumbling with her words.

“Yes, go on…” Hailey teased as she smirked, amused by her flustered expression.

“He has this… piercing gaze and…”

“Mhmm, what else, what else?”

“T-the gap between his poker face and his expressions… is a total heart-stopper… ”

“Uh… O-okay…”

“And he’s kind… and strong… He carried me all the way here… ”

“Ooh…”

“And… and…” Alex squirmed with a wide smile as her hands covered the flustered color on her face. Seeing her friend lost in her own world, Hailey turned her attention back towards Matthew who wore a baffled expression.

“I see, well there you have it, Matt. She’s practically head over heels for you.”

“Yeah? Sounds like she just wants a pet she can tease and bully around.” Matthew hugged himself as he stepped back, staring at the girl swaying left and right. “Just the thought of it makes me shiver… Ugh!”

“Hahaha. Hear that Alex, he said—”

“Fungya!” Alex gasped as she staggered, dizzied by her overstimulating thoughts. Hailey slid to her aid, catching her, preventing her head from hitting the hard floor.

“Whoops! That was close!” She sighed as a relieved smile accompanied her lips.

“Is she alright?” Matthew asked, worried by her condition.

“I think so, but she is out cold... ” She answered, peeking through the slits of her friend's eyes.

“Whew… So, uh… Peace and quiet then?”

“Peace and quiet baby!” Hailey grinned as she flashed a V with her fingers and laughed out loud.