"What do you mean you spent our grocery money? On what!?" My mother's voice echoed against the halls of our house. Even being upstairs, I could hear my parents whole argument from my bedroom. 

"I don't know! The money just isn't there, Josie. What do you want me to say?" Sighing, I got up from my unmade bed and closed my bedroom door, the poster of Billie Eilish—the one Malcom gave me a few years ago—hanging on by a thread. 

"What am I supposed to pack for Lena's lunch tomorrow? Wyatt, you know we don't have the money for her to buy and you're too damn stubborn to sign her up to receive free lunches!" Even as I returned to the comfy spot on my faded red comforter, I could still hear their arguing coming up the stairs from what I assumed to be the kitchen. 

"It's embarrassing, we don't need strangers up in our financial business."

"Lena having something to eat for school tomorrow is far more important than your supposed 'embarrassment'! I can't believe you." 

The sound of someone opening my bedroom door finally dragged my attention away from Mom and Dad and I looked up to see my little sister peaking her head in from the hallway. 

Smiling, I whispered, "Hey, Lena. Come here."

Lena smiled brighter than a thousand suns and scurried her way into my room. After making sure the sound of the door didn't disturb our parents of their arguing, Lena made her way to the spot next to me on the bed. 

"Why can't they ever just get along, Lu?" Lena asked and it broke my heart. My ten-year-old sister shouldn't have to worry about why her parents aren't getting along. 

In that moment, I was reminded of the time Lena fell at the playground. She was only 4 and ran right into my arms to cry her little heart out and I couldn't help but notice how small she felt in my arms. I just wanted to keep her safe and it felt like I had failed and, of course, being the 11-year-old emotional boy I was, started to cry right along with her. 

"I don't know, Lena. But, hey, lets not ponder on it, okay? What's going on at school?" I smiled reassuringly, hoping to get Lena's mind off of things. It seemed to work as she began word vomiting about something silly her best friend did on Friday. Something along the lines of scaring the younger kids by telling them some random, made-up ghost story about the monster that lives in the janitor's closet? I wasn't sure, Lena talks way too fast when she's excited.

I just continued to smile and nodded along to her spiels until a loud BAM came from downstairs. Lena jumped and I heaved a sigh of relief. It was most likely Dad leaving the house and slamming the door behind him, signifying the argument was finally over. At least, for now.

My relief didn't last for long, however, when I noticed Lena tensing back up again. Damnit, I finally got her to settle down and Dad just had to remind her of the fight by slamming the door! 

Taking a deep breath to rein in my anger, I looked at Lena, "Hey, wanna head to the arcade?"

Instantly, Lena perked up and nodded her head vigorously.

"Alright, go get changed out of your PJs and meet me downstairs, okay?" I said, laughing at my little sister's antics. 

"Okay!" And she booked it out of my room and down the hall. Chuckling, I grabbed my wallet and headed downstairs. 

I found Mom sitting at the dining table staring off into space. Sighing, I grabbed a $10 out of my wallet and waved it in front of her face to grab her attention.

"What's this, Lu?" My mom finally noticed my existence and confusion flooded her features.

"For Lena's lunch tomorrow. She can take it to school with her and buy herself something to eat." I smiled.

I could see it clear as day that my mom wanted to reject my offer, but I knew she wouldn't because Lena can't skip lunch. Why don't they ever just ask me for money when they need it? I thought to myself, but I already knew the answer.

"Thank you, Luca. This is so helpful, Love. You have no idea." But I do.

"Sure thing, Mom. Lena and I are headed to the arcade, do you need anything while we're out?"

Smiling, Mom shook her head, "Nothing right now. You two have a good time, okay?"

"We will!" Came Lena's voice from the stairs, giggling like the maniac she is. 

"Lena, be careful! Don't run down the stairs, you could get hurt!" I chastised  her before Mom could. 

After saying our goodbyes, Lena and I got into Mom's car and I drove us to the arcade—my workplace. 

Before I could even blink, Lena had broke free of her seatbelt and ran right into the arcade. 

Chuckling, I exited the car and locked the door, but what I saw—or who—going into the arcade completely wiped the smile off my face.

Dominic Fuller. . .

I crouched down by the car so quickly I didn't even have time to register what I was doing. Why am I hiding? Dominic doesn't even know who I am! Keeping that thought in mind, I shook out my nerves and headed into the overly colorful arcade and started my search for Lena. 

Even having worked at this arcade for a full year, the bright lights and multicolored everything never ceased to bring on a migraine. And, of course, the screaming children didn't help.

I found my little monster of a sister ogling the claw machines at the back wall.

Her blonde hair was sloppily braided into pigtails—probably her own doing—and she had on a My Little Pony t-shirt as I noticed her staring at one of the stuffies in particular.

Coming up behind her, I said, "Want me to win it for you?"

"No! I can do it!" She smiled brightly, her cheeks turning pink.

"Okay, okay. Here, take this and go play some games, but you better win that stuffed dog, otherwise I'm gonna have to do it." I chuckled, handing her a $20. That should be more than enough to keep her mind off things for now. 

"Thanks, Lu!" Lena yelled as she whooshed past me. I've always envied her carefree personality, I've only ever felt that way when around Mal.

After Lena went off, I looked around the arcade in hopes of seeing any of the co-workers I share shifts with, but no such luck. I didn't know any of the employees working. 

Shrugging to myself, I found a two person table and got comfy. Surprisingly enough, the arcade had never been my thing. I hated all of the flashing lights, loud music, and even louder children. But, this job payed enough to help with my family, so I shoved my discomfort aside to work here. And, my co-workers weren't too bad.

I checked on Lena often to make sure she was okay, but around the fourth check in, I noticed Dominic Fuller standing not too far away from her with a boy that looked to be around Lena's age. 

I stared a little longer than I should have and Dominic's responsive gaze startled me back to reality. I quickly glanced down toward my phone, pretending as if I never looked at Dom in the first place. 

That clearly didn't work because no more than two minutes later, a tall figure was standing over me, clearing his throat. 

"Hey. Lucas, right?" I cringed.

"Uh. . .hi. My. . .my name's Luca." I squeaked, looking at Dom's tanned chin and refusing to move my eyes any higher. 

"Ah! Luca, that's it." The way my name sounded coming from his mouth was everything I could have ever asked for and more. 

The next thing I knew, Dominic Fuller—captain of the soccer team—was sitting himself into the seat across from me. Oh shit. . .

"Is. . .is there something you need?" I lightly asked. I still refused to meet his eyes, but I knew if I did, I would see a stunning shade of amber. 

"Oh! No, nothing at all. I just noticed you looking a little lonely over here and your sister—uhh, Lisa was it?—is friends with my lil' bro Tyler. Thought maybe we could get along if those two squirts could." I smiled a little at that. This man just sucked with names, that's kind of reassuring. 

"Her name is Lena. And, sure, I don't see why not." I tried to smile reassuringly but I think my anxiousness shone through without permission. 

Before Dom could reply, Lena came barreling toward the table—not without sparing a suspicious glance toward my 'company', of course—and stopped in front of me, out of breath. 

"Do. . .you think. . .everything has settled down. . .at home now?" Lena barely got out, lungs working extra hard.

"I think so. Are you ready?" I smiled, trying to contain my laughter.

"Yes! But, can we stop for ice cream?" 

"Sure we can. You want strawberry or cookies and cream?" Those were her favorite. Most of the time, she just got one scoop of each, but I never understood how she could eat those two flavors together. 

"BOTH!" Lena giggled. 

"Okay, let's go! Uh. . .bye. . .Dominic." Again, the smile I attempted to point toward Dominic was not as warm as I was hoping it to be. Geez, why does he make me so nervous? 

"Yeah, see ya at school or something, Luca." My smile became genuine and bright after hearing my name come from his mouth again. He's getting better, I can't wait to tell Malcom about this! 

Clearing my throat, I tried—but failed—to keep my flustered appearance at bay. Waving one last time to Dom and his brother Tyler, Lena and I made our way out of the arcade and climbed back into our mother's silver Sedan.

The Dominic Fuller just spoke to me.  

The giddiest smile breached my face and I had to bite my bottom lip, failing to hold it in. 

"What's got you so smile-y over there, Bro?" Lena raised a brow and I chuckled.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."