"There's still some things I don't understand," Olivia said as everyone was getting ready for their game of laser tag.
"What are 'these things', Planet Green Eyes?" Ava asked in response, using air quotes, her nickname for Olivia in tow.
"Well, for starters...when exactly was the first time you guys met Val?" she turned her attention to the girl with the striking blue hair. "You said you met her at the park and Emma once told me about your party two weeks before I enrolled—"
"Liv!" Emma cut her off.
"No Em, that's fine," Valerie chuckled, speaking for herself now. Ava, on the other hand, just looked confused.
"Remember the night of the party, Ave? Your first one this year?"
Ava nodded slowly. "I was kinda drunk though. All I really remember is getting really angry when I saw Dorito boy- oh,"
"Oh indeed," Valerie laughed. "Ava and I first met at the park, over five years ago, yes," she said, confirming Olivia's statement. "We exchanged numbers but never really got around to talking much. That was, until just before summer vacation,"
"When you were in school," Mia said, fastening the strap on the back of her vest.
"You were in school and you didn't come say hi?" Emma raised an eyebrow.
"In my defense," Valerie raised her hands in surrender. "I was only back to pick up some stuff I'd left behind. Believe it or not, they actually kept my old textbooks,"
"Still!" Emma whined.
"Sorry dove," Valerie said, giving the girl a side hug. "I didn't want to because then I know I'd never leave. There'd be too much to catch up on,"
"That makes sense," Ally nodded. "You're forgiven,"
"Thanks mami," Valerie laughed as she grabbed the laser tag centre's issue gun and checked its battery.
"Okay, things are starting to add up," Olivia gave her girlfriend a kiss on her temple. "You guys sure are a handful,"
"Ain't as bad as this one over here," Ava gestured to Seth with a light chuckle.
"Right?" Rebecca cut in. "He's always going on and on about Austin,"
"Really? What about?" Emma asked curiously.
"That we share the same last time," Seth admitted.
"At least they're not related," Ava said, causing everyone to laugh. "I don't know what I'd do if they were,"
"Well, yesterday was a blast. I'm glad things worked out for us. I'm back in town for good...that of course, you knew, if not you wouldn't have called me to the party the other night," Valerie looked at Ally, who blushed a little.
"And I caught up with you guys...not to mention, my best friend too," she smiled at Olivia.
"Speaking of parties," Mia spoke up. "Y'all notice how yesterday was pretty much a replication of what happened that day in school? I think Val may or may not have a reputation for breaking Austin's nose,"
Everyone laughed.
"He deserves it," Valerie shrugged.
She was right about that much.
"Alright folks, game's about to start. You guys ready?" the game master asked as he checked everyone's gear.
Ava had booked the entire laser tag place so they could enjoy their game on their own, without interruptions.
Everyone nodded, all picking their guns up.
"Okay, first things first, rules. Do not swing your guns at anyone, no punching or kicking. That defeats the purpose of laser tag,"
Mia snorted. "People actually do that?"
The worker shrugged. "I have to do this briefing for a reason,"
Damn.
"Second, you each got three lives. Three strikes and you're out. But," he held up his finger. "There are power ups located around the arena. They hold either activation codes for different functions of your gun, or codes to give yourself more lives. You may choose to give 'em to your partner or allies. Or keep them for yourself, I don't care," he laughed.
"So it's all up to whoever finds it then?" Ally asked to double check.
The worker nodded.
"So, sir—" Emma started.
"Call me Todd,"
"Right, Todd. What exactly is the objective of the game? Besides killing our opponents, of course,"
"As a matter of fact, that's what I'm here to ask," Todd clapped his hands together. "We've got a range of challenges for you guys to choose from. A game of Capture the Flag means you have to get your opponents' flags in order to win the game. Seeing as how you guys have four teams, the winner will be whoever gets the other three flags and protects their own first,"
"I like the sound of that," Rebecca said, Valerie and Olivia nodding in agreement.
"We also have the Colour Run game, where killing the your opponent doesn't mean they're out of the game, but rather, your new teammate. Again, three strikes and you're now on the same team as the person who last shot you, unless you manage to find a power up that gives you more lives. The team with the most number of people on their team by the time runs out wins,"
"Ooh, that sounds fun! What other options do we have?" Ava asked enthusiastically.
Todd ribbed his hands in suspense. "My personal favourite, Computer Rush. Now before you ask, no, you're not playing against a team of AIs,"
Seth shut his mouth upon hearing Todd's words. Olivia noticed, giggling.
"Instead, you'll be playing against my team! He gestured to the other workers in the workspace. Because we're always so busy, we don't really get to play much. Since you've booked the space, we don't exactly have to watch the store. If you'd like, you could play against us,"
"So this is why it's your favourite," Ally said, to which Todd confirmed with a laugh.
"I have to say, we're not the best because we don't play too much. But still, we've had our fair share of experience. It will be easier for you guys, though. Because we work here, we know where all the power ups are. So we'll give ourselves a disadvantage, we can't use any of 'em,"
"Won't that mean the game will end fairly quickly though?" Emma asked.
Todd shrugged. "Hey, we just wanna play for a little bit, no matter how long the game will last,"
"Well, since we've pretty much got the whole day ahead of us, why don't we try all the games? They're only 45 minutes each and we could rest in between each session," Olivia suggested.
Everyone agreed instantly.
"Which game should we go for first?"
"I say we get the most tiring one out of the way," Emma laughed.
"That's gotta be Capture the Flag," Todd confirmed.
"Alright then, we'll go for that one,"
"Perfect," Todd noted that down in his notebook and looked up at the group once more. "Have you guys formed your teams?"
Everyone nodded.
"Alright then, my staff and I will take you all to your starting points. They're waiting by the counter, so split up and we can start once everyone's ready,"
"You're going down Ave!" Seth shouted as he walked in the opposite direction from his girlfriend.
"Bring it!"
"See you on the other side, babe," Olivia winked at Emma.
The younger girl blew her girlfriend a kiss, walking away.
Everyone decided that it'd be much more fun if the couples were split up. Alas, they had so many games to play, it wouldn't matter if they couldn't team up for just one game.
They were all friends, after all. And so, let the games begin.