Ah, the smell of popcorn and nachos. The sounds of laughter and arcade games. There was a steady hum of voices, though I couldn't - no, I didn't want to - hear what it was people were saying. I could care less about the mundane daily lives of those around me. Parents, gossiping while their children played nearby. Teens rattling on about school, or boys, or upcoming events. I avoided it all, heading straight for the cafeteria. I ordered nachos with cheese and a large root beer; Barqs, partly because it was what they had, but mostly because it's the best. Eventually I would peruse the arcade area and spend the money I had stuffed in my pocket. This probably wasn't a wise thing to do, blowing everything I had on some stupid games. However, I was bored. My music career wasn't really going anywhere right now, I didn't have a job, and I had no friends in this town. This added up to 'Adventure Land' becoming a frequent stop for me. When I wasn't in Nashville or wandering around Cyprus, I was here.

I took my tray over to a table that overlooked the arcade; there was a slight rise to the cafeteria from the rest of Adventure Land, so sitting at the tables furthest from the counter, you were about a foot higher than everyone below. The nachos were delicious, fresh and salty, and the cheese melted over the top was perfect. It was one o'clock in the afternoon, and the perfect time of day for the best nachos. Unfortunately, I had spent enough time at Adventure Land to find this out. -Sigh- This was my life now.

No, I was determined that music would be my career one day. This wouldn't be my life forever. Although, with the way I was blowing through cash these days, it was looking like I might need a temporary job in the meantime.

Words // 320
Tagged // open
Outfit // here

I walked up to the stile at the front of the place, purchased my pass for the whole two hours, and then walked inside. Yes, I was 23, and at Adventure Land. I kind of felt a little ridiculous, but I looked younger than I was, so hey. Maybe people would think I was like, 18 or something. I was alone, because I had no friends yet. I had only recently moved to the Cyprus area. I had my own massive ranch, but I had no friends to show it to. So I came here, but the only people I could see so far were old enough to have kids, or, yes, their kids. I sighed and flattened out my skirt nervously. Rock climbing was out of the question. Go-carts? No, not alone. I settled on a nice shooter game.

There was a little shooter game section near the back, also near the cafeteria that seemed promising. I wandered over to it and surveyed the games currently occupied by young teens, or else 8 year olds. What was I doing here? I should be at a luncheon. You're twenty-three, my brain whispered incessantly. You should be printing fliers for your new business. That actually is a pretty good idea, I said silently back to my brain. Alas, I was here. So I decided to get my money's worth. I found a two-person shooter, but since I had no one with me, it would have to be a one person for now. I popped off a few rounds, and looked around. No one seemed to be paying me any mind. Huh. I turned back to the game, and took point.

The nachos were fresh and warm, and I nibbled on them absentmindedly while I looked around the arcade. It wasn't long before I'd nearly finished the chips off. It was easy to go through something like that pretty quickly when your mind was elsewhere. When I noticed how many I'd eaten, I straightened up and took a sip of my drink. Maybe it was time to play some games; anything but sit here like a loner. These kinds of places were much more fun with friends, but being that I had none, it wasn't so bad alone either. Especially with nachos.

I noticed, as I stood from the table, a young woman. She was walking towards the back of the arcade area. Usually, I wouldn't pay much mind to other people at Adventure Land, however, there were two things that stood out to me about this girl. One, she was alone. This was a good thing for someone like myself, looking for some company. This meant there would be no overprotective boyfriends or hordes of chick friends ruining conversation. Two, she was walking towards the shooting games. Interesting choice, I thought to myself.

After a moment of debate, I decided to follow her over. She was already engrossed in the game by the time I made it over, so I leaned on the back of the seat beside hers. "Care for some real competition next round?" I asked, using my best charming smile. It wasn't that I was trying to pick up anyone. Actually, that flirty side just came out naturally.

Words // 261

I'll admit it. I felt a little more comfortable after tuning everyone else's voices out of my head and concentrating on the little red cross-hairs. That shouldn't be a good thing. In fact, I should be meeting people. Walking up and introducing myself. But, honesty being the best policy, that wasn't going to happen. I was out of my comfort zone, and I hated meeting new people. I glanced around, and then went back into my bubble. Interestingly enough, people seemed to be giving me a wide berth. That suited me just fine, since I preferred a little personal space, anyway. My peripheral vision narrowed, so I didn't notice when a teenage guy came and leaned against the seat next to me. Nor did I notice that he was watching the rest of the game I was playing. Only when the "You Win" popped up on the screen and he spoke did I jump, clutch my chest and whirl to look at him, as much a deer in the headlights as the ones I'd just been 'shooting'.

I gave a weak chuckle and ran my hand through my long dark hair. "Wow, I really didn't see you there," I said quietly. My mind re-winded to hear what he said. Competition? Him? I sized him up. "You... really?" I sniffed and spun the gun around my finger by the trigger guard. "Please." I gave him a smile to show I was only kidding. I shrugged towards the other rifle that lay holstered in front of him. "As you wish," I said, popping another couple quarters into the slot, and resting the butt of the gun on my shoulder. I reached forward and pressed "Two Players".

Obviously this girl wasn't impressed. Her shrug was distinctly nonchalant. I nodded as she questioned my interest. She didn't seem very threatened by my so-called competition and welcomed me with the click of a button. I stepped up to the podium holding the second gun and leaned forward, gripping the bright orange plastic as if it were a real weapon. My stance was serious, but my smile was slightly goofy. I wasn't taking it too seriously; I'd just had some practice with guns before. I looked her way as the game started into set-up mode. "I'm Luke. Lucas Avery/." I had gotten into the habit of using both names to introduce myself when I had decided to go into the music business. One day people would know that name.

As the game started, I returned my focus to the screen. I was holding my own throughout the beginning, but the girl was good as well. It could go either way. I was a little embarrassed by how close the score stayed. I wasn't entirely sure I had this one. No matter; I wasn't about to take an arcade game too seriously. Still- I was competitive enough to feel that drive to win, anyway.