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Sue, Abbey, and Amaya sat awkwardly in the mall twiddling their thumbs. It wasn’t often that their whole online friend group wanted to hang out in real life, it was even less often that everyone said they were available to come. However even as everyone had messaged they were on their way, Sue kept her eyes on the ground nervously. She swung her legs back and forth absentmindedly as the sounds of the fountain in the middle of the plaza radiated behind her.
Amaya sat on the ridge next to her, another reason she was nervous. It wasn’t Amaya’s presence in general that made her nervous, quite the opposite in fact. What she was scared of was the rest of their group noticing her newfound infatuated reactions to her ‘gal pal’. Not that it was new to her, she had always thought that way about her, but ever since that Christmas party Tess invited them to her feelings had quickly become something she couldn't ignore. Nothing had happened after the party, neither of them ever brought it up. The holly-wearing cat felt like there was more physical contact than there was before, but maybe she was just imagining it. Maybe Amaya had only done that stunt at the party in the first place to make her feel better! Her mind swirled with thoughts which each made variable amounts of sense as she gripped the ridge of the fountain, pressing until her hands shook.
Her companion, on the other hand, was completely fine. Amaya kicked her feet as well, humming as she subtly scooched a little closer to Sue on the fountain’s ridge. She let her eyes glide over Sue, raising her eyebrows slightly at her perturbed expression. Was she nervous that Stacy and Mike wouldn't come? Amaya knew Sue never liked when she made a plan that didn't go as intended, but the quiet popcorn vendor couldn't see the issue. Three-fifths of the gang was here! And besides, without two other people around that was just more time the two of them could spend together, win-win! Not that Amaya didn't want her whole friend group together of course, but she would give up just about anything for more time with Sue. Her feelings for the taller woman had only strengthened since their night at the party, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to fully ask Sue out, which she was slightly peeved about. Part of the quiet girl wished Sue would just do it, but she knew she wouldn't. For all her bravado on the stage, Sue was a total mess when it came to being smooth with a girl, not that Amaya particularly minded of course.
“Hey, you alright?” Sue’s somber sapphic spiraling was interrupted by Abbey’s voice as he sat down next to her on her other side, stopping his casual pacing and looking at Sue expectantly. She didn't respond, raising an eyebrow and doing her best poker face she could manage. Abbey shrugged, “I don't know, you seemed tense.”
“Maybe a little…” Sue responded, pulling a different problem that wasn’t her lesbianism to the forefront of her mind, there was no way she was letting Abbey in on that. “Do you think Stacy and Mike are actually gonna show up?”
“I know Mike will,” Abbey responded quickly, letting his gaze stretch into the darkness of the arcade that sat in front of them. “And even if Stacy doesn't show up, that won't stop us from having a good time will it?” Amaya nodded enthusiastically at Abbey’s response and Sue couldn't help but let her eyes drift over to her.
“Y-Yeah, I suppose having fewer people wouldn't be too bad…”
One of Abbey’s eternally downturned ears twitched a bit, and he swiveled his head into the crowd, “Well, it looks like you had nothing to worry about after all.” She quickly was able to spot Mike through the crowd, and eventually Stacy, walking a bit behind him. Stacy was in a completely different outfit than usual, a purple sweater that looked like it hadn’t seen the light of day in forever, paired with a black knee-length skirt. Additionally, she lacked the bow and lipstick Sue would have sworn she slept in. Mike looked exactly the same, Mike has pretty much looked the same way his whole life, one time he changed the color of his scarf but then he changed it back and it was like nothing ever happened.
“Glad to see the both of you here! We were starting to think you wouldn't make it.” Abbey greeted merrily.
Stacy kept her hands firmly in her pockets, “We got here on time. It wasn’t like, our fault you guys were early.”
“I like your sweater by the way.” Abbey added, “I never thought I’d see you in anything but a dress!”
The hooded feline raised her eyebrows in surprise before letting her eyes drift to the ground, “I’m glad you think so!” she responded timidly, “I only like, picked it cuz it was something I wouldn't usually wear. Katie’s here today and I don't want to be seen.” Sue sighed with a mixture of disappointment and amusement,
“Still trying to pretend you don't know us huh?”
“Like, no!” Stacy clarified frantically, “It’s just like, I don't know..”
Abbey shrugged understandingly, “There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of social anxiety,”
“L-listen, I do NOT have social anxiety .” Stacy retorted, pointing at Abbey aggressively. “There’s nothing wrong with me just cuz I like, don't want to be seen.” Amaya raised an eyebrow, the popular girl’s response only making her think she had social anxiety more.
“I don't think having something going on mentally means there’s anything wrong with you.” Mike stated, his eyes drifting somewhere else, “In my opinion, it's thoughts like that that make people not get help, which just makes everything worse and causes them to spiral. I feel like if we normalized reaching out when you don't feel okay, it could really save people from horrible things.” Mike’s expression darkened over his sentence as he continued to gaze at the floor. Everyone stopped talking for a moment and looked at Mike, a mixture of confused and slightly concerned expressions on their faces.
“Wow, this got, like, EXTREMELY depressing. Can we talk about something else?” Sue furrowed her brow at Stacy’s brash desire to leave the topic behind but Mike seemed to welcome it, chuckling and beginning toward the arcade.
“My bad for being a downer, fellas!” Mike called back, “Let's win some prizes!” Amaya bounced excitedly at the opportunity to finally get her feet on that neon-styled carpet, quickly surpassing Mike as Sue followed. Stacy tilted her head down and walked ahead as well, Abbey waning back slightly to match speed with Mike. Sue could only hear they were talking with no audible words as they conversed in hushed tones, but she knew Abbey was probably saying something supportive.
A sensation shot up Sue’s arm and radiated through her body as Amaya’s hand made contact with hers. The tabby’s soft palm slid into her own as their fingers wrapped around each other. Amaya kept her eyes forward, using her poker face to hide the blush that settled over her cheeks as they touched. Sue also looked away bashfully, hoping if she acted like this was as normal as it had always been then she would start to believe it. Even so, Sue’s amber sight couldn't help but flick back to Amaya as she peered around the arcade excitedly. Her smile drove Sue up the wall, and the softness of her hands drove her equally crazy, how in the holy mother of fuck was she supposed to get any gaming done like this!
Eventually, the group began to cluster together again once they got deeper into the bowels of the arcade. Amaya led Sue and the group by extension right into the rhythm game section and was in awe of some of the select cabinets imported in from Japan. The sound of the two conversing boy’s voices barely reached Sue’s ears at the end of their interaction.
“Well, you can always talk to me if you need.” Abbey offered, with a context Sue was missing, but she could put the pieces together.
“I appreciate that.” Mike responded sincerely, “I just- holy shit is that David?” Mike’s sudden stop snapped Sue’s wandering mind and ears back to attention. Only now did she realize Amaya had stopped as well, staring forward with a wide expression. The small tabby gripped her gal pal’s hand with a newfound ferocity, the pressure eventually causing her small hand to shake. There was a group of people crowded around a particular Guitar Hero cabinet, and in the middle of that group was David. The manic flashing lights glittered on David’s face as notes blared fast, the high score modifier flying up numbers as he perfected every note. The chocolate-colored dog kept the same cheerful expression he always held, but his powerful stance and the insane speed of his clicking fingers made his otherwise normal cheery smile appear almost manic. Eventually, the song concluded, and the tall boy threw his arms into the air as the high score of the cabinet was topped. Tickets spewed out of the machine as he gave a theatrical bow to his observers and Stacy raised her eyebrows in surprise, about as impressed as everyone else watching was.
“Wow. He’s like, a wizard at that.” She commented, Mike and Abbey both nodding with her, watching David’s escapades,
“I had no idea David even had the attention span to play video games,” Abbey added,
Mike shrugged, “I mean all the energy he has needed to go somewhere right? I'm just glad he isn’t training in any martial arts.”
“Jesus.” Stacy shuddered, “David with martial arts skills has like, got to be one of the scariest things I've ever envisioned.” Amaya wasn’t listening to her friend group’s comments. The grip she held on Sue’s hand got tighter and tighter as she stared David down, assessing every minute movement of his fingers and flick of his wrist as he played. To think of all the people she would see topping the leaderboard it would be David. Not that she had anything against him, but if she was asked who she thought would be the best rhythm gamer in the arcade he would not have been her first choice. As the song finished her pupils narrowed, he was skilled, but not perfect. She could see the little flaws in his movements, the tiniest imperfections that could cause him to lose everything with just a slight stroke of bad luck. She curled her free hand into a fist, he was a worthy opponent.
“A-Amaya, stop!” The short girl's wandering mind was taken back to the present as she looked at her taller friend, tugging her hand away from her insanely tight grip she only just realized she had, “That hurts!”
Amaya rapidly jumped back, releasing her companion before gesturing a profuse apology. Sue tilted her head at the orange tabby with concern as she shook her slightly injured wrist, “Are you alright?”
The popcorn vendor’s eyes flicked from her to David again, who was shoveling tickets into a backpack before picking up the controller once more. Amaya nodded, before quickly closing the distance between the two girls and grabbing Sue’s arm, this time far more gently. She stood on her tiptoes as she leaned into the sand-colored girl's ear, whispering just loud enough for Sue to feel Amaya’s breath on her fur as she listened, it sent shivers up her spine. “Watch this.” She muttered.
Sue peered at her in confusion, “H-huh? Watch what?” Amaya smiled before slipping away from her, quickly slicing through the crowd and approaching David. The whole group’s eyes went wide as she picked up the second controller, David seeming surprised to see her as well.
“Oh, my god…” Stacy groaned, tightening the hood of her purple sweater, “She’s gonna totally embarrass us.”
“I wouldn't be so sure.” Abbey replied, crossing his arms, “Have you seen Amaya play guitar?”
Sue raised an eyebrow, “Have you?”
“Sometimes she doesn't come to lunch, about once every week. I saw her in the hallway once and followed her just out of curiosity, it turns out the band room has an old electric guitar in the back, no amp though.” Abbey responded, “But still, from what I’ve seen her do on that thing, she’ll be just fine.”
David smiled and raised his eyebrows in slight surprise as Amaya approached, grabbing the second guitar off of the rack and getting into position next to him. “Oh! Hey Amaya! Didn't know you played guitar hero!” The small girl nodded gleefully, having to tilt her head way up to smile at him. They didn't keep eye contact long, and the both of them turned their gazes to their respective screens as they lit up once more.
“I’ll let you pick the track.” David smiled, and Amaya let a smirk grow across her face as she scrolled through the names. She was sure he expected her to pick an easy one, but even when she selected Dragon Force’s Through the Fire and the Flames his expression didn't seem to waver. In fact, his smile only grew wider as his eyes focused on the screen. Amaya did the same, prying her vision away from David’s weirdly strong poker face and finding her focus.
“She’s doing a DragonForce song??” Mike commented exasperatedly, looking at Abbey, “You absolutely sure she isn't biting off a bit more than she can chew?”
“Listen if this game is literally anything close to a real guitar I think she’ll do fine!” he shrugged.
“I mean… I’ve never played guitar hero.” Sue added, “But I think the four buttons they give you are most likely easier than a real guitar.”
“Then I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Abbey smiled as the song began, “Just watch.”
David and Amaya’s bodies were bathed in rays of red as the song started, and it wasn't long until a wall of notes came bolting down the screen. The group's collective jaw dropped and Abbey nodded proudly, not only was Amaya managing to keep up she was locked in perfect unison with David, their high score counter flying up numbers together. The LEDs under the buttons of their guitars practically strobed the faster the song became, their fingers flying up and down the multicolored panels so fast anyone with epilepsy would need a warning.
But the song wasn’t over, and it only got faster. Along with faster scrolling came greater note density, just when Sue thought it couldn't get any harder too. However Amaya’s streak didn't break, and her and David’s high scores rose into the multi-thousands. The holly-wearing feline watched in awe as her short crush absolutely annihilated one of the hardest tracks in the game or at least half of it while keeping perfect concentration.
“W-wow…” Sue muttered, almost under her breath, “She’s incredible…”
“Oh for sure,” Stacy responded. Sue flinched, only now realizing she was speaking loud enough for others to hear her, “I can like, practically smell the carpal tunnel from here.”
The track continued its brutal expanse into higher difficulties and as it did the tension of the air thickened palpably. Amaya focused, her eyes narrowing and her smile fading as her sharp and determined gaze burned holes into the cabinet's screen. Meanwhile, David did the opposite, his smile growing wider and more manic with jittering pupils glued to the screen in a frenzied craze as he bared his teeth. Amaya’s fingers burned, she was so close to the end she couldn't let herself falter now! She knew David wouldn't quit, he was already stanced up to rip the arcade cabinet open and start eating its innards. Their high scores were still just about tied, she could only see the number in her peripheral vision but she could tell it had a lot of digits. She hadn’t considered what would happen if they tied the track, it might even be worse than losing. At least if she lost she wouldn't have to wonder forever who was really worthy of that title. She clenched her teeth, there wasn't too much time left in the song, she had to stay strong. Even if she did land a tie, it would be a presentation of her power all the same.
David’s wrists however were nowhere near tired. The corners of his vision blurred and faded away until all he could see were the strobing lights of the cabinet. His fingers thrashed on the keys the minute his eyes could process the colors, and his maniacal smile grew wider as his victory settled into a deep animal instinct. He hadn’t ever had a chance to use his energy like this, and he could keep going. As he tore through the end of the song he knew he had more energy than Amaya, he knew he had more endurance, he knew he had more power. But in the last seconds of the song, when he thought his instinct was perfect, his hand slipped just a little too high.
Wrist a little too high,
spectacular yet flawed,
just hares reach from victory,
one millimeter off,
Missed input,
He had lost it all.
A high score so high no one had ever seen exploded on screen, and he quickly cleaned up, picking up the last notes of the song with near flawless efficiency, but it didn't matter. In just a picosecond his mania was wiped clean from his face, as if he had been impaled.
The small group that had formed around them in the arcade cheered as Amaya was soaked in the golden rays of her perfect score. She gazed in awe for just the slightest moment at what she had done, letting her arms fall away from the guitar before beginning to pump them wildly in the air. She continued to jump and pump her fists in victorious excitement as the cabinet spewed tickets out of the slot, meanwhile, David collapsed to his knees, sinking his head in shame.
“You have bested me at my highest peak… In my pride I challenged the gods to a game of wit… and in my hubris, I fall… in kin with Arachne and all who made the grave folly before her…” Amaya snorted as she took off her controller, putting it back on the stand. David was such an English major. She extended a shaky, sweaty, hand down to help him up, and after a minute he took it, rising to his feet once again and far exceeding her height.
“That was a spectacular game, Amaya,” David admitted, nodding with a tired smile, “You are truly the guitar hero.” Amaya gave him the driest of smiles to accompany his cheesy joke, before shaking his hand in fair sportsmanship and giving an overdramatic bow in response, which he naturally returned. She then turned and began to shovel the mass of tickets into her hands, David helping out and piling them on top of her in a big heap.
“So what are you planning to do with all of them?” The tall dark brown furred boy questioned. Amaya tilted her head in thought, before seeming to get an idea and happily skipping into the crowd, back towards her friends.
“Holy shit… That was insane.” Mike commented in awe as Amaya helped David off the floor.
“I told you she could!” Abbey shrugged happily,
Sue let her eyes wander around Amaya’s ecstatic figure, “She really is fantastic…” Abbey’s eyes shifted over to Sue innocently,
“I would also say I told you so, but I wouldn't have to tell you that.” Sue’s face suddenly grew red and she whipped around defensively to face him,
“WH-WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?” Abbey raised an eyebrow in confusion and Mike additionally leaned over to give Sue a look for her strange reaction.
“I mean, you're best friends? Unless I’m wrong.”
“O-oh! Right, sorry, right. We are best friends, I do think she's fantastic.” Sue chuckled nervously, turning her attention back to Amaya as she now approached, happily carrying loads and loads of tickets. Amaya beamed as she stood in front of her friend group who all looked at her expectantly,
“Well? What are you gonna do with the winnings' wizard girl?” Stacy questioned, tilting her head. Amaya averted her eyes for a moment as if she was lost in thought, before happily stepping towards Sue and shoving the entire bundle into her chest.
“Wh-!” But before Sue could comment on it Amaya happily skipped away deeper into the arcade, hiding the redness that settled on her face. Sue was not nearly as skilled at her poker face as she watched Amaya go, “Wh-... wow..” Everyone was already looking at Sue due to the massive bundle in her arms, but Mike's expression seemed to change. He slowly raised his eyebrows as if he realized something, before giggling under his breath.
“Slow your roll there tiger, June’s not for another couple of months.”
“Wh-what's that supposed to mean?!?”