Page 144 of Pride High 2: Orange

“I have an idea,” she said as she stood. “Follow me!”

“Wow, you like video games?” Troy said as they approached a row of cabinets. “I didn’t think girls were into that sort of thing.”

“You’re about to eat those words,” Mindy said gleefully when she noticed that they still had Ms. Pac-Man.

“You’re on!” Troy said.

They fed a couple of quarters in the machine and chose two-player mode. She insisted that Troy go first, and watched him clear most of the first maze before he got trapped between two ghosts.

“Oh wow!” she said, pretending to be impressed. “Youaregood!”

“Don’t take it personally,” Troy said. “I’ve been playing video games my entire life.”

Mindy put on a pouty expression as she nudged him out of the way. “That’s an unfair advantage, but I still have to try.”

Part of her worried that she may have lost her touch. She hadn’t played for a few years, but it was like riding a bike. Under her guidance, Ms. Pac-Man zipped through the first maze, not only clearing it but picking up plenty of bonus points by eating flashing ghosts and a bouncing cherry.

Mindy feigned surprise. “I must have gotten lucky!”

She saw Troy narrow his eyes in suspicion before the game demanded her attention again. Despite a close call, she cleared the second stage too, rewarding them with a cute animated cutscene where Ms. Pac-Man and her male counterpart finally met, a heart appearing above their heads.

“Who knew video games could be so romantic?” Mindy said innocently.

“I bet you did, because you’ve obviously played this a bunch.”

“Maybe once or twice. Let me know if you get bored standing there watching.”

She finally took a wrong turn on the third maze, but that was fine. Mindy had proven her point. But just to be sure, she wiped the floor with Troy after he lost and insisted on trying again, although he did smarten up and throw in the towel. Eventually. They moved on to the other games, which provided a level playing field, since she didn’t have as much experience with them. Although she beat him again on Tapper, and it was neck and neck on Burger Time.

“You really are the perfect girl,” Troy said as they walked away.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” Mindy replied, her pulse quickening. She glanced over at her date, noticing his handsome smile. Was this the beginning of love? She couldn’t wait to find out!

CHAPTER 32

January 9th, 1993

Mindy watched Troy stretch while he considered the bowling alley, his expression no longer convinced. “Do you want to play another round?” he asked, turning to her. “Or should we go somewhere else?”

Most of the lanes were occupied by people as old as their parents. “What did you have in mind?”

“Let’s go for a ride.” Troy noticed the face she made and added, “No more stunt driving. I promise. I’ll even warm up the car for you. Be right back.” He sprinted ahead of her and out the exit. By the time she got to the doors, his car was parked right outside, steam coming from the tailpipe.

“Okay,” Troy said as he returned. “Give her about five minutes and we should be good to go.”

Which was ideal, because they needed to change back to their actual shoes. “Aren’t you worried about leaving your car running?” she asked while pulling on her winter boots. “Someone could steal it.”

“Nope! I have an extra key.”

“Very clever!”

She appreciated it even more when they went outside, because it was terribly cold out. The inside of the car was cozy by comparison. True to his word, Troy followed the speed limit—more or less—as they drove around. Mindy took the opportunity to show him Pride while sharing the memories she’d made while living there.

“That was my grade school,” she said as they reached it. “I was very popular and voted the prettiest girl year after year. Just don’t ask anyone to confirm that, because people will lie and say it wasn’t true. They’re all secretly jealous of me.”

Troy laughed. “In that case, I was captain of the football team back home.”

“Even though you play basketball?”