Page 87 of Something Like Hail

“How about that one?” Henodded at a random machine.

“Street FighterII?” Felix didn’t sound impressed but hepeered thoughtfully. “Itistwo-player. Okay!”

Most of the machines had cup holdersinstalled on the sides, which was convenient. Once their hands werefree, Noah fed in two tokens and focused on the screen. Felix chosethe only female character available; Noah went with some weirdgreen guy. Then they were pitted against each other, hammeringbuttons as their characters punched, kicked, and yelled words inJapanese. Noah had played the game before, but Felix obviously hadmore experience, winning the first round before a minute was up.Round two went a little better after Noah remembered how to makethe green guy radiate with electricity. That’s the one move hestuck with, which annoyed Felix to no end.

“That’s so lame!” helaughed. “Come on. Fight with honor!”

“Not my style,” Noah said,jabbing the buttons faster.

Felix redoubled his efforts too. The arcadecabinets weren’t very wide. In fact, he and Felix were pressedtogether so they could both get at the controls, their armstouching. This distracted Noah enough that his attention left thescreen. Felix swooped in to mercilessly end the fight.

“Again?” Noah asked, mostlybecause he wanted to stay close.

“Let’s play somethingelse,” Felix said, looking around. Then he sighed happily. “Thereshe is!”

DonkeyKong, of course.

“Is it two-player?” Noahasked.

“Not co-op, but yeah! Let’sgo while it’s still free!”

Noah followed along,carrying their drinks because Felix would have forgotten themotherwise. He was disappointed by the next game. Sure, it wastwo-player, but only as separate turns. That meant they weren’tnestled against each other. Eventually he suggested they playsomething co-op, hoping he had the term right. They moved toTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which was cool but also much wider since it allowed up tofour players. In other words, no physical contact. Noah decided tomake peace with that, helping Felix beat the entire game, eventhough that meant dashing for more tokens. More games followed,Felix never tiring. They talked a lot while playing, mostly aboutFelix’s happy memories of gaming while growing up.

“Let’s take a break,” Noahsuggested after a round ofTapper. “They have food here. Buffalowings, nachos, and some other stuff.”

“Nachos sound good,” Felixsaid, reaching for his wallet.

“I’ve got this,” Noah said.“You’re not allowed near the bar, remember? Grab us someseats.”

“Okay. Thanks!”

Felix smiled at him. Probably. He had beengrinning nonstop since they walked in the door. Once food had beenfetched and they were sitting together at a table, Noah found hewas more interested in focusing on his date than eating.

“What else do you do forfun?”

“Sorry,” Felix said,shaking his head while staring at the table. “I didn’t mean todominate the evening with my obsession.”

“Why are you sorry? I’mhaving a good time!”

Felix looked up in surprise. “Really? Youdon’t think it’s boring?”

Noah popped a tortilla chip in his mouth,considered Felix while he chewed, and swallowed. “You weren’tkidding when you said you’re insecure. Where does that comefrom?”

“Oh.” Felix looked awayagain. “I’m not very good at dating.”

“Says who?”

“My first boyfriend. Idon’t think he liked me much. I’ve been on a few other dates, andthe guys are never interested in talking to me.”

“Let me guess, they wereonly interested in getting into your pants.”

Felix’s eyes darted to meet his. Then henodded. “Yeah.”

“That’s just guys beingtactless and horny. All it says about you is that you’reattractive.”

“I’m not.”

“You are! Do me a favor. Nomore talking down about yourself for the rest of the night, okay?Be more confident!”