"Arcade this weekend!" one friend announced loudly. "Everyone's coming, right?"
Eli hesitated—he wasn't usually the type for noisy outings. But with everyone insisting, he agreed.
When he arrived at the arcade Saturday afternoon, bright lights and game sounds filled the air. His friends were already battling at a racing game.To his surprise, Kai was there too.
"Didn't know you'd come," Eli said as Kai approached.
"One of your friends invited me," Kai replied simply.
They tried the shooting games first. Kai wasn't great, but when he missed, he just smiled faintly, accepting the teasing without complaint. Later, at the claw machine, Eli struggled to grab a plush toy, grumbling as it slipped again.
"Here," Kai murmured, sliding a coin into the machine.
His movements were precise, calm. The claw dipped, grabbed, and this time held steady—lifting a small stuffed cat until it dropped into the chute.
Eli blinked as Kai handed it to him. "For you."
Heat rose to Eli's face. "You didn't have to—"
"Its okay, I specially get it for you."
Before Eli could reply, their friends called them over to join another game. The rest of the day was filled with noise, laughter, and silly competitions. Yet somehow, Eli and Kai kept drifting together—side by side at the park, walking in step while the others ran ahead.
"Looks like you've got a partner-in-crime, Eli!" one friend teased.
Eli groaned, waving him off, but later that night as he lay in bed, he couldn't stop thinking about it.