Julie approached my sister and gently placed her hand on Lily's shoulder. For a split second, I thought Julie might've been trying to comfort her. That was when I saw a condescending grin split across her face.
"Sorry, kid, better luck next time," Julie said, full of arrogance.
Lily glared at Julie with seething hatred in her eyes– it was all she could do, really. Julie covered her eyes, laughing brazenly at my sister– until that brazenness froze over. A dark crack appeared in her hand, revealing a single eye, which stared directly at me. It's time. She affectionately kissed Lily on the forehead and stepped off the stage. For the first time, it was like we were now on even footing.
"Well, it's your turn now, kid. You ready?"
I slowly sat up in the chair, my heart pounding in my chest, but I kept my face aloof. I responded to her by merely shrugging my shoulders.
As a kid, we would play games together all the time. She would always win, and that'd irritate me to no end. I'd always beg for a rematch, and she'd always agree just to beat me again and laugh in my face. But it's different now.
"So, what do you wanna play?"
Without wasting a second, I replied, "Let's go to the punching machine." Julie nodded her head, and we made our way to the punching machine. While Julie was distracted with Lily, I was looking around the room for games that I could beat her in. After weighing out all the options, I concluded that this was probably the one I had the best chance in. I've arm wrestled Julie before and won, which means that I am physically stronger than her. So I should have an advantage going into this game. We eventually got to the machine, and she started it up.
"So, who's going first?" She asked confidently.
"I will."
I stepped onto the podium and got into form. I took a deep breath and did slow practice motions of a punch– adjusting my aim each time. This feels good enough. I pulled my arm back, locked in on my target, and struck. Hmm, not bad. I watched my score climb up in anticipation. The numbers zipped by 100, 500, 800, and started slowing when it hit 900, settling at 914. I let out a deep– yet quiet breath of relief. That was when I heard a whistle come from behind me, as well as a little round of applause.
"Wow, not bad. You really are a boy after all! I remember you used to be such a soft kid, who would've thought you'd have a mean swing on you now!"
What can I say, I'm great at everything I do.
"Well, people grow up," I replied monotonously.
For a split second, Julie's eyes winced. But she shook it off, so I did too.
"Well, looks like it's my turn."
I stepped aside to make way for my cousin. She approached the machine while cracking her neck and knuckles. That's a little over the top. She started up the machine, and the bag fell. Seconds passed without any movement. She was just… standing there, completely still.
What is she-
Before I could finish that thought, her body flashed, and a loud *Bang* rang through the room. People who were walking by staggered in shock, clutching their chests. I blinked repeatedly, struggling to process what I was seeing. The bag just… disappeared. Her arm was out wide, fist clenched. I was looking the whole time, yet I didn't even see what happened.
I glanced at her score, and my eyes widened. 999. A perfect score. A feeling of disappointment that I haven't felt in a long time gnawed at me from the inside. Despite that, I never asked for a rematch– not anymore.
"HAHA! SUCKS TO BE YOU, LOSERRRR!" My sister cackled. She walked until she was a few inches away from me and obnoxiously twirled her finger in front of my face.
"Looks like you really can lose after all, hmmmm? How does it feel to be a loser now?"
I calmly shook my head.
"I'm just not as good as Julie, that's all there is to it."
I turned towards Julie, my tone and face as indifferent as ever.
"I guess it's true that you used to fight a lot of people."
Julie chuckled, waving her hand in the air as if brushing away my response.
"Hey, don't put yourself down like that. I mean– you're no me, but you're getting pretty good. Maybe in about a year, you could probably beat me."
"Yeah, maybe one day."
Julie let out a satisfied sigh, staring off into the distance. She then turned towards us and looked at my sister and me with tender eyes. She opened and closed her mouth until the words finally came out.
"Well, I guess it's time for me to go home."
Lily tilted her head, disappointment written all over her face.
"Go home, what do you mean? I thought you were going to participate in the tournament?"
Julie's lips curled into a soft smile. She took calm, gentle steps towards my sister and pulled her into a tight hug. The seconds passed, but Julie didn't let go.
"Yeah, I thought so too, kid. But I'm getting old now! I'm not who I used to be! I got tired just by playing two games with you guys. I remember when I could've beaten you two without breaking a sweat! How time flies, amirite? HAHAHA!"
Even as Julie's usual brazen laugh died down, her smile didn't. She gave Lily a tender farewell peck on the cheek. She then turned towards me with her normal, hard yet affectionate gaze. It was like she was seeing right through me– like she had been seeing right through me.
I shifted my weight to my other foot.
"What are you looking at me for?" I said, trying to sound a little rude. I never know what to do when people are nice to me.
Julie scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically.
"What are you talking about? I'm about to leave, so where's my goodbye kiss?"
"Hah! Goodbye kiss? I'm not a kid anymore, I'm too old to still be doing that."
Julie's mouth went wide.
"TOO OLD?! SAYS WHO??? YOU BETTER GIMME MY GOODBYE KISS, I JUST PAID FOR YOUR WHOLE GETAWAY!"
She stomped towards me, forcefully grabbed my face, and gave me a peck on the cheek. I tried pushing her away, but she didn't budge. I let out a resigned sigh and accepted my fate.
Once she was satisfied, she let go and patted– or more like hit my back repeatedly.
"That's more like it! You don't have to be embarrassed, I used to change your diapers!"
A subtle heat flushed my ears when she said that. I hid it, but I couldn't stop the smirk that formed on my face. There's just no winning against her in anything.
"Well, take care, you two. Remember, I love you both!"
She flashed us one final smile and began walking away. Her figure slowly disappeared in the distance, blending in with the crowd. Even so, she kept her hand held high, still waving us goodbye, so we never lost sight of her.
Lily took a few steps forward and shouted out, "Thank you, Julie! I love you too!"
Even as the people around us stared at her, Lily didn't care– just like Julie.
It's good that my sister has someone she can confide in. I just hope she keeps reaching out to other people. As long as she doesn't become any more like me, that's all I ask.
With that, it was just my sister and me again.