AN: Need more Powerstones. Push me up to rank 15 atleast.
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Alex pulled out of the range, the car rolling smoothly over the gravel lot before they hit the main road. Loki sat in the back, tongue hanging, looking very satisfied. Lilly was still grinning, tapping her fingers on her knee.
"You know," she said to Alex, "I think winning makes food taste better."
Alex's eyes were focused on the road. He replied. "Oh yeah? So what, you're saying food will magically be ten times better because you won a shooting contest?"
"Yep." Lilly nodded. "Victory seasoning. It's a real thing."
Alex chuckled. "Alright, then. Let's test that theory."
They stopped at a drive-thru burger place and ordered double cheeseburgers, big fries, and a milkshake for Lilly and Mt. Dew for Alex. Alex also ordered a side of grilled chicken for Loki.
When they hit the road again, they ate in the car like two people who hadn't seen food in days. Fries disappeared in seconds, and the burgers barely stood a chance.
Lilly took a big bite and groaned. "See? Tastes better."
Alex shook his head, amused. "Or maybe it just tastes good because we were starving."
"Details," Lilly mumbled through a mouthful of fries.
Loki happily chomped on his chicken in the back, his tail wagging against the seat.
As she popped another fry into her mouth, Lilly turned to Alex. "So, how good are you at bowling?"
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Bowling?"
"Yeah," she said, taking a sip of her milkshake. "That's our next stop."
Alex wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I mean, I'm okay. I don't suck, but I'm not some pro either."
Lilly smirked. "Good. That means I can crush you again."
Alex laughed. "You really enjoy winning, huh?"
"You have no idea," she said, tossing a fry in her mouth.
Before heading to the bowling alley, they made a stop at one of Lilly's friends, a woman named Sarah. She lived not far from where they were and she got a house with a big fenced backyard, perfect for Loki to run around.
Sarah greeted them at the door, taking one look at Loki and smiling. "Hey, buddy! Ready to hang out?"
Loki barked and ran straight past her, eager to explore. He took a quick run around the room before coming back to Lilly again.
"Thanks for watching him," Lilly said, handing over a small bag of treats and his leash.
"No problem," Sarah waved her off. "He'll be spoiled here."
Lilly patted Loki's head. "Be good, okay? I'll pick you up later."
Loki wagged his tail, too busy sniffing around to pay full attention.
With that, they got back in the car and drove off.
...
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at a large building with bright lights and bold letters on the front.
"The Game Zone," Alex read aloud.
"This place is like my second home," Lilly boasted.
Alex parked the car and then they got out.
They stepped inside, and Alex whistled lightly. The place was huge. Rows of arcade machines lined one side, their colorful screens flashing with fighting games, racing simulators, and classic pinball machines. The other side had pool tables, air hockey, and a fully set-up bowling alley with neon lights glowing above the lanes.
"You weren't joking," Alex said as he looked around. "This is a gamer's paradise."
"Told you," Lilly said, playfully nudging him. "Come on, let's begin with bowling."
They rented a lane, grabbed some bowling shoes, and picked their balls.
Alex rolled his shoulders. "Alright, let's see if your 'victory seasoning' works here too."
Lilly smirked. "Oh, it will. Get ready to lose again."
Lilly went first, lining up her shot like a pro. She rolled the ball smoothly down the lane. It curved slightly, then crashed into the pins.
Strike.
She turned to Alex, grinning. "And that's how it's done."
Alex sighed, grabbing his ball. "No pressure, right?"
He stepped up, took his stance, and rolled. The ball glided down the lane, knocking down all but one pin.
Lilly clapped. "Not bad. But not a strike."
Alex chuckled. "Give me time."
They went back and forth, both landing strikes and spares, trading playful taunts the whole time.
Halfway through the game, Alex finally got a perfect strike that matched Lilly's. He turned to her with a smirk. "Guess I'm catching up."
Lilly playfully narrowed her eyes. "Not for long."
By the final frame, the score was ridiculously close. Alex needed one more strike to win. And Lilly wasn't going to give him that chance. She walked over to him and leaned in close, whispering in his ear. "Just one more strike and you'll win. And according to the bet, I'll have to do whatever you want."
Her lips brushed against his cheek and he shuddered, a wave of heat rising in his chest.
"I wonder, what are you going to do with me... Are you perhaps thinking something naughty?"
Alex turned to look at her, meeting her gaze with a smile. "I know what you're trying to do."
She raised an eyebrow, smiling innocently. "Oh? And what am I doing?"
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. "I don't fall for distractions. You'll have to try harder than that."
She giggled, moving even closer and pushing her boobs on his chest. "Try harder, huh? Is it working?"
His breath hitched as he felt her warm body pressed against his. "You're playing dirty, aren't you?"
She winked. "Always."
Alex shook his head. "I have steel focus. Even if you were naked in front of me, I would still manage to keep my eyes on the prize because the winner takes all. And I'm taking all, no matter how hard you try to distract me."
"Are you sure about that?" Lilly challenged with a mischievous smile.
Alex's voice was steady. "Yes. Positive."
"Okay then," she gave a tiny peck on his lips and then let go of him, turning her attention to the lane. "Go for it. Show me that strike."
"That's what I'm going to do," he said confidently, stepping up.
She crossed her arms under her breasts, smiling sweetly. "I'll be waiting here."
"I know you will," he said, winking at her, and grabbed the ball.
He took his stance and threw the ball. It rolled down the lane, curving slightly to the left, and crashed into the pins. The strike! He scored a perfect strike and won!
Lilly clapped, laughing. "Alright, champ. You won fair and square." She took a slow step closer, her voice playful. "So... what's your grand prize?"
Alex turned toward her, savoring the moment. "Oh, I've got a few ideas."
Lilly arched a brow. "Do you now?"
"Why don't we count points? There are many games here... So, let's try them all. Then at the end of the day, we'll tally our points. You win 5 points, you get to ask 5 things from me. Same for me. So, wanna give it a go?"
Lilly's eyes lit up. "Oh, you are so on."
They made their way to the arcade section, scanning the rows of machines. Beeps, explosions, and the occasional GAME OVER flashing across the screens.
Alex cracked his knuckles. "Alright, first game?"
Lilly pointed to a racing game with two side-by-side seats and steering wheels. "How about a good old-fashioned race?"
They slid into their seats, picked their cars, and the countdown began.
3… 2… 1… GO!
Engines roared as they sped down the track. Alex leaned forward, gripping the wheel, eyes locked on the road. Lilly, however, was relaxed—too relaxed.
"You sure you're even trying?" Alex asked, weaving between cars.
She grinned. "Oh, don't worry. I'm just warming up." She played that game before and knew certain tricks.
And then, without warning, she boosted. Her car shot forward, cutting past Alex's in a blur.
"Oh, come on!" he groaned. "How did you do that?"
Lilly laughed, crossing the finish line first. "That's one point for me!"
Alex shook his head. "Alright, next game."
They moved to air hockey.
The puck zipped across the table, each of them blocking and striking with quick reflexes. It was fast and intense. The score climbed.
Alex scored first. Then Lilly. Then Alex again.
It was neck and neck until... clack!
Lilly smacked the puck hard, sending it flying into Alex's goal.
"Boom! Another win for me."
Alex exhaled. "You're good. But the night's not over yet."
Next was basketball hoops.
They grabbed the balls and started shooting. Alex had a strong, steady aim, sinking shot after shot. Lilly was quick, tossing balls like a machine.
By the time the timer ran out...
"Ha! Got you this time," Alex said, pointing at the scoreboard.
Lilly checked the score. "Alright, fine. One for you."
They played through more games—zombie shooters, claw machines, dance battles, and a few more. They both won and lost in turns, keeping track of their scores.
The final game? A punching machine.
"Strength test?" Alex asked, rolling his shoulders.
Lilly cracked her knuckles. "Let's see who's stronger."
She went first, stepping up, pulling back her fist, and slamming it into the pad. The number shot up... 750.
Alex let out an impressed whistle. "Not bad."
He took his turn, winding up and striking hard. The machine beeped... 999. It maxed out.
"You gotta be kidding me?" She was kinda impressed. "You maxed it out."
He turned to Lilly, grinning. "Looks like I win this one."
Lilly crossed her arms. "Fine. But who won overall?"
They checked their final scores.
Alex had 6 points.
Lilly had 5 points.
Alex smirked. "Looks like I'm the champion."
Lilly groaned. "Ugh. Barely!" She poked his chest. "Alright, fine, what are your six requests?"
Alex leaned in slightly, eyes playful. "I'll tell you… but not all at once."
She raised a brow. "Oh? Keeping me in suspense?"
He shrugged. "Gotta keep things interesting."
She laughed. "Alright, alright. But just so you know—next time? I win."
Alex grinned. "We'll see about that."
With that, they grabbed their prizes—some small stuffed toys, and a handful of arcade tickets, and made their way out, the night still young.
...
After hours of gaming, they were both starving again. Lilly stretched her arms over her head as they stepped out of the arcade. "Alright, champ. Where to next?"
Alex glanced around and spotted a small café across the street.
"How about there?" he suggested.
Lilly followed his gaze and nodded. "Perfect. I need sugar."
They walked in, the little bell above the door chiming as they entered. The place was cozy. Brick walls, wooden tables, the soft hum of conversations, and light music playing in the background. A glass display case near the counter was filled with cookies, muffins, and slices of cake.
Alex looked at Lilly. "What are you getting?"
She tapped her chin. "Hmm… I think I'll go with a large caramel latte and a big chocolate chip cookie."
Alex smirked. "Only one cookie? You on a diet?"
She put a hand on her hip. "Fine. Two cookies."
He chuckled. "That's more like it." Then he turned to the cashier. "I'll have a peach lemonade and a blueberry muffin."
A few minutes later...
They found a small table by the window and sat down, the warm drinks and snacks between them. Lilly took a big bite of her cookie and let out a happy sigh. "Mmm. This is so good."
Alex sipped his lemonade, watching her with amusement. "I swear, food makes you happier than winning does."
She shrugged. "Food never disappoints."
He took a bite of his muffin and leaned back in his chair. "So, I still have five requests left."
Lilly raised an eyebrow. "Already cashing in?"
He grinned. "Just one for now."
She took a sip of her latte. "Alright. Hit me."
Alex leaned forward slightly, his voice casual. "Tell me something about yourself that nobody else knows."
Lilly blinked, caught off guard. "That's your first request?"
He nodded. "Yep."
Lilly stirred her latte, her expression unreadable. "Something nobody else knows, huh?"
Alex rested his elbow on the table, waiting. "That was the deal."
She exhaled, tapping her fingers against the mug. For a moment, she looked like she might brush it off with a joke, but then, her gaze softened.
"Alright," she said, setting her drink down. "When I was a kid, I used to climb onto my roof at night. Not to run away or anything... just to sit there. Look at the stars, listen to the quiet. It was the only place where I felt... free. Like nothing else mattered."
Alex tilted his head, intrigued. "That sounds peaceful."
Lilly gave a small smile. "Yeah. It was my little escape. No one ever knew, not even my parents. They would've freaked out if they'd caught me." She chuckled. "Guess I've always liked being up high. Makes everything seem smaller, less complicated."
Alex nodded, watching her carefully. "Still do it?"
Lilly hesitated. "Sometimes. When things get too much."
He took a sip of his lemonade, considering that. "Makes sense."
She raised an eyebrow. "No teasing? No 'wow, you're secretly a rooftop gremlin' joke?"
He simply replied. "Oh, I thought about it. But nah. That was actually kind of deep."
Lilly rolled her eyes but smiled. "Don't get used to it."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, just sipping their drinks and enjoying the quiet hum of the café.
-[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS PLS]-
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[6 advance chs] + [8 chs of Two and a Half Men: Waking up as Charlie Harper] [All chs available for all tiers]