Chapter 7: Level One
768 Words
MAYA
(Looking around in awe)
I can’t believe you actually agreed to this. No fancy reservations, no limo, just… pizza and broken games.
JULIAN
(Walking in behind her, grinning)
You said no fancy stuff. And honestly? This is way better than any restaurant I’ve ever been to. Smells better too.
He gestures toward the counter where a stack of paper plates and a pizza box sit. Maya grabs two slices, handing one to him. They move toward a bank of game machines in the back.
MAYA
Just so you know, I’ve been coming here since I was twelve. I’m not just going easy on you.
JULIAN
(Taking a bite of pizza, chewing with a look of fake concern)
This pizza is… questionable. But I’ll survive. And I’m ready. I’ve done my research. Air hockey is all about wrist movement and strategic positioning.
MAYA
(Laughing)
Oh, you have no idea. Watch and learn.
They set down their food and head to the air hockey table. The surface is scratched, the net on one side is slightly tilted, but it still works. A few other teens are playing nearby, laughing and cheering.
Julian puts his hands on the edge of the table, looking confident. Maya picks up the mallet, tapping it against her palm.
JULIAN
Rules: First to seven points wins. Loser buys the next round of soda.
MAYA
Deal. But fair warning – I hold the championship title. Don’t cry if you lose.
The game starts. Maya moves fast, hitting the puck with quick, precise strikes. Julian fumbles at first, missing shots and getting hit by the puck more than once. But he’s quick to learn, adjusting his position and starting to block her shots.
MAYA
(After he blocks a hard hit)
Whoa. You’re actually good at this.
JULIAN
(Grinning, hitting the puck back)
Told you I’m competitive. Even at air hockey.
The game gets faster. The puck flies back and forth, making loud thuds against the wood. Maya is focused, but every now and then she glances at Julian. He’s laughing, his hair falling a little over his forehead, and he looks completely relaxed – nothing like the serious CEO everyone knows.
For a second, she forgets to move. The puck hits her side, bouncing off.
JULIAN
(Chuckling)
Hey! Eyes on the game!
MAYA
(Snapping back, cheeks pink)
I was watching. You distracted me.
JULIAN
(Leaning in slightly, voice soft)
Good. That means I’m doing something right.
Maya’s breath catches. Her hand pauses on the mallet. For a split second, she feels that flutter again – not just one, but a whole little swarm. She quickly looks away, hitting the puck harder than before.
MAYA
Focus! I’m winning here!
They play until the score is 6-6. The other players around them start cheering, making it feel like a real match.
JULIAN
Okay. Final point. Winner takes all.
Maya nods, heart beating a little faster than she wants it to. She hits the puck straight toward Julian’s side. He reaches, his hand moving fast, but he misses. The puck slides right into the net.
MAYA
(Pumping her fist)
Yes! I win! Take that!
JULIAN
(Laughing, holding up his hands in surrender)
Okay, okay! You win fair and square. I guess I owe you soda.
They walk over to the drink machine, Maya still smiling proudly. Julian buys them both cold sodas, and they lean against the wall, watching people play other games.
MAYA
(Sipping soda)
You know… you’re not as bad as I thought you’d be.
JULIAN
(Turning to look at her)
And you’re not as… stubborn as I thought you’d be. Well, okay, you’re pretty stubborn. But in a good way.
MAYA
(Smiling, looking at her shoes)
So… what now? You said you were competitive. Do you want to play something else? Pac-Man? Ski Ball? The claw machine over there?
JULIAN
Anything you want. As long as I get to spend more time with you.
Maya looks up at him. The neon lights cast colorful shadows on his face, making his eyes look warm and bright. That flutter comes back, stronger this time. She tries to tell herself it’s just the excitement of the game, or the sugar from the pizza, but it doesn’t feel like that.
MAYA
(Internal Monologue)
Heart rate… one… two… three. No! Stop it! This is not supposed to happen. I said zero. I promised myself zero.
She takes a deep breath, trying to calm down.
MAYA
Uh… how about the claw machine? I’ve never won anything from that. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
JULIAN
(Smiling)
I’ll get you anything you want. Name it.
- Writer
