Full Tilt
Fale: Hey sis! I just grabbed my suitcase.
Me: Hey! Welcome! I’m nearby. I’ll pull up in front.
Finally, I pulled up to the first overhead sign and scanned each face.
When I couldn’t spot her, I put the car in park, unbuckled and hopped out.
Hoping she would still be able to recognize me, I searched for her again.
It had been years since I had seen her last—she wasn’t a little girl anymore.
Shaking my head, I started scanning the women.
My eyes widened. There she was. Her beautiful olive skin, almond shaped brown eyes, and long black hair was still the same but she was more mature now.
She’d always been pretty, but Fale had grown into a beautiful woman.
“Fale!” I called. I raised my hand and she turned, her hair whooshing around her as she heard her name. Her eyes brightened and her smile spread showing off her porcelain teeth.
“Ra!” She called back.
I was caught off by the nickname. It wasn’t what she used to call me; it’s what Amos’s youngest sister used to call me. She was a toddler when I last saw her. She couldn’t say my full name so she only said the last two letters. She was also a big girl now. My eyes stung.
Fale ran toward me and all awkwardness I expected was nowhere in sight. We collided and I squeezed her. When we separated, I smiled at her.
“You’re so grown!” I marveled.
“I know, right?” She laughed as she flicked her hair over her shoulder.
“How was the flight?” I asked, reaching for her suitcase.
“Ugh. It was long. It was a connecting flight so I got to explore the big island for a few hours,” Fale said with a shrug.
I put her suitcase in the back of the car.
We both got in, and all of my nerves returned.
Not because of Fale, but because she’d be staying with me until her next flight.
She’d be with me for a few days since there was only one flight a week out to Alanksa.
It was a land covered in snow and ice, but a lot of islanders moved there.
That’s where Amos was. I slammed the door, shutting him out before buckling in.
“Are you tired? I can take you home if you want to get some sleep,” I said.
“No, I got some rest on the plane. Why? Do you have something in mind?” She asked as she leaned in, a glint in her eyes.
“Since we’re already here, I figured we could play around. There’s this arcade nearby called Full Tilt. It’s a vintage one where you can play some old games. They also have ice cream,” I sang.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened into saucers.
Got her. Her parents weren’t well off, but it was her absolute favorite.
I knew this because when I stayed with Amos’s family she would beg me to take her to get some.
There was this shack near the village school, and I would buy her some for only a few cents.
We’d hold hands as we walked home and tried to eat our ice cream before it could melt.
“Uh, yeah I’m down. Let’s go!” she squealed.
I laughed as someone behind me beeped. I pulled out into traffic and headed toward Full Tilt while she pulled out her phone. My phone dinged a few times but I ignored it. My little sister was here, and I was going to spend it focused on her. Boys could wait until later.
A few minutes later I pulled into the little parking lot. Fale gave me the side eye.
“I know what it looks like. Trust me when I say it’s better inside.”
“Okay,” she said, sounding unsure.
Fale sounded skeptical, but that’s okay.
I thought the same way when I first came here.
It’s in the sketchy part of town but the ice cream flavors were out of this world and the games were so nostalgic.
I put the car in park and hopped out. I stared up at the sign.
‘Full Tilt’ is in teal with yellow and red stars around the words.
I looped my arm with hers and pulled her toward the front of the store.
Pushing the door open, the bell rang above our heads, and Fale gasped. I let a smug smile spread. It looked like you might get mugged outside, okay, not might. You would definitely get mugged outside if you hang around too long, but the inside?
Neon lights flashed and old rock music played.
The ice cream display and counter dominated the left side of the room.
A gothic chick wore an origami hat and watched us.
Below the glass counter there were unique flavors and on top were spiked drinks.
The wall on the right was littered with retro games.
Fale jumped up and down like a kid in a candy shop.
“Let me get us some change and we can play,” I said as I walked toward the old coin machine.
I grabbed two satchels and filled them. I walked toward her and threw her a bag.
Her eyes lit up, the lights reflected in them as she stared at me mischievously.
She looked just like the little girl I remembered like this.
“I’ll kick your ass at Pack Fighter!” She yelled as she ran toward the machine.
“We’ll see about that. I know you can’t tell from my youthful beauty, but I grew up playing these games,” I said as I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Bring it on, grandma!” She teased as we pushed our coins into the slots.
The theme song started as we picked our characters. I chose the Kraken, of course, because I’ve always had a thing for tentacles. Fale picked a dragon and I “ooh”ed as she stuck her tongue out at me.
“We’re mortal enemies,” Fale said ominously.
“Get ready to be dragged into the deep,” I taunted.
We both pressed start and were transported into our battlefield. I smiled as our characters appeared on an underwater street in Atlantis. I’d have the upper hand here. The countdown began and when it went off, I had Fale beat in 4 moves.
“K.O.! The Kraken wins!” The game announced.
I put my hand to my ear and she rolled her eyes. “You win, Ra. Rematch?”
After three more rounds, Fale shook her head.
“Alright, that’s obviously your game. Let’s move on to the next one and I’ll beat you there,” she huffed.
“Okay, okay. Choose away,” I laughed.
I crushed her at Dance Rev, out-drifted her in Wario Kart, and left her in the dust at Pak Man.
The competitive streak I thought I’d buried years ago flared back to life with every neon flash and arcade chime.
By the time the ‘Game Over’ screen blinked on the last cabinet, the dull ache of hunger had finally overridden the adrenaline.
I checked my watch; three hours had vanished, and my stomach was making a louder scene than the speakers.
“I’m starving. Should we go and get something?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m totally with you, but first, ice cream,” she said.
“Agreed,” I laughed as we headed to the front of the arcade.
I told her my last flavor was pickle, which made her nose scrunch up.
“I know. It sounds gross, but it was amazing,” I laughed.
“Are you sure you aren’t pregnant?” She teased, but I tensed. Before she could catch on, I forced out a chuckle.
“Definitely not,” I said as I scratched the back of my head.
We ordered our cones, hibiscus for me, and guava for her.
“It tastes like it just came off the tree,” she hummed. “I don’t think I could ever eat anything hibiscus flavored.”
“Why not?” I teased.
“Because I wear the flower in my hair. It would be so weird to eat it,” she said it as if that was obvious.
“Mm.. here’s the key. I’ll be right out,” I said.
“Okay!” she said as she pushed the door open.
I turned back to the woman at the counter. I grabbed the sodas Fale had touched.
“I’ll take these too. Can I get a bag, please?” I asked.
“There’s a charge for that,” she said.
“That’s fine,” I said.
She rang me up, and I grabbed the bag from her and put them all in carefully. I thanked her and headed to the car.
I hopped in, acutely aware that I’m the most awkward person when it comes to showing affection.
I stared out of the windshield as I handed Fale the bag.
Only when she grabbed it and pulled it to her lap, did I glance over and watch the genuine smile spread across her face.
When her head whipped in my direction, eyes glittering, I fought the urge to look away.
And then I was uncomfortable. I cleared my throat, turned away from her, and started the engine.
“Thanks, Ra.”
“No worries. I know how much you love sweet drinks.”
I grabbed my phone, my eyes widened. Ten missed Snarls stared back at me. Uriel sent me at least ten and I tried to hide the emotions that were trying to crawl onto my face. I do not need her to think I have a boyfriend and tell Amos, or worse, his Mother. I tapped the first notification.
Uriel: Hey unknown.
Uriel: That was my stupid way of trying to make you remember me.
Uriel: Why can’t I unsend messages here?
Uriel: You would think SnarlChat would understand that sometimes, we need to be able to unsend.
Uriel: Can I get my messages to disappear after I send them like the Snarls do?
Uriel: Let me try again.
Uriel: Hey! I was thinking about you.
Uriel: LAME. That’s how that sounded. Let me try one more time.
Uriel: I know you probably don’t want to talk to me EVER again, but I wanted to slide into your Dms to see if I could take you out on that date.
Uriel: I promise I’m not a serial killer.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I burst into laughter.
I couldn’t stop. If he was a serial killer, he’d be a terrible one.
Not only was he hilarious, but I already felt comfortable with him, and I’ve never even seen him in person.
Uriel’s face popped up, letting me know he knew I’d opened his message, and was here.
“Uh…” Fale trailed off next to me.
“Sorry… sorry. My friend is an idiot,” I wheezed as I swiped a tear.
“Okay,” she said hesitantly as she opened up one of the drinks.
“Give me a sec,” I said as I tapped out my reply.
Me: I think that’s exactly what a serial killer would say.
Uriel: I swear I’m just a dumbass.
Me: Are you ready to get your butt whooped again?
Uriel: What?