Chapter 4
Fall For You

Charlie
Lily's arms were clasped around my waist so she wouldn't fall off the bike. "So where we heading first? The amusement park or the arcade?" she inquired. "I'll let you choose." I replied. "Hmm... arcade." she decided. "Arcade it is then. Hold on, Lil." I instructed. Lily tightened her grip.

Thurston Residence...
Raychel
"I'm home!" I announced opening the door. Mother was in the kitchen washing dishes. "Welcome back. How was school?" she inquired. "Good. I'm heading upstairs to study." I stated. "Alright, don't strain yourself." said mother turning off the facet and drying her hands. She looked around the room for a second. "Um...Raychel, where's your brother?" she asked as she put away the dishes. "Oh, he's on a date with Lily. Later." I informed her casually as I continued ascending the staircase. "That's nice...wait, what?!" mother exclaimed dropping a plate causing it to shatter.

Arcade...
Charlie
It took us roughly fifteen minutes to reach our destination. I parked the bike and we removed our helmets. "Whatcha wanna play first, Lil?" I inquired. "Hmm... how 'bout that one?" suggested Lily pointing to some dance pads. "DDR? But, I'm terrible at that game." I protested. " I know, that's why I picked it." she snickered mischievously. "Alright, which song we doing?" I caved in stepping on the pad. We browsed the music selection. "How 'bout this one, Journey/FLOW?" suggested Lily. We selected the song. "Are you ready?" went the game as the song began.

For crying out loud, Lil! Could ya haven't picked a harder song?! "What's the matter Chuck? You having trouble keeping up?" went Lily playfully. "Oh, haha." I retorted. Lily was thoroughly 'pwning' me. "Noob!" she insulted laughing. "You're gonna break the game, you're so good!" went her side. "Come on, are you even trying?" went mine. Annoying announcer! Finally, the song ended. "New high score!" stated Lily's game. She entered her initials. Mine... said nothing.

Thurston Residence...
Raychel
"What do you mean they're out on a date?!" demanded Dominic. Lily's parents had come over after mother phoned them relaying what I'd told her earlier. "Yeah, Charlie asked Lily out during lunch today. They're probably at either the amusement park or arcade now." I stated nonchalant. "How do you know that?" inquired mother. "Cus I was the one that suggested they go there." I replied proudly.

Dominic sighed. "Ya know, this is probably 'cus my daughter kissed your son this morning." he said to father. "Sounds logical to me." responded father. "What do we do?" asked mother. The room was silent for what seemed like an eternity before Lily's mother finally spoke up. "Let's just watch how this plays out for now. Charlie's a good kid, he'd never do anything to hurt Lily." she proposed. We were stunned by her response. "You really think we should just sit back and do nothing, honey?" Dominic asked his wife. To everyone's surprise, she nodded. She was serious!

"You never know, maybe this will turn into another love story." she thought out loud. Now this response was even more shocking than her last! "Alright." her husband sighed caving in. "You okay with this?" he asked my parents. Mom and dad closed their eyes. They must be conversing telepathically. They do this from time to time when they wish to discuss a topic privately. A moment or so later my parents opened their eyes and nodded. "We've discussed the matter and we agree with Anemone. For the time being, we'll just watch over them." replied mother. "For now." father interjected.

"You worry too much. I mean come on, this is brother and Lil we're talking 'bout." I said in their defense crossing my arms behind my head and leaning against them. "I know, sweetie but, that's what parents do... we worry." stated mother. Father patted me on the head.

Arcade...
Charlie
"Alright, you've kicked my ass at DDR. While I've whipped you at F-ZERO AX. That's 1-1. What's next?" I inquired. We looked around at our options. "Hmm... let me think." pondered Lily before something caught her fancy. "How bout that one!" she shouted pointing to... a claw machine? "Which prize you want?" I asked inserting a token. Lily was obviously ogling something in the cage, I just couldn't figure out what."That one, the black faerie plushie with the red collar and green spots on it's arms. It's the one next to the white faerie." she stated. (Author's Note: The plushies I'm describing are in fact TheEND and Nirvash in baby form as seen in the movie. In the movie they were referred to as faeries.) "Alright Lil, I'll take a whack at it." I told her.

Fifteen attempts later...
"Baka fucking machine!" I swore slamming my fist down. "It's alright Chuck, let it go. I don't need it." Lily tried comforting me. "No, I'm gonna get you that plushie this time." I promised with determination. She sighed. So I was being stubborn, what of it? I wasn't just trying to win a prize anymore. Oh no, this game had pissed me off one time too many. It was a manner of pride now. I won't be defeated again! I reached into my pocket, I had one token left. This was it, the moment of truth. You're mine plushie! With my hand clasped tightly around the joystick, I inserted the final coin. Lily gave me a kiss on the cheek. "For luck." she said warmly. "Thanks." I appreciated the gesture.

The game started. I maneuvered the arm ever so carefully, always checking and rechecking it's position. Thankfully there was no time-limit otherwise I'd be completely screwed. Finally satisfied with where the claw hung, I pressed the button. I crossed my fingers and held my breath. Please don't miss. Slowly the claw went down to pick up the prize. It grabbed it! The arm retracted with the plushie still in it's grasp. Come on, come on! I prayed to the gaming gods. The prize shook back and forth as it made it's way to the drop-point. Please don't fall. Please, please don't fall! After what seemed like an eternity to me, the claw reached the drop-point, prize still intact. Good, good. The claw opened, releasing the doll. I watched as it fell in slow-motion. The black faerie popped out of the machine. Yes! I did it, I finally won! Take that you stupid game! I picked it up and handed it to Lily. "Here." I said. It was all I could think to say.

Her eyes seemed to glisten as she took the plushie. "Arigatou gozaimasu." she replied cheerfully hugging the doll. Wow, to think something as simple as a faerie plushie could make a girl so happy. "It's because you won it for me. That's why I love it so much." she explained seeing my expression. It was as if she had read my mind. "I'm just glad you like it." I stated. She smiled again still hugging the thing. "Well, I'm outta tokens now." I laughed showing her my empty pockets. "Wanna head to the amusement park?" she suggested. "Sounds good to me. Sorry I wasted all our tokens on only three games." I apologized. Lily shook her head dismissing my apology. "It's alright, it was worth it. We'll just make up for it on all the rides." she stated interlocking her arm with mine as we left the arcade. (Author's Note: Yes! Even in the far flung future DDR, F-ZERO AX, and prize machines exist! Some fads never grow old, right?)

Thurston Residence...
Raychel

I wonder how their date is going? I made sure to suggest places they'd both enjoy so, they should be fine, right? Hmm... I fiddled with the tip on my pencil. I shook my head. I need to concentrate on my studies, not them. I was researching the birth of Moonlight Shadow and the network they used to gather information. Apparently refboarders were a major part of the resistance. Their fellowship was one of the reasons why we won the war. Heh. Never underestimate what we're capable of. The very thought mused me. I continued reading the article. "It was through the capture of a single NAS soldier that the location of the enemy HQ was revealed. This POW turned ally, fought alongside Moonlight Shadow during the final battle." it read. I smiled after reading this. Even the worst person can change for the best, right? This was something our parents taught us, that people can always change. Hmm... I wonder what made this person realize his/her error? Whatever the case was they must've been a kind-hearted individual. "All's well that ends well." I thought out loud leaning back in my chair. Maybe I'll meet them someday. "Ha! Yeah right, as if!" I answered myself. That's a ridiculous notion, our paths will never cross. "Still, it would be nice." I thought out loud again.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in." I responded. The door opened, it was mother. "Hey, mom." I greeted. "I brought you some sliced apples. How are your studies progressing?" she inquired. "It's easy, especially since you're our parents. Whenever I'm stuck, all I need to do is recall the stories you told us growing up." I stated. Mother smiled warmly. "Glad to help." she chuckled. "So, what subject you going over?" she asked placing the plate on my desk and leaning over my shoulder to read the computer screen. "The birth of Moonlight Shadow and the downfall of NAS. I just finished reading about the POW turned ally." I informed her.

"Oh, you mean Elena." she remarked. Huh? "She was a very kind person who fought for her friends." continued mother. Wait. "You knew this person?" I reacted. "I do. She had three friends; Kurtz, Rodriguez, and Riddick. But sadly, Riddick died from CFS overdose." she stated. (Author's Note: This is what the Thurstons and Sorels were told. However, if you've read my first book then you know the truth.) "And what of her other friends, Kurtz and Rodriguez?" I inquired. "They work at... what was it's name again? Oh yeah, Dotti's Garage, it's a LFO repair shop like ours." she recalled.

Mother chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if those two are still competing over Elena to this very day." she laughed. Huh? I was confused. What, was there like, some kind of love-triangle she was referring to? I didn't have a clue what mother was talking about. "Anyway, enjoy the apples and don't hesitate to ask your father of I for help if need be." she kissed me on the forehead and waved as she exited the room. "Thanks mom." I replied biting into an apple slice. Now, where was I? Hmm... I skimmed the web page. Oh yeah, right here.

Amusement Park...
Charlie

As we pulled up to the park, Lily and I could hear the screams of those on the coasters from outside the place. Woah, gnarly. I found a spot in the lot and parked the bike. Moments later we passed through the entrance. Some of these rides look intimidating... that just means we're haveta go on them first! "C'mon, Lil!" I pulled her through the crowd. "W-wait, Chuck." she protested. "Let's ride that one!" I pointed to the highest, fastest, scariest, most extreme ride in the entire park, Babel Tower. We stared at the behemoth. "O-okay, s-sure." she replied shaking in fear. Lily looks like she's about to piss herself... sweet. I grinned sinisterly as we stood in the 45 minute line.

However, after 25 minutes I started to feel empathic for her. Lily was still shaking with her eyes fixated on the coaster. I placed my hand on her shoulder, startling her. "We don't have to ride it, we can go on something else." I said reluctantly. She looked at me as I turned away. "You'd do that... for me?" she asked. "Of coarse I would." I answered still averting eye contact. When I turned to face her, she was smiling. "Thanks, for awhile there I thought this was some sorta payback for the doll. Looks like I was wrong, you do care. That means a lot to me. But, I'm okay now, I'll still ride it with you just..." she trailed off. For some reason she was blushing. "Just what, Lil?" I pressed. Lily hesitated for a brief moment. "Just please, hold my hand while we're on it." she finished.

I grabbed her hand without a second thought. Wait, what am I doing? Why did I grab her hand? She stared at our hands, then into my eyes. My heart was racing. What's wrong with me? Why do I feel this way? The questions ran through my mind before it finally hit me. I'm falling for her. I snapped back to reality to answer her. "Sure." I promised with a kind smile. "Thank you." went Lily grateful. It took me a second to realize that now both our faces were flushed.

Twenty minutes later we were up next. Lily and I secured our harnesses as the coaster's operator described Babel Tower's features. (Author's Note: Description to follow once research on coasters and the human body is done. I wish to know how much the body can handle before blacking out.) Lily, still trembling, was seated beside me. I offered her my hand as promised. She tightly clasped it. "You ready?" I inquired. No sooner had the words left my mouth, that the coaster took of like a bullet before Lily could reply. She screamed, I laughed. The g-force lunged us into the back of our seats. I felt my stomach leap up into my throat. This is awesome! We lurched to our side as the ride barreled into a corkscrew loop. "THIS IS INSANE!" screamed Lily. "I KNOW! AIN'T IT GREAT?" I laughed. "THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEAAANT! AHHH!" she screamed again. I couldn't stop myself from laughing, I was having a blast! What an adrenaline surge! Our cart hit another sharp turn. "GET ME OFF THIS CRAZY TRAIN!" shouted Lily. "AW COME ON, IT AIN'T THAT BAD." I assured her. "YES IT IS! AHHH!" she complained. I kept laughing over her screams.

Five minutes later the ride came to a halt. Lily opened her eyes. "Is it over?" she went meekly. I chuckled. "Yeah Lil, it's over. We can get off now." I stated. She released my hand and we unbuckled our harnesses. She leapt out of her seat and dashed for the exit. I've never seen her move so fast. Lily refused to stick around the ride for second after it ended. I strolled to Babel Tower's photo capture shop to see our pictures. These are priceless! I'm definitely purchasing them! I handed the clerk my money and she gave me an envelope containing the photograph. "Thanks." I said taking them. A minute later I caught up with Lily, she was waiting outside the ride's entrance. "Where were you?" she asked impatiently. "Getting our photos." I showed her the envelope. "Wanna check 'em out?" I inquired grinning. I may have seen them but, she hadn't. I opened the envelope and held up the photograph for her to view.

It showed Lily's distorted, ghostly white face in mid-scream. She had a death-grip on her harness with one of her hands, her other was clasping mine. I however was beaming. My jaw was wide open in excitement and my free arm was up in the air. "You look like a banshee!" I laughed. Lily on the other hand didn't find the picture amusing. "Gimme that!" she ordered trying to grab the envelope. "No way!" I snickered now playing a friendly game of keep-away. I decided to test her patience. "Wanna go again?" I jested. Lily glared at me. "Baka, stupid, idiot!" she carried on pummeling my shoulder with her fists. Okay, bad idea. "Just kidding, it was a joke, Lil! Ouch, lay off my arm will ya?" I laughed out loud. "Moron, fool, jerk!" she continued. "Alright already, Lil. I get it, I get it. It was a bad joke." I apologized. "Look, to make it up, you choose our next ride. Deal?" I decided. Lily stared up into my eyes. (Which by the way could only be described as a look of ill-intent.) "Deal." she stated. Alright, which ride did I just agreed to?


NEXT CHAPTER: CHARLIE AND LILY'S DATE CONTINUES. MEANWHILE, A HUGE WAVE COMES TO HILLSIDE HOPE PARK... PERFECT FOR SOME QUALITY LIFTING. AND RAYCHEL DECIDES TO TAKE A BREAK FROM HER STUDIES TO DO JUST THAT. CHAPTER 5: CATCH A WAVE