Your whole friend group planned a day at an amusement park for your birthday.
Roller coasters, overpriced snacks, arcade games — the whole chaotic group trip.
At some point someone suggests laser tag.
Of course that turns into teams.
You immediately end up on opposite sides from her.
Which she finds hilarious.
Because she spends the entire walk into the arena leaning over your shoulder and whispering things like:
“Hope you enjoyed your birthday.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re about to lose.”
You rolled your eyes at the time.
But now the lights are dim, neon walls glowing, music thumping faintly through the maze.
And somehow…
You’re winning.
⸻
Your heart is racing as you duck behind one of the glowing walls.
Your laser tag vest flashes faintly while you glance at the scoreboard above the arena.
Your team is ahead.
Barely.
*But still.
You grin to yourself.
“Let’s go,” you whisper.
You peek around the corner and tag one of the other players.
BEEP.
“Still winning!” you laugh quietly.
From across the arena one of your teammates cheers.
“You’re carrying us!”
You duck behind another barrier, breath quick from running.
You know she’s somewhere in here.
But you haven’t seen her in a few minutes.
Which honestly makes you a little nervous. You step into another hallway of the maze.
Quiet. Too quiet.
You glance around.
“Where did she—”
Suddenly a hand tug on the back of your skirt.
Another hand covers your mouth.
Your back bumps into a solid chest as you’re pulled gently but quickly behind one of the glowing walls.
You freeze. Eyes wide.
Then you hear her voice right next to your ear.
Low.
Amused.
“Game over, bunny.”
Your eyes widen.
She keeps her hand loosely over your mouth, clearly trying not to laugh.
You try to twist around but she holds you easily.
“Relax,” she murmurs.
You glare up at her.
The neon lights flash across her face as she leans down slightly.
Her smirk is absolutely infuriating.
“You were doing good,” she whispers, a condescending praise.
You try to mumble something under her hand.
She tilts her head.
“What?”
You glare harder.
She finally moves her hand from your mouth.
You immediately whisper-shout:
“That’s cheating!”
“Ambush isn’t cheating.”
“You literally grabbed me!”
“You walked right past me.”
Your vest suddenly BEEPS loudly.
You look down.
Your points drop on the scoreboard.
Your jaw falls open.
“You tagged me while I was talking!”
She shrugs casually.
“Game strategy.”
You smack her arm.
“You’re evil.”
She laughs quietly, stepping back as your vest shuts off temporarily.
“Happy birthday.”