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Chapter Twenty-Three||Boardwalk Showdown

"It's time for a boardwalk showdown!"

•••

The group of seven entered the lazer tag arena with a sense of fierce competition. Everyone was taking it so seriously. Tilly thought it was funny but it was nice to escape reality, even if it was only for a little while.

The girls, and Skye, huddled together to plan their form of attack on the boys. Belly was being extremely serious and stated everything with a hard look on her face.

"No mistakes," she told them, pointing at them with narrowed eyes. "Don't be flashy," she looked at Taylor who gasped in mock offense. "Just go for the kill so we can win!"

Tilly rolled her eyes fondly, a grin on her face, "yes, sir!" She saluted Belly with a laugh as the girl just shook her head with a laugh in response.

The four broke away and entered the arena after the boys. Tilly immediately snuck away from everyone and climbed the stairs to the second level balcony so she could have a good view of everyone.

Even though Tilly was an even tempered person, she was quite the sore loser. She had to win. It was really all Belly's fault, she was the one who partnered up with her during every competition.

The game started and Tilly crouched down behind a board as she watched her friends sneak around the arena. She could see Skye looking around in confusion and hiding behind a create.

Everything was calm until Steven suddenly yelled, "CHARGE!"

All the boys came out of their hiding spots and started attacking the girls (and Skye) with loud screams. Tilly let out a loud laugh as she watched, she was happy to see everyone so happy.

Suddenly a scream was heard and Tilly saw Taylor hiding nervously as Steven tried to shoot at her. Tilly shook her head and aimed her gun at Steven before hitting him right in the chest.

The boy scoffed and looked up to see a grinning Tilly. "No fair! I didn't know there was a second level!"

Tilly shrugged and fake pouted at him, "sorry, Stevie! Think smarter not harder!" The boy grumbled and stomped away.

"My hero!" Taylor called out with a bright smile. "How will I ever repay you?"

Tilly leaned over the balcony and shrugged, "we'll figure something out later."

Taylor smirked and blew the girl a kiss before running off to fight. Tilly stood frozen for a moment before smiling lightly, cheeks bright red and it wasn't from the heat.

•••

The boys ended up winning laser tag. Tilly was not happy, it was four against three, it didn't make sense.

Belly, ever the sore loser, demanded that the group played another game so her team could have redemption. Conrad, always scarily competitive, immediately agreed and dragged the girl to the arcade.

"I think it's time that we have some one on one competition!" He said excitedly and looked around until he spotted something that made him grin. "Let's start with... rock climbing! Teams pick your player!"

Taylor immediately grinned and stepped forward, as did Steven. "I am so gonna kick your ass, Steven!"

The group walked over to the rock wall and Taylor immediately started trying to climb.

Suddenly a boy ran over with a harness in his hand, a very familiar boy, "you can't climb on that without a harness," he slowly trailed off once he realized who he was talking to.

Belly smiled lightly as she let out a laugh, "oh my god! Cam!" Cam smiled shyly as everyone greeted him excitedly.

"Go ahead," he said and handed a harness to Steven and Taylor. "I want to see Steven win."

The boys cheered excitedly as Taylor playfully glared at the boy. "Oh, this means war, Cam Cameron!"

Tilly shook her head in amusement, "okay, this is a fair competition. Go on my call," Taylor and Steven nodded as they listened. "Ready positions!" The two scrambled to the wall in a hurry. "Okay...3...2...1...go!"

They immediately started climbing and Taylor was winning, until she lost her footing, slipping and making Steven get ahead of her.

Team purple (the girls plus Skyes team) groaned in annoyance as the blue team (the boys) cheered excitedly.

Taylor rolled her eyes as she unclipped her harness and shoved Steven, she was sure a sore loser.

Steven laughed, "sorry, TayTay!"

Taylor gave him the finger making her team laugh, "you will be sorry soon when we kick your ass at gocarting!"

"Okay!" Tilly said, bouncing on the balls of her heels excitedly, something she would do often as a child. "Let's go! I call Taylor as my partner!" 

The competition went on for hours, the kids, for once getting to be kids and having fun doing stupid things that meant everything.

Tilly won go carting, being reckless as she speed past everyone, and nearly giving Taylor a heart attack.

Even though the creeping thoughts of her mother's death and what was to come, and her, many, many doctors appointments, Tilly ignored them. The day was not about any of that, she was a little kid again, running around the house with her mother chasing after her with loud laughter following them.  

It was nice to forget. She liked the feeling a little too much.

•••

Long time no see!!

I promised a new chapter and here it is!! I was gonna post it sooner but I was on vacation with no internet connection lol.

I think there is only three or four chapters left in season two so hopefully those will be out soon.

I've just been super busy with school and work.

Bye, love you!!

-Kenny