However, Matt and Sebastian played like they were competing for more than a high score on a pinball machine.
I cozied up to Alexander. Are you having fun?
Absolutely!
Wouldnt it be cool if Sebastian didnt leave? I asked. I was happy that Alexander had companionshipsomeone his own agein the Mansion.
It would be awesome. Maybe we can convince him to stay a bit longer.
Nosferatus Nightmare was a ghoulish 3-D game. Silver balls shot through winding tubes with neon bats running across them, and squeaky coffin lids opened and closed in attempts to catch the ball.
Open Draculas coffinone thousand points, a monsteresque voice commanded as Sebastian hit the ball over a gravestone.
Becky rested her head against Matt. Sebastian couldnt concentrate and lost the silver ball. He relinquished the controls to Matt and stood next to Becky.
Matt pulled on the lever and clicked the flippers. A graphic of fangs clenched down on a womans neck flashed on the video screen along with the sound of a woman screaming.
Its not really like that, Sebastian said to Becky.
Matt was just as naive as Becky. He, like she, was missing all the obvious signs that another guy had fallen for his girlfriend. And, most important, that the other guy was a vampire.
Matt scored a massive number of points and kept the ball in play like a professional gamer. Even Alexander was engrossed. Matt politely gave the controls to him. Heretry it.
The four of us watched as Alexander clicked the flippers as if hed been doing it his whole life. The ball hammered the bumpers, skyrocketing his score. He got multiball after multiball and racked up points in the millions.
We all cheered as Highest Bloody Scorer came across the screen and the machine lit up with blinking red and white lights.
Alexander seems to be in heaven, Becky said as we moved to another game. I think its great that his best friend is in town. I know its been good for Matt, too. Since he and Trevor stopped being friends, he does seem a bit lonely. Now he has two new ones.
Two Jet Ski simulators opened just as we approached them.
Lets do this! I exclaimed.
Becky and I each hopped on a machine. Matt gestured to Sebastian for him to ride along with Becky as Alexander sat behind me.
Sebastian was tentative as he settled on the ski behind Becky.
Put your arms around my waist, she said, lacing his hands around her. You dont want to fall off.
Matt swiped the card before Sebastian could change his mind.
Suddenly we were off, jetting over waves and avoiding wayward motorboats. I could almost feel the heat from the Miami sun, the ride felt so authentic. I peered back at Sebastian, who was hanging on to Becky for his life.
Slow down! he said as if we were really tearing down choppy waters. Slow down!
Becky let go of her throttle as I passed her and a half dozen computer-generated opponents until we soared through the finish line.
Alexander and I hopped off our Jet Ski, while Sebastian still clung to Becky.
Its over, she said. But Sebastian didnt move.
Want to do it again? Becky asked.
I dont think so.
Need some help? Matt asked.
Instead of being thrilled by the ride and embracing his crush, Sebastian was green. Matt handed him a soda he had just bought. Here, drink this.