For the next several hours the five of us danced, boxed, and jousted our way through Hooligans.
Alexander and the gang hung back at the table while Becky and I counted and cashed in our skeeball earnings tickets. Becky and I each had enough tickets to win a stuffed bearBecky pointed to a sparkling teal blue one, and I spotted a shimmering black bear.
The girl handed the blue bear to Becky. Just as the cashier was about to take the black one, another worker grabbed it.
I sneered. Hey, that was my bear!
Im sure its going to a nice kid, though, Becky said, trying to ease my disappointment.
Just then, we saw it was Trevor holding the black bear.
Kid, yesnice, no, I remarked.
That was our last one, the girl said. They werent very popular, so we stopped ordering them. We have tons of pink ones.
I ought to rip it out of his hand, I told Becky.
Alexander, Sebastian, and Matt were mesmerized watching two men battle it out on Lazer Wars. I didnt want to bother Alexander with my swiped winnings.
Haggling over childrens toys, are we? Trevor said, sidling up to me. So is that Alexanders competition? I guess he hasnt heard of a brush before.
I didnt want this one, the Pradabee whimpered to Trevor, tugging on his Polo. I told you I wanted a pink one.
The Pradabees voice was like black fingernails on a chalkboardand not in a good way.
Trevor glared at me and flung the black bear on the counter as his date retrieved a new plush.
I grabbed the bear, which had landed on its back, and dusted it off.
Youre lucky youre going home with Raven, Becky said to the bear. The alternative would have been disaster.
Matt and Alexander were settling the bill while Becky, Sebastian, and I headed outside. Sebastian engaged Becky in conversation. He fawned over her in a genuine love-struck manner, complimenting her hair and comparing her beauty to that of a famous actress. She was so mesmerized by his attention, she didnt see a small row of bushes in front of her and tripped and fell onto the sidewalk.
Sebastian and I immediately rushed to her side.
Im okay, she said with an embarrassed laugh.
Are you sure? I asked, picking up her bear and handing it to her. Who put that bush there, anyway? I joked.
Becky wiped off a few leaves and raised up her skirt just above her knee to expose a small wound. There was blood.
I shielded her knee and gazed up at Sebastian. He stood, frozen as if now he was the one in a trance.
Its nothing, Becky said. Then she noticed Sebastians odd behavior. Its just a scratch. I hope you arent the kind to faint around blood.
I dont think hes going to faint, I said, watching Sebastian.
Do you have a Band-Aid? she asked me.
I wasnt sure what was in my Corpse Bride bag. I kept my gaze on Sebastian at the same time feeling my way through my purseI recognized a pen, lip gloss, mascara, and loose change. Finally, I pulled out a piece of paper. We can cover it with this. It was an old detention slip.
Thats not sterile. Do you mind checking with the hostess inside?
Sebastian was still fixated on Beckys wound.
Im not leaving you here. I tried to block her from Sebastians sight line. We need a tourniquet. Immediately. I took off my Olivia Outcast hoodie and attempted to tie it around her knee.
Ravenits hardly even a cut!