"Hey, bird brain! Watch where you're stepping!"

"Then, why don't you grow a few inches so people won't miss your short form!"

Henry can feel a headache forming.

Maybe even a migraine.

You and Eric have been going at it since everyone has finished eating. Thinking a little bit of games won't hurt, everyone went to the arcade for a few games, but it wasn't any better than what happened in the food court.

It was worse.

"You cheated!"

"Don't be such a poor loser!"

Insults and retorts were tossed back and forth. Some occasions it was quiet but only because you were at another area of the arcade away from Eric.

And Eric in another area, staring at [Name] with a dazed look.

Henry was already annoyed enough with their quarreling, but now, he had competition.

Point is.

They wouldn't stop.

They kept arguing and everyone had enough. Even the twins were annoyed about the argumentative couple.

Scratch that.

They were getting annoyed about the argumentative individuals.

He would hate them to be a couple.

Allison gave him a look, telling him to do something about. He put his hands in front of him in surrender. He walked in between the two and tried to reason with them.

"Hey," Henry inserted himself, "How about we head home? We're kinda all tired and we want to be prepared for tomorrow."

"Where are you going?" you asked.

"We," he emphasized, "are going to a place where everything is a trampoline themed." He wrapped an arm around you to lead you away from Eric.

You rose an eyebrow at him. "Like a trampoline place?"

He shrugged, "Same thing."

"Well, I don't know, Henry. I might have to work. Besides, I'm not very athletic anyways," you added.

"Your work closes at five, right? We're going around seven. Give us a call when you know you can come. I'll help with the directions," he smiled.

You nodded.

All of you started heading out the doors of the mall, heading to all of your vehicles. It seemed you

and Henry were the only ones with a motorcycle.

"Hey, Henry," you heard him hum in acknowledgement, "which direction are you heading?"

"East, why?" he looked at you.

"Nothing," you shrugged.

The both of you put on your helmets on as soon as everyone hopped in Allison's sky blue Dodge Charger and Sage's red Chevy Silverado. Everyone started to leave at the same time. You and Henry being the first few out. It looked like a party with the way your group was. Especially since there was no cars around at this time of the night.

Then, you and Henry started to get a little competitive. The others tried to catch up but they were no match for two motorcycles. The two of you raced head on. You went easy since you didn't know the roads very well for a while. It was getting to the point where you were getting familiar with the roads. You sped a little more. Henry noticed your gain and gained more. You started to realize where you're at and sped away, leaving Henry in your dust. You arrived home, ready to fall asleep.

~.~.~

"What do you mean I'm not working?"

"I didn't realize I already have enough hands working today," your boss, Eira said, "so go enjoy another day off. You hardly get any breaks anyways with how much you've been doing."

"But--"

"I have to go, [Name]. I'll see you tomorrow."

And just like that, the conversation ended. You stared at your phone dumbfounded. Never has someone canceled a shift for you. Maybe, to recruit but never to cancel. You blinked numerously at your black screen. You were shock to the point where you didn't know what to do now. You sat on your bed with a little bounce with your phone still in front of you. Not too long after, you received a call from Henry.

"Hello?" you answered.

"Hey, [Name]. Do you have work today?" you heard Henry say.

"Um, no," you fidget in disbelief, "no, actually I don't. Why?"

"I need to talk to you. It's about yesterday."

You breathed in from nervousness. Did he know?

"Uh, sure," you agreed, "where do you want to meet at?"

"I'll come over," he said.

"Okay, see you."

"See you soon."

Not too long after getting ready, your door bell rang. You wore a light button up with jeans and a cream colored infinity scarf. You opened the door to see Henry wearing a green, light sweater with blue jeans. He was wearing his reading glasses again.

You heard a bark and looked down to see the black lab again.

You gasped, "Toothless! Hey, boy!"

You crouched down to pet him. He greeted you with a gentle bark as he panted. Henry chuckled getting you attention.

"Would you like to come in have some coffee?" you offered them in.

"That would be great." He walked in and Toothless followed after. You were surprised Toothless didn't jump on the couch like you thought he would. Henry stood in the middle of the living room as you closed the door.

"Make yourself at home. I'll just be in the kitchen," you pointed the open window that viewed the kitchen.

"Thanks," he nodded and head to the couch. He sat on the cushion and Toothless stayed on the ground, taking a seat by his master side.

"And I'll see if I have something for Toothless," you giggled when you heard a bark. You were already in the kitchen when Henry replied back.

"Uh, you don't have to do that. He's spoiled anyways."

You giggled once more, "It's alright, Henry. I don't mind." As soon as you got the coffee brewing, you took out some precooked bacon from the refrigerator and heated it in the microwave. The bacon was done before the coffee was finished brewing so you placed the bacon on a small plate after tearing them into pieces. The coffee was finished brewing so you did your magic. You brought the two coffee mugs out and then fetched the bacon. You placed the bacon on the floor then went over to sit next to Henry.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" You took a sip from your coffee.

Henry cleared his throat before answering, "I just want to say I'm sorry for Eric's behavior yesterday."

Your eyes widen at his apology. "Why are you apologizing?"

"Well," Henry gestured with his shoulders, "it was your first time out with friends in a new city, and Eric ruined the day for you."

You scoffed, "He doesn't bother me."

It was silent again until he spoke, "There was also another thing."

You looked at him to continue.

"Everyone already knows this, but remember when I said Allison was my girlfriend?"

You nodded, trying not to let the grim rest on your face.

"Well, here's the thing..." he hesitated. He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure.

You waited and reassured him by laying a hand on his shoulder. "Henry, if you're afraid to admit it, you don't have to tell me."

"It's not that I'm afraid," he sighed, "It's more like embarrassing."

"Embarrassing how?" you raised an eyebrow.

"Let's just say my dad still likes the old ways. He knows Allison's father and they set up--"

"No way," you laughed in disbelief, "Are you saying the both of your parents set up an arrange marriage?! That's funny." You laughed in disbelief louder until you saw Henry give a straight face. Your laughed died down. "You're not joking."

He shook his head.

You fidget in disbelief. "Why, though?"

"My dad wants a grandson before he dies. He realized just how old he was getting and I was getting. I didn't have a girlfriend or one that I settled with," he explained.

You rose an eyebrow in disbelief. You could possibly be talking to a player in your home.

"So, he talked to Allison's parents and sent us up. It's just a title. We don't like each other at all. Sure, we're close friends but nothing more. If I find someone I settle with, my dad will lay off the agreement."

"So, you're saying," you concluded, "that unless you find a real girlfriend, you two will be together."

He nodded.

You sighed, "Why are you telling me this?"

He shrugged, "Well, everyone else knows. I thought you like to know. I felt bad that you were out of the loop."

And I might or might not be trying to hint at something, he thought.

You shook your head, "Still, why is he controlling you like that. You are an adult, right?"

"Yeah, I know, but he's my dad. He only wants what is best for me."

You stayed silent and stared at the now cooled down mug. Your mind went to your home, where you used to live.

Henry chuckled, "You know what's funny? He actually tried the same thing when I was younger."

You looked at him with your eyebrows furrowed, "You mean this is the second time he has done it?"

He nodded before continuing, "One of my dad's friends came by and his daughter was with him. We were actually playmates before she left back to go to her home. My dad saw how well we got along and tried calling back his friend," he chuckled to himself in thought, "Thanks to my mom that didn't become official."

You shrugged, "No wonder. She probably saw that you were too young for that stuff."

He chuckled again. "Well," he started getting up and offered you a hand, "since you invited me in and gave me something to drink, why don't we head somewhere to eat?"

"Sure," you smiled and grabbed his hand as you got up, "why don't you pick the place since I'm not that picky anyways?"

He looked back at you with a glare, "I'm not picky."

You giggled, "If you weren't picky, you wouldn't have trouble eat some fish." You went down your hallway into your room to pick up your things. You heard Henry call back from the living room where he stayed with Toothless.

"I grew up eating fish!"

You returned back in the living room and opening the door for them to leave first. You hummed in reply as you locked the door. "Sure, that's why you wouldn't eat any." You climbed down the stairs already starting your walk. He chased after you with Toothless besides him.

"I ate fish my whole life! You get tired of it! Hey, wait!" 

Word Count: 1681 

Status: Unedited