It was Hilary's idea to go one of those places that are like half arcade, part bowling and part whatever, for dinner. For two reasons, according to Hilary. One, they are always deserted during the weekdays. Two she said she had fun points stored up that she needed to use before they expired. Whatever that means.

"We can't stay too late. It is a school night after all." I pointed out.

"Aw, lame. Who came up with that rule?" she pouted.

"Me, just now. As someone who works and has extracurriculars, I am very particular about how I spend the little free time I have. So be grateful I am even gracing you with my presence."

"I am honored oh great Poppy, queen of sandwiches." She mock bowed.

I couldn't help but laugh, she laughed too.

I playfully pushed her and we ran inside.

We ordered a big plate of hot wings to share. I would have thought someone as prim and prissy looking as Hilary would steer clear of the fireball wings but nope, she was all in. We also ordered some chili cheese fries and a couple of sodas.

The crazy part, Hilary offered to pay for everything. I told her I was more than happy to pay for myself being as I know I can be a pig sometimes, especially when I am hungry. But she insisted. Hey, who am I to argue? If my enemy wants to buy me dinner, I say let her.

Okay so I admit maybe hanging out with Hilary was sort of fun, but just because I was having fun doesn't mean I am actually her friend. I am still undercover. Trying to learn everything I can about her. Especially if it will help me take her down.

"Wow not even breaking a sweat, I'm impressed." She said as I gnawed on my third hot wing.

She for her part was completely red in the face and kept sipping her drink every few seconds.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say this was your first time with hot wings." I joked.

"What! Of course not." She laughed nervously.

"Right..." I eyed her.

Just to prove me wrong she stuck the whole chicken wing in her mouth and sucked all the meat off in one bite. I was impressed until she started coughing and having a choking fit. Though she was able to get it down eventually.

"Armature." I shook my head.

She pouted.

After that, we went go-kart racing to the track that the place had outback. We were the only two on the track, heck we were almost the only two in the whole place. I'd say there were only about 20 people there, in a place made for at least 200.

I do know how to drive, even though I ride a bike everywhere. I learned and took the driver's test and passed and got my license, but I just don't drive because I don't have a car. That being said, Hilary is a way better driver than me. Which irked me. I mean seriously is there anything the girl can't do?

I just want to find one thing! Just one!

That being said, she totally beat me in go-karts, twice. Which made me take it as a personal challenge to beat her in at least one game, just one! So we went game to game, and yes she freaking won them all! Okay, so I almost had her on that one dancing game and that basketball game. We were tied but she was able to make the shot just as the buzzer rang because, of course she was.

"Okay I quit; you are totally cheating somehow," I complained as she was leading on bowling too.

"Am not."

"Are too! How can you be so good at everything!? It's so annoying! I mean, gah! How!? Tell me your ways!" I shook her by the shoulders.

She laughed but I wasn't joking.

"Here, I'll show you how to bowl properly. Look at the lane." She got behind me and wrapped her arms around me, forcing me to look at the lane.

I watched as the machine set up new pins.

"Okay." I frowned.

"No, look closer, look down the middle."

So I did.

"I'm not seeing it." I struggled in her arms.

"Look closer. Down the middle of the lane is oil. They put it there on purpose to help guild the ball along. But if you just shoot straight for the middle all the time your ball will get too oily too fast and slide off to the side. So you have to work on your curveball. Aim for the side let it drift to the middle and then Strike!"

"Okay, fine. Let me try." I grabbed my ball.

"Here, I'll help you."

She stayed behind me and grabbed my arm and helped me aim it correctly.

"Okay, now go." She said.

So I brought my arm back and rolled the ball onto the lane.

It teetered on the edge of becoming a gutter ball, I even cringed away not wanting to watch yet another ball be a gutter. Then to my surprise, it drifted into the middle and picked up speed smashing dead center of all the pins. I got a strike!

"Yes! I did it!" I cheered.

"You did!" she laughed.

"Ha! In your face!" I stuck my tongue out.

She giggled at me.

"Take that Hilary, I totally beat you."

"Uh, Poppy,"

"What?"

"That's the final score." She pointed to the screen above our lane.

I lost by a landslide.

She laughed when she saw my face.

"Rematch! I can totally beat you." I declared.

"Sure, sure, we'll see." She clicked the rematch button and the pins reset.

We did three rounds of bowling and as anyone would guess, I lost all three times. Though I was close the last time, I swear!

"Rematch!" I demanded.

She laughed and was about to push the button when,

"Attention all guests we are about to close. Please wrap up your games and make your way to the exit." Someone said over the PA system.

I pouted.

"Come on, I still have to spend all my fun points!" she grabbed my hand and pulled me away and towards the prize station.

She swiped her points card and my jaw dropped after seeing all her points.

"Jesus, how often do you come here?" I ask.

"Uh... a lot? Okay don't judge me I have a secret." She says.

I raise an eyebrow.

"I've been coming here at least twice a week for two months for one reason." She said.

"And that reason is?"

"Behold!" she pulled me into the prize shop and led me to the mega prizes station.

She tugged me over to a picture of a jumbo claw machine. I picked up.

"Wow, a printed picture of a claw machine. Fascinating."

"No! Okay, let me explain. A few months ago, their claw machine broke down and they tried to fix it up but found out it was cheaper to just get a new one. So, they were going to throw it out but, and here is where I come in, I suggested they give it away as a prize. So they did and now it's sitting in their storage just waiting for someone like me to rescue it."

"Here is where I ask, what the heck are you going to do with a jumbo claw machine?"

"Well, I have options. I'm debating if I should put it in my room or turn it into an art piece. Oh! Wait I can turn it into an art piece and put it in my room! Yes! Come on!" she tugged me to the front counter.

The girl looked bored and irked being as we were the only thing keeping her from going home.

"I want this." Hilary snatched the picture from me and slapped it down on the counter.

The girl took a moment to process and her eyes got wide.

"Are you sure you have all the points?" the girl asked.

"Eee!" she squealed. "I do now." She jumped up in excitement.

She handed over the fun card and rocked back and forth on her feet her eyes big in excitement. The girl swiped the card and made the same face I did when she saw all the points. Hilary shook me by the shoulder in excitement.

"Okay, just a follow-up question, how are you going to fit that in your car?" I looked at her.

It took her a few seconds to register what I said and I saw her deflate completely. I actually laughed at her misery.

"So, do you want it or not?" the girl asked.

"Yes!" Hilary quickly said.

"But,"

"We will have to rent a trailer. And get a truck." She cut me off.

"My step day has a truck," I said.

"And my uncle has a trailer!" she squealed in excitement.

I shook my head at her.

"Well, you still have a few points left." The girl said.

We looked at each other.

"Candy?" I shrugged.

Which is how we got two bags worth of jolly ranchers. We cleaned them out. Then we had to wait for my dad and the manager to show up. They took a picture of Hilary with her new claw machine. Apparently she is like a legend now or something because of course, she is. I swear this girl is perfect, it's so annoying.

Then with the help of my dad and her uncle, we loaded it up and met them at her house. They moved it into the back yard for now and covered it up with a tarp. I would like to say she subjected me to more manual labor then I am comfortable with doing for free. But since she did pay for everything, I guess we are even.

I bet it was her plan all along.

I fell for it.

I was about to go home with LaShawn when Hilary ran up to me and once again engulfed in a hug.

"Poppy!"

"Hilary..." I peeled her away.

"Thank you so much, I couldn't have gotten my hands on this were it not for you. So here is where I ask you, how would you feel about being my partner for this art project? I've seen some of your stuff on display in the art showcase at school. You're pretty good. With our combined talents this thing will be epic. Please say yes."

I sighed. I really, really, really wanted to say no. With work and school and everything else, the last thing I needed was another thing on my plate. But I knew if I said no I would miss my chance to learn more of her secrets. So, with all the will power I could muster I said,

"Sure..."

"Eee! Yay! This is so awesome. When's the next time your off?"

"Uh... Saturday."

"Then it's a date. Saturday, I'll pick you up first thing in the morning."

"Fine." I sighed.

"Thank you, I had so much fun tonight. I hope we have so much more fun together."

"Count on it." I winked at her.

She blushed and I walked over to LaShawn.

"Do I even want to know?" he asks.

"No, not really." I sighed.

He frowned at me but drove home.