Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 7: Last shot

Five hours has passed. This is insane. Some were yawning. Some were forcing themselves to eat more. Some just fell asleep. It’s nearly midnight. They need to stop. David needs to stop. It is clear that the boys are losing big time as it shows on the scoreboard. But David Henrie is not taking a ‘No’ for an answer.

Jumping side to side as if he was about to be in a boxing match with his hands punching the air, David picked up another bowling ball and quickly shoot it along the lane. Luck is not on his side tonight.

“Argh!” he expressed. “That’s just bull-“

“Watch your language!” Tiffany warned.

“-sheets” David finished, tightening his fist. Started swing his fists around like he was having a fit, he stomped on the floor echoing clearly throughout the bowling alley.

Brandon drew out and stated, “Look, I had enough of this man, I’m going home. See y’all tomorrow. “ Showing a peace sign. “Bounce! Later.” Doug and Jake followed him too. They were too tired for another game.

Also leaving, Chelsea and Nicole stood up and bid goodbye which leaves Tiffany, Selena, Demi, Bradley and David.

“I’m going home.” Tiffany spoke up. “Bye.”

“Okay, go leave, this settles that us guys wo-“

Stuffing his mouth with a handful of napkins, Bradley sighed. “Just shut up dude. Please, go home. I beg of you.”

David, finally get the point, nodded and walked off still with napkins in his mouth. He joined Tiffany at the door and silently apologized to her.

Back at the lanes, Selena looked over at Bradley who was scratching his head as he gathered up the empty bottles and threw them in the recycle bin. He then headed over to Selena and said, “I’m heading off too. See you tomorrow okay?”

She grinned. “Okay. Drive safe.”

“I will.” He assured. Before he goes, he hugged Selena and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek before signing off. Turning to Demi, who was looking at him, he said, “Goodnight.”

“Night,” she replied. With him gone now, the girls were the only one left in an empty bowling alley. “We should go.” Demi suggested, picking up her purse from the seat.

“Not just yet.” Her best friend suggested.

“Sel, I’m tired.” Demi told.

“C’mon, just a sec.” Grabbing her arm, leading her to the lined bowling balls, Selena picked a black one and gave it to Demi. “I want you to shoot.”

“I pass.”

“Do it, please.” Selena pouted. Being weak to her best friend adorable pout, Demi took the ball and headed up to the lane, ready to shoot. “Sink them, Dems!”

Throwing it hard, the ball shot out of her grasp and spun forwards down the lane. Keeping her eyes on it, she slowly stands up straight and waits for the result.

CLANK!

“Score!!” Selena cheered. Jumping up and down next to Demi, she grabbed her arms hoping she would join in the celebration. Feeling good of her self for once, Demi joined in the celebration and jumped with her best friend.

****

The next day, parking her car in the parking lot, Demi happily got out of the driver took out her bags from the back seat and stepped onto the pavement. Breathing in the fresh morning air, she spun around and skipping her way to the Sonny lot.

Saying hello to the crew along the way, she grabbed her script for today taping and went straight to her dressing room. There she found it exactly the way it supposed to be, no upside down couch, no pile of torn music sheets and no ruined tables.

Dropping her bag by the couch, she flipped open her script as she lie down and start reading. She noticed that there’s an additional slot in the 2nd page where it indicates that there will be a special guest staring in today’s show. She skimmed the whole page for the first time. Stop. Then she skimmed it a little slow. Stop.

Finally, she slowly flipped the pages and gawked at the 7th page where she saw a familiar name written by the title, ‘special guest star’.

Playing the role, Harry Miles Landon, Chad Dylan Cooper’s British counterpart, is… Bradley Watson.

Jumping off the couch, she sprinted out and looks for her co-stars. Along the hallway to the main set, the crews were setting up the props while the producer looks on. Tiffany was sitting on a couch on the set reading her script. Doug and Brandon were chatting at the corner while holding to their scripts.

Demi looked around for the director only to get herself bumped into someone. “Sorry—“ she gasped.

Bradley was looking down at her, wearing a Mackenzie Falls uniform except in different colors. “Hey. Fancy meeting you here.”

She froze.