Turning Tables

A Rather Charming New Development

"There's an ice skating rink-," I cut him off.

"What about bowling?!" No way was I about to go ice skating two days in a row. He frowned a little but nodded in agreement. We started making our way toward the exit and his truck. When we got in, the radio immediately started playing old 70s-90s rock songs. I laughed internally at the irony; this was my dad's kind of music.

We played about five games of bowling, laughing at each other's gutter balls and praising each other's strikes. Of course, me being my competitive self, I wanted to win. Unfortunately, when you play against a very coordinated athlete, it isn't likely that you do. In fact, while we were playing the first game, he had gotten a strike and two spares. I, on the other hand, had gotten a split first and then got two incompletes. As I went up for my fourth turn, I thought this was going to be the one.

"This is the one, I can tell," I said. I got into position, did a flawless approach, and bowled the ball. It went directly into the gutter. I let out a huff as I walked back to the ball return where Liam was laughing so hard that he was doubled over. "It isn't funny, you know," I said, frowning. 

"Oh, but it is." I rolled my eyes. 

"Well, its a lot easier for you; you're an athlete!" I gestured to the screen with the scores where he was beating me effortlessly. 

"No, your technique is all wrong." My ball came out of the ball return, so I grabbed it and began to walk back to the starting point. 

"How am I supposed to do it then?" Liam placed his hands on my shoulders and brought me further toward the lane. He then stands next to me. 

"When you swing your arm, you twist your arm slightly, and it throws off your entire throw. You need to keep your arm straight so that the ball actually goes where you want it to go." He demonstrates with his arm straight. "Now, give me the ball and you try without it." I give him a look as he held out his hands for the ball. He gestures for me to give it to him, and I concede with an internal groan. I try to do it exactly as he did, but it doesn't feel right to keep my arm completely straight. I do it wrong and look at Liam as if it's hopeless. He smiles a little before shaking his head. "Try again." I keep trying, and I don't notice Liam leave my side. A few tries later, Liam comes up behind me and begins to guide my arm. I stiffen immediately, but I continued to let him guide my arm. I eventually got a feel for it. "See? It isn't that hard." I blushed hard, but Liam moved away. I looked back to see him getting my ball from where he placed it on the ball return. He handed it to me, and I backed up so I could do the full approach, this time focusing on keeping my arm in the exact same formation. The ball hit the pins perfectly, and I got a strike. 

"Oh my gosh, I got a strike!" I laughed and turned back to Liam. He was smiling at me. I ran up to him and gave him a hug. Once I realized what I was doing, however, I backed away blushing. 

"I hope you realize that a strike on your second ball is just a spare, so you still aren't catching up." I gave him a competitive look. 

"Oh, really?" He nodded. "Well, you better watch your back, Adams, because this just got real." He smirked at me and got closer to my face. 

"It's on." 

Of course, I didn't win any of the games, try as I might. My technique was still not perfected, and Liam could do it with his eyes closed. After five games, my spirit had been defeated. The bowling alley had gotten a lot more crowded the later it got in the day, so Liam and I decided to leave. We got in his car and listened to the same old music that was on before, and he suggested we get something to eat. I, a smart person who knew that food is always the top priority, agreed. I smiled as we pulled up to one of my favorite burger places in the city. He either knew everything about me already or we had a hell of a lot in common. I ordered my burger and fries, and the cashier gave me my total. I reached for my wallet, but Liam put his hand on my arm. 

"She's with me." I blushed but tried to hide it. This was pretty much a new experience for me, and it kinda felt like a date, but I didn't want to believe that if it wasn't true. After we ate, Liam drove me home as I gave him directions. 

"And this is me." He pulled in to my driveway and turned off the car. I was very confused as he opened his door and hastily got out of the car. He ran around the front of the car to my side and opened my door for me. I honestly thought boys like this did not exist, but apparently one does. "Thanks." My face must've been bright red, but I tried my best to act like I couldn't tell. Liam walked me to my front door, and we stopped in front of it. 

"So, I had a lot of fun with you today." I smiled widely. 

"I did too." He returned the smile. 

"I was thinking that this was kind of already like a date." I felt my heart speed up in my chest as he nervously scratched the back of his neck. "And I wanted to know if you wanted to go on another date with me. Officially, this time." I was frozen for a second, not knowing exactly how I should respond. 

"Y-yes. Absolutely. That sounds great." He let out a small sigh of relief and smiled. 

"How about we go see a movie on Friday night?" I smiled and nodded. "Okay, well, I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow." I nodded again, worried that I might actually scream if I opened my mouth. "Night." I decided to risk it as he walked away. 

"Goodnight." I opened the front door and immediately sprinted to my room to avoid the prying eyes of my parents. I closed the door and leaned my back against it taking a deep breath. For once in my life, a kind and attractive guy was into me. I was freaking out. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I checked it. It was a text from Jake. 

Jake: How was your day of homework? 

I was contemplating whether or not I should tell him about the date when I got another text. 

Liam: You're kind of amazing, and I just wanted to tell you that before you went to sleep. Goodnight. 

My heart fluttered in my chest as I read the text from Liam. I couldn't decide who I should text back or if I should text both of them, so I ended up going to sleep without texting either of them. I had a feeling that this night marked the opening to a rather interesting chapter in my high school life. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wow, it's been a while. My bad. Here's the latest chapter. I'm sensing some serious drama starting to brew, don't you think? Thanks for reading!

~Samantha