The Other Half

Chapter 17

"So Tess, I was thinking."

"That's always good." I teased.

"Anyways, you know how we always go bowling before your birthday?"

"Yeah?"

"Why don't we invite Jordan and Penny as well? We'll have a party." Cody suggested.

"A party? I haven't had a party in a long time. Besides, we're going in a couple days. It's too short notice."

"Do you think Penny cares about short notice? And I know you want it to be the same as last year but it won't be anything big. It'll be just like normal except they'll join us."

"I don't know Cody."

"Are they your friends?" He asked suddenly.

"Yeah."

"Then they should come too. Call me later okay?"

"Cody I-" I was cut off by the dial tone and I scowled. Part of me wanted to invite them but the other half wanted to continue our tradition by ourselves. I pulled my phone out slowly and sent Penny a text.

T: Cody and I always go bowling for my birthday and I was wondering if you wanted to tag along. Bring Noah if you want.

P: I didn't know it was your birthday! I'm definitely coming and I guess I'll bring Noah.

I smiled at her response and called Jordan who immediately responded with a yes and promise of the best present I'll ever have.

The last call was to Cody. He was even more excited than before and I tried in vain to convince him as well that a present wasn't necessary. We decided on a time and date and despite what I was trying to convince myself, I was excited for my birthday for the first time in a long time.

**

I sat in the passenger seat and tried ignore the small box in the back of Penny's car. She parked outside of the bowling alley and turned to grin at me before getting out of the car. "Lets go birthday girl. You too Noah."

I took one last look in the rear view mirror and touched my necklace nervously. "Tess come on." Penny prompted and I snapped out of my trance, stepping out of the car. Yet again I had asked for her help with my outfit so I was currently dressed in skinny jeans with and a black and white top.

"I'm nervous." I admitted quietly.

"I know but you don't need to be."

"Are you ever nervous? Behind that tough shell of yours?" I asked hesitantly and although she remained silent I could barely make out a nod.

We entered the lobby and I smiled at its familiarity. "Tessa!" Jordan exclaimed when he saw me.

I waved as we made our way over. "Hey Jordan."

"Brought your present." He told me, waving a small, perfectly wrapped box in the air.

"Oh yeah Tessa! I got you something too." Noah added

"Mine's bigger." Penny gloated with a smug look directed at Jordan.

"The best gifts come in small packaging." Jordan countered.

"Sorry I'm late!" Cody's voice called out.

"It's okay." I laughed. "I told you to come earlier than needed because that way you would show up on time."

"What?"

"If I tell you to show up 15 minutes early and you're always 15 minutes late then you'll be perfectly on time." I explained to Penny's amusement. "Come on we have to get our shoes."

**

"First try!" Jordan cheered as the screen above him flashed his score.

"Nice." Cody high fived him on his way up and rolled it down the lane. He took a few steps back, wailing when the ball fell into the gutter.

"Fail." Penny smirked, closed her eyes and rolled the ball down the lane.

"Penny! It's a strike!" We screamed in unison as she turned away from the lane. She spun around and burst out laughing as the ball knocked over almost every pin, the last one balancing out at the last minute.

"You have got to be kidding me!" She laughed, collapsing onto the booth next to Noah. "I wasn't even trying!" She exclaimed in disbelief.

Noah groaned as he got up. "How am I supposed to beat you?"

"You aren't." She smirked in response. He grinned and gave her a quick kiss before trying and failing to get a good score. "Told you. Tess you're up."

I stood up and with years of practice sent the ball straight into the pins, knocking them all down. I sat down in between Jordan and Cody, crossing my legs. "Your turn Jordan."

"Yeah I may have forgotten to mention that Tessa's basically the best bowler ever." Cody said meekly.

Noah leaned in closer. "Wait seriously?"

Cody nodded. "Well, not the best ever but the best I know."

"You could've mentioned something like that!" He exclaimed in exasperation.

"Sorry. I only play because she loves it." He said, gesturing at me. All eyes were on me and I just grinned at them smugly.

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498 reads 0.0 Woah I'm almost at 500 yay! Thank you guys so much :D I love writing this and seeing all your lovely comments!

On a different note I'm still questioning why I pick really weird topics to write about like whyyyy. It was really hard to figure out different ways to say "rolled the ball" so sorry if it's a bit repetitive.

Question of the Day

1. How might you say "rolled the ball" differently?
2. Guess what Tessa will get for her birthday from her friends!

Hugs
Erika