An hour later we all arrived at the meet-up spot. We had decided on bowling since it was the most cost-efficient for all of us. Being college students and all. Arriving at the bowling alley, I was greeted by the smell of pizza and hotdogs. The soft blaring of Sweater Weather by The Neighborhood surrounds us. The bowling alley was dimly lit with neon lights and dope murals on the wall as a design. After surveying the area we walked to the counter to pay for expenses and get our shoes. Everyone walks away to our designated booth and I stay by the register and talk to the clerk.
"Hi, sorry to bother you but I have a quick question," I ask.
"Of course, how can I help you?" The clerk asks nicely.
"Do you by any chance know who painted the murals on the wall? I'm a painter and I just wanted to talk to whoever did because it's very dope," I ask hopefully.
"Unfortunately I just started working here but I can always ask my manager if I find him around here," She says apologetically.
"Oh don't worry about it, thank you so much," I say quickly, "Oh by the way, what's your name?" I ask
"Vicky," She replies, "Thank you for your well Vicky, you're doing an awesome job," I say smiling softly and walk away not before I catch blushing softly. How adorable.
Sitting down to change out my shoes, I feel a presence next to me and turn to see Yon. I smile softly at her. These days we haven't been seeing each other as much as we used to. Being busy with life and other things, and with other things I mean .. boys. I know you don't even have to say anything.
"Babe, you need to tell Jeno that I was first, you are mine," I say in mock possessiveness. Causing her to giggle. "We need to have a girl's night, just us no boys and distractions," I nod in agreement grab her elbow, and walk toward the runway. I quickly glance over toward the boys and find them chatting animatedly. I focus my attention on Rom and I see him smiling. I feel myself smiling softly, he definitely needed this.
Getting up I extend my hand towards Yon and pull her up, "Let's do this babe," I reply and we both walk towards the machine. The boys gather around us as we put our names in. Yon walks over to Jeno's side and they whisper to each other lovingly I smile looking at them. Love is so beautiful.
Walking towards the rack of the bowling balls, I pick each one up to see what would work for me. Not even realizing how focused I was I didn't notice a figure walking towards me.
"Hi Cléo," I hear from behind me causing me to flinch. I turn around to find Rom behind me attempting to hide his laughter.
"Bro, don't do that, why you gotta sneak up on me like that," I utter annoyed. "Something funny to you," Inching towards him and smacking his shoulder while he laughs, and I couldn't help but laugh as well. Seeing him be happy made me happy. It's like the Roman I saw yesterday had disappeared and has been replaced with this happy one.
"Sorry, it's just that you looked so scared, it was funny," He says finally calming down. And I just stared at him.
"Whatever, are you ready to be a sore loser," I say smirking up at him.
"Oh don't get cocky now, some call me a pro bowler, don't play with me," He says cockily.
"Oh, it's on, loser does anything the winner says," I say, "Shake on it," stretching my hands towards him, "I wouldn't want it any other way," He replies grabbing my hands and shaking it while smirking.
"Guys, everything is set up, let's go," I hear Tako say and we finally tear my eyes away from his and walk towards the lane.
"Ok guys, I'll go first," I exclaim excitedly, grabbing my bowling ball and walking towards the platform. I focus my eyes on bowling pins and pull my hands back, I stroll and swing the ball with a lot of momentum and watch it roll down the lane, just for it to fall in the gutter. I froze in embarrassment. What The Hell. I turn around smiling awkwardly.
"Just warming up guys," I laugh awkwardly grabbing another ball. I take a deep breath and focus all my attention and boom the ball flies from my hand and it just rolls and rolls, and then pang it only hits 2 pins and I groan.
"Let a real master show you how it's done," I hear from behind me and I watch Roman walk towards the lane as I walk towards Tako and sit next to him in embarrassment.
"Cléo, it's okay," Tako says, "Not everyone gets in on the first try, " He applies in an attempt to console me, and I watch as Roman throws the ball and makes a perfect strike, and I turn and look at Tako with a look on my face.
"No, I think it's just me," I exclaim sadly. Tako taps my shoulder sympathetically and gets up for his turn. He daps Roman who is walking back in my direction, smirking at me.
"Ready to lose," He smirked, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Don't get cocky Lancaster, I never lose," I roll my eyes at him and watch as everyone goes up for their turn.
So I did end up losing to Roman by ONE point, I was one point away from winning and it seems like Roman won't let me forget about it like he's doing now.
"Hey Cléo, remember how you said you never lose," He casually says as he throws his arm around my shoulders as we walk out of the bowling alley. We had all decided to get some food after and guess who had to pay, I'll save you the brain space, me. We had decided to just go to a local dinner that served the best burgers and shakes in town.
Walking in there's a jingle of the door signifying our entrance and we are met with the sweetest old lady, and trust I don't like old people but she was the kindest soul. She told us that we could pick any seats and she would be right back with menus. Looking around we found a booth and we all sat down. On one side, it was me, Yon, and Jeno, and on the other Tako and Rom. A couple minutes later the sweet old lady, who we found out her name was Ms. Loretta came over and asked what we wanted to eat and I of course decided on some waffles and chicken. Yon and Jeno decided to get some steak and friends with some mashed potatoes. They ordered a big meal since they planned on sharing it. Tako orders a sub with some fries and a fruit bowl as well, and lastly Roman orders a basic burger and fries, like the basic boy he is. Okay, he's not basic.. but you get the point.
Jeno asks, "So, where have you been sleeping lately Rom, every time I come back you're not in the room," He asks curiously. Rom and I both freeze.
"Oh babe I told you, he sleeps in Cléo and I's dorm," Yon says absentmindedly not processing what she just said out loud.
Tako chuckles, "Dude what? You refused to have sleepovers ever since we were kids, and now you're willingly staying over at Cléo, no offense Cléo," He pauses staring my way, "None taken," I reply smirking lightly and turning forward to face Roman who seemed to be hiding behind his big hands.
"Aww is little Romy obsessed with me," I mockingly say to Rom.
"Oh shut, it," He replies towards me and faces Tako, "You're a snitch bit-" Before he could utter the rest of his Ms. Loretta came over to our table with our food and the smell was phenomenal.
"Here you go, I hope you all enjoy," She says sweetly, "I'll be around the dinner if you need anything," She finishes and walks away.
I bow my head about to say grace quickly when I feel someone grab onto my hands, I look up confused to see Roman holding my hands, "I-I wanna say grace too," And I couldn't help but smile up at him. Enclosing our hands together I nod and we say grace together. After a few seconds we both open our eyes and stare at each other and smile. A stifled laughter is what breaks us out of whatever hypnosis we were under, and we quickly withdraw our hands from each other. Not being able to handle the awkwardness I quickly spit out an excuse of having to wash my hands and ran to the bathroom. I open the bathroom door and walk towards the sink with not even realizing the huge smile I have on my face. I hear the bathroom door open and I quickly look down, away from the mirror, in fear of someone finding me creepily staring at the mirror smiling. To my relief it was Yon and she has walk towards me the biggest smile on her face.
"Jagi, is there something you want to tell me?" She teasingly asks approaching me with a knowing look on her face.
I couldn't help but giggle, "It's just a small crush, I mean how could I not?" I reply while washing my hands, I finally dry hands to face her.
"Ok, but you're literally Cléo, you can barely stand to be in the presence of men, and here you are giggling and kicking your feet," She says in a matter-of-fact tone. I give her a look and she gives me a look and we both smile.
"Let's go eat our food before it gets cold," As we interlock our elbows and walk out the bathroom.
Hi guys, I know I've been MIA for a while now, I didn't know which direction I wanted the book to go in but now I've done some research and found some inspiration so we are back and better than ever !! Please don't forget to vote and comment!!