Goals Off Court | SatoSere

Chapter 28 - Kept Promise

They arrived at a miniature golf area in the arcade. It was a little busy, but a fun and cheery area. It was well known and people visited often. Everything was green, and you could see the games and toys in the distance as the bright lights surrounded them. There were kids and families who played all around them, children's laughter and a baby's cries.

It was all so youthful.

"Got it!" Serena raised her fist in the air, spinning towards him. Her grin was contagious, Ash couldn't help but mirror it.

They were now at the final course, Serena in the lead.

"So, you've never really been mini golfing before?" Ash asked her.

"I have once," she spoke, club in hand, standing next to her ball that was closer to the goal. Ash stood outside the course across from her, leaning on his own club. "When I was six, my mom took me, but since she's a pro horse rider, she had to cut it short for a competition. It was the last time I ever went and I wanted to go back, but she was always so busy."

"I'm glad you get to experience the full thing. I don't get why you wanted to go during our drawing lessons, but I'll let it slide."

Serena had let out an exaggerated sigh. "I like stress relievers and this is a good stress reliever. Something you need. Untighten those stiff muscles of yours." She pointed at him with her club.

He shook his head. "We barely got to the good part of that drawing game of lessons."

"We've done enough drawing. You're just Mr. Grumpy because I'm winning." He opened his mouth to sharply reply, but she continued on perkily. "Shocking since I'm sure you've been here a couple of times." Facing away from him, she measured with her eyes the distance from her golf ball to the hole.

Ignoring her previous jab, he decided to bring up the latter. "When I was a kid." Emphasizing the last word as he looked around their playful surroundings. "Me and Gary used to like going. Sometimes we brought friends. We had a very competitive rivalry." He smiled at the memories of his childhood. At his pause, she looked back at him. "The place represented Gary. Carefree, but looking to win it all."

It was rare to see Ash serene and opening up to her. Serena was glad she could remind him of something so good. Her smile gently died. "It must've been nice."

"What?"

"To have known so many people when you were young," she said softly. "I was one timid and very shy girl back then. Scared to meet new people."

He nodded in understanding. "I was a little social butterfly. Even with Gary, as much as we argued, it felt like having a brother of my own, really. Must've been one of the main reasons."

"Sometimes, I find myself wishing I had at least one sibling. My mom and dad had so many issues, then divorced when I was—maybe a baby? I don't know. I don't even remember him from my childhood if he was even there. Who knows if my dad remarried or had another child. I don't know them, or him."

"Your family sounds a lot like mine. My parents got divorced when I was a baby too," Ash told her and she appreciated him telling her. Something else they related on. He kept his eyes on Serena. "But your mom? She didn't remarry?"

It was the fact that she was telling him all this, that made him listen intently. Like she trusted him a bit more. Everything she says, he listens to intently.

She shook her head as she looked down at the ball, her foot pressing hard on it. "No, she didn't," she said humbly.

He noticed her unreadable expression, tipping his head towards her, he tried to lighten the mood. "I'm sure your mother is a beautiful woman, and could catch anyone's heart."