Curious Stars

Chapter 7 - bowling

Trigger warning: swearing, physical abuse & disordered eating behaviours

"Can't you just tell me who my date is?", Ophelia wanted to know for at least the fifth time that evening. She was really nervous. No, not nervous, anxious. She had never been confident, but dates were a whole different story. One she had not made exactly pleasant memories with.

"Lia, you will see him in literally one minute", Lydia complained as they entered the bowling centre. "I don't think you even know him. He does not go to Beacon Hills High School."

"Oh", Ophelia replied, not sure whether to be happy or sad at this point. "But you are sure he will be nice?"

"Yes, don't worry. Otherwise I'll kick his ass."

When they reached the alley, there were alreay two boys standing there. Scott and Jackson. Ophelia sighed in relief, her pulse getting calmer second by second.

She did not dare to disturb the lovebirds, Allison and Scott, so she merely waved at the boy. Jackson on the other hand was thrown back by a hug from the small girl. "Hello my favourite person", she smiled and Jackson hugged her back.

"Wow, I already got ditched before meeting my date", a male voice appeared from behind the girl. Ophelia quickly let go of Jackson and turned around.

In front of her was a boy around the age of seventeen. He was tall and athletically built. His brown hair falling into his light blue eyes that were sparkling with amusement.

"Hi", the girl squeaked out. "I'm Ophelia", she finally got out and held her hand towards him.

He grabbed it and placed a gentle kiss on it. "My name is Brett." He let go of her hand and a his lips turned into a small but cute smirk. "I believe we haven't met yet? I mean, I would remember you if we would have."

Ophelia was still captivated by the boy, sensing there was something odd about him. His eyes sparkled a little too much, or maybe it was a trick of the light?

"Lia, it's your turn!", shouted Jackson handing the small girl a bowling ball. Not being prepared, she nearly would have let the ball fall if Brett had not helped her. "Thank you", she whispered, a smile appearing on her lips.

As the girl walked towards the bowling alley, a smile was creeping up on Brett Talbott's lips as well. A smile he had successfully suppressed in the last months. And now a stranger made him smile, achieving something none of his friends or his sister Lori had managed to do. 'She really is something else', he thought to himself. He watched intently as she tried to throw the ball - under the instructions from Jackson - and missed the alley. The girl turned around, facing her friends humiliated. They tried to fight their laughs, though they failed. Brett only started laughing when he saw a dimple appear on one of her rosy cheeks.

"I'm not a great bowler", Ophelia stated as soon as she got back to her friends. Jackson looked like he had given her bowling skills up. "Oh, I could see that", Brett answered slowly. "Don't worry though, I am gonna make points for the both of us."

The confidence radiated of the boy and Ophelia couldn't help but envy him. Just a little, of course. "I take it you're a good bowler?", she wanted to know, leaning forward. Brett nodded and mirrored her posture. "Do you play any other sports?"

"I play lacrosse", he replied, causing Ophelia to sigh. "Another one? Why does everybody play lacrosse?"

"Well, it is obviously the best sport", he defended himself in a duh-tone. His gaze ran over her body and Ophelia wrapped her arms around herself, preparing for a negative remark. "Do you do any sports?"

"Uhm...", she started feeling insecure all of the sudden. Did he think she did not because she looked a little chubby? Was that it? "I do ballet, though I could not practice due to an injury."