Hold me Tight

Chapter 4

Elliot's POV

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"Oh, don't be a party popper. You will catch up on things I am sure." Jasmine said, her eyes twinkling, lips smirking.

I met her last year. We had a lecture together and study buddies for one assignment. From a short time of interaction, I liked her. But she was not what I was feeling nervous about. Rather the girl standing beside her.

Her nose scrunched when Jasmine left no choice for her but to come with us. Victoria. Vic, as they call her. I smiled inwardly, biting the inside of my cheek.

The girls walked ahead of us, followed behind by the other group I came up with. Stephan in particular. He had been my best friend since the first year of college, that time when we not so accidentally added lime juice in one of the professor's water bottles as an April fool prank.

Stephan and I have had chemistry since then.

So, when he asked me to come with him to the bowling alley, I could not say no. What he failed to mention was there would be two of his classmates joining us with their girlfriends.

But that turned out to be a good decision. Ever since that coffee accident, I was dying to ask for an apology from Victoria. If it was not for a chance to ask for the bowling, I would have talked to her outside the class. Away from the crowd.

"So, how come you didn't want to come here but asked the girls to come with us?" Stephan looped his arms around my shoulder as walked sideways. The alley was nearby from the campus and most of the students preferred to walk over there for weekend fun.

I nudged his shoulder and stepped aside to walk a distance between us. "I don't know whatever you are talking about."

He nodded, a smile blooming on his lips. I rolled my eyes and walked a little faster, listening to the quiet giggles of Victoria and Jasmine as they walked a foot ahead of us. Along with the couples chatting loudly.

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Stephan and I stood in the ticket queue, Victoria standing in front of me. The colourful lights flickered, music blasting on full volume inside the bowling alley. The bowling area covered the entire left side of the place, whereas on the right there were other indoor easy games.

We decided to play in a group of two with four sides as we were eight people. I didn't know if that was even possible, or a rule of the game. But Stephan always had his ways.

Victoria pulled some cash out of her side bag, and I took a step closer. I could feel her back stiffening from the sudden presence. Her head was just in line with my shoulder. Which gave an easy access to me a sneak peek.

I pushed my hand forward and swiped the card.

"What are you doing?" She looked at me sideways.

"I told you bowling is my apology for the coffee accident. I am paying for the tickets." I said in a low voice.

When she did not utter a word, and looked me dead in the eyes, I felt heat surfacing my ears. I quickly averted my eyes to the counter guy and sorted the payment. We changed into our shoes and waited for our turn on the side benches. The other four of Stephan's class friends got busy with their girlfriends.

I wouldn't mind. I would trade my soul for peace that would come with no one talking or draining my energy. Except for Stephan, because that guy would not shut up.

Stephan and I would be playing against Victoria and Jasmine. I mean, whatever could go wrong, right?

We were sitting on the bench when Stephan blew in my ear. I shivered from the tickling sensation, scowling at him with disgust. He laughed and whispered, "Your ears are literally on fire."