Allegiance

Chapter 15

'Strike!' Sylvie yelled enthusiastically.

Arthur grumbled, crossed his arms, and sank into his seat, sulking. Tessia raised her arms in the air and cheered energetically. She spun around, clasped her hands to the small of her back, and winked at Arthur before practically skipping to her seat.

Tessia stood in front of her seat, facing Arthur, and smirked competitively, "I'm sorry, Arthur. I forget, how many strikes is that?"

Arthur looked to the sighed, pouting, and mumbled something under his breath.

Tessia cupped her hand to her ear and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Can you speak louder?"

Arthur rolled his eyes and competitively narrowed his gaze on Tessia, "Eight in a row."

Tessia joyfully smiled wide and nodded enthusiastically, "Eight in a row!" She cheerfully sat down in her chair and cocked her head to the side, smirking at Arthur, "Oh, come now, dear Arthur. Don't pout."

"I'm not pouting," Arthur retorted, obviously pouting.

Tessia smiled in amusement, trying to keep herself from laughing, "Oh, obviously. My mistake."

Arthur grumbled and looked at Tessia suspiciously, "You've played this game before, haven't you."

Tessia smiled innocently at Arthur and placed her hand on her sternum, "How could I have? I've never been to this place before. And," she gestured to Arthur, "You said yourself you invented this game."

Sylvie snickered as she looked back and forth, amusingly watching Tessia and Arthur bicker, 'Point, Tessia.'

'Shut it,' Arthur snapped.

Arthur tapped his finger on his arm, staring at Tessia, who had an innocent smile, trying to think of how she could've played this game before, but no reasonable assumptions came to mind. Out of ideas, Arthur sighed and inquisitively looked at Tessia, "How are you so good at this game?"

"Hmmm," Tessia hummed, looking down and tapping her finger against her chin, looking deep in thought. After a brief moment, she looked at Arthur, innocently shrugged, gestured to him, and said, "I guess I have a good teacher."

Arthur playfully narrowed his eyes on Tessia, and Sylvie broke into laughter, highly amused at Tessia's answer. Tessia giggled, seeing Arthur's expression, and nonchalantly pat Sylvie on the head as she sat beside her.

Arthur grumbled under his breath before he stood up and competitively narrowed his gaze on Tessia, "Either way, this game isn't over yet." Arthur pointed toward the pins intently, "If I get a strike on this round, we're tied."

Tessia grabbed her chin, looked at the pins, and looked at Arthur, knowing he was right. He currently had seven strikes; if he scored another, they would be tied. Tessia lowered her hand, gave a small smile, and said, "That's true. Just don't screw up."

"Don't screw up," Arthur competitively mocked and approached the bowling balls stand.

Tessia giggled at Arthur mocking her before she smiled warmly at him. It had been a long time since she had been competitive like this, and it was usually with one other person. And the more she observed Arthur's competitiveness, the more he reminded her of this person.

Unbeknownst to Tessia, since his back was turned to her, Arthur also had a warm smile. Though he mocked and grumbled under his breath, he genuinely enjoyed playing this game and being competitive with Tessia. He couldn't shake this feeling, but she continuously reminded him of someone he once knew.

Arthur picked up his bowling ball and approached the bowling line. He held the bowling ball firmly and concentrated on the pins before him. Taking a breath, he rolled the bowling ball down the lane with a perfect spin and watched intently as it struck the pins in a strike.