Dead Hearts

Chapter 22 - Bowling Alleys

HIYA THIS STORY IS ALMOST OVER TALK TO ME AND JUST YOU KNOW TELL ME HOW U FEEL ABOUT IT!!!??? THANK 

MARA + THEN

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Chapter 22

Mara

Then

I hadn’t noticed Bradley’s arm was still around my shoulder as we walked towards the bowling alley. I smiled, sneaking a glance at his profile. His gorgeous green eyes turned to look at me, and a smile snaked through his lips.

“Ever gone bowling?”

“Yeah. I’m just not really good at it,” I admitted sheepishly. Coordination wise, I was the worst candidate to play anything involving moving both hands and feet at the same time.

“That’s just fine, because you’ll be hanging out with the king of bowling. Otherwise known as me,” He smiled a big smile as we walked in, cold air hitting us like a wave as we faced the bowling alleys. I smiled, feeling comfortable. Calmness washed through me, relief making an appearance for the first time that day. I didn’t recognize anyone there; there was no point in fretting about Aiden. If he wanted me, he’d let me know.

“Let’s go then!” Bradley cheered me on as I tried my hardest to make a strike, and laughed at me as I fake cried over making my ball somehow fall into the sidelines.

“Shut up, crybaby. I’ll help you if you stop crying,” Bradley said, a playful smirk on his face. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to kiss him or slap him for being so cocky.

“Fine.” I agreed, stomping my feet much like a toddler.

He laughed as he helped me out.

I made three strikes that day.

--

“Thank you for everything, Bradley. It’s been a long day. So thank you,” I muttered quickly, my cheeks bright red. I refused to look up at him. It was already a little past eleven. I felt guilty about coming home so late without letting anyone know, but they had it coming. Mum and Alice deserved some cold shoulder after leaving me stranded with Aiden.

What kind of mother even does that?

I groaned inwardly.

“It’s alright. I really liked hanging out with you, Mara,” I heard him say through my flood of thoughts. I kept looking down as I felt a smile creep into my face- an honest, full smile. I felt his fingers reach out to my chin then.

He pulled my chin up, a quiet smile on his lips, his green eyes twinkling in amusement as he noticed how much I was blushing.

“I really like making you turn red. It’s lovely.”

“Shut up.”

He came closer, infinitely closer- slowly, so slowly, I thought perhaps I was imagining it all. I could count the freckles on the bridge of his nose, how his eyes seemed to have a million colors in them.

I felt myself smiling against his lips in no time at all.

--

I let a sigh escape me as I shut the door to my room slowly, a huge grin spreading across my face. What had just happened?

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I smiled again.

“Hang out tomorrow? – Bradley.x”

I smiled wider.

“Sure thing,” I typed. “Pick me up at 4? – Mara.x”

“Will do. Goodnight, Mara.”

“Goodnight, sexy beast.”

I fell asleep feeling light.

- 

It’s been two months.

Two months, two beautiful months. Bradley has become my person. Things come easily. I don’t feel as awkward and inexperienced as before. I don’t stumble, I don’t crash into him, everything seems like a well-rehearsed dance. Like, all along, I’d been practicing for the right moves, the right twists and turns, right back to him.

It’s been two months.

Two months since I finished junior year, and Aiden left for college- no goodbye, nothing left of him. Almost as if he hadn’t been here at all. I realized his love was very much like the speed of light, like a ton of bricks collapsing. It burned, it stung. And it was a fight- it was awkward and fast-paced. It hurt like a paper cut- it sliced so deep. I missed the crashing, the screaming, electricity that seemed to burst in the air every time I ever saw him.

It’s been two months, and I haven’t seen him since.

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