I Love Him But I Can't (Scallison)

Competition Between Friends

A week. I've gone an entire week without talking to Scott. A week full of pain. A week full of envy. A week full of despair. Today was my first day really seeing him since Lydia walked in on us making out. He was sitting across from me at lunch, Lydia to his left.

"So Scott got a gutter ball and it was the funniest thing ever," Lydia said with a laugh.

Everyone at the table joining her. She hadn't really told them about why Scott and I weren't really talking. As far as they know, Scott and I are just in a fight.

Scott chuckles and says "I tell you that I'm a terrible bowler, every year. You never listen."

"I keep hoping that you'll get better at it. Some how I feel like you get worse."

Scott chuckles and says "Thanks for the support Lyds."

She kisses his cheek and I look down at the apple on my food tray. Seeing them being so casual and happy together hurt worse than not having seen him. I prefer not seeing him. At least then I don't have to watch him and Lydia look like no one else in the world matters. I glanced up and saw Scott. He was looking at me. He was looking at me the same way he did whenever he was fighting the urge to kiss me. That look hurt me even more. I pushed him away. I chose to listen to Lydia. I could've had him. He'd be mine if I hadn't chosen Lydia.

Lydia was looking at us and says "Allison, why don't you and I go bowling tomorrow afternoon? We'll have a girls week. Just you and me."

"Sounds like fun Lydia. I'll be there. What about Sunday afternoon though? What'll we do that day?"

"Bowling again. So we can have rematches."

"Alright. Warning though, I'm really good."

"Finally, someone who can keep up with me in bowling."

She nudges Scott playfully and I felt like I'd be sick if I didn't walk away now.

"We'll talk more later. I've gotta go to my locker." I walk away from the table at a calm pace. Not wanting to clue anyone in. "See you in Chemistry."

/

The next day, Lydia and I went to the bowling alley. We started at an easy pace, but her cell buzzed with a text from Scott. That's when I had had enough. I just started getting strikes continuously. Lydia glared at me slightly as she did the same. It went back and forth like that for three games.

"It's a tie," we said at the same time.

We had gotten the same score. It was a tie. We slumped to our seats and I noticed Lydia's screensaver was a picture of her, Erica, Scott, some other girls, and some guys from the lacrosse team. She was watching me carefully so I looked away when I realized I was staring.

"I noticed you and Stiles talking between classes a lot lately."

I nod and say "Yeah, we're friends."

She looks at her hands and says "Has he asked you out or anything?"

"I mean, we're going to a movie on Monday, but totally not a date."

"Oh, ok." She says with a nod but her smile had faltered. "Do you like him?"

"Yeah, I like him." I then register what she's asking. "No, not like that. I liked him as a friend. Nothing more. Totally just friends."

Her smile seemed to come back to its full force.

"So, we ended in a tie."

"Yup," she said with a smile. "You're a worthy bowling opponent. But you're an even better best friend."

"I doubt that Lyds. Thanks though."

"No, I'm serious. You're a great best friend. In fact, I'm gonna find you a date to the Winter Formal. Come on, I'm starved. Let's get something to eat."

/

The next day we were laughing like we usually did. We seemed to be less competitive and I don't know why. Lydia had turned off her phone before we started which kinda confused me. She always kept it on.

"So, I think I found you a date to the Formal."

"Oh," I say sadly. "I actually don't plan on going to the Formal."

She shakes her head and says "You're going. I have a date already. I found you a date. It'll be perfect. He's sweet and handsome. It's a blind date."

"Lydia, I really don't feel like going."

"You're going and that's final."

We ended the game with Lydia winning. Somehow that hurt me. Then I put the pieces together. I was staring at the picture of Scott on her phone and that's when we started getting competitive. We ended in a tie. It was as if the winner got him, but now Lydia won. She got Scott.

"Allison," she said softly. "What's wrong?"

I reach up and felt my cheek was wet. A  tear had slipped from my eye.

"Nothing. I'm fine. How about we head back to my place and watch the Notebook?"

She nods and says "Yeah. Um, I just need to tell Erica that I'll have to reschedule our lunch."