Juliana

6. The game of love

*A Week Later*

"Whenever you see a long line come up on the screen that indicates a concussion." Brandon, one of the Graduate students Juliana and I were working with at Mississippi State, explained as he pointed at the screen. "You guys can go on ahead and get started if you want. I'll be in a room a couple doors down from here."

"Okay." Juliana said as she picked up her clipboard. "Thanks again for letting us use the equipment."

"No problem, Jules." Brandon walked out and shut the door behind him.

My eyebrows furrowed. "How'd he know your name?"

"Brandon's my cousin." She stuck her tongue out at me and mashed a few buttons on the machine.

"Oh." All of the sudden, I felt stupid for asking such a question.

"Yeah. He's pretty cool. Probably my favorite cousin." She sat the dummy down in the seat.

"We should name him..." I pointed at the dummy. "You know cause we're like pretty much going to kill him. He at least deserves a name. I feel bad for the man."

She giggled. "Very funny, Robbie. What do you suppose we should name him?"

"Hmm. Phil, perhaps?"

"Okay..." Juliana stepped back and went over to the computer. "You ready to do the honors by attempting to give Phil his first concussion, Robbie?"

"Sure." I walked over to the computer and plopped down in the rolling chair that was next to her. She moved over a little, so I was the one sitting directly in front of the computer.

"So I just click this button?" My mouse hovered over the 'drop weight' button. "By the way, I can't stay that long today."

"Yes. And really? Why is that if you don't mind me asking?"

"Got a date." I wiggled my eyebrows. "It'll be my first one since my ex and I broke up last April."

"What's her name?"

"I dunno. It's a blind date." I shrugged my shoulders and then clicked the button. The weight dropped, and then it registered as a concussion on the screen.

"Aw, poor Phil..." Juliana shook her head. "We just gave him a concussion."

I chuckled. "The first one of many."

"You excited for your date?" She said as she was dotting down what had happened.

"Yeah. I think I'm ready to be back in the game of the love." I winked.

"Well, I hope you guys have fun." I could tell she was forcing a smile.

"Me too, Jules. Me too." I said, nodding my head.

"Where are y'all going?"

"I think just out to eat. If it goes well, I'll take her out again, and we can go play like mini golf or something."

"Aww that's sweet." Juliana smiled. "Hey... can you push the drop weight button again?"

"Yeah." I said pushing the button.

***

"Hey, Jules. You ready to go?" Some dude that looked to be around both mine and Juliana's age popped his head in the door.