The Day I Met Diane

Chapter 5 - Bowling Shoes

Ella woke up in Phoebe's bed. Next to her sister, still very much asleep. They hadn't closed the blinds so the sun shun right on Ella's eyes, making her temporarily blind. She got up very carefully so she wouldn't wake her sister up, but her efforts were for nothing.

"Good morning, sunshine." Ella said.

"Morning..." Said Phoebe, still very sleepy.

The two sisters went to the living room where they found their father, mother and younger brother sitting on the dining table, facing a plate of freshly baked pancakes.

"Morning, sleeping beauties!" Said Ella's father with a grin.

"Morning, Beast." Said Ella, with the same grin.

After many pancakes and glasses of orange juice, the family cleaned up the table, than sat on the couches of the living room. 

"So, kids" Said Ella's mother. "What are we gonna do today?"

It was rare having her say this. It was usually either "your brother has a football game" or "I'm really tired so we are just gonna lazy away at home". 

"I want to stay home!" Said Will, who was fixated on beating his high score on his favourite game.

"Shut it, Will! We should go bowling, Mom." Said Phoebe.

"That is actually a great idea. Can we mom?" Said Ella, excited.

"NO!!!!" Said Will.

"Yes. Go get dressed kids."

And so they did. And after getting fully ready to go out, they all got in the car.

Ella liked the idea of going out to play bowling. She liked the game, she rocked at it and it was a great way for her to get her head out of things and simply have a lovely time with her family. That was her favourite thing to do. Spending time with her family. She loved her friends but her family was the thing that most mattered to her.

They got there and put on their bowling shoes. Ellas shoes were extremely big and she felt like a clown.

"Hey, Ella, the circus called, they want the shoes back." Will mocked.

"You do know that no matter what you say, it will hurt no less when I beat the crap out of you on this game, right pal?" Said Ella, making will stick his tongue out to her.

 Then they started playing. After some time, Ella was winning, followed by Phoebe and than her father.

"Hey guys, do any of want anything to drink?" Ella asked.

"Yes please! Go get us some water." Her mom said.

Ella walked up to the bar and asked for five bottles of water.

"Thirsty much!?" A familiar voice said.

"Oh, hey there James!" Ella said.

"Nice shoes, Pennywise."

"Hahaha, well aren't you hilarious..."

"So, are you here with your family, Ell?"

"Yup, what about you?

"I came with my cousins today. They are super pissed 'cause they think that you are my girlfriend and they ain't getting none." 

They both laughed.

"Talking about girlfriends, what do you think of Diane?" He said.

Ella's heart froze.

"Wh..what are you talking about?" She asked, worried.

"Does he know I have a crush on her!? Have I been too obvious?"

"Oh, you know. I mean, she is obliviously hot and beautiful, but what do you think about her when it comes to personality. I mean, the real girlfriend material." He said, half embraced and shy, half relieved for actually being able to talk about what was in his mind with a friend.

"Uh...well, I think she is great. She integrated well on the group, she is funny, she stands you and Steve and she is sweet and intelligent and caring and..."

"Hey Ella, you sure you're not the one who should actually date her?" He laughed.

"Oh stop it James. Im just saying, she is a great girl."

"I'm glad you think that. 'Cause I'm thinking of asking her out. What do you think I should do?"

In that moment, Ella's heart stopped. She could either be a good friend and help her old and good friend out by giving him tips on how to court the girl she had a crush on or she could be selfish and point him out in the wrong direction.

"I love James. And Diane. Maybe they'll be happy together. Maybe....but maybe is better than betraying Jame's trust."

"Take her out to dinner. Not a fancy restaurant, but a cool restaurant, with a relaxed vibe. Than take her to the movies, go see something funny. Make sure she has a good time and that she knows you ought to go for a second date. If all goes well, I mean." Ella said.

James gave her a tight hug and went back to his family.

"You are the absolute best, lassie!!!"

"Love you too, James..."

Ella's world had been shaken yet again. And the only thing that would make her feel good was winning that bloody bowling game.