Bet

S E V E N : P O O L

"How about it, then? Let's me and you play." 

I don't give the popular British boy time to answer before I begin to chalk up my cue. I eye him expectantly.

"I'm a bit rusty, I don't think I should."

"She isn't that good, mate," Eyebrow Piercing says. "I beat her easily. You'll be fine."

I ball my fists, jaw clenching in anger. I glare at the man. He simply throws his head back in laughter.

"I'll play." Harry breathes, reaching over to grab a cue that was mounted on the wall. I can't help but stare at the shiny wood. It was pretty.

Harry chalks his cue as Blondie sets up the table.

"Ladies first?" Harry moves out the way.

"You saw how that went." Eyebrow Piercing snorted.

"Can you just shut your mouth for once?" Harry spits back at the boy. The latter narrows his eyebrows and folds his arms across his chest. He tilts his chin up.

Arrogant asshole.

"I'll go." I position myself in front of the table. I make my shot, cue balls gliding across the green felt. I eye each one, until two make it in the corner pockets. A striped and a solid.

"Damnit," I hiss. I circle the table as I try to find a good enough shot for each cue ball.

I see the 15 cue ball resting near a side pocket and so I lean over the short and attempt to hit the ball in the pocket. 15 bounces on the corner of the cushion and spins back.

"Damnit," I stomp.

"Little Miss Pretty Thang can't get a shot, hm? How cute," Eyebrow Piercing smirks.

I've just about had it with his snarky little remarks. "Open your mouth one more time and I will take this cue and shove it so far up your ass, I'll be able to play pool with your fingers." I thrust the wooden cue towards him. "Now back off."

"Feisty. Where does a tiny little thing like you keep all that anger?" Blondie smiles at me. I glare in return.

I see Eyebrow Piercing about to open his mouth to say something when Harry stands in front of him, and thrusts his cue back to take a shot by a random cue ball. The point of contact is heard with the clink of the cue against Eyebrow's metal belt and the deep groan that vibrates his vocal chords.

"Knock it off." Harry rasps.

Eyebrow Piercing is silent for the rest of the game, a pouty glare smearing his features.

Harry and I continue our game in silence. I can pick up that he's going easy on me, lazily aiming his shots.

"Oh come on Styles, I'm winning."

All I have remaining is my 9 and 11 cue ball. Harry still has his 2, 4, 5 and 7 cue ball scattered around.

I watch Harry push his tongue to the inside of his cheek, one freshly plucked eyebrow raising and he nods.

"I tried to be nice. But if you want me to give my all," He leans over the corner of the foot rail, the 5 and 7 cue ball in the kitchen. His long arms give him the advantage to reach that far. I stare at his hands, his face, almost intimidated.

I tried to be nice?

What does he mean nice?

He shots his arm forward. The 5 cue ball bounces against the head rail, rolling back and bumping into the 2 cue ball that rested in the foot spot. The 2 cue ball rolls sideways and into a corner pocket. The 5 cue ball rolls back up, slowly.