Never Let Me Go: A StarKid Fanfic

Chapter 20

BERNADETTE'S POV

"I'm really not sure about this."

"What is up with you?" Natalie replied, applying Chapstick as we walked towards the bowling alley, "Does this have something to do with one Mr. Joey Richter?"

"No," I answered defiantly, avoiding her icy blue gaze.

"I just knew you liked him, Bernie," she teased, "You guys have some serious sexual tension going on."

"I don't like him," I retorted, "I just...don't know how I feel, okay?"

"Okaaaaay," she drawled, "but don't forget who you're talking to. I'm your best friend, after all. And I can read you like a book." I pushed her playfully as we made it to the neon-signed bowling alley. I saw the StarKids huddled inside, still clearly shivering from the cold outside.

"Do I look slutty?" I said through my teeth as Natalie opened the door.

"Are you kidding?" she said back, "You look like you're about to enter a convent." I glanced down at my green V-neck sweater, leggings, and boots. Although I was covered head-to-toe, the neckline of my sweater made me self-conscious. Positive body image wasn't exactly my forté. Putting my self-consciousness aside, I saw Joey's eyes light up as he spotted me from across the room.

"Hey, Bernadette!" he exclaimed, "did you find the place okay?" A few small children scampered past us.

"Yeah," I said, trying to act as casual as possible, "It wast too hard to find." He began talking with one of the teenagers that ran the shoe and ball rental, so I took that time to examine a few more of his mannerisms. One good thing about writers is that we're very perceptive.

I noticed that every time he didn't know what to say, he clutched the gray flannel he was wearing. I noticed how he always fiddled with the zipper of his brown leather jacket. And I noticed that he was incredibly adorable and quirky and cute he was.

Stop it, a voice in my head shouted, You can just be friends with a guy, ya know? Just because he's cute doesn't mean you should fall head over heels for him. This isn't high school anymore.

"Here ya go," Joey said, handing me a pair of raggedy bowling shoes, "size 9, right?" I nodded and slid off my boots silently. I watched as the StarKids joked with each other, laughing and talking, while I concentrated on tying the slightly-decayed shoes.

"Hey, are you okay?" Joey asked, snapping me out of my daze, "You seem a little...spacey." I shrugged.

"Yeah, I'm just a little tired I guess," I lied, "And I have a lot on my mind." At least that part was true.

"Look, I know you might still feel kinda bad about Darren and Mia, but don't worry, okay?" he said, putting his arm around me, "Once he comes back, you guys can sort everything out." I pressed my lips together thoughtfully. It was really nice of Joey to reassure me, but Darren hadn't even crossed my mind for several days. He wasn't the person who was on my mind. Joey was.

Crap. I had it bad.

JOEY'S POV

"I suck," she said, "I suck I suck I suck oh sweet god why did I let you talk me into coming here." I chuckled as we slowly watched Bernadette's blue bowling ball roll slowly into the gutter.

Our group took up three lanes, and Joe, Natalie, Bernadette, Meredith, Holden and I were all together. It was kinda weird being in a lane with two couples. And by 'kinda' I meant 'extremely', but you get my point.

"Has anyone told you you're a bit dramatic?" I laughed, leading her back to our seats. Natalie popped up out of her seat, smirking at Bernadette and me. I looked at her inquisitively.