𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 ➸𝑨𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕 ꟾ𝟏ꟾ

Natural Talent

[Majorly Edited]—5/31/21

I

The bowling alley's packed with couples and a group of younger kids that squeal with laughter in the corner as they roll the large bowling balls down the lane, granny style. I sit next to Tori—my 'date' for tonight—and finish tying my bowling shoes.

She's pretty with her wavy blonde hair and bright blue eyes—and she seems nice—but from the moment Lydia introduced us, I could tell this was the last place she ever wanted to be.

"So, um, you like bowling?"

She pulls a strand of hair from her face as she leans back against the seat. "Sure, it can be fun." I give her a tight-lipped smile and nod awkwardly.

"Since when did you and Scott hang out with power couple over there?"

"Lydia didn't mention anything? Uh, Scott's dating Allison and I-I made a stupid bet with Jackson." We move for the cart of bowling balls and lift them one after another, testing their weight.

"Good luck with that." She snickers.

I tilt my head. "What, you don't think I'll win?"

"No offense, but Jackson never loses, like anything."

"Well, uh, you... you've just never seen me bowl before."

She raises a brow. "Whatever you say, Presley."

"It's, um, Wesley."

"Huh?"

"My name, it's not Presley; it's Wesley."

Her eyes go wide. "Oh, that's really embarrassing."

I begin to scratch the nape of my neck. "No, no, it's fine. I just have one question, um, what did Lydia bribe you with to make you do this?"

Tori exhales sharply and glances over her shoulder. "I have the biggest crush on Brian, and she promised to hook us up if I agreed to this one little date. Listen, I'm really sorry, you seem sweet and all but—"

"—but I'm not your type." She doesn't respond, only lowers her gaze.

"Don't worry. I won't let her know you told me."

"Hey, are you gonna pick one or not?" Jackson's annoying voice breaks our conversation. "We don't have all night."

Tori sits back down as I select a green ball with a marble-like texture, place it on the ball return, and sit between Tori and Allison on the extended bench. Lydia is up first, picking up a bright pink ball, and moves toward the line. She waits for a moment before Jackson steps up behind her and guides her through the motions. They send the ball down the lane; it lands in the gutter. Once the ball returns—they do it again—this time, she hits the back three pins on the far left.

"I'm so bad at this."

As they sit back down, Allison stands, grabbing a light purple ball, and approaches the line with grace and confidence. She hooks the ball, sending it flying down the lane. All of the pins tumble, a strike.

I smile as Lydia giggles. "Somebody brought their 'A' game."

She smirks proudly and sits between Scott and me. He gives her a high-five as I sink inwardly. "You're up, Tori."

"Good luck." She thanks me and steps up to the line with a blue ball in hand before tossing it down the lane, hitting five pins, leaving a single pin on the far left and four others on the right. She retrieves the ball again and knocks over three of the pins on the right.