Chapter 32

 

“I lovvvvvvvve bowling,” I said cheerily as I skipped my way down the path, I was so happy, I was reunited with my three best friends and nothing could be better.

 

“You’re a bit high tonight,” Simon commented as we made our way into Super Bowl and swapped our trainers for clown shoes.

 

“I’m so happy,” I said, flashing them all a grin.

 

They smiled back at me, probably more in relief than anything.   Since my parting with Ben they had been watching me like hawks, as if at any given moment I would have an emotional breakdown.  I was fine though, I hadn’t spoken to Ben for two weeks, I had kept out of Kelly’s way, kept myself busy with my friends and I felt fine, heart break was very over rated in my opinion.

 

“Right!” Rena said, taking charge and marching over to the computer, “I’ll go first.”

 

She began typing in names and we watched in amusement as they popped up on the screen above us, giggling at the thought that the whole bowling alley would now know any ridiculous nicknames we had.

 

I sat down on the bench in our area and took a big swig of my coke before turning to Simon.

 

“That girl over there is eyeing you up,” I commented, nodding at a girl in the next door alley.

 

“No she isn’t,” he said, swiping at my arm.

 

“She so is,” I said earnestly, forcing him to look at the girl who grinned and looked away again.

 

“She’s probably looking at someone else,” he mumbled.

 

“You should go for it,” I smiled, “time you found someone.”

 

“Dunno, my last girlfriend screwed me up badly,” he said seriously.

 

“Sounds like a right bitch,” I commented and we both dissolved into laughter. 

 

Finally we could laugh about the whole thing, and that felt so good.  They always say that romance can ruin a friendship, but with me and Simon it had only made us stronger, we would sit there for ages and discuss it, rocking with mirth at the thought of us nearly having sex and no longer knowing how to speak to each other.  Things were so much better this way, how they were meant to be.

 

“You planning on having your go before Christmas Kim?” Jemma called.

 

I woke up from my dream, and quickly putting down my coke went to select a bowl.  It was always a bit of an art, I needed one that was light yet had big enough holes to fit my fingers in.  Eventually I settled on a pink one and moved up to the line.  Self consciously I turned round, everyone was watching me – great!  I had never been a pro bowler, I was never good on technique and normally ended up throwing the bowl down with a thud while everyone around me screeched in delight.  This time was no different, it thudded to the ground, skidded along the lane and knocked over one pin.

 

“Oooops,” I said sheepishly, returning to my seat and this time finding myself next to Jemma.  This was the best thing about bowling, you never knew who you’d end up sitting next to.

 

“I’m so glad you two have made up,” Jemma commented as we watched Simon take his turn.

 

“Me too,” I smiled.

 

“And I’m pleased that you’re happy,” she continued, falling silent and waiting for my response.

 

“I’m not going to say it,” I replied.

 

“What?”

 

“I’m not going to say that I’m sad and upset and that Ben was the love of my life and that I miss him,” I confirmed, “I’m very happy.”

 

She looked at me as if she didn’t believe me, but still dropped the subject and we talked about the impending exams.

 

15 minutes later and I was losing the game, not only was I losing, but I was also a serious contender for the lowest bowl score ever.   I had just thrown a particularly bad ball that missed every single pin when a loud voice echoed all round the alley.

 

“These shoes are sooooooooo ugly!”

 

I looked up, recognising the voice immediately, it was Kelly, and a giant group of Populars heading straight for the alley next to us.  I wanted to run, get out as quickly as possible, but I had no where to go, they were all over the place, I would never get out unnoticed.  I sat down back on the bench quietly, my eyes fixed on their alley, and suddenly I was met with another pair of eyes Ben.

 

He mouthed hello at me, but I ignored him, instead turning my head up towards the TV screen, suddenly becoming completely engrossed with MTV, when I snuck a casual look back a minute later he was still staring at me intently.  I looked straight back at him, right into his eyes and I felt my heart lurch, he smiled and before I could help myself I found my mouth curling up to match his, I was entranced, I wanted so much to pull away from his gaze, but I couldn’t it was making me feel so warm.  He stood up and moved towards the door and before I knew what I was doing I was following him out of the bowling alley.

 

“What are you playing at?” I asked him angrily as we hit the fresh air.

 

“Nothing,” he replied, “you were the one that followed me out.”

 

Good point, I couldn’t really argue that.

 

“Well, I just wanted to tell you to leave me alone,” I said weakly.

 

“Don’t pretend you don’t want me.”

 

“Always so arrogant!” I said exasparetly.

 

He moved towards me and I took a step back.  There was no way I was letting those lips get anywhere near me, I knew what they were capable of and I wasn’t going to go back there.

 

“It’s true,” he said, “you love me.”

 

“You’re never going to know that, cos you blew it,” I snapped.

 

“We’re going to be together Kim.”

 

“Until you prove to me that I’m more important than your social status I’m going nowhere near you.”

 

I moved towards the bus stop, hoping that my friends would realise I was going home, as I walked up the road I could hear him shouting after me.

 

“Kim, I love you and I’m going to prove it to you.”