Chapter 12

"You should be ashamed of yourself that the game is this close," Diane said. "This is my first time!"

"Ask around, I have no shame," Kate replied, smiling. "Plus, this is only my second time playing the game, so suck it up."

"Yeah, yeah."

There were few other people in the bowling alley, with a bar a few meters after the entrance and different types of chairs where people could sit, eat and talk.

"The shoes I was given are way too big by the way," Diane complained.

"You should get another one," Kate said.

"Nah, I don't want to go back there. My turn," Diane said as she picked a ball and walked closer to the lane. "What's the score again?" she asked, turning back to look at Kate.

Kate moved backwards to where the screen was located and looked up. "Sixty-two to fifty-seven and I don't have to tell you who's leading."

"Time to kick your ass," Diane said as she positioned herself to throw the ball.

It took her more than ten seconds to determine that she was well positioned to make a good throw and watched the ball earnestly as it rolled down the lane.

Kate began to laugh before the ball Diane threw got anywhere near the pins on the lane.

"Shit!" Diane said as the ball only managed to knock down one pin. She proceeded to pick a ball so she could make another throw.

"I really don't know why you're laughing," she said to Kate without turning around, "I have another throw to make and I'm quite sure your first time was worse."

"Keep telling yourself that," Kate said, still laughing.

Diane spent less time with the ball this time. "Yes!" she screamed as she was able to knock down seven pins this time. "In your face!"

"Learn from your boss instead of dancing around like a headless chicken," Kate said as she smirked.

"Uh-huh, let's see what she can do," Diane replied.

"By the way, what about Paul?" Kate asked before throwing her ball.

"What about him?"

"I thought you said there could be something in it?" Kate asked.

"I guess there wasn't," Diane said, " I haven't seen him since the party even though it's only been a few days and we didn't exchange contacts."

Kate threw her ball which seemed to swerve away from the intended targets at first but then swerved back and knocked down all ten pins.

"There you go bitch," Kate said to Diane, as she smiled and put up her middle finger.

"Showoff," Diane said, rolling her eyes. "And what about Pete?" she asked as she picked a ball.

"I met him a couple of times after that. In fact, I met him the day before yesterday," Kate replied.

"And?"

"And what?"

"Is there anything in it?" Diane asked.

"You mean like a relationship?" Kate asked.

"Yes, dumbass."

"Nah," Kate replied, "although, he does know how to treat a girl, but I don't want a relationship."

"Right!" Diane said as she turned to throw her ball.

Diane, as usual, tried to position herself well with the ball in both hands. She released the ball from her left hand when she thought she was ready to play but quickly held it with both hands whenever she felt it might not be a good throw.

"Make the throw, snail," Kate said.

"None of your business, " Diane replied.

Diane, without leaving the spot, kept moving her hands, without being able to decide when to throw. Her friend had just cleared all the pins in the lane, and she also wanted to do the same.

Finally, she released the ball from her right hand and watched it roll on the lane. It seemed like an eternity for Diane, and it seemed like the ball might swerve from the middle path of the lane it was treading but it didn't. Diane watched with joy as the ball knocked down all ten pins.

"Yes!" Diane screamed as she jumped.

"I've done that three times today and no one here heard my voice," Kate said. "It just had to be you."

"Fuck you!" Diane said, still smiling. "You better hope I don't win this game, or I'll haunt your dreams forever."

"Two rounds to go, we'll see about that."

Kate picked a ball position herself and threw the ball on the lane. It happened quickly, the ball struck the foremost pin and knocked down nine of them.

"That's how it's done," Kate said as she picked another ball.

Diane said nothing Kate spent a little more time before throwing the ball since she had to target the last pin on the lane. She threw the ball carefully, but it missed the target.

"Damn!" Kate said.

"My turn," Diane said eagerly as she picked a ball.

"No one is disputing that," Kate said.

"Whatever," Diane said as she positioned herself to make a good throw, but when she did throw, it wasn't a good one. It went out of the lane altogether.

"Go girl," Kate cheered sarcastically.

"Fuck off," Diane said as she picked another ball.

This time, the ball was only able to knock down five pins.

"Fuck me!" Diane exclaimed.

"You really should take lessons from me," Kate said. "My price is affordable."

"Get out," Diane said, flushing.

"Do you want us to finish this, or will you concede defeat?" Kate asked.

"I'm actually tired."

"Only from getting your ass kicked," Kate said.

They both sat down on a chair, took the cans of soda they ordered for and opened them.

"I'm hungry. Can we get something to eat here?" Diane asked.

"Sure, but we won't. I know a place and you'll love it," Kate replied.

Diane and Kate finished their drink and went to the attendant's table where they switched back their shoes and left the bowling alley.

"I had a great time today. Thanks, Kate."

"We're not done yet, not even close," Kate said as she held Diane's hand.