Despite my earlier bravado, I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest as April’s hands tightened around me. We hadn’t talk to each other for half a mile but her last words still rung loud in my ear.
“Since you feel like carrying me, carry me all the way to
town” she had said.
I knew she only said that because she thought it would make
me back down. But I accepted her challenged and had been fireman carrying her
for what seemed like hours although it was probably only fifteen minutes.
Still, I persevered and we made it downtown somehow despite
my back pain. Bryan had told me to take charge of the situation and be
assertive, so that’s exactly what I did. I told April that I was going to show
her the time of her life and I promised her that by the end of the day that she
would be smiling from ear to ear. Her eyes showed me that she didn’t believe me
but I grabbed her hand and led her along anyway.
I began our date; well Bryan said I should treat it like a date but I don’t think April felt the same way so I should probably call it an outing. But I began our outing by heading over to Bistro’s and grabbing a bite to eat. Something to fill up our stomachs and you know, give us some energy for the day ahead. April seemed to find it amusing but I was serious when I told her that she wouldn’t get another chance to sit down and rest.
April was a very competitive girl. I knew it and everybody at school knew it. She was gaining fame as a singer and guitarist now but she had always been known for her nasty competitive streak at school. Whether it was playing sports or even a simple game like dominoes, April always wanted to be on top.
So when I told her that I was known in Appaloosa Plains as Mr. “Jack-of-all-trades”, that piqued her interested and she gave me a raised eyebrow as we headed to Frank’s.
“Just to give you a fair warning, I was Appaloosa Plain’s table
tennis champion from 2009 to 2012. I was practically undefeated all throughout
middle school. I don’t think you’ll be able to handle of this awesomeness.”
April was still pretending to be disinterested in having a
good time but I could tell that I had pushed a button. She narrowed her eyes and coldly told me to
serve. And I did.
A powerful one. One that I was sure-
“You were saying?”
“Hah, that was a lucky shot. I was just getting warmed up,
thank you very much. Wait till I get serious.”
“You know my dad was the best bowler in Appaloosa Plains. Trophies, awards you name it. How does it feel knowing you’re going to be going against his heir apparent?”
“Alright I’ve been going easy on you so far because you’re a girl and I wanted to let you get a head start. But when it comes to pool, I take it very seriously.”
“Alright, I’m serious serious
this time."
“Damn, is there anything you’re not good at?”
“Just give it up. Unless you can miraculously skate, I don’t think there’s a single thing you can do better than me.”
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