Six

Gideon picked me up not too long after Nick and I got home. I’d texted Emma and let her know that Gideon was coming but she didn’t seem too thrilled. 

I sat in the passenger seat of Gideon’s Acura trying to read Wuthering Heights, but The Brothers Johnson’s “Strawberry Letter 22” played loudly on the radio, which disrupted my concentration. 

 

“You really like that book, huh?” Gideon commented. 

I didn’t respond. “I’ve read it,” he continued. “Some say it’s the greatest love story of all time.” 

I shrugged, and Gideon must’ve seen because he promptly added, “You don’t think so?” 

“I don’t really believe in love.” 

And again, without missing a beat, he replied, “Why not?” 

I then looked up at him. “Why do you? All girls want is to use you. At least that’s been my experience.” 

Staring at the road, he grinned. “Not mine. I’m gay, remember?” 

I hesitated, and then looked back down at my book. “Right, well.” 

“Maybe you should try playing for the other team,” Gideon joked.  

I rolled my eyes. “You’d like that wouldn’t you?” Gideon chuckled. 

 

 

~ 

 

 

When we walked into the bowling alley, Emma and her friends were waiting for us at a table. 

 

“Hey, Riley!” Emma exclaimed. “Gideon,” she said, merely glancing at him. “What happened to your eye?” 

Gideon ignored her question and I followed him to grab our shoes and our bowling balls. Then we walked over to a lane. Gideon plopped down onto a brown leather couch. We decided that we were going to make teams. Holly started entering our names into the system. When she was finished, she announced, “Alright. Dani, Gideon, and I are going to be on one team. And then Emma, Chris, and Riley, ya’ll can be on another."  

Chris and Dani walked up to the lanes, which were illuminated by neon LED lights of every color in the rainbow. With a ball in his hand, Chris casually threw it down the lane. The ball crashed into the pins and every one of them knocked down. He faced us and pumped his fists, while the girls all clapped. 

“Good job, baby!” Dani cheered. She then went ahead to throw the ball, which landed in the gutter. 

The first few rounds flew by surprisingly fast, maybe because my team was in the lead. We can thank Chris for that. But even I had made a couple strikes. Then, it was my turn again. I was up against Gideon.  

We walked up to the lanes with our bowling balls in our hands and got ready to throw. I looked over at Gideon. He furrowed his brows and smiled. The lights shined onto our pale skin, making us appear rainbow. We grinned at each other competitively, and then I threw the ball. It soared down the lane, and then BOOM! Eight pins knocked down. Not a strike, but still good.  

I looked over at Gideon’s lane and saw that he had knocked down all ten pins. A strike. Ten more points for their team. I rolled my eyes and walked back to my seat as Gideon grinned amusedly. 

 

“Don’t worry,” Emma said when I sat back down. “That was a really good hit!” 

I smiled at her, but then looked back at Chris who was beginning to throw his next ball. 

“Hey,” she continued. I looked back at her. “Do you want to go grab some food?” 

The sound of food sounded good, so I agreed. I hadn’t eaten in what felt like ages. We walked over to the concession stand, where I bought a Dr. Pepper and popcorn, which Emma convinced me to share with her. We sat there for a while, gobbling up the food. At one point, my mouth started feeling dry, so I took a swig of my Dr. Pepper. 

That’s when Emma said, “You know, you’re pretty cute.”  

Not this again. It’s not that girls say this to me often, it’s the fact that every time someone has told me I’m attractive, they’ve only said it to draw me in and use me for their own convenience. 

“Thanks,” I replied. I didn’t know what else to say.  

She sighed. “I wish I was attractive.” I tried so hard not to roll my eyes. I thought Emma was a junior? Why was she acting like an attention-seeking freshman?  

Regardless, Emma seemed genuine. She seemed innocent. And I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so I said, “I mean... you are attractive.” 

Her face lit up. “Really?” 

I nodded as I grabbed a handful of popcorn and popped it in my mouth. I wasn’t lying. She was attractive, if you looked past the fact that she looked like every other girl in our grade. Her similarity made her look rather plain.  

I opened my mouth to say something else, but she suddenly leaned forward. Before I knew it, her lips were on mine. She pressed against me, so I had no choice but to lean back. Her eyes were clasped shut, but mine were wide open.  

Finally, she pulled away and licked her lips. “Dr. Pepper and popcorn. Nice.”  

I tried to say something, but I was frozen. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. There was no spark. No feeling in the unexpected kiss. Only awkwardness. At least to me. 

“Will you be my boyfriend?” she gushed. 

“What?” I asked. 

“You know,” she continued. “My boyfriend.” 

I couldn’t speak. I guess she could sense my confusion, because she added, “You're cute, you think I’m cute, and we obviously have great chemistry.” 

Obviously? We didn’t have anything close to chemistry. Nevertheless, I considered her proposal. And then, something crossed my mind that worked in her favor. I’d only dated one other person, but I’d been hurt by many others. None of these people had met my parents. So, to their knowledge, I’d never been in anything close to a relationship. However, Nick had come home with many. They would be so proud if I came home with a girlfriend. Worst case scenario, I could break it off in a couple of months. 

So, even though I didn’t feel the same way about Emma as she did about me, I agreed. 

“Yes. I will be your... boyfriend.” 

Emma squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck, and I mentally prepared myself for what was to come. 

When we walked back to the group, Emma exclaimed, “Guys! Guess what?” 

No one responded, so she continued, “We’re dating!” Then everyone looked at us.  

Embarrassed, I cleared my throat and changed the subject. “Who’s turn is it?” 

“Actually,” Chris replied, “That was our last round. We won. Thank me.” 

“Oh, okay,” I said. I didn’t thank him. Neither did Emma. As Gideon and I walked back to his car, I noticed he was eyeing me suspiciously. Or... disappointedly. I couldn’t tell.