The Watch - Part 19

‘You’re up,’ Tom said standing to one side, waiting for me to throw the ball down the lane. He is expecting me to get a seven or eight pins at the most, considering that’s the most I have ever been able to do. I have gotten an innumerable amount of spares, but no strikes. That is all about to change. However, my physical improvements will mean nothing if I do not put the concentration and effort needed to aim the ball in the general direction. Just because I am stronger and more balanced than anyone else in this building, doesn’t mean I can take that for granted and act as if I am going to win automatically. I still need to do something.

I had my ball in my hand, doing what I normally do, which is to roll in around a bit to get a better grip. All that was completely unnecessary though since the ball felt light enough that I could throw it in the air and catch it in one hand. I only acted like I normally do out of habit.

I stood in front of the alley, watching as pins descended and came to rest at the end, waiting to be knocked down. I could feel Tom’s eyes watching me from behind, but I didn’t let the pressure get to me. I had this in the bag, I just have to concentrate first. I readied myself before jogging towards the lane, swinging my arm up behind me, then forwards, letting go of the ball. It soared down the alley. It was the fastest I have ever thrown the ball. It stayed straight through its entire run before colliding with the pin in front, creating a momentum which passed through every other pin, knocking each one down in turn. Every pin fell down and the ball came to a rest at the back of the alley, bundled with all ten pins.

I watched with a massive grin of my face. It actually worked. I couldn’t believe that it actually worked. I turned around and saw my friend’s face aghast. He couldn’t believe it either.

‘How the hell did you do that?’ he asked.

‘I’ve been working out,’ I said jokingly, as the bowling ball returned from the machine, coming to a standstill with all the others. ‘And practising,’ I added. ‘A lot of practising.’

‘Well, if you keep that up, I might have some competition,’ he said picking up his ball and getting ready to throw for the second time.

The game was incredibly close. Tom scored four strikes in a row, and I closely followed suit with three, a spare and then another strike. I had to make at least one mistake to make Tom believe that I am not some wizard or something, despite actually feeling like one right now. We were half way through and the points were almost neck and neck. Because of my spare, Tom was in the lead, but I knew that he wouldn’t be able to get five strikes in a row, not when there has been some sudden pressure put on his shoulders. I knew that I couldn’t get five strikes in a row, because I was worried that might cause some suspicion, and that is something I do not want. Despite feeling as if I broke my third rule already, I was determined not to break anymore. As long as I don’t do it again, I’m sure it doesn’t matter now.

The next couple of sets, Tom got one spare and one strike, and I switched the order and got one strike and one spare, keeping the scores consistent, keeping Tom in the lead. It was only a matter of time before he makes a mistake, or I pull a hat trick out of the bag and get three strikes in a row. Tom, did as I predicted and made a mistake, getting a spare two times in a row before ending on a solid strike, propelling his score upwards, but not as much as he would have liked. It also wasn’t the most he’s ever scored during a single game of bowling. Considering, Tom got two spares in a row instead of one and two strikes, I only have to get two strikes and one spare, and that is exactly what I got. My score jumped from being behind his for the entire game to being in front, allowing me to win the game.

When the last scores were revealed, I jumped for joy. I’ve never been able to win a game of bowling against Tom before, and although I did it in the unconventional way, which has made me feel a little guilty, I couldn’t help but be pleased that I finally managed to beat the person who I thought was literally unbeatable against me.

‘Congratulations,’ Tom said more shocked that anything else. I could sense a bit of disappointment, but I wondered if I was imagining that, since it is his first loss after all.

‘Thank you,’ I bowed.

‘Oh, you’re going to be one of those winners, aren’t you?’ he stated jokingly, crossing his arms.

‘Only for as long as the joy of winning takes to wear off,’ I said bowing once more.

‘I’m glad we didn’t make a bet, otherwise I might have bet something quite big,’ he said. ‘Come on, I’ll buy you a burger,’ and we both went back to the counter where we changed our shoes and headed towards the café, which sat just to the right of the alley. I ordered a simple cheeseburger, and he ordered a simple hamburger. We sat down at the table and tucked into our burgers. I subtly moved my arm around and reverted my physical body back to normal, just so that I don’t accidentally show off my strength and balance.

‘So,’ Tom said after we had our burgers and checking the clock on the wall above our table, ‘it’s only ten. What do you want to next?’

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for Reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)