Solo (8 page)

"I thought you two were just friends?"

"You have a point." I rolled my eyes. "Come on, I have to try to beat my top score."

"Okay. If you're sure?"

We stepped inside the bowling alley, surprised to see it was dim. Neon lights hung randomly on the walls and a strobe light flickered in the middle of the ceiling. Above the entrance a big sign read:
Rockin' Bowl Friday Nights from Seven to Midnight. Come get your Spin On!

We made our way through the crowd to the counter to check out shoes and get a lane. The place was packed. Luckily, the group in front of us had finished and we snagged their lane, which was located smack dab in the middle. Mom put her shoes on while I found the perfect balls.

While I was searching through them, a loud voice caught my attention. It was Casey laughing. She was with Sasha, Evan, Emily, and Jack.
This can't be happening.
I walked to my lane hoping I wouldn't be seen. I sat the balls down and started putting on my shoes. I told Mom, "I grabbed two balls, but I'm not sure if they'll work for you."

She lifted the bowling balls. "I think they're too light. I'll go find a different one. I'll be right back."

"Okay." I glanced over to see if Casey's group had noticed me. I couldn't have been more thankful for the darkness and the packed lanes. They were several lanes over and the sea of people between us acted like a shield. I turned to look in the other direction for Lucas. Through the crowd, I caught a glimpse of him picking up a ball. I craned my neck to see who he was with, but I couldn't see without standing. I stood and quickly regretted my decision.

"Eliana!" Casey squealed.

I wasn't the only one that heard my name. Lucas turned in the direction of Casey's voice. Instantly, I whipped around, hoping Lucas hadn't noticed me staring at him. Casey and Emily walked over.

"Hey, Casey," I smiled

"Hey, I thought you were going out with your mom tonight."

"I am, she's somewhere around here. We went to a movie and dinner, and weren't ready to go back to my grandparents' house."

"Well, it's good to see you outside of school," Emily added.

"Do you want to join us?" asked Casey.

"Oh, that's really nice, but I'm having a good time with my mom. Call me on Sunday though."

Mom walked up behind them.

"Mom, these are my friends from school, Casey and Emily. This is my mom. Sophie."

"Wow! This is your mom? She could pass as your sister," Emily grinned.

"That's really sweet. It's nice to meet you two," Mom replied.

"Well, if you change your mind, feel free to join us," said Casey.

I looked over Casey's shoulder and saw Evan staring and Sasha glaring. "Thanks, but not tonight."

"Okay, we'll talk later." Casey and Emily walked back to their lane.

"Honey, if you want to go bowl with them, I don't mind."

"No, I'm fine right here. Besides, Sasha is there. She's the
other
girl I was telling you about."

"Ooohhh, I see." Mom turned to check out Sasha.

"Mom, don't! I don't want her to know I was talking about her."

"Sorry, just curious. Hey, is that the guy you like? What's his name? Lucas?" She was looking at Evan.

I laughed, "No, Lucas doesn't hang with that crowd. He's here though. He's at the other end. If you look, please don't be obvious."

"There are so many people I couldn't find him even if I knew what he looked like."

"Let's just forget it. I want to concentrate on having a good time."

"Okay, you go first." Mom typed our initials into the computer.

I grabbed my ball and walked up to the lane. I had a complex knowing that
someone
was probably watching me: Lucas, Sasha, or most likely, Evan. I threw the ball and it hit the gutter. I turned and joked, "Off to a good start."

"You can pick up a spare with the next ball…hopefully."

I picked up the other ball. "This one might work better."

When I looked up, I could clearly see Lucas' lane. He wasn't there, but I recognized a few of the guys I'd seen him talking to at his truck. There were four girls from school sitting with them; two of them were cheerleaders.

"Eliana, are you going to play?" asked Mom.

"Oh, yeah. I'm just trying to figure out which ball to use."

Mom smiled. "If you say so."

I walked to the lane and threw the ball. "Come on; come on. No gutter; no gutter." The ball hit three pins.

"I got three this round, beat that," I smirked, and walked back to my seat.

"That's going to be pretty hard to beat."

I sat and tried to focus on my mom as she threw the ball, but I really wanted to see if Lucas was back and if he was with one of the girls.

"Oh my goodness, you've got eight pins," I squealed.

"I'm going to get a spare, just wait and see."

Sure enough, she picked up her spare. Her face lit for the first time since my dad had left.

"Way to go Mom," I cheered.

"Don't worry honey, you can catch up."

"We'll see," I laughed.

"Eliana!" A familiar voice behind me hollered above the music.

I turned to see who it was, even though I already knew. "Hey, Lucas."

"What happened to movie night?"

"Oh, we already did that, but decided we wanted to bowl too."

"So was the movie good?"

"Yeah, we really enjoyed it." I grabbed my ball and then realized I'd forgotten to introduce my mom. "Oh. Lucas. This is my mom, Sophie."

"It's nice to meet you ma'am."

"Please call me Sophie. Ma'am makes me feel old."

"All right, I'll remember that." Lucas smiled and turned back to me. "So, I saw you over here and figured I'd say hi."

"Okay. Hello." Why did it always sounded like he pitied me?

"Well, I better get back to my lane."

"Yeah, I don't want to keep you from your date," I fished for a response.

He grinned and shook his head. "Okay Eliana, maybe I'll see you later."

"Don't hold your breath," I muttered, thinking the music would keep him from hearing.

He did a quick double take as he walked back to his group.

"Eliana, why are you so mean to him?" Mom asked.

"I don't think I was mean." I knew that wasn't true, but being mean was easier than letting my guard down.

"I think he likes you. Don't ruin it by being rude. He's really cute."

"Mom, shh."

During our three games, I glanced between the two groups, but mostly looked at Lucas. I wanted to know who he was
casually
dating. Mom was also trying to watch discreetly.

Mom won our bowling game hands down, but the night wasn't a total loss, I beat my top score. I now had the honor of a ninety-three for my new record.

I turned to see Casey and her group still playing. Watching them made me miss my California friends. They wouldn't be hanging out at a bowling alley though; they would be at the under eighteen nightclub downtown.
At least there's loud music here, kinda like a club.

While mom and I changed our shoes, I noticed the bowling alley had cleared. Lucas and his group were one of the few still playing. He was talking to Rachel, Sasha's friend from gym.

"I'll be right back," Mom said. "I'm going to return this ball."

"Okay." I started humming the song that was playing. It was a song you couldn't help but dance to. I bounced in my seat.

"Eliana, are you leaving already?" Lucas asked from behind me.

I jumped and grabbed my chest. "You startled me. Yeah, I'm tired. It's been a long day."

"Oh, I thought it might have been your mom who's tired." He looked back at his friends.

"Hi, Lucas." Mom had returned.

"Hi Ma'am…I mean, Sophie."

Mom smiled.

I said, "I'll be right back. I'm going to put this ball away."

"Take your time, honey."

Lucas followed me. "I was going to invite you to join us for a game."

I turned and gave him a confused look, and then looked toward my mom. She'd obviously overheard his offer by the grin on her face. "Um, I think I'm going to leave with my mom. I don't want your date to get the wrong idea."

"She's not my date."

"Does she know that?"

"I hope so. Besides, you and I are just friends, remember? Friends can hang out."

I looked at my mom again and then back at Lucas.

 "Well, I came with my mom. I didn't drive myself." I placed the ball on the rack.

"You're on my way home. I can give you a ride."

I rubbed the side of my head and looked over at his group of friends. Rachel was staring at me and that made my decision easier. I already had one person threatened by me. I didn't need another. "I think it would be best for everyone if I left with my mom. Besides, your date doesn't look very happy right now."

Lucas looked disappointed. "Eliana, I'm really trying to be friends, but you're making it difficult."

"If you knew what I went through this week, you would understand. Believe me, if it were under different circumstances, I'd be staying to hang out with you. I truly would."

He shook his head. "Sure, maybe another time."

"Please don't be mad."

"I'm not mad. You're just confusing."

"Sorry." I looked at my mom. "I've got to go. I'll see you around."

"Yeah. Have a good night." He stood motionless as I walked back to my mom.

"Please don't say anything. I just want to go," I whispered.

"I'm not saying a word. Let's go pay."

After we paid, I glanced back at Lucas with his friends. He was sitting next to Rachel, but staring at me. I smiled, hoping to get a response, but he just gave me a blank expression.

As we walked toward the exit, I glanced at Casey and her group. Casey smiled and waved, and Sasha glared.

"Mom, what do you have planned for tomorrow?" I asked, breaking the silence on our way back to my grandparents' house.

"Nothing really, your dad is supposed to call. So, I'm staying home. What do you want to do?"

"I want to take the whole day and hike in the mountains. I only get a few hours after school to run. There are some areas I'd like to explore in the daylight."

"I don't know if I feel comfortable with you up there by yourself. What if something happens?"

"I'll take a bag of essentials: cell phone, first aid kit, water, food, map, and chalk to mark the trees. I've hiked enough with Dad to know what precautions to take."

Mom sighed, "Let me think about it."

We were silent the rest of the way home. When we pulled into the driveway, Mom turned to me. "Okay, you can go unless the weather is bad, but you have to call every few hours to check in. And you
definitely
have to be back before dark."

I grinned. "Thanks, Mom. I promise to call and I'll be back before dark."

I ran to my room, making sure to plug my phone in the charger and pack all the essentials in my bag. Mom came in and handed me a flashlight. "Take this just in case."

"Oh, thanks. I didn't think about a flashlight."

"Well, if you have it, you won't need it," she joked. "You better get some sleep if you want an early start. It's already past midnight."

"I'm almost finished. Good night. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, honey."  She kissed me on the forehead.

* * *

To my amazement, I awoke to the sun shining in a clear blue sky. I threw my clothes on. With the unpredictable weather I wanted to be prepared, so I decided to wear my favorite yoga pants, a tank top, T-shirt, and hoodie just in case the weather took a dive.

With my backpack and iPod in hand I sprinted down the stairs, but stopped halfway to run back and get my cell phone.
Don't want to forget this.

Mom sat at the kitchen table and smiled when I entered. She handed me a plastic bag with a sandwich, apple, banana and energy bars. She had another bag with three frozen waters.

"Mom, what would I do without you?"

"I don't want you to get hungry."

"I appreciate it." I gave her a quick hug.

"Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise. I've got everything I need, including a book and small blanket. I have my cell phone on vibrate. Call me anytime."

"Don't worry, I plan on it."

I ate a few pieces of toast and had a glass of milk before heading out the door. "I'll call in a few hours." I leaned down to kiss her. "I love you."

"I love you too."