The Hardest Part

Three

I tried to focus on Vinny's finger drawing circles on my thigh clad jeans and on anything but the eerie feeling that I was being watched. I know I was just acting paranoid. My left leg was bouncing up and down anxiously.

Vinny leaned down to whisper into my ear. "Everything all right?"

I gave him the best smile that I could force and said, "I'm just thinking about finals."

He gave my thigh a reassuring squeeze. "You're going to do great."

Brenda cheered, throwing her hands up in the air as her bowling bowl managed to knock all but four pins down. She had invited Vinny and I out tonight for a double date. Brenda had been seeing this guy in one of her other classes for a couple weeks now and wanted us to meet him and give her - as she called it - feedback. Vinny wasn't all that thrilled to be going but when I told him I would buy him a drink and promised a few other things, he agreed.

"Nice!" Robbie said, giving her a high five.

Brenda beamed as she waited for her bowling ball. I couldn't help but smile at how happy she was.

"I'm going to get something to drink, do you want anything?" Vince asked.

"Water, please."

While Vince was gone, Brenda managed to knock down two more pins. She got another high five from Robbie then took the empty seat next to me.

She leaned against me, that bright smile still on her face. "What do you think?" she asked. I could smell the beer on her breath.

It was now Robbie's turn. My eyes flickered in his direction. He was a nice guy and he was cute. Not my type, but I could see why Brenda liked him. He was a mix of African American and European. He was tall, almost the same height as Vince, and had the most gorgeous baby blue eyes I have ever seen. His dark, curly, brown hair contrasted very well against his complexion.

"I like him so far," I said.

"He's nice, right?"

I grinned at her. "Very nice."

Robbie somehow managed to make a strike. Brenda got up from her seat to give him a hug. Just then Vinny came back with two water bottles in hand and gave one to me.

"Your turn, Haven," Brenda called out to me.

I set the water bottle down on the floor before getting up to grab the bowling ball for my turn. I wasn't a bowler, so I wasn't surprised when I barely knocked down three pins. Brenda still cheered for me, nonetheless. I stared at the pins, assessing the best way to knock them down. As I was focusing on the pins, a chill ran up my spine.

I felt like someone was watching me again.

I tried not to dwell on it, and I tried to convince myself that I was just overreacting, but my body seemed to think otherwise. I threw the bowling ball and it just ended up rolling into the gutter.

Fuck.

"Whoop, Haven!" Brenda cheered.

I took a dramatic bow for her which made everyone laugh. The rest of the night went pretty much like this. Robbie and Vince were neck and neck the entire time but in the last round, Vince managed to get two strikes which brought him into first place. Robbie came in second with Brenda in third, and I of course was last. No surprise there.

"Do you guys wanna join us for drinks?" Robbie asked, as we were all taking off our bowling shoes and putting our regular shoes back on. I glanced over at Vince who just gave me a look that said it's up to you.

Surprisingly, I found myself shrugging and saying, "Yeah, sure." Brenda and Robbie started making their way to the front counter. As Vince and I were trailing behind them, I bumped my shoulder into his and said, "I can get you that beer I owe you now."

Vince smirked. "That's right. You also owe me some other things," he said in a low voice so that only I could hear. I shivered as his lips gently brush along my ear.

"I know," I whispered.

Vince grabbed the bowling shoes from my hand and dropped them off at the counter. I walked over to Robbie and Brenda who were standing off to the side. Brenda giggled at something Robbie had said.

"Which bar are we meeting at?" I asked.

"The one of fifth," Brenda said. Her smile soon faded when her eyes drifted to something behind me. "Uh oh. Someone's trying to steal your man."

I turned to find Vince and a girl standing at the counter. His eyes flickered over to me as the girl spoke. From where I was standing, I could hear them perfectly.

"My friend was wondering if she could get your number," she asked.

What was it with girls throwing themselves at Vince? It felt like they were doing more often since we got together. I always knew girls fell head over heels for him, I mean how could you not? His gray eyes were enough to pull you in.

"I don't think my girlfriend would like that," he said in a flat tone.

"Oh? Well it never hurts to ask," she said before sauntering off to a group of girls that were watching from their bowling lane.

Vince placed his hand on the back of my waist. "Ready?" he asked.

I slipped my hand into his and nodded. I turned to Brenda and Robbie. "We'll see you there."

To say the bar was packed would be an understatement. It seemed like it was overcapacity and somehow, Brenda managed to find a small table towards the back of the bar next to the wall. Vince and Robbie went to order our drinks while we held down the fort.

We were about three beers in, and Brenda was telling the story of how I tripped some guy in our class because he was being a huge asshole to this other kid. There was no actual evidence that I had tripped him, but he did somehow manage to face plant onto the floor after I had given him some pretty colorful words.

"I did not," I protested as everyone laughed.

"I swear, you did!"

I stuck my tongue out at her. "Where's the proof?"

She threw her head back and laughed. She looked at Vinny to try to get some sort of confirmation from him.

He simply shrugged and said, "That's my girl."

I kissed his cheek, grateful that he was taking my side.

Brenda still had a smile on her face when she rolled eyes and told us to get a room. I jumped down from the stool I was sitting on and excused myself to use the bathroom. Brenda jumped off her stool as well to join me. She linked her hand in mine and led us towards the bathroom.

There was a small line, but it went pretty fast. Thank god, because I didn't know how long I could hold it in. Brenda let me go first. I thanked her profusely while I stepped into the bathroom. It didn't take me long and I quickly stepped out so that Brenda could go.

"I'll wait for you at the end of the hall," I told her, and she nodded in response.

As I made my way through the crowd of girls standing in line, I made it to the end of the hall. I pulled out my phone to look at the notifications I had received. There was nothing important, just a message from Insta that Hazel updated her story.

Someone ran into me from behind, making me drop my phone onto the floor. I grimaced down at the phone and hoped that I didn't just c***k the screen.

"Excuse me," the stranger said. He bent down to pick up the phone for me. He held it out for me to take.

"Thank you," I said.

No damage.

"Sorry about that," he said.

I looked up from the phone to let my gaze settle on the stranger. I furrowed my brows, wondering if I had seen him before. He had dark brown curly hair and light brown eyes. He had a sharp noise and pointed jaw. I could've sworn I've met him before.

He just stared down at me.

I shook my head to collect my thoughts. "Um, no worries. It's all good," I said.

"There you are!" Brenda said coming up behind me. The stranger took that as his chance to escape. Brenda watched him walk away. "Who's the hottie?"

I shrugged. "He bumped into me."

She looked back at the direction he had gone in. "He's yummy."

I rolled my eyes. "You're drunk."

She giggled. "I may be drunk, but I know when I see a cute guy."

I linked my arm with hers to lead her back to our table. "You're on a date right now."

Another giggle escaped her lips. "Robbie's cute too, huh?"

I laughed. "Yes. Yes, he is."

-THP-