Tonight was the big date. My first date. Ever. And it was with Ashley. The girl who has my heart. And I couldn't be more excited!

I wanted to make sure I was dressed right, acted right, and treated her right. Therefore, no getting high right before the date… No matter how nervous I was.

Was Ash nervous? I kind of hoped she was, just so I wouldn't be the only nervous one. Christine was there to help me get ready.

"Ok hun, here's what I think you should wear based on what I know about the date you're going on. Ashley said to make sure you don't know a damn thing about where you're going or what you're doing. It's supposed to be a fun surprise. And, since I know this is your first date here my motherly advice for you. Just have fun; that's what dating is supposed to be, fun."

She has me put on some blue jeans and a super classy t-shirt because, as she puts it, I need to be comfortable for where I'm going.

A knock on the door has be jump just the slightest, and I know it has to be Ashley. Christine answers the door, and now I have confirmation it's definitely Ash.

I walk out of the bedroom and into the office space where the door outside it.

"You look great Spence. Are you ready?"

"I sure am", I say like the dork I am. I quickly add "You look wonderful too Ash."

"Well, let's get this show on the road then, shall we?"

"Yes, let's go."

"Bye Mom!"

"Bye Christine! And thanks for everything!"

"You girls have fun now, you hear?"

"Yes ma'am." I say as I get into the passenger side.

Since its dark now, I can't really tell where we're going. Which I guess isn't that bad of a thing.

Next thing I know, we are pulling into a parking spot on the street. Ash comes around and opens the door for me, and I blush in response as I say thank you.

"It's no problem beautiful." She says that effortlessly, as if she's done this a million times.

She leads me towards a bowling alley, and I take this time to look at my surroundings momentarily.

We're at Boardwalk Bowl, right by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It's got all the fixings of a good old fashion bowling alley; the smell, the look, the feel. It all brought back memories of when my own grandfather used to take me to the old bowling alley he had a league at.

We head inside and right to the counter.

"We'd like some games please."

"Sure Miss. How many games?"

Ashley ponders this for a moment before answering with three. The guy at the counter sets us up at the far left, the one at the end. He hands us our shoes (we actually have the same size feet!) so we head over to the lane. I put my shoes on and try to find a ball that I can use. It looks like Ashley's doing the same. When we're both satisfied, we take a seat to set up the names on the board.

"So I was thinking we could pick out each other's name. You know, kind of make it fun and funny at the same time."

"Did you already have a name for me, is that it Ash?"

"Yes, I did. Can I put it in?"

"Yeah, go ahead." As I'm thinking of a name for her, I don't even notice the name she's picked out for me. "Spencry?"

"Yup. Now put yours for me in there."

I haven't thought about it too much, but I think I have something now that that's my official bowling name. So, I type in Ashtray.

She starts laughing, and I can't help but smile at the fact that I'm the one who make her smile and laugh like that. It's a hearty laugh that's genuine. And, I want to make her laugh like that forever.

"Why'd you pick 'Ashtray'. That's kind of lame."

"I'll tell you why if you tell me why you picked 'Spencry'. Deal?"

"Deal. I chose it because you're going to be crying after you lose tonight. You?"

"Because you're gonna need an ashtray to put all the roaches in after you stop being depressed by your loss."

"Well, let's put that to the test, shall we?"

With that, we begin bowling. Ash figured that with three games, we'd each at least win one. The third game is of course to determine the winner of the whole kit-n-caboodle.

Ash easily wins the first game. I'm not the best at bowling. Due to my size, it can be hard to throw the ball accurately. The second game starts out like the first, with Ashley doing much better than I am. By the end of the second frame, she's already ahead by 8 pins.

It's the top of the third, and my turn, so I head up to the lines. I feel a presence behind me, and I already know it's her. She grabs me by the waist and tries to help put me into position. I barely hear her whisper in my ear, "It's probably better for you to stand over here. I've been watching you the whole time and I noticed that you have some curvature." She winks before leaving me.

I throw the ball down the lane and watch as 5 pins are knocked down. I'm surprised and happy all at the same time. I must have had a giant smile on my face as I head to grab my ball for the second throw because Ashley just winked at me again and gave me the biggest grin. When I throw the ball again, I knock the down 3 more pins. I squeal a little unintentionally as I head back to sit right next to her.

She puts her arm around the back of my chair, and I must admit it feels nice to feel liked. I don't think I'll ever tire of feeling this way.

We finish the second game, and somehow I won it. I think that Ash might have let me win so we can go all final cage death match with the last one. The final game was neck and neck for the most part. She'd be up by a little bit, then I'd be up by a little bit. It was so back and forth that I just stopped worrying about who would win, and focused on trying to win. Is that wrong of me?

"Want to make a bet Spence?"

"What kind of bet?"

"If I win, you have to do anything I want tonight." She pauses, looks right in my eyes and says, "Anything."

"And if I win Ash?"

"I will do anything you want tonight. Anything at all."

I didn't want to look to eager so I pretended to ponder this for a moment before agreeing.

By top of the tenth frame, I was up by only a few pins. I did marginally well and held my own. But would it be enough to win?

It was Ashley's turn. She grabs a strike, then a second strike. Then for her last throw she nails 9 of 10 pins. She turns to face me after her victory and has a smirk on her face that tells me I'm in for it.

"Are you gonna cry Spencey Wencey?" she starts in a mocking tone.

"Maybe." I just state simply, trying to hide the feelings of loss I have. And the disappointment I also have within myself. How could I let myself lose?

"It wasn't your fault you lost Spence, I took classes one summer when I was a kid."

"Oh, then you just hustled me?"

"I did. I needed the leverage for later. When it would really come in handy." She winks at me before walking away to return the shoes to the counter.

"Where to next Ash?"

"Let's have some dinner." She drives me over to one of the local hole in the walls, and we just have light talk with some food. Simple food with the biggest flavors. Afterwards, she takes us home.