Finally, it was the last challenge. Whoever won this would be first place, the loser getting second and I wasn't sure who was going to get third. Not that it really mattered anyhow.
Not tiring, I cracked my fingers, ready to play whoever stepped from the dwindling crowd. A man stepped from the crowd as Louie called off the name, "Kyle."
Surprisingly, only one person came forward. He was one of the few single players, including myself, that I had seen all night. Either this man thought he was really good or was just plain stupid. Didn't matter to me anyway.
Kyle grabbed a pool stick off the table and began to chalk it, twisting the small, pink cube of chalk on the top of it. I observed him carefully, wondering what would cause this human to challenge me, knowing that I would probably beat him. It was, indeed, an interesting thought.
He had to be at least twice my age. Perhaps not that much, but he definitely was older than I was. His hair used to be blond, like mine, but now was washed out and faded defiantly. Moving with such ease, I began to reconsider about his age estimate. But, seeing the slight wrinkles upon his skin, I quickly forgot that thought and stayed with my original.
Wearing faded blue jeans, Kyle bent over and hit the white ball, sending it spiraling across the table where it instantly knocked a single red ball in. The crowd clapped, pleased that somebody might just beat me.
I rolled my eyes silently and bent down, planned my move and shot. Three striped balls landed in the holes. Kyle didn't seem fazed. He simply positioned his stick and let two more balls go into their homes. Saying nothing to me, he moved out of my way so I could get a clear shot.
Again, I shot and this time only two balls became sunk. Kyle aimed and two of the full-colored balls ricocheted off the siding and into the holes. Slowly, he looked up at me, raising one of his fading silver eyebrows. "Your turn."
I wasn't sure if the gesture was meant to be mocking or not. Firmly, I clenched my jaw, feeling the bubbling anger start to brew. I'm a temperamental person, I'll admit it. It's not a fact I'm particularly proud of, but that's life. Not to mention, when I start to fume, I begin to get a little too forceful.
Immediately, in one quick slash, I sent the rest of the striped balls into the corners. The force was a little bit too strong, for the creamy ball flew off the table after it collided with the rest of those on the table and nearly hit Olivia in the head. She shrieked and covered her curly blond head.
I didn't bother to apologize and Kyle merely looked at me, curious almost. He stuck out his arm, covered in a blue jean coat. "Nice game," he commented.
Slightly stunned that someone would ever say that to me, I paused before accepting his handshake cautiously. "Yeah…uh…you too," I mumbled.
The crowd parted as Louie stepped forward and handed me a crinkled twenty-dollar bill, Kyle received a ten, and Olivia and Aaron got a five. "Nice game, ev'rybody. Remember, tomorrow night-game."
Slowly, the crowd trudged out, some disgusted with the way I had come in and whipped everybody else's asses, others were pleased that it wasn't the same old, same old. I waited until the crowd had left before placing my pool stick on the table and reluctantly turning to leave.
"That was a good game," Louie said from behind me.
I turned around hesitantly and stared evenly at him. "Thanks…I guess," I replied, trying to remember some manners.
"You gonna be back tomorrow night?"
I shrugged. "We'll see."
Louie grinned as he slapped a wet rag down on the bar and began to wipe it down. "Hopefully, we'll see you back tomorrow."
Smiling faintly, I turned and left the tiny bar, heading out onto the streets. Outside, the sky was pitch black, as if daring a single cloud to come and adulterate its perfection. The moon, a silvery slit in the sky, grinned down at me, seemingly enjoying my happiness for once.
I pulled my black leather jacket on a little bit tighter due to the cool night air and headed alone, down the street. Tomorrow. Sigh. Yet another day to determine whether Lydecker dares to appear. I remembered my words to Louie and laughed in spite of myself. I'm not normally a laughing person, but the sarcasm I had displayed now came back to haunt me as I thought of Lydecker and his decision to "stop by".
"We'll see."