- So… where are we heading? I asked, once in the car.
I gazed at him as he shifted gear and drove pass the crossing. It was dark outside and the streetlights threw strangely shaped shadows of our silhouettes in the old, deep red car.
- I'd thought we'd go bowling, one of the most obvious and old fashion way to do this, but on the other hand you don't have to talk all that much.
It was an odd answer.
- So you don't like talking? I asked as I carefully watched his facial expression.
- I'm talking right now, he answered, raising an eyebrow.
- Seems like I'm not the only one who's hostile.
He grinned and threw a quick eye on me.
- Yea, about that, are you always that pleasant to deal with?
- Not really, I answered.
- You're just really hard against me and my friends?
- And other jackasses in general.
- So you think that my friends and I are assholes?
His question was honest and ha glanced at me. Don't screw this up now Jenny.
- I might have to reconsider that later. And when it comes to your friends: john seems nice, but my neighbor and the Turks… nah.
- They do have names you know.
He smirked; telling me that what I'd just said could be worse and that he not was going to get angry about it.
- I know. Not to be racist or something, but they are equally as big jerks.
- Great way to open at Jen, he said, smiling at my outspokenness.
- My name isn't Jen, I replied stubbornly.
- Too bad, it's sweet.
I rolled my eyes and he smiled at it, showing of a dimple.
- Are we leaving this subject now?
- Sure. What do you want to talk about next, Jen?

The bowling hall was, as everything else, decorated for Christmas. The red baubles and garlands created contrasts into the 50's decorated room. New stuff wasn't supposed to meet old, at least not in this way. With a bad grin I laced my bowling shoes. It was just the two of us here, and an old couple in their late sixties. He looked query at me and I immediately replied:
- I've never liked bowling shoes.
He smirked, as usual.
- Don't worry, no one here will judge you for wearing them.
I blushed.
- I didn't mean… I just don't like how they fit. They are to flat, I said a bit to rapidly to change his mind.
- Yeah, right. I've never seen you wear heals though, but it's cool Jen, I get you.
I felt the anger rise within me as I followed him down to the bowling lane.
- And you're right. They do look like shit.
He turned around blew of a charmingly smile and winked at me. I shook my head, wondering what would feel the best right now; to slap him in the face or to melt down to a small pool of something Hannah would call love, and I would call attraction.

We played for a while, chatting. After all it was going pretty well. I'd let down my guard at the first swing. Gently he'd sneaked up behind me, stealing my ball as I was going to throw it. Smirkingly he had me begging him to give it back. Clearly he had me just where he wanted me to be. And though it irked me, I had to admit that I had a blast.
- So what do you want to do when you graduate? I asked as we sat curled up next to each other at one of the old benches.
The light was soft but yellow and his warm, brown eyes weren't sparkling anymore as they did when he smiled. Instead he glanced out over the room. The muscles in his face were relaxed and his, usually, straggly hair had fallen down in his face.
He shrugged and sighed, looked at me with something empty in his eyes.
- I don't know. I'd guess I'll go to college, graduate and then come back to takes over the business after the old man.
- That's the plan? I looked at him lamenting.
- It's his plan. And I don't have any better idea. I know I can run a business since we've done it in school now for a semester.
I crinkled my nose.
- With Isaac, John and the Turks.
He laughed, and for a moment the spark in his eyes was back.
- Yeah, with Isaac, John and the Turks.
- But that's not your plan, I said, pointing out the obvious.
- No it's not, he said.
Then he smiled, as if he were pushing away everything about his dad and his future.
- My plans for now though, are to spend the rest of the year enjoying myself. And driving you home, the owner over there has been looking quite angrily at us for a while and I'd guess that he wants to close up this place and go home. Maybe to his beautiful wife.
I smiled at his assuming, but got up from the pink, leather clothed sofa.

After pulling over at my street he stepped out of the car, and before I'd opened the door he'd rushed over to my side and opened it for me with a gentle bow.
I smiled and hid a laugh; shaking my head.
- I've really had fun tonight, he said looking in to my eyes as we stood in front of my door.
I smiled and wished that he wouldn't see how I blushed.
- Me too, I said, shyer then I ever thought I could get.
- I'll see you around Jennifer Anderson.
Gently he leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek before he turned around, walked down the steps and out on the street. And then he was gone.