You Taught Me to Fly

Around eleven that night, just as I was about to drift off, a text from Elijah popped up on my phone. It caught me off guard.

Was I coming off as desperate? Should I even be worrying about that?

We were both from Hanesville, Pennsylvania.

Well, damn, I was curious…

The temptation to say 'date' was almost too much. It was a wonder I held back.

I laughed. I wasn’t sure why, it just seemed funny.

I switched off my phone, grinning like an idiot, still in disbelief that he wanted to hang out again. Yes!!

Bowling on a Sunday meant we’d likely have the place to ourselves. At least, that’s what I was hoping for. I couldn’t wait.

***

By ten-thirty, I was all set and waiting, impatient for the next ninety minutes to pass. Time seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace. Autumn found it amusing that I was ready so early.

“Well,” I explained, “he might show up early and I don’t want to be caught off guard.”

She rolled her eyes, made a comment about me being overly eager, and something about being smitten before she disappeared back into her room with her breakfast tray.

I decided to grab some coffee and watch reruns of my favorite show on a streaming site.

At eleven-thirty, there was a knock at my door. My stomach twisted with nerves as I got up to answer it. The nerves only intensified when I opened the door to find Elijah standing there.

He’d dressed up a bit, making me feel underdressed. He was wearing a tee-shirt under a jacket, fitted jeans, and…were those cowboy boots?

I was in baggy jeans, a tee-shirt, and sneakers.

“I need to go change,” I told him.

He reached out and caught my arm just as I was about to head to my room.

“No, it’s okay. These are my church clothes. I’m going to change when we get to where we’re going.”

That piqued my curiosity. “You go to church?” He didn’t seem like the religious type.

He made a face.

“I only go because my parents make me.”

Ah, got it.

I gestured for him to lead the way. He did, and as he turned to head out the door, his hand brushed down my arm. Was that on purpose? No way…

About thirty minutes later, we pulled up to a bowling alley just outside of town.

For a moment, I was worried this was his way of hanging out where no one would see us. It made sense, considering I didn’t want to be outed, but was he trying to hide me?

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Apparently, it showed.

“I’m not ashamed to hang out with you, Luke.” He said just as I was about to get out of the car.

His blue eyes met my green ones and I believed him. He must’ve sensed my doubt, though, because he asked if I believed him.

I nodded.

He smiled. “I’m glad.” He patted my hand that was resting on my leg and then got out of the car.

I followed him into the building once he changed (no, I didn’t watch), and was surprised to find it wasn’t as deserted as I’d expected.

A man, who looked to be in his forties, stood by the front counter where you pay for a game and get your shoes.

“You must be the owner,” I guessed.

He smiled and nodded. He looked eerily similar to Elijah. Regardless, I extended my hand because it’s polite.

“You must be Luke,” he said, shaking my hand firmly.

“You know my name?” I asked as we shook hands.

“My son has told me a lot about you,” he said as we let go.

I looked at Elijah.

“Son??” I echoed.

He smirked just a bit and before he could say anything, it hit me. “Luke, this is my father, the owner of several of these bowling alleys across the state.”

My eyes widened in shock. I was meeting his dad?! Looking like this?! I wanted to be mad at Elijah for that.

“Sir, I am so sorry for how I look. I swear to God, I usually—”

He cut me off with a laugh and a raised hand.

“It’s quite alright, Luke. The point was to meet in an informal setting. You’re a fine young man. I don’t need you dressing fancy to see that. Now, Eli, you know the rules, right?”

Eli nodded.

“Only one lane is allowed to be open,” he recited, “and I must abide by all safety regulations, which means Luke is not allowed anywhere but out here.”

His father patted him on the shoulder and handed over some keys.

“You guys have free run of the food and drinks, just clean up after you’re done, and lock up when you want to leave. Have fun, you two.” With that, he walked out, leaving us alone.

I was stunned.

“That…was your…father…”

He smiled. “That was my father.”

“And he just…lets you…”

He nodded. “I grew up around these, and they all work the same. I’m gonna go start up the middle lane. Stay here?”

I nodded. “Mind if I find my shoe size?” I asked as he walked away.

“Not at all; while you’re at it, could you find me a pair? Size nine.”

“Sure thing.”

Could this be real? I was bowling with Elijah, just the two of us. It felt like a dream.

I pinched myself to check. Ouch. It was real. I was really here with him, and I had to keep my cool.

We were just friends. That’s all. Two buddies hanging out at a bowling alley. Alone. That’s normal, right?

He returned just as I finished lacing up my shoes. I decided to have a little fun with him.

“I couldn’t find your size or the one above, so I got you size eleven. Is that okay?”

His eyes widened for a split second before he realized I was handing him size nine shoes.

“You shit-twat!” He laughed, playfully smacking my arm with the shoes. It didn’t hurt.

I chuckled. “Shit-twat?”

“I’ll hit you again, Luke!” He threatened, waving the shoes at me with a goofy grin.

I raised my hands in surrender. “Okay, I’m sorry. Do you forgive me, Elijah?”

“Only if you start calling me Eli. Everyone else does.”

I liked that. A lot.

“Eli it is, then.”

He rolled his eyes. “Just go pick a ball, you goof.”

I headed towards the rack near the entrance while he went to another one on the opposite side. We met in the middle, each with our chosen balls.

We played one and a half rounds before things took an unexpected turn.

He beat me by over a hundred points in the first round. I was out of practice, having not bowled in ages. But in the second round, I was catching up.

I had just scored my third strike in a row, putting me in the lead. I turned around to gloat, but I never got the chance.

He was standing much closer than I expected. Before I could say anything, he had his hands on my face, leaning in.

I should’ve stopped him, but instead, I kissed him back. It was everything I’d ever dreamed of.

His lips were soft and gentle. His hands roamed, one sliding into my hair. It felt incredible.

We moved closer, our lips exploring each other. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. But if he did, he didn’t seem to mind.

He was an amazing kisser. I’d been kissed before, but never like this, never so deeply or for so long.

But my overthinking brain couldn’t let me enjoy the moment. Insecurity crept in, ruining what should’ve been a simple, sweet, magical moment.

So, like the idiot I am, I pulled away too soon.