A Loaded God Complex.

Nicole had gotten sick and Pete didn't want to come anymore, seeing as how he didn't really know or seem to like Ryan. So, I sat alone at a lane designated for us. He still hadn't shown and I was getting nervous, people were starting to stare. The older, larger men were probably the most intimidating right next to if Ryan were here himself. Trying to burn time I entered our names into the computer, then sitting forward I rested my head on my hand. A wind came from behind me and I looked up to see him setting down his bag on the chair next to me.

"Sorry I'm late." He seemed rushed and a little messy in appearance. Sitting down across from me he shoved on his shoes and then I watched him grab a ball. Taking breath, he slapped his knees, "How's it going anyways?"

"Good." I answered covering the shakiness in my voice and feeling previous fears fade, "I thought you weren't going to show." I added, quickly feeling dumb for it as his face fell.

"Oh, no… I was running late for guitar lessons." Ryan's voice was full of remorse, a guilt I put there. "Hey, let's bowl."

"You go first." The corner of my mouth twitched contagiously as Ryan's mouth returned to a small grin.

"Ok." Ryan approached the lane and rolled the ball with some force. He waited in anticipation until the ball hit all ten pins. Turning, complete surprise and glee covered his face. "How did that happen?" He cheered.

"I dunno!" I shrugged hoping I didn't sound corny. Shifting in my seat as he came closer, choosing the seat next to me this time he placed his backpack on the ground.

Ryan patted my back and leisurely moved it to my arm where it lingered a moment more, "Come Bren." He rooted.

Standing, I bowled my turn, which was no where as graceful as his. It hit the ground with a thud and rolled straight into the gutter. When I turned around to get my ball to bowl for my second round Ryan was giving me a thumbs up for luck. Inhaling deeply I swung my arm and naturally released the ball from my fingers. That time it hit at least a few of the pins. The game went quickly and more- and more overweight, old men started coming into the bowling alley. We didn't play another game since leagues were starting, so we decided to get some ice cream.

"You've never heard of The Beatles?" Ryan asked after gulping down a bite of strawberry ice cream. I shook my head, I didn't listen to older music, in fact I really didn't listen to music in general. It made it a little hard to talk about it.

"I don't know I might…" I lied to keep the conversation going.

"I know this woman who plays them all the time in the nursing home." He squinted his eyes and pointed at me, "Hey, do you want to hang out again next weekend?"

"Um- yeah sure. We could play badminton in the cemetery." I suggested my stomach full of sugar and butterflies fueled by excitement.

"Well, I was thinking you could help out down at the nursing home. Nicole could come too... And Pete if he's into that."

"No, not Pete."

Last time I was at the nursing home was in fifth grade for Christmas caroling. Some grumpy man started chasing after me with his wheelchair and threw his Jell-O at me. I'm pretty sure the rest of the old- well old old people were too blind or senile to see the growths on my head. Yet, I couldn't help want to even if I had such a major phobia.

"I can check," I scratched the back of my neck and fiddled with the spoon in my melting ice cream.

"Cool. So what is Pete's deal?" Ryan inquired lightly.

"He's just-- I really don't know. I guess he has always been moody, even before he tried to commit suicide." Instantly my muscles clenched stiff and I wanted to take back what I just told Ryan. It just came out, I don't know why I felt comfortable enough to tell him that, "Don't tell him you know."

"It doesn't matter. I wouldn't tell him anyways." A sigh of relief came out and Ryan must have noticed, "We should just move on." He kindly recommended.

"Homecoming is coming up." I mentioned, feeling awkward for starting random conversation.

"Nice, is there a dance?"

"Yeah, every year someone spikes the punch." Ryan chuckled, caught off guard I for a moment thought he was laughing at me.

"I'll watch out," I felt my diaphragm move uncontrollably at his contagious laughter. As it died down he groaned, "Well, I'll start looking for a date."

My insides felt funny and I no longer wanted to look at the boy next to me, "Why? Is it a bad thing?"

"No," He said simply, "I know they'll expected of me to show up with one."

"You don't have to."

"I know, I know." Ryan muttered calmly and quietly. Subconsciously, I gazed at the clock.

"It is 11:00?" Rushing, I zipped up my sweater and started running out the door. I was half and hour past my curfew.

"See you later?!" He called after me.

"Sure."

I looked foolish, running and trotting past corners, but I knew the later I was the more trouble I was in. On the way I couldn't help it, the scene of Ryan holding his hand on my shoulder and his smile kept playing over and over in my head. Then it went back even further to him dabbing my antler and removing the kite from my head, they wouldn't leave me alone. I couldn't figure out why my below my navel kept tingling either.