"Do you wanna go down to the park and throw the football for a while? Or would you rather go to LOST?" 

I scoffed at the options Nick provided me. No way did I want to go to LOST. The arcade/pool hall was known to be filled with high school students. It got its name from the many times patrons literally got 'lost' from time playing the games. Sometimes they would be here until sundown and not even realize how long it's been. 

It's even happened to me on occasion. 

The reason Nick liked it so much was because a lot of girls from school came by to play pool. And where there were girls, there was Nick and Nate. At least, that's how it used to be. Up until the whole Karma thing. 

"Come on, man," he pleaded. "Ever since you got back from Florida, you don't want to do anything." 

Shit. He wasn't wrong. I've been ignoring most of his calls lately. Mainly for this reason. I didn't want to go to LOST and hit on girls all day. Something about the act seemed so low and shitty now. I think this was the first time I've ever been disgusted with myself. 

"I know, Nick. That's my bad. I just have a lot going on planning for college. I don't really feel like going to LOST," I said to my best friend. "Why don't we throw the football then get something to eat after?"

His brows rose so high, they nearly got lost in his blonde hair. "You are preparing for college?" 

I snickered at that. "Yeah, right. My mom is the one preparing for college and trying to convince me to go. Hell, she even begged me to go to a community college. When I said I didn't plan on going, she grounded me. That's why I've been a little out of touch."

Most of it was true. My mom did sit me down at the dining room table in front of many college brochures. She tried to convince me that college was the answer. But I didn't even need to look at one of them to know that college wasn't for me. I was honest with her and told her I either wanted to go into my dad's business and take over his body shop where he worked on cars, or to join the army. 

The other truth of it was that I haven't really felt like doing the same old shit as before. Not since the whole Karma incident. Man, I really shouldn't have gone over to her place that night. What the hell as I thinking? 

But I knew. I was hoping for a chance to see her again. Common sense told me she would probably avoid me at school. Like she usually did. I guess I was hoping she would look at me like she did at the beach. 

And she did. At least a little. I saw it in her eyes before I said goodbye to her. But I also saw her reserve. Man, that girl was more stubborn than I thought. I wouldn't be trying so hard to be with her if I didn't know she actually felt something for me. 

And she feels something. That was the one thing I was sure of. Everything else was a clusterfuck. 

"Well?" Nick asked irritably. "What do you wanna do? I don't want to stay inside today."

It was a tough question. I didn't want to throw the football or go to LOST.

"What about going to see a movie?" I could get on board with that. 

"There's nothing good playing, Nate."

With a sigh, I ran my hand over my face. "Fine. Let's go to LOST. But if we go, can we actually play a game of pool? Like...a whole game?" 

"Since when do you not want to pick up women?" 

Since I started jonsing after a leggy brunette who seems to drive me absolutely crazy. 

"Since never," I lied. "Of course, I still wanna hook up with girls, but I had a lot of that in Florida." Lie, lie, lie. "But now it's time for us to actually hang out and have some, you know, guy time." 

Nick stared at me like I grew three heads. "Bro, that sounds gay." He laughed. "Just kidding. Sounds good to me. I can't promise that I won't talk to a girl or two if the opportunity presents itself, though."

"Deal."

Little wins. 

***

"Am I breaking? Or are you?" 

Nick stared at the pins. "I will. You always win when you break." 

That made me smile a little. "I win every time I play you, Nick, because I'm better at pool than you are." 

"Whatever. We'll see who wins this time." 

While Nick racked up the balls, I grabbed a pool stick from the holder. Where was the—ah, there it was. I reached to the left and grabbed the cue chalk before buffering the end of my stick. 

It's been a while since we played a game of pool here. One added bonus today was the fact that there was barely anybody in this section. Everyone was in the arcade. And by everyone I meant the girls. 

Thank God. This whole thing wasn't just because of my confused feelings over Karma, either. I meant what I said about Nick and I hanging out. We met in elementary school and have been best friends ever since. We were inseparable and did everything together. Even when we got into trouble. 

If I wanted things to get somewhat back to normal now that I was back in New York, hanging out with my best friend was the first step. No girls. Just the two of us. It was all I could really handle right now. Hence this pool game. 

Nick leaned over the pool table and lined up his stick. "Here we go." 

He pulled the pool stick back before shotting it forward. There was a loud crack! as the balls separated. Two balls went in. First it was a solid blue two and the second was an orange striped eleven. 

"Oh!" I drawled with a smile. "Looks like it's my turn." 

"Yeah, yeah," he whined. "Your stripes this time. Of course." 

Nick hated when I was stripes. Every game I won was when I was stripes. He was probably dreading that right now. I was loving it.

"You never know, Nick. This might be the one game that you win." 

He scoffed at that. "Just shoot, Nate." 

Walking around the table I looked for a good shot. And there it was. Oh yeah. If I got this, two would go into the side pocket. 

I got into position and lined up the stick with the cue ball. Concentrating hard, I made sure to hit the ball in the perfect position. 

And just like that, two of my balls went in. 

"Dammit," Nick mumbled. 

I walked around the pool table and chuckled. "Aw, stop whining. Its unbecoming." 

"Unbecoming? Who even talks like that?" 

Ignoring his question, I got ready for my next shot. Another one in. 

"We might as well end the game now," he snapped. 

"I thought you wanted to come here to enjoy yourself, Nick. Stop worrying about me winning. Just have fun." 

"Yeah, you're right. I'm going to put some quarters into the jukebox. You have any special requests?" 

I shook my head. "Nah. Anything is good." 

While he went to pick some music, I eyed the options I had on the table. There weren't many, unfortunately. There was one with red 15, but I would have to play off of one of his balls. If it went in, it would automatically be his turn. Oh well. I didn't really have any other options. 

Linkin Park's Numb filled the pool hall and I smiled. One thing that we shared an interest in was music. We went to a few rock concerts together, and even though they usually ended up with us getting kicked out, they were a fucking blast. 

Nick returned to the table and reached for his soda. "By the way, do you have any plans for Saturday?" 

I went for the shot and got mine in. And I had no choice but to play off his ball. "Your turn," I said. "Saturday? Nothing really. Why?" 

Nick took a shot and made two balls in. He was getting better. "Well, I thought about what you said about us hanging out. You were right. It has been all about girls for a while. It's about time Nick and Nate have some bro time." 

"Okay," I laughed, "now you're the one who sounds gay." 

"Very funny." He went for another hit and missed. "So, I have an idea," he said when he straightened. 

Uh oh. When Nick had an idea, we usually ended up grounded. "What's your idea?" 

I got the next two balls in. Yes! I only had one left before the eight ball. Then I'll win. 

"Well, I was thinking we could go to Coney Island." 

Another shot and I got another ball in. Now it was just the eight ball. Shit. It wasn't in an easy spot. Running my hand through my hair, I studied the table. 

"Did you hear me?"

I got the stick ready. "Sorry, what?"

"Coney Island. I think we should go." 

That got my attention—and not in a good way. "The carnival? Really? I don't know..."

"Come on," he pleaded. "It's the perfect thing for us. We can go ride some rides and play some games. Besides, who else is gonna throw up on the tilt-a-whirl, nearly turning green?" 

"That happened once!"

"I don't care. Come on, Nate." He clapped his hands together. "Okay. How about this, you make that shot and we go. If you don't, then we won't."

"Fine. Deal." With a sigh I leaned forward and took the shot. 

And I got it in. The magic 8 ball, as Nick called it.

Looking up at my best friend, I smiled. "Alright. Coney Island it is."

🖤

Coney Island carnival is coming soon!! Who's excited? 😏