Grandma tried to teach me to bowl when I was a kid. But when I enter the Essence of Simties, I suddenly realize how far back in time these lessons now seem.

I’m the leader of a group of teenagers, and at that moment, I’m painfully aware I’m about to get absolutely ridiculed. But then I look around — and it is very clear that none of us have any idea what they got themselves into. Tacitly, we agree that we’re ready to get very ridicule, very fast, together. And we march into the bowling alley as if we owned it.

Which, surprisingly, none of us do.

… This is going to be a disaster.

Shanna sent her ball straight into the gutter. Marie, in the background, looks uncharacteristically happy, I must say.

…

There was an attempt.

The ball won’t defeat me. Determined as ever, I know I’m getting better at this as the evening progresses.

Marie and Romain, talking in the background. What are they talking about? Is he making her laugh?

As I go for my attempt at a Spare (or in this case… my attempt at touching any  pin, really), I hear Charlotte join their conversation, and I thank her silently.

Six pins go down. Marie misses the whole thing in favor of whoever’s Smistagram she suddenly chose to stalk.

Terrible at bowling, but great at being friends.