Chapter 22
Camie followed Toga to the counter and they booked a lane. Both of them gave their shoe sizes and waited for the clerk to hand them the shoes they would wear.
Once their shoes were on, they walked over to their lane and put their names into the machine.
“You’re up first,” Toga grinned up at Camie.
Camie nodded and headed over to where the bowling balls were dispensed. She looked through them before she found the right size and marched over to the start of their lane.
Deep breaths Camie, you can do this. Just do it how you normally do, there’s no need to embarrass yourself.
She took a deep breath as she stood with her eyes closed, trying to calm herself down. She finally opened her eyes and took a step forward. At the same time she swung her arm backwards and brought it forward again before releasing the ball. It seemed to roll in slow motion as it moved towards the pins. It hit the pins halfway on the right side, knocking over seven. Camie retrieved her ball as it came back through the machine and went again. The last three pins were knocked down and then it was Toga’s turn.
She moved over to the ball dispenser and picked a random ball. Camie watched silently as Toga copied her movements and released the ball. It started off down the lane before veering off into the gutter. Toga cocked her head to the side and pouted as she watched the ball roll past the pins without touching them. Her second time wasn’t any better either.
“How did you manage to make it look so easy?” She said as she approached Camie after not knocking over a single pin.
Camie shrugged as she looked at Toga, “Have you never been bowling before?”
Toga shook her head.
“Then why did you suggest coming here?” Camie said with a small smile.
The unfamiliar face flushed and Toga avoided eye contact as she answered, “I thought it would be something you would enjoy.”
“Well, it is but how about next time we choose some place we would both enjoy?”
Toga nodded and finally looked up at Camie, “It’s your turn.”
“Do you want me to ask them to put the railings up so the ball won’t fall into the gutter?”
“Isn’t there an age limit on that?”
“We can just pretend to be really tall for our age.” Camie shrugged and Toga giggled in response.
“Or you could just help me.”
Camie started to go red and looked away to try and stop the blood rush to her face. “T…that could work too,” she finally answered.
Camie took a bit longer to focus before bowling; the ball went straight down the lane and knocked over nine of the pins. The last pin was hit on her next bowl.
Toga skipped over to Camie by the bowling ball dispenser and picked up the ball she had used last time. She turned to walk to the start of the lane but was stopped by Camie.
“Is this the one you used last time?”
“Yes it is, why?”
“Is it not too heavy?” Camie asked.
“It is a little heavy but nothing I can’t handle,” Toga stated confidently.
Camie smiled softly at her before taking the ball out of her hands and putting it back on the dispensing rack. She shifted through the other bowling balls as Toga watched in confusion. After inspecting them all, Camie picked up a purple ball and handed it to Toga.
Toga’s eyes widened in surprise, “It’s a lot lighter.”
“Bowling balls come in different sizes,” Camie explained, “While you would be able to use a slightly heavier one than this one, I do think the lighter one would be better until you get used to the technique for bowling.”
“What size was I using?” Toga asked out of curiosity.
“Uh… to put it in terms you’ll understand,” Camie thought for a moment. “Oh, All Might would probably use it…or maybe not, but definitely a male adult.”
“I managed to pick it up just fine though, maybe I had some slight trouble but I could still lift it.”
“Hmm, that may be due to your training with the Lea…with your family,” Camie corrected herself. “However no normal high school girl would be able to and besides that, it would affect the release of the ball and more than likely the ball would end up in the gutter.”
“You know a lot about this, don’t you?” Toga asked as she moved the ball between her hands.
Camie brought her hand to the back of her neck and gave Toga a sheepish smile, “I …uh, my dad really enjoys bowling so we often come here together.”
Toga nodded with a small smile, “So I’m being taught by a pro?”
“I wouldn’t say pro,” Camie blushed slightly. They stood there for a second while silence descended upon them. “Let’s go, I’ll show you how to do the run up and release.”
Once they got to the start of their lane, Camie took the ball from Toga and took a few steps back. Toga watched as Camie explained the technique.
“You take a few steps forwards and swing your arm back. Upon release you want to keep your arm straight and move it in a straight line. Don’t bring your arm forwards across your body as the ball won’t go straight and will land up in the gutter. Release the ball when it is closest to the ground but keep your arm moving further so that you don’t lose any force or speed directed to your bowl.”
Toga listened intently and took the ball back from Camie; she managed to knock down six pins on her first bowl and three on her next. She pouted at the last pin that remained standing, mocking her.
Camie giggled, “You don’t have to be that upset. Nine pins is still a great achievement.”
The two continued their game and on Toga’s last turn, she managed to knock over every pin.
“I did it!” she squealed and jumped up and down, celebrating her first strike.
Camie laughed and congratulated her, “Celebratory ice cream?” She offered once Toga had calmed down.
“Yes!”
They handed back the borrowed shoes and walked out of the bowling alley and headed to the nearest ice cream shop. After choosing their flavours and getting their ice cream, they took a seat at one of the window tables.
“This reminds me of when we first met,” Camie commented after a while.
“That seems like it happened long ago,” Toga chuckled.
“It sort of did,” Camie replied.
“I never would have thought we would still be hanging out now after all this time.”
“Why not?”
Toga looked at Camie as if she were delusional, “Uh...because you were only supposed to be my mission.”
“Oh right, I totally forgot about that hero license fiasco.”
Toga laughed, “How do you forget something like that? Especially when you had to take supplementary lessons.”
Silence stretched out after Toga had spoken. “Camie?” Toga asked, unsure of what was going on.
“I’m thinking,” Camie whispered softly.
“About how you could have forgotten?”
“No,” Camie blushed, “I’m trying to be romantic with my answer, but saying ‘You make me forget everything but you when we hang out’ seems kind of long and cliché.”
Toga instantly went red and used her hands to cover her face, “How can you say something like that so easily?”
“I didn’t, that’s why I didn’t respond!”
Both girls looked at each other before starting to laugh. After they had stopped, Toga looked at the time.
“It’s getting kind of late, I’ll walk you home.”
“Do you have family plans tonight?” Camie asked.
Toga nodded in response as they both stood up to leave. On the way home, the two saw a few pro heroes who were out on patrols. Every time they walked passed one, Toga would visually tense up, causing Camie’s heart to race.
Instinctively Camie reached out and took Toga’s hand in hers, their new bracelet charms bumping against each other. Camie smiled down at Toga who had looked up at her, she squeezed her hand to let her know that it would be alright.
They parted at the top of Camie’s street and Toga stood there waiting for Camie to enter her house. Camie got to her door and turned to wave at Toga before heading in for the night.