Pool

The clack of pool balls striking each other filled the room as Edward entered the bar. The smell of alcohol was strong, but not quite as strong as the sound of billiard players. Edward really only came here to play. He wasn't much of a drinker. He would play for hours, however, and he participated in all the tournaments, though he didn't often win. He just loved to play.

He went straight to the back wall and collected a cue off of the racks. There were a few tables still open, and it never took long for others to come and join him at his. He set up his rack of balls and started to chalk the tip of his cue as he waited for a partner to join him. Shortly afterwards the door opened again, and a woman entered the bar whom he had not seen before. She looked around briefly before moving briskly to the wall and collecting a cue and coming straight to Edward's table.

"You're Edward, right?" He raised his eyebrow, but nodded. "Play me," she demanded. Edward chuckled and nodded, gesturing for her to take the break shot. She seemed almost angry as she took her cue and made her shot. Edward could see immediately that she was talented, as she sunk two balls right off the bat.

Over the night, they played at least a dozen games, though Edward lost track. The mysterious girl beat him at every game, without difficulty. She rarely missed a shot. The entire time, though, she seemed to be angry at him, as if his playing was somehow insulting her. He couldn't tell what was wrong, and so dedicated himself to playing. After a few games, he found it was necessary for him to purposefully make shots that blocked her off from the pockets, just so that he could have a turn.

By the end of the night, Edward had slowly managed to get closer to beating her at the game, but she seemed no closer to relieving her anger. As they played, they didn't talk. People came by to watch, and yet they seemed as entranced as the players were, as though they were not themselves allowed to speak. They didn't stop playing until the owner came to them at the end of a game and asked them to go home.

As they stepped outside, Edward stopped the woman. "What's the matter?" he asked her. She almost glared at him. "You were clearly the better player. I've never met you before. I have no idea who you are. Why are you so angry with me?"

"Why do you play the game?" she asked roughly. "I've heard all about you. Always playing, always competing, and yet you rarely win against good players. So why?"

Edward blinked, surprised. "I play to have fun," he responded simply. The woman shook her head and walked away.

Edward watched her go, confused. Her anger seemed so misplaced. "She needs to relax," he muttered to himself. "It's just a game."