A Day At The Fair

The following day, I did not see Carson at school. I hadn't seen him in the hallways or at any of the classes that we have together. I was starting to think that he wasn't at school.

I was now at my locker getting my books for my last class. My back was turn, so I didn't see when someone came up behind me.

"Hey." I heard a voice say and I turn around quickly, while my books fell to the floor. I look up into the face of a smiling Carson.

"Carson, you moron. You scared me half to death." I scold him. I bend to pick up my books off the floor, then look back at his face, studying him. "Are you okay?" I finally asked.

"Yes I am." He answered waving away my concern. "I actually wanted to see you to tell you thanks for what you did last night." He scratched the back of his neck and grin sheepishly. "I don't remember much, but I know enough based on the blurred parts from what I actually remember and also from what Michael told me."

"It was no problem." I replied, hugging the books to my chest. I search his eyes again. "What happened Carson?" I asked quietly.

He look down at the floor for a second before looking back at me. "I was home and my father was having his usual lectures. I couldn't take it anymore, so I left. I know what I did was stupid, but...I was hoping to drink and forget everything." He said.

I look at Carson and I had the overwhelming urge to hug him. Hug him and let him know that everything was going to be okay, but I didn't. At that moment though, I couldn't help but hate his father. Hate him for what he is doing to Carson. I could see that all this was getting to him, no matter how he plays tough.

"Yes, it was foolish," I said finally, then smile at him. "But I understand."

Carson return my smile, with one of his own. A smile that lit up his whole face and made my heart do a back flip. "So, I didn't say or do anything embarrassing did I?" He asked.

"Hmm...maybe." I said with a teasing smile. Everything that he said yesterday came back to me and I couldn't help but smile at the memory. Drunk Carson was so adorable. I turn back to my locker to hide my smile as I finish gathering my books. I closed my locker and turn back around to him.

"That's all I'm going to get?" He asked still smiling. He was smiling quite a lot lately and I love when he does it.

"Yep." I replied.

"Okay, so I'll take that as a yes then." He said. I just shrug my shoulders still smiling teasingly. I had no intention of giving any information away.

"Good-bye Carson. I have to get to class." I said, giving him a little shove to get out of my way.

"Okay, okay." He raised his hands in surrender and back away. However, before I could walk away, he stopped me. "Wait."

"What is it now?" I asked, placing my hand on my hip.

"Wait for me at my car after school." He replied.

I look at him curiously. "Why?"

"I'm taking you somewhere. Think of it as a thank you for what you did last night. I could have gotten in serious trouble." He said.

"Okay." I said, before turning around and walk to my class.

******

"You brought me to the city fair?" I asked, looking around at Carson in the driver's seat.

"Yes." He replied, gauging my reaction.

"I love the fair!" I replied, smiling with excitement. "I haven't been here since I was nine years old."

"Really?" He asked surprised.

"Yes. My mom and dad would come here every year, but that changed when my dad died." I said, remembering how excited I used to get every year when Dad took us.

"Your dad died also?" Carson asked, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"Yeah. He died five years before my mother." I related.

"Oh, so who do you live with?" He questioned curiously.

"I live with my stepfather." I said, then smile again. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go."

I unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled the car door quickly. Carson followed my actions and came and stand beside me. We then walk up to the ticket booth where Carson paid for both of our tickets. We then entered the fair.

For the entire day, I was like a child again. I mean, could you blame me? I absolutely love this place. We went on every ride you could think of and played every game you could think of. It was really surprising that Carson went on all the rides with me. It was just weird to picture a bad boy in such a place.

The only ride I didn't go on was the rollercoaster. I had always been afraid of it and I was still afraid now.

We were passing the line for the rollercoaster, when Carson pulled me to a stop. "Come on, let's go on the rollercoaster."

"No, no. Oh no. I'm not going on that...thing." I said, getting ready to walk away.

"Come on. You don't have anything to be afraid of." He said, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the ticket booth.

I tried to stand my ground. "I can't. I'm terrified of the rollercoaster. I was afraid ever since I was small and I'm afraid now." I explained.

Carson laugh. "It's not that bad. I assure you that you'll love it."

"I'm pretty sure that you're just saying that, so you can laugh at me when I lose it on the ride." I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm not going on it. You go ahead. I'll wait on you right here."

"I'm not going on it without you, so come on." He insisted, pulling me again.

"I'm not going on it." I said again stubbornly.

"The rollercoaster is perfectly safe. I've rode on it plenty of times and I'm still here. At least do it for me." Carson said, pulling the cutest puppy-dog face I've ever seen.

I sigh. He was never going to give up, was he? "Okay, fine. But if something happens to me, you are going to regret it." I said, jamming at his chest threateningly.

Carson face broke out into a grin. "Okay deal." He took my hand in his again and we walk to the ticket booth. We bought our ticket for the rollercoaster ride and joined the line.

As we stood side by side in the line, I noticed that Carson was still holding my hand. I didn't know if he noticed, but I didn't pull my hand away.

Trying to distract myself from how good my hand felt in his, I watched the current people that were on the ride. The rollercoaster was moving too fast for my liking and people were screaming loudly. My hand tightened over Carson's own in terror. I felt Carson lightly squeezed my hand in reassurance. Why did I agree to this again?

It was now our turn to go on the ride. We gave our ticket to the person collecting tickets and step unto the platform. I stood outside of the cart that we were about to go on, not making an effort to move.

"Come on, Kitten. You can't stand out here the entire day." Carson said as he came behind me.

"I'm having second thoughts." I said, backing away.

"Nope. No second thoughts. Come on." He said, as he took my hand again and led me on the ride.

Everyone was now on the ride and the safety bar was put down. Soon after, the rollercoaster began to move. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. You can do this Kayla, I told myself. Just think of it as a regular car ride.

The rollercoaster soon reach the end of the straight path and began to go down with so much speed. I felt my heart leap into my throat and without thinking, I grabbed Carson's hand, holding on for dear life.

For the entire ride, I was terrified. Every twist, every turn and every loop, I closed my eyes. Finally, the ride came to an end and Carson and I got off. Glad to be on level ground again, I rest my hands on my knees to recollect myself.

"I can't believe you made me do that. I was scared the entire time." I said, as soon as the ground stopped spinning.

"I could tell." Carson said smirking at me. "It was evident in the way you screamed in my ear and the imprint you left on my hand from squeezing it."

I smile at him sheepishly. "Well, you deserved it for forcing me on that ride." I replied.

For the rest of the day, we played a few more games and had something to eat. I knew Carson took me here because I saved his butt yesterday, but hanging out with him today meant a lot to me. I really like spending time with him. I was having so much fun that I didn't know it was getting late. It was after eight o'clock when Carson took me home.

I saw that the lights were on in the house, meaning that Allan was not asleep. I got out of Carson's car quickly and closed the door. Carson came out also and came over to my side. "Thank you for today. I really enjoyed myself." I said, backing away to the house. I really wanted him to get back in his car and drive away. I didn't want Allan to come outside and see him.

"It was my pleasure." He said, giving me a nod.

"Okay, see you tomorrow." I waved at him. He waved back and began walking back to the driver's side of the car.

Just then, the front door of the house opened. I looked around quickly to see Allan coming unto the front porch. "What's going on out here?" He asked, stepping out. His eyes then focus on Carson. "Oh, you have a friend out here."

"Hello sir." Carson said.

"Hello." He called to Carson, then look at me. "I was wondering what was taking you so long out here Kayla, but I see you are out here with a friend. You can come in when you're ready." He turn back around and head inside.

I rolled my eyes at his normal behaviour. What an act! I'm sure any director would be happy to have him. I turn to Carson. "Bye again. I really have to head inside now."

"Okay, bye." He got in his car and waited for me to go in the house, before driving away.

As soon as I went inside, Allan was waiting for me in the living room.

"So, is he one of your sex buddies?" Allan sneered.

"No. He is just my friend." I answered.

"Just a friend, huh? I guess you would stay out with a friend until late hours." He stated. "Where have you been?"

Like you care, I thought to myself. "I was out. That's it." I said impatiently. I really wanted to go to my room, because I was really tired.

"Whatever." He responded, walking over to the couch to sit down. "I'm out of beer and I want some now. Go out and get me some." He commanded, not looking at me.

What the hell? Was I his slave now? And besides, it was dark out and I was really tired. I really didn't understand why he didn't get it himself. He was the one who had a car. But I knew why. He wanted to show me that he can make me do whatever he wanted. He also wanted to make my life a living hell.

I sigh heavily. I knew I had to oblige, because I didn't want to do or say anything to get him upset. I walked over to the coffee table, where Allan had threw down the money and took it up.

I opened back the front door and stepped out. I was planning on going to the small corner shop that was just a few blocks from the house. They didn't ask questions there as they would figure that Allan sent me. Hopefully, I could get what I wanted and come back to the house quickly.