The six times Carmen fell in love with Johnny Taylor, and the one time she admitted it.
The first time Carmen Howle fell in love with Johnny Taylor was in her third week of being at the Dumping Ground. She was 10 and so was Johnny.
Lily and her sisters had gone out to the park with Gina, and Carmen was stuck at home alone. She was sitting in the living room, alone, swinging her legs awkwardly. Johnny, being the kind hearted and curious boy that he was, went and sat beside her.
"Hi, Carmen." he said cheerfully.
"Hi, Johnny." she replied, smiling slightly.
"Where's Lily?" he asked.
"She went to the park with Poppy and Rosie." Carmen told him. "But now I have nothing to do." she sighed.
"Why don't you help me and Toby play a prank on Liam?" Johnny suggested.
"Are you sure?" she asked hesitantly. "I don't want to intrude..."
"Yeah, come on, it will be fun!" Toby agreed.
Johnny grabbed Carmen's wrist and gently pulled her along. They went and mixed eggs, flour, vinegar, pickles, and a load of other random things they found in the kitchen. Then, they went and positioned themselves outside a 12 year old Liam's door.
When Liam and Frank came out, they waited before throwing the substance all over Liam. It stuck to him like glue, but also went all over the floor, so when Carmen, Johnny and Toby tried to run, Carmen slipped and Liam saw her.
"You! I'm going to kill you!" he shouted, lunging for her.
"Don't! It was me!" Johnny said, helping Carmen up and standing in front of her.
Liam punched Johnny and Carmen pushed Liam. Before they could fight any more, though, Mike came along and pulled them apart. He took £15 from Johnny, Carmen and Toby's allowances and sent Liam to clean himself up.
Carmen went to walk back to her room - but not before she gave Johnny a hug.
"Thanks for that." she said.
"You're welcome." Johnny said. "Does that make us friends?"
"Yes!" Carmen agreed.
Johnny smiled, took her hand, and dragged her to his room.
"Here." he said, and he handed over a threaded bracelet. "It was going to be for Tee, but...it's too pink for her." he giggled. "I'll just make her another one."
"Thank you!" Carmen grinned.
Johnny kissed her on the cheek.
And as Carmen walked back to her room she remembered feeling fluttery inside when he did that.
Despite the fact that they were 10 and it had been clumsy and slightly awkward...
It still counted.
