Joey tapped his foot. Tristan was never on time for anything. He and Mai had been waiting for Tristan and serenity for nearly half an hour. Joey had suggested going into the fair without them, but Mai suggested they wait. When they started dating Joey hadn't taken her for a caring soul, but after time he learned that her heart was as big as her breasts. He was about to suggest that they bail when he saw Tristan's sports car speed into the parking lot of the state fair. He grumbled angrily to himself about how Tristan should be a more careful driver while his sister was in the car, and Mai flashed him a look to stow it as the other couple jogged up.
"Sorry we're late Joey we got a bit hung up in traffic" Laughed Tristan out of breath "hey Mai how are you?"
"We're fine Tristan just happy you could make it, better late than never right Joey?" she responded kindly, Joey grumbled an agreement and Mai jabbed him in the ribs sharply.
"Yes very true" he responded "how are you sis, a bit of wild driving there don't ya think?"
His sister giggled holding Tristan's hand "Tristan likes to drive fast but he's real careful when I'm in the car." She smiled clearly happy to be spending time with both her boyfriend and her brother "c'mon the fair will close if we stand out here too long chatting!" she said dragging Tristan to the ticket counter. The group bought their tickets and debated what to do first. They finally decided on seeing the petting zoo first. While Serenity and Mai cooed over the goats and other baby animals Joey had a serious talk with Tristan.
"How have you guys been lately?" he asked trying to make small talk.
"Fine" responded Tristan with an honest smile "we went and had some ice cream earlier and went for a hike today, she seemed to have a fun time. She loves the outdoors." Joey nodded, his sister had always loved being outside. She loved the woods outside their old house and the beach that was only a block away during their childhood.
Joey didn't want to admit it but Tristan had always been very kind and sweet to his sister. Sure he was reckless at times, but he was always a nice guy to Serenity. "She's been happier since you two started dating" he said "I just feel concerned for my little sis."
"Joey, I know this is kinda weird for you. I mean we grew up and were basically brothers and now I'm dating your sister. I know you're a bit uncomfortable with this but we really are in love." Tristan leaned heavily on the wooden railing. "If you disapprove of me and your sis dating then I can break the whole thing off, but if I do then I will most likely move away too" he sighed heavily still leaning his back on the railing. Joey had brought this subject up before and he never had really made up his mind on the subject.
"That's not what-" Joey was cut off as Serenity and Mai returned from the animal pens. Joey nodded to Tristan that they would finish this conversation later. The two couples decided to ride some amusement rides; bumper cars, mini-coasters, and some spinning machines that nearly made Mai sick. Joey helped Mai off the last ride and steadied her on her feet "Let's go get some dinner!" shouted his little sis and Mai rushed to a trashcan.
Mai recovered from her incident and the group left to find some food at the fair. The four finally decided on a hot dog stand that looked more sanitary than the other places; they ordered their food and sat down.
"So Tristan how's your job going?" asked Mai picking up her hot dog slowly. Tristan and Serenity were not as rich as some of the other couples, but they weren't poor either. Tristan had recently gotten a job working in a major hardware store chain. He had been appointed to a management position after two weeks on the job.
"It's going really well" he responded, mouth half full "management pays a lot more than a cashier position."
"Tristan, don't talk with your mouth full" scolded Serenity frowning at her boyfriend "you're going to get food all over everyone." Tristan mumbled a quick apology and blushed lightly, causing Joey to chuckle.
"What's so funny?" questioned Tristan
"I've never seen anyone correct you, much less you accept the fact that they corrected you!" he laughed out loud. Tristan's anger flared, but he calmed when Serenity placed her hand on top of his and smiled up at him.
"Joey, Tristan has changed lately he's a hard worker, he always puts people ahead of himself, he cares about my wants, needs and our relationship Joey." She looked angrily at her brother. They finished the rest of their dinner in silence. Joey knew he had screwed up. It was pretty obvious to everyone how Joey felt about Tristan and his sis dating; he hadn't tried to hide his opinions either.
They left for some of the carnival games. Joey knew they were all rigged but attempted to play just to raise his spirits. It didn't help. Ever since they left the restaurant Mai had been supportive of her boyfriend and he wanted to thank her, but decided to wait until later. The last carnival game they played was a simple "throw a baseball at the milk cartons" game and Joey felt this one couldn't be rigged. Joey loved baseball and had played with Tristan in their childhood.
"C'mon Tristan I bet I can knock them down in two throws" joked Joey trying to fix the situation. Tristan mumbled a simple "fine" and Joey paid his dollar and got three baseballs. He threw the first and knocked down three of the cartons, Mai gave a little cheer and even Serenity smiled. Tristan remained indifferent. Joey set up for his second throw; he sent the ball flying at the central carton. He saw the ball hit solidly, but he also saw the ball bounce of the carton and fly straight at his sister. Serenity began to scream, but the ball never hit her. Joey was astonished to see Tristan standing in front of her, he had allowed the ball to hit him square in the chest instead of let it hit her. Tristan shot Joey an angry glance, yet Joey knew Tristan wasn't angry at him. The game's runner had seen what happened and had attempted to act busy, Joey and Tristan marched straight up to the man.
"What the hell! Even this game is rigged?" Joey fumed "you almost killed my sis!" Tristan stood beside Joey. He was usually a nice guy, but they were both well muscled and stood slightly taller than most men. Seeing him mad would intimidate even some of the toughest men. The man stood there shaking in fear of the two of them.
"Joey its fine, we're all fine!" shouted Mai consoling a still shocked Serenity "let's just go someplace else."
"I can g-give you a prize" stuttered the man finally, still cowering.
Joey sighed "fine, just stop rigging these games and give people a fighting chance" the man waddled over and grabbed a large stuffed dog off of a shelf.
"Can we have two of the smaller ones?" asked Mai sincerely. The man grumbled to himself but handed the two stuffed dogs to Joey anyway, he gave one to both Mai and Serenity. Serenity was still shaken, but giggled and showed the cuddly animal to her boyfriend. The couples walked hand in hand down to the carousel. The sun had set and the carnival was full of the colorful lights and sounds, the carousel spun round and round with loud music playing, each couple sat next to each other on one of the horses of the rotating machine. Joey had to help Mai off of the carousel; he finally decided that she probably shouldn't get on any more rides that spun around. The two girls skipped ahead and looked at some of what the stand had for sale Tristan and Joey lagged behind
"Hey Tristan, I really wanted to thank you for protecting serenity" mumbled Joey
"Joey, I didn't do it to make you happy or because she was your sis. I did it because I love her, because she means more to the world to me, because if she got hurt I don't know if I could have stopped myself from punching that guy in the face." Tristan stopped and stared directly at Joey "she is one of the few things that I wake up to every morning and makes me smile."
Joey stared back at his best friend "I know man. I'm glad that she has a great guy like you to be there for her. I know I'm not the most supportive guy of your relationship; I just want her to be happy and safe. You seem to be the perfect guy for that." The two stood there for a second glad that they got what they needed to say of their chests. Tristan reached over a hug "thanks bro" and the two friends embraced in a brotherly hug.
At the same moment Mai and Serenity turned around and saw this they both giggled to each other "Hey! Stop hugging my boyfriend!" they shouted in unison running back at them, the two guys laughed turned and caught their girlfriends in their arms. The two laughing couples decided to end the night with a ride on the giant Ferris wheel in the center of the fair. The line was short and the couples got their own seats. Joey and Mai got into the front chair and Tristan and Serenity sat behind them.
The lap bar came down and wheel began to spin and Mai threw her arms around Joey's neck "hold me" she giggled. Joey put his arm around her and kissed her, they broke the kiss and she giggled again.
Meanwhile Tristan and Serenity had started talking about their plans for the future "so Tristan do you ever want to have kids?" she asked.
"I've always wanted to have a son, but the most important thing to me right now is being with you, spending time with the most beautiful, kindest and sweetest woman in the world." Tristan looked deeply into Serenity's brown eyes and she stared back at him, they leaned close to each other as the Ferris wheel reached its peak and kissed.
By this time Joey and Mai's seat had ended up behind the other couple and Joey saw his best friend kissing his sis. He was about to yell but Mai jabbed him in the ribs again. He smiled weakly at her and she frowned back.
"I thought you said you were okay with them dating" she whispered "you've got to stop being so protective. That's what she has Tristan for now, they're a great couple and he is a great guy. You know that, just let her be happy." Joey let it go and settled back into his seat, suddenly the Ferris wheel lurched to a halt. Joey swore to himself and Mai looked worried, yet the other couple was still all smiles and laughs. Joey looked over at the guy controlling the machine and he looked completely calm as if the machine suddenly stopping was a natural thing. He and Mai looked nervously at each other and wondered if it would start again soon. Just as quickly as it had stopped the wheel started to spin again Joey breathed a sigh of relief and Mai leaned over onto his shoulder. They finally reached the bottom of the wheel and quickly hopped out of the seat. They were soon joined by the other smiling couple.
"Crazy stuff on that ride, huh sis?" asked Joey still a bit concerned about what happened. As he said it the ride stopped again.
"Joey the ride does that every 5 minutes just to give the motor a quick break" replied Tristan "I was telling Serenity about it while we were up there."
"I saw what you were telling her" Joey said under his breath, another elbow to the ribs from Mai. The two couples decided that they should head on home and Joey added a simple drive safe. Joey and Mai jumped in their car.
"What's your deal?" she yelled at him as they sat down
"Whadya mean?" he asked confused
"You say that you're fine with them dating yet every time they act like a couple or he's nice to her you find fault with it" she was clearly frustrated with him and his attitude and had only put up with it so far. "You guys were like brothers and now that he's dating your sis it's like he is a whole new person that you don't know. Joey at some point you've got to stop being so protective. Tristan is a great guy, you should be glad she didn't end up dating some jerk or loser." She let out an exasperated sigh and settled back into her seat arms folded across her chest. Joey just sat there for a moment he knew everything she said was true and that he was overly protective of his sister.
"I know I should just let her be happy but maybe I'm just scared to let her go. I mean she's my sis and she's the only person I have left of my family. I always want the best for her and I know he's a great guy I just can't get this feeling that maybe there's someone better for her out of my head." He said finally he looked at Mai "I know you're right, I need to let her grow up and be happy."
Mai unfolded her arms, looked back at him and nodded slightly "let's go home" she said and with that they pulled out of the parking lot and sped towards their house. Joey knew he had to let his sis live her life and there was nothing he could do to stop her.
I know that chapter was a bit different than the usual writing, just give me a heads up if ya liked it or not! next chapter out tomorrow, its gonna be the last one of this story, but hopefully I will write another soon!
-John
