((A/N: Hello friends! I am so sorry for the wait, I've been working and just busy in general. On top of that, I really wanted this chapter to be near-perfection. I slaved over it, really trying to get it exactly where I wanted it to go. I truly hope you enjoy it, of course reviews are always welcome because I do want this fic to be something fans think is worth the read! Thank you, thank you, thank you, and did I mention thank you! Please enjoy!))

Chapter 7

"I'm Olive's cousin… my dad owns the grocery store." Ren explained to a bewildered Candy.

"Olive's cousin?" Candy uttered at last as she gave Ren a handshake. Candy inspected the boy. Ren had green eyes, the type of green eyes that could make the most perfect emeralds jealous. His eyes were complimentary to his ruffled auburn hair, strong jaw, and charming smile. In Candy's humble opinion, his smile was his most memorable feature. His smile was a ray of sunshine, and Candy was getting sunburned. "I'm Candy."

"Candy," he repeated after her, "I thought Olive went over this morning, you two must have met?"

"Yes, we met." Candy said indifferently, instantly flashing back to the awful discussion with Lysander.

Ren gave the girl a half-grin and a throaty chuckle, "ouch! I wouldn't want to get on your bad side, killer."

Candy halfheartedly rolled her eyes and then inspected the list of rules taped to the game's table.

"I get 5 darts for a dollar?" asked Candy.

Ren crossed arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at Candy, as if he were trying to come up with some conclusion about her. After a brief moment, he inhaled slightly, then spoke; "Alright killer, I'm going to do you a favor because you've piqued my interest and it's a pretty slow night. I guess no one is really hyped up at the chance to win a tiny bottle of bubbles," he joked; his sunshine smile forming on his lips.

Candy eyed him quizzically, "What favor?"

"No charge! The catch being you and I have a little contest. A 'pop off' is what I like to call it. We each take turns trying to pop a balloon; for each balloon popped an answer to a question is earned!" Ren finished.

"Hmmm… I get to pop some balloons for free; I don't understand what you get out of the deal." Candy stated.

"Humor me," Ren half-shrugged.

Candy took a deep breath, "Okay."

"Great! But I do have rules!"

"Rules? The game seems self-explanatory..."

"Yes, but remember the answers can't be one word. There has to be something enticing, there must be an explanation." Ren explained.

"Alright, I can do that," smiled Candy.

"Excellent," exclaimed Ren as he exited the booth to come to Candy's side, darts in hand. "I'll go first, just to show you the ropes. Okay killer?"

"Thanks, I appreciate the lesson!" Candy laughed.

Ren grabbed a dart and aimed at a shiny red balloon.

Pop!

"Yes!" Ren shouted, "Here's my question: Are you Lysander's girlfriend?"

Candy's eyes wandered down, "No, w-we're just friends."

Ren pursed his lips before he looked satisfied with Candy's answer, "You're up, killer."

Candy's eyes finally met his; she smiled and excitedly reached for a dart. She sent it flying through the air, no aiming, no hesitation, just let it glide.

Pop!

"Woo-hoo!" Candy danced in place, "Why did you think Lysander and I were... t-together?"

"Like I said, you two were in the store together. You two just looked… together."

Candy nodded and handed him a dart so they could continue the game.

(Ren's turn) Pop!

"So killer, you and Olive didn't get along did you?"

"I wanted to get along with her, but she... didn't."

"Yeeeeahhh…" Ren elongated his word, "that sounds like her."

(Candy's turn) Pop!

"Were you and Lysander friends?"

"We were friendly. We didn't really interact with each other, but when we did for school projects and such, we were chummy."

(Ren's turn) Pop!

Ren hesitated for a brief moment, "Candy… how come you came to my booth, alone. I mean… why isn't Lysander here with you?"

"Ren, that's two questions, I'm not sure that's allowed," Candy teased evading both questions.

"C'mon Candy," Ren persisted.

"We had an argument," Candy meekly admitted. She gazed at the dart in her hand, and then threw it to the balloon wall.

Fwap!

She missed.

Sigh. "Darn."

"It's okay killer. I give you a freebee." Ren looked at her.

"Why did you play this game with me?" Candy asked sincerely curious.

"Well… you seemed hurt. Upset, really. And, that wasn't okay for whatever reason. Normally I don't pry into people's lives, but; it was such a drastic change from the first time I saw you at the store. You were… so content, so joyful. You were laughing, I remember. It was contagious."

Candy didn't know what to say. She didn't expect this level of kindness from an almost stranger. She lightly slapped his arm, "Let me help you set up more balloons."

Ren nodded, "Thanks."


One by one they filled up balloons and set them on the balloon wall. Candy grabbed a yellow balloon and filled it to its full capacity; she had one spot left on her side of the wall before she was done. She reached for the bare spot but it was too high. Candy tried again, standing on the tips of her toes, but it was still too high.

Ren noticed her struggle and chuckled quietly to himself, "I'll help you out killer." As soon as he offered he was behind Candy, he took the balloon from her reaching arms to attach it to the wall. Candy turned around, but she was wedged between the balloons and Ren's broad chest. He looked down at her, but didn't back away immediately. They just stared at each other, before Ren gave her his sunshine smile.

"C-Candy, I've been searching for you." Lysander said, disappointment written all over his face.

Candy looked at Lysander as soon as she heard his voice.

Ren took a step backwards, "Hey Lysander! It's been a while. It's nice to see you again!"

"Hello, Rene." Lysander responded completely stone-faced.

REWIND

Lysander's POV—

"I did ask you about it Lysander," yelled Candy, "you didn't say much! Do you remember?"

Lysander stood silent and pensive, I don't know how to explain this to her. I should have been the one to tell her the whole story. She's becoming quite upset, what did Olive say to her?

Olive called out for them. Did she just say Sandy, wondered Lysander.

Candy yelled at Olive, she was completely fed up. She turned around and stormed off.

"Candy!" Lysander called after her, "Wait! Please Candy, come back." Lysander tried to follow her; Rosa was on his heels as well, calling out for her friend. But she walked away quickly and disappeared into the crowd.

Where is she? Lysander was becoming concerned. He looked all around, repeatedly calling out her name. After a few minutes of searching he tried calling her, she didn't answer. He made his way back towards the Ferris wheel when he heard Rosa's voice yelling. What could possibly be going on now, he asked himself as he walked towards Rosa, Leigh and Olive.

"Are you daft?! Candy isn't a hard name to remember Olive." Rosa retorted to an already angry Olive.

"It was an honest mistake, she obviously overreacted. No need to yell at me about it again Rosalya," Olive saw Lysander coming, "Lys, I'm so sorry. I don't know what I did!" she feigned innocence.

"You loathsome bitc-"

"Rosa." Lysander interrupted before things escalated, "Can you please call Candy; she is not answering my calls."

"We've both tried, Lys. She ultimately turned off her phone." Leigh calmly explained, "We'll go look for her. I'll call you if we get in touch with her." Leigh held Rosa's hand and they left.

Lysander stood there, staring at his phone. Please call me, Candy.

"She probably just needed some time. It was pretty embarrassing the way she blew up," Olive stated.

Olive's presence has been irritating this evening. I should say good night, Lysander thought as he was beginning to feel a headache. "Olive, what did you and Candy discuss?"

"Hmmm? Oh nothing really. I just wanted to know where the bathroom was when she told me to stay away from you."

Lysander grimaced, "that is very unlike her; I know her very well."

"I'm sure you do Lys, but that's what happened. If you want my opinion-"

"I do not," Lysander added bluntly, "I trust you can get home on your own Miss Olive, farewell." Lysander walked away, leaving a rather shocked Olive yelling for him to walk her home. He completely ignored her.

I have to find Candy, Lysander decided. He walked around the festival aimlessly. He was trying his best to catch a glimpse of Candy, hoping to find her so they could sort things out. He circled the Ferris wheel a few times, but did not find her. He walked the entirely of the festival, each time growing more and more concerned. Lysander sat down to check his phone for the millionth time when he finally saw her. What is she doing in a game booth, he asked himself before quickly pushing the thought aside. He practically ran to the booth, when he saw a familiar face get very close to Candy.

Is that Rene Brantley? Lysander walked up to the booth. She doesn't even know I'm right here, right in front of her.

"C-Candy, I've been searching for you." Both Candy and Rene turned when they heard his voice, Candy stood there; not saying a word.

"Hey Lysander, it's been a while. It's nice to see you again!" Ren answered first.

"Hello, Rene." Lysander responded completely stone-faced.

There was a long pause of silence. Ren felt the tension between Lysander and Candy; it made the air thick and heavy. In an attempt to change the mood Ren kept talking, "So Lysander, what happened to your clothing? Last time I saw you, you looked like you came straight out of the 17th century or something." Ren lightly laughed.

No one said anything.

"I mean, it was pretty cool. I'm not making fun of you or anything." Ren babbled.

Candy decided to put him out of his misery, "He still wears his Victorian clothing every day. He just changed out of it to help his dad out with some chores."

Ren smiled at Candy, "Cool, good to know." He nodded.

"Yup, you didn't even have to pop a balloon for it," Candy joked.

"Hey killer, I gave you a free one first! It's only fair," laughed Ren.

Lysander stood there silently, and simply watched the interaction. Killer, he gave her a nickname? They have a private joke, how is that possible; they haven't spent much time together, Lysander's headache was intensifying.

"How's your brother?" Ren asked Lysander.

"He is well, thank you."

"I haven't seen him yet. Say hi for me. He also wears old-timey clothing. You two pull it off," Ren said in a friendly manner.

"I will pass along your greeting." Lysander bowed his head, "Candy, may I escort you home?"

"Sure."

"Allow me to call Rosa and Leigh to inform them I've found you." Lysander stepped away to make the phone call.

Ren eyed Candy, "You both obviously want the same thing."

"Excuse me?" Candy said, blushing.

"My advice… just tell him, killer. He most likely needs to hear it first before making a move. There's no better confirmation than it coming straight from you." Ren stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Candy rolled her eyes and exasperated, "Thanks Ren. This was fun."

"Don't mention it. Came back tomorrow, we can pop more balloons."

Candy laughed, "Goodnight." She waved and made her way towards Lysander.

Candy's POV—

May-be Ren is right. I should tell him, that way he will know… and… and… Candy couldn't finish her thought.

Lysander had finished his conversation and hung up the phone. He faced Candy, "Ready?"

"Lysander… I—"

"Let's go." Lysander began to walk.

Candy sighed, oh boy! This will be fun, she thought as she rolled her eyes and caught up. They walked in complete silence the entire way home. Candy glance at Lysander occasionally. His face was emotionless. They arrived to Lysander's home, all of the lights were off, the door was locked, not a person in sight.

"Looks like we are the first to get home," Lysander stated.

"Let's sit on the swing and wait?" Candy suggested. Lysander nodded and let Candy sit first before taking his seat right next to her; they swung gently for a few minutes.

Lysander was frigid, "You seemed to have enjoyed Ren's company." He said passively.

"He's a nice guy. He mentioned you two went to school together before you moved."

"We did," answered Lysander, "I'm glad you found someone after you left. I was beginning to worry about you being alone and upset, but you did just fine on your own. It didn't look at you missed Rosa or Leigh… or me." Lysander mumbled the end of his sentence.

"That's not true," Candy touched his arm, "I am sorry I walked off, I was mad. Olive was a bit irritating… but, you seem very annoyed at me at the time, I couldn't believe it. I didn't realize Olive was that important to you"

Lysander swiftly laced his hand in hers, "She's not important to me Candy, I am very sorry for making you feel this way... I am so mad at myself for not telling you the truth earlier, it was wrong of me to take out my frustrations on you. But I swear to you, she is a silly boyhood crush, you're… well, you're…" he began losing his nerve. "You're very important to me."

Candy smiled at him, what is he so afraid of? she asked herself. What I am so afraid of?!

Candy let go of his hand and stood up, Lysander replicated her motion. She stood right in front of him, and looked him straight in his heterochromatic eyes, "You're very important to me to Lysander. I guess you could even say I really care about you… a lot. I suppose that is why it didn't take Rosa very long to convince me to come this weekend; the possibility of spending time with you made me very happy... I was actually hoping that… um…" her confidence became shaky, but she continued, "We could be more than friends, because I l-l-love—"

"Hello kids!" George cheerfully greeted walking side by side with Jo, interrupting Candy's speech "Back from the festival already?" Lysander looked at Candy, she didn't know what to do anymore than he did,

"Mom, Dad! Hello. Uhhhh, yes, we came back early." Lysander responded in brief but rapid sentences.

"Are you okay, son? You looked surprised," Jo mentioned as she unlocked the front door.

"Yes I'm fine, "he said reassuringly to his Mother.

"Come inside you two, we'll have some cocoa," Jo smiled.

"Actually we were just talking about some things, we will be right in." Lysander quickly dismissed.

"Don't be silly my boy!," George said to his son, "it's getting cold out here, you would want sweet Candy to get sick right? Let's go in Miss Candy," he smiled sweetly.

Lysander was flustered, Candy watched him and giggled, "Let's go in," she whispered looping her arm in his. Lysander sighed in what sounded like relief.

"After you," he smiled.