Disclaimer: I don't own anything not South or the Song.
AN: So while this was one of my favorite chapters to outline, I found it slightly hard to write. And in case anyone isn't sure this takes place about a week after the flashback where Aiden asked Ashley out. So still Freshman year.
Review please! I love getting them, they keep me inspired.
14
"Thanks for the ride Mrs. Fitch," I said as Ashley, Carmen, Stacey and I got out of Stacey's mom's car. The others mumbled thanks as we filed out together.
"I love your Mom," Carmen said nudging Stacey as we walked towards the ticket booth to buy our tickets for the annual King High school carnival.
"Ew," Stacey said shuddering in disgust.
"Oh come on Stacey your mom has got it going on," Carmen said as we paid for our tickets and walked though the gates.
"Yeah she's all I want and I've waited for so long," Ashley joined in.
"Guys!" Stacey exclaimed.
"Stacey can't you see you're just not the girl for me," Ashley sang.
"I know it might be wrong but I'm in love with Stacey's!" Carmen shouted drawing attention to us at the carnival. Stacey shoved her away and we all laughed. We walked around watching people run around, eating popcorn and cotton candy and spending their money at the games. The rides were further in and it looked like they had a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster and a few others.
"Ashley?" we both turned to see Madison walking towards us.
"Hey," she replied. Madison and I gave each other a head nod in return. We hadn't been hanging out as much but we still acknowledged each other, even if slightly awkward.
"What's up?" Ashley asked casually. We had invited Madison to go with us but she was on a date with some alternate for the basketball team.
"Where's Aiden?" Madison asked Ashley, I casually took a step back letting them talk. Stacey and Carmen were patiently waiting as well.
"He asked me to go with him yesterday, I already had plans with Spencer, Stacey and Carmen and I wasn't going to blow them off," Ashley said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I smiled and I swear I saw Carmen stick her tongue in victory but I saw Stacey nudge her before Madison noticed. It wasn't like we wanted to open a whole new can of worms, I'd be lying if I said we were all still close to Maddy. She had drifted but it wasn't like we didn't try to hang still.
"It's Aiden Ashley, hot and popular basketball star, you should have gone with him, what if he doesn't want to go out with you again?" Madison asked and even I was shocked at how vain she was acting. Her whole life now seemed to revolve around cheer leading and boyfriends.
"Madison I went on one date with him and it wasn't even that much fun, so I don't really care if he wants to date me again or not," Ashley said and I don't think I've ever been happier. Take that Aiden you pervert.
"Whatever, have fun with them," Madison said as she huffed off to her date. I kinda feel bad for whoever took her out, she can't be low maintenance but I guess that's also what makes her Maddy. Ashley walked back over to us, "Ok what are we doing first?"
We decided to play a few games ski ball (my favorite) then a ring toss and also one of those water pistol races. I decided not to play that one because I always loose. I don't know what it is, but first I can never get the water to hit the target until half way into the game and by then I've already lost.
I stood behind my friends cheering them on as they aimed the water and raced each other. It was a close call between Ashley and Stacey, which is weird because I thought Carmen would win but I guess when Stacey shoved her to the left she fell behind.
"We have a winner, number 12 choose a prize!" the game coordinator said.
"Yes! Ha sucks to be you two losers," Ashley joked as Carmen and Stacey stood up.
"Note to self, don't let her win it goes straight to her head," Carmen said and I laughed.
Ashley walked over to us holding a white teddy bear with a heart in its hands and she paused shyly before holding it out to me. I blushed, I couldn't help it as I accepted the bear from her. I was just happy Stacey and Carmen kept their mouths shut for once.
"So wanna hit the rides?" Ashley asked breaking the silence with a smile when she saw how tightly I was holding the bear. I never thought she looked more beautiful than right then when she was smiling at me. Her hair was loos and curly hanging down, like she usually wears it at home and she was dressed in a casual black Purple Venom tee with black skinny jeans. But her smile I knew was only meant for me and I smiled back as we headed toward the back of the carnival.
We passed Madison who was watching us, much to her date's dismay. She and Ashley shared an undecipherable look before she grabbed 'What's-his-name's hand and walked away.
"So are we doing all of the rides?" Carmen asked from ahead of us with Stacey.
"Yeah, that sounds good," I agreed. We immediately got on line for the Twister and I was glad that we hadn't overdone the junk food tonight because this would've been unpleasant. We strapped ourselves in and I heard others screaming as the ride took off spinning us faster and faster in circles and then suddenly changing direction.
"Phew," Stacey said climbing off the ride. I thought she looked a little sick but then she stood up straight and screamed, "Let's do it again!"
"Why are you such a little kid?" I asked laughing as she grabbed my hand and dragged me to the roller coaster line. The carnival was thinning out because a lot of parents were bringing their kids home for bed so the lines weren't nearly as long.
After we hit a couple rides we all sat down to take a breather. I have never been on so many fast, spinning, upside down, insane things in my life.
"We have time for one more thing," Ashley said sipping her soda.
"Let's do the Ferris wheel," Carmen said standing and we followed suit, "We did every other ride." We nodded in agreement and started to walk towards the Ferris wheel line, only pausing to let Ashley throw out her drink.
They only allowed two to a seat so Carmen and Stacey sat together in the car behind Ashley and I. The Ferris wheel moved slowly, not that I was upset about that after all the other rides we had been on. It was amazing to see all the lights of the carnival as we got higher. The contrast to the night sky was just beautiful and on the horizon you could see some LA lights as well.
"Wow," I breathed still holding tightly to my teddy bear. Ashley looked to her right and silently agreed with me.
"Thanks for the bear Ash," I said quietly not wanting to disturb the peace we had built around us.
"Of course Spence," she said grinning and I felt my stomach do a flip when her nose crinkled. I knew that meant she was really happy. She reached out and grabbed my right hand in her left and interlaced our fingers before turning her attention back to the view below us. We stayed like that silently the entire ride down from the top of the Ferris wheel, me holding my stuffed bear and Ashley's hand.