AN: Next chapter...I don't own anything to do with the OC. The closest I got was meeting Kelly Rowan, but other then that niente belongs to me. Please review!
"Coop!" Summer exclaimed dragging her friend towards a stand covered with enormous teddy bears. Her eyes wondered over all of them and she briefly took in the basic rules of how to win a bear. Ryan and Seth followed in tow and the four of them lined themselves up behind the counter. A youngish looking man with a baseball cap on backwards popped his chewing gum and eyed up the teens. His eyes lingered on Marissa and with a smile he picked up a bean bag and threw it up in the air.
"Step right up, young lady you get three go's to knock over those nine tins. If ya do, you get to pick ya prize. Marissa tilted her head slightly and smiled. She turned to Ryan and rested her arm on his shoulder.
"Ry-an will you try," the disappointed man gave the bean bag to Ryan and in exchange stuck his other grubby hand out for some money. Ryan pulled out ten dollars from his wallet and got five back.
"Okay Ryan no pressure man, but if you don't get this you will be putting those arms to shame," Seth said turning to face Ryan.
"Cohen it's not as if you can do any better?" Summer rested her hand on her hip and looked up at Seth.
"Aww Summer it hurts," Seth placed his hand across his chest and closed his eyes pretending to be deeply affected by her comment. Ryan and Marissa laughed then turned their attention to the tins in front of them. Ryan threw the bean bag up and down a few times preparing himself for the throw. After a deep breath he extended his arm with one swift movement and let the bag go. It made contact with at least two- thirds of the tins knocking them off the stand. Marissa whooped and jumped into the air clapping her hands. Ryan, still concentrating, took another bean bag from the man and focused on what was left. He sized up the distance and tins, bringing the bean bag back he let it go. They watched as the remaining tins were knocked clean off the stand and plummeted onto the floor.
"Yes," Marissa cried. She grabbed Ryan's face pulling him into a long kiss. The man reluctantly let Marissa choose her prize as he promised her. She stood on her tiptoes and pointed to a pink ridiculously huge teddy bear. He brought it down and she hugged it close to her body.
"Summer do you want me to win you a teddy bear?" Seth reached into his pocket to bring out his wallet. He looked offended when Summer started laughing hysterically shaking her head.
"Cohen I don't think you could win me a teddy bear!"
"Hey kids," they all turned around to see Sandy with Kirsten and Jimmy standing behind him.
"Dad," Marissa shoved the teddy bear into Ryan's arms and wrapped her long arms around Jimmy. He stepped back slightly and started laughing.
"Hey Kiddo, what you up to?" Marissa stood back and rested her hands in her jean pockets. She shrugged and looked at the other three.
"Hey Kirsten do you want me to win you a teddy bear?" Sandy rolled up his sleeves and started preparing himself. Kirsten snorted and covered her mouth to stop more laughter from escaping. Sandy's face echoed the one present on his only son's a second ago. Her eyes sparkled with laughter as she seriously nodded her head when he repeated the question. Sandy gave the man money and took a position between Ryan and Seth at the counter.
"Okay boys you need to observe the master at work," Sandy's eyes focused on the tins and he wringed out his hands before accepting his bean bag.
"He looks like he knows what he's doing," Jimmy leaned in and whispered loudly into Kirsten's ear. His voice was battling against constant fairground noise and it took a while for Kirsten to interpret what he was saying. She folded her arms across her chest and shook her head slightly with laughter. Sandy extended his arm and threw the bean bag with all his might. To everyone's amusement, but to Sandy's horror, it clocked the back of the Stallman's head. He turned around with fury, his hand shooting up to the spot where the bag had hit. Sandy held his hands up apologetically, embarrassed by the fact that everyone was laughing. Kirsten had doubled over with laughter; it was her sound especially that rang in Sandy's ears. Usually the sweet laughter was a pleasure to listen to but now it turned his face red.
"I'm so sorry," Sandy started, nudging Seth in the ribs to stop him from laughing. The man looked so angry that Sandy took a step back when he barged forward.
"You're all banned from this stall," he retorted angrily pointing away so they got the message. Sandy opened his mouth to argue but was pulled away by Seth and Ryan.
"Nice going DAD!" Seth over pronounced the last syllable to illustrate his annoyance. Sandy chuckled and looked at everyone his embarrassment slowly going.
"It was an accident!" He shrugged his shoulders and put an arm around his wife. Kirsten suddenly felt a lot warmer in Sandy's arms; the cooler evening was starting to get to her.
"Oh look there's Julie and Caitlin" Kirsten's voice was tinged with confusion as this was the last place she expected the see Julie Cooper. Julie's dress sense contrasted sharply with what Kirsten was wearing. Kirsten always knew she dressed differently from the Newpsies and as Julie exemplified Orange County's extravagant and luxurious women, she and Kirsten could not look any different. Kirsten's hair rested on her shoulders in light, natural blonde waves whereas Julie's was pulled back into a curled twist with careful strands hanging down her back and shoulders. Kirsten, out of work clothes, dressed in a casual but sophisticated style contrasting with Julie's knee high boots and matching skirt and top.
"Kirsten, Sandy!" Julie waved and carefully made her way over making an effort not to touch passing people. Caitlin pouted and reluctantly followed her mother.
"Jimmy," Julie nodded amicably in his direction.
"What are you doing here?" Marissa stood between Kirsten and Jimmy looking at her mother straight in the eye. Her voice sounded cold, a tone that Julie was used to hearing from her eldest daughter.
"Marissa…I can have fun as well. Your sister and I have just been on the Ferris wheel, well Caitlin went on it. I watched from below."
"Mummy can I go play with Stacy and Ella now?" Caitlin's voice demanded.
"What? Uh yeah of course you can sweetie…do you have your mobile?" Caitlin rolled her eyes, presenting the most modern mobile from her trendy bag. Julie waved her hand indicating she was allowed. Kirsten and the rest of them looked on confused to why Julie Cooper had stepped into an amusement park. Julie's eyes shifted over to the left slightly and Kirsten followed her gaze to a group of boys from Seth and Ryan's year. She shrugged off Julie's sly stare thinking nothing of it.
"Oh look there's Luke," Marissa exclaimed. The four of them suddenly looked slightly embarrassed about standing with adults.
"What?" Julie quickly blurted out, her face turning a dark shade of pink. They all turned to look at her; Kirsten cocked her head to the side knowing something was up.
"Oh yeah," Julie tilted her face so she was avoiding their stare; she touched the back of her hair a few times making sure everything was still in place. Seth muttered something incoherent and followed Ryan and Marissa as they walked over to another stall. Summer smiled at Sandy and Kirsten, then ran up behind Seth grabbing hold of him lightly around the waist. Julie folded her arms, her eyes slanted in a slightly evil way when looking in Jimmy's direction. Kirsten immediately sensed the awkwardness and she started wringing out her hands glancing at Sandy. He could read Kirsten like an open book.
"Hey why don't we head home, I think we've both had enough amusement tonight," a relieved laugh floated out of Kirsten's mouth and she looked at Julie then Jimmy. Jimmy shrugged and rolled slightly on the balls of his feet.
"Caitlin's staying at Stacey's tonight so thanks Sandy for the invitation," Sandy threw a look at Kirsten who was grimacing; it had been a hint that they should all retire to their own houses. Now they were stuck with Julie Cooper. As they headed towards the exit, a small man dressed in purple trousers and a huge top hat, jumped out of nowhere with both hands on his hips.
"You," he shouted in a strong European accent. The object of his statement was Kirsten as indicated by his outstretched index finger. Kirsten stepped back a little startled by the sudden appearance. He curled his finger up and down, and then threw his other arm in the direction of Julie.
"And you! Come viv me please," Both women stared on in bemusement as he cart wheeled past the crowds so he was in front of a small wooden stall with a door which was playing carnival music.
"I am Mr Candice," he announced throwing his arms dramatically into the air. Sandy and Jimmy both started laughing out loud; they walked over to the exit expecting the ladies to follow. Something however compelled both Kirsten and Julie to follow Mr Candice over to his stall. Sandy noted Kirsten's eyes were slightly glazier than normal, he paused and apprehensively followed them over to 'Mr Candice's' stall.
"You two come viv me inside please," Mr Candice opened the door and ushered the two ladies in.
"Hey wait a minute," Sandy stood forward with Jimmy close on his heels.
"One moment please," Mr Candice dishevelled complexion looked angrily at the two men; he stuck his index finger in Sandy's face. After bowing forward slightly he turned and closed the door. They stood back in utter confusion as they were left outside.
"Well what was that about," Sandy turned to Jimmy who was shaking his head in bafflement. After a moment passed Sandy grew restless.
"Kirsten…hunny," he yelled out knocking on the door. There was no answer. Jimmy reached out and tried to open the door, but it refused to budge. They exchanged a quick worried look and both tried their luck. After continuous knocking the door flew open and Julie appeared. Her eyes were a little glazy but she half-heartedly smiled and again checked the back of her hair was how it should be. Kirsten appeared next; she had a strange look on her face, a look that Sandy couldn't quite interpret. The door slammed shut behind them.
"Okay let's go," Kirsten said cheerily making her way over to the exit.