Chapter 3: Fireworks…both kinds
The next morning Ron awoke with boundless energy. He hopped out of bed and pranced into the bathroom for his shower. After a riveting vertical splash bath Ron was back in his room picking up Rufus and shaking him gently.
"Come on buddy! You don't want to sleep that day away do ya?" Ron asked cheerfully.
"Yawn Eh?" Rufus asked confused.
Ron had become the complete opposite of what he had been the previous day. Ron flew into the kitchen and found himself having the energy to make himself a proper breakfast, quickly gathering up eggs, ham, sausage and anything else he could find Ron whipped up an impressive omelet for both him and Rufus.
"Oh yeah!" Rufus cheered as he dug in on his meal, he didn't know where the Ron from yesterday went but he wasn't complaining.
Finishing his breakfast with plenty of time to spare, Ron quickly finished his homework that was left incomplete from the night before and headed out the door early for school. Ron was walking briskly down the sidewalk feeling on top of the world. He continued walking until he saw someone coming out the door of house to his left.
Upon a closer look Ron said. "Joan?"
It was Joan walking out of the doorway with her books in hand and a surprised expression to see Ron.
"Oh, hi Ron!" Joan waved quickly running up beside him smiling.
"I didn't know you lived here."
"Well, everyone's got to live somewhere."
"That's so weird; I live just down the street."
The two paused, neither knowing what to say next. The pause became an awkward silence.
Finally Joan asked. "So Ron, what happened on your mission? I saw the news last night but they never give any details."
Ron went wide eyed; no one ever wanted to hear about the missions, well at least not from him.
"You want to know? From me?"
Joan nodded. As the two walked to school Ron retold the whole story to Joan who was listening intently. As Ron told the mission Rufus was up and making sound effects bringing the experience to life.
"Then I was like 'Freeze Drakken, cause I'm packin'!'" Ron said with self promotion.
"EEEEKKKK!" Rufus imitated Drakken by shrieking and waking his arms in the air.
Joan giggled. "That's amazing."
Ron and Joan arrived at the doors of the high school and stopped. For no reason the both started to laugh as they remembered the incident from yesterday.
"Let's avoid another collision." Ron suggested opening the door for Joan.
"Agreed." Joan replied walking through the door.
The two stopped by Joan's locker so she could get ready for class.
"So, how many missions have you been on?" she asked closing her locker.
"Countless."
"Could you tell me?"
"All of them?"
"Oops, yeah, sorry that's kind of a lot to expect."
"No, its okay, it's just gonna take a while."
"I don't mind."
"Well, okay I guess it starts with the first mission where me and KP got called away to a mansion…" Ron explained as they walked to class.
This marked the first time that Ron didn't meet Kim at her locker before class. Kim was mystified by Ron's lack of appearance but came up with a logical answer shortly after. She walking into first period science to see Ron sitting in his usually chair with Joan next to him.
"Hey Ron, what happened to you this morning?" Kim asked as she pulled up next to him.
"Oh, hi KP I just was talking to Joan." Ron explained sheepishly.
"I'm sorry Kim, did you and Ron have to do something important?" Joan asked concernedly.
Kim sighed. "No, not really."
"Okay class; open your textbooks to page thirty-nine." The teacher announced.
Kim sat down in her chair and obeyed but kept her eyes on Ron and Joan.
"What's with those two?" Kim asked in mind. "She's been her for a day and they're friends. Does she like him? Does he like her?"
Kim kept on glaring at Ron and the new girl and kept on asking questions right through science, social, P.E., all the way up to lunch.
"Girl, you are getting too worked up by this." Monique accused as they walked to the cafeteria.
"I am not, I'm just… why is he hanging out with her?"
"Well it might be because she's nice, friendly, funny, smart, a bit unsure of herself. Actually she's a lot like you."
"She is not."
"So you are mean, nasty, selfish, dumb…"
"No. But I... (Grr!) fine we're alike."
"So what's the problem? I like her and it's not just because she is the offspring of designer genius."
"I know, but I can't help but feel that."
"Kim, she isn't going to replace you, Ron and you have been tight for to long just to loosen in a day."
Kim sighed. "You're right, listen could you pick me something, I have to go."
Kim headed to the girls' room to take care of business, she looked around a saw that no one else was there. Moving into a nearby stall Kim was about to sit down when she heard some one come in.
'Hello?" a familiar voice asked.
Kim recognized Joan's voice instantly but she didn't respond.
"Anyone here?"
Kim hopped up on the seat and remained silent, why? She really didn't know.
Kim could here Joan walk quickly into the room and up to the mirrors above the sink. Kim drew out her Kimmunicator and commenced one of it's special designs. The back panel slide open and had a memory sensory board on the back to which she attached to the stall wall facing Joan. Then with a few buttons pressed the monitor lit up with a perfect visual of Joan. The meaning behind this gadget was so that Kim could spy in on thugs and evil doers behind up to six feet of solid concrete courtesy of Wade Load.
Kim adjusted the monitor to see exactly what Joan was doing. She was tying her hair back into a ponytail and putting on lips stick all while saying.
"Oh god! Will this work? It might, will it? He's such a hottie, and I'm so plain." She looked at herself in the mirror and took off her glasses. "I wish I had contacts, he probably thinks I'm such a geek."
Kim kept on watching feeling slightly guilty for eavesdropping and for using hi-tech machinery to do it but Kim knew that one of her flaws was uncontrollable curiosity.
Joan continued to analyze her reflect and spun around getting view of every angle. Before leaving she looked long and hard into the mirror like she was making a hard decision finally she undid a couple of buttons on her blouse and pushed her chest up.
"Why couldn't they be bigger, then I would have no problems." Joan said to her reflection as if expecting an answer. "I know Ron likes me, but does he like me, like me? Oh, I'm such a basket case."
Joan let out a sigh of insecurity before heading out of the bathroom. Kim stepped off of the seat and put the Kimmunicator back into her pocket.
"It's confirmed, Joan's crushing on Ron." Kim broadcasted to the empty room.
After finishing her true business, Kim left the washroom and headed to the cafeteria where Monique had her lunch waiting for her, as well as Ron and Joan.
"Got your lunch." Monique said pushing it to Kim as she sat down.
"Thanks." Kim said a little disheartened.
Ron was in the middle of telling another one of his and Kim's adventures with Joan all ears. Monique looking between the two conservationists before noticing Kim's slightly gloomy face.
"I didn't get you the meal with gravy did I?" Monique asked worriedly.
"No, it just that… nothing." Kim couldn't answer truthfully without setting Monique off with more contrary lectures on jellin' and being stressed.
The day continued on until the final bell rang to release the students.
"Hey Joan, me and Kim are going to Beuno Nacho again, you want to come?"
"Actually Ron." Kim corrected with a slightly sour disposition in her voice. "We have cheerleading practice remember?"
"Oh ya, that right." Ron recalled. "Hey do think Joan could join the squad?"
Kim was a second away from rambling on all the ways she couldn't join before Joan instantly spoke up.
"No thank you. I have no equilibrium at all."
"Equal what trum?" Ron asked confused.
"I have no balance, I can barely stand let alone form a pyramid." Joan confessed. "I should be getting home but I'll see you two tomorrow."
Ron smiled as she walked off. "Nice kid huh?"
"Yeah." Kim said shocked
Kim thought that Joan would do just about anything if it involved Ron, after all she seemed to be head over heels for him.
A week passed and things continued as they had. Kim found that Ron was always talking with Joan, Joan was everywhere they were going except for the occasional mission and Kim kept feeling that jabbing feeling deep in her soul. But then things took a step forward.
It was after school on Wednesday and there was no practice.
"To Beuno Nacho away." Ron announced in a bold hero like fashion.
Joan was beside him chuckling as usual.
"You coming K.P.?"
"I'll catch up I just need to talk to Monique first."
"Cool, see you in a bit."
Joan, Ron, and Rufus headed down the road while Kim went in search of Monique. Monique was placing her books into her locker when Kim found her.
"Monique, remember how you said Ron and I were to tight to be loosened in a day?"
"Yes."
"Well after a week I don't think we have such a good grip anymore."
Monique understood where Kim was coming from and felt sympathetic to her request.
"Kim, If gets worse I'll talk to Ron. Besides we don't know if Ron really likes her right? And even if he did he would never have the guts to ask her out."
Kim took in a sigh of relief. Monique was right, Ron had no luck with girls.
Meanwhile at Beuno Nacho the three hungry customers were busy eating to their hearts content. Rufus was gobbling down naco after naco while Ron took turns eating and talking to Joan while she ate and listened. Ron had been telling Joan everything in the past week, every exciting thing that had ever happened to him excluding his adventures involving Yamanuchi School due to his oath of secrecy.
"So then Kim is like 'Stop playing around!'" Ron said telling one of the few stories he still had left.
Joan was laughing at the thought of Ron without his pants on but still listened.
"Then believe it or not on the second try my shirt flies off."
Joan's laughed became fancy as she was grabbed by the thought of Ron without his shirt on. Suddenly Joan let out a unexpected belch that made Ron pause in surprise.
Joan blushed uncontrollably. "Excuse me."
Rufus held up a mini-score card that read 7.8 and said. "Bravo!"
"Top props, J.C." Ron agreed.
Ron didn't continue his story or eating, he just looked at Joan closely.
"I just realized, I've spent a week telling you all about me and I still don't know anything about you." Ron said looking at her as if information would start fountaining from her body..
"I'm nothing special." Joan replied.
"I think you are."
Joan froze bewildered before looking at Ron in his big brown eyes.
"Really?" she asked her eyes sparkling.
"Ring-a-ding-ding." Ron answered.
Joan couldn't do anything but go red and attempt to hid the color of her cheeks with her hands.
"And that's why you know…" Ron began, Joan forgetting about her current embarrassment to hear him "I uhh… Clearing throat just thought if you… you know, weren't busy. Clearing throat you and I might uh… The carnival is going to be here on the weekend and…"
"I'D LOVE TO!" Joan shouted overjoyed.
Ron was astounded that she managed to make sense of his barely human talking but grinned with pleasure. Joan was high on a natural adrenaline that few people have ever felt; she leaned in on Ron and planted a kiss on his freckled cheek. Ron solidified as he felt her soft lips press against his skin and as she returned to her previous position the two were in state of silent debating. Joan's rose colored cheeks returned as she come to terms of what she had done.
'I…um… have gotta go, see you then." Joan smiled as she quickly grabbed her backpack and walked out the door.
Ron's hand slowly raised to his cheek and slowly massaged the remaining feeling and warmth into his pores. He then slide limply into his seat arms behind his head.
"Boo-yah." He said in a very laid back fashion.
Rufus looked up at Ron and was battering his eyes. "Awwwww!" he chirped in a mocking fashion.
Kim and Monique were minutes away from the Beuno Nacho talking about the test next week when they saw Joan gliding towards them.
"Hi Joan" Monique said, Joan didn't answer. "You okay?"
Joan continued past the two as if floating in mid air, living in perpetual paradise.
'That was weird, think she's sick?" Kim asked.
Monique already knew that there was only one kind of sickness that had that effect on people. Kim and Monique walked into the eatery to see Ron up and about dancing around and singing.
"Ron?" Kim asked confused.
"Check me K.P., I've got a date!"
"A date? With who?" Kim asked dreading the expected answer.
"Joan Celina Mayril" Ron said dreamily.
Kim was petrified with an unexplainable feeling.
Ron continued his singing in his all to famous rap style with Rufus providing the beat.
"Here comes Ron Stoppable,Every knows he's untoppable, Hanging with Kim Possible Can I get a boo-yah?"
"Boo-yah!" Rufus called out.
"I said can I get a boo-yah?"
"Boo-yah" Monique joined in but was silence quickly by Kim's ice cold stare.
Ron continued his singing and his bon-diggity dancing raising eyes all across the restaurant.
"Sometimes they don't pay me enough to deal with him." Ned groaned with his face buried in his hand.
While Ron was in his trance Kim asked Rufus about what the details.
"Carnival, this weekend." Rufus answered.
Kim stormed out of the Nacho with Monique following closely.
"So what was that last part? I did quite catch it went something like 'he'd never have the guts to ask her out'" Kim boiled.
"First of all, okay I was wrong. Second of all why is this such a big deal?"
"Because. We're going to the carnival."
"Kim, as much as I'd like to." Monique replied sarcastically. "I have to work this Saturday."
Kim knew nothing she could say would change Monique's mind so she busted out her secret weapon. Kim put on her "puppy dog pout" face.
Monique instantly closed her eyes. "No! No! I am not falling for that" Monique turned around to face the other direction but Kim rotated around to return to her field of view.
"It's not going to work."
At last Kim's heart melting expression found its way to Monique's vision.
"Fine! I'll get someone to cover for me." Monique frowned with frustration.
"Thank-you." Kim replied with no guilt.
Saturday evening came quickly and Ron was making the final approach to Joan's front door, a nervous twitch had overcome his body.
"Okay, here I am…I am walking up her driveway… I am at her porch…I am standing on her porch…" Ron narrated his actions as he completed them.
"I am ringing her doorbell." Ron did nothing. "I am ringing her doorbell… I am ringing her doorbell…"
Rufus let out a sigh of impatience from Ron's pocket.
"Don't rush me!" Ron whined.
Rufus gave him a look.
"You're right." Ron admitted he took in a deep relaxing breath. "Here I go."
Ron pressed his finger on the small, circular button to initiate the ring but before his finger even left the key the door swung open with Joan to greet him.
"Uh, hi. You ready?" Ron asked a little unprepared for the instant response.
Joan nodded. Ron felt a little more relaxed as he saw her. Ron and Joan began their walk to the carnival that was being held just a few short blocks away.
"Were you waiting by the door?" Ron asked suspiciously.
Joan smiled modestly. "No…well maybe for a minute or two."
The two generated light conversation as they strolled across the street until they arrived at the fair.
"Two, please." Ron requested to the man in the ticket booth.
"Have a good time." The man responded.
Ron and Joan proceeded into the busy fair grounds where the busy sounds of carnival music and laughter rang in the air, the strong odors of cotton candy and popcorn waved in the wind and every color of the rainbow flurried as far as the eye could see.
"What do you want to do first?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. You pick." Joan replied.
"Do you like roller coasters?"
"I love roller coasters."
"Cool, we should go on the dominator first so we can squeeze in six or seven more times before we go."
Joan and Ron ran off to get in line on the largest roller coaster in the park.
"There getting in line for the roller coaster." Kim reported as she watched them from a distance.
"Oh no. They are having fun at a carnival. God forbid." Monique said cynically.
Kim brushed off Monique's statement and continued to keep her eyes on Ron.
"Listen, while you are busy playing Sam Fisher, I'm going to get some popcorn."
Ron and Joan jumped in the front row of the coaster and waited eagerly for the ride to begin.
"Remember you have to put your hands in the air at the top." Joan remind said.
"No doubt." Ron replied zipping up the pocket just so Rufus could enjoy the ride but wouldn't fly out.
The ride slowly started bringing to bring train up the long ascend to the top. Inch by inch it rose until it brief pause.
"Here we go!" Ron shouted raising his arms.
The train dove down at incredible speed with everyone screaming a mixture of fear and excitement. The train swerved left and right up and down until it led to the inevitable spiral.
"Whoooohoooooo!" Rufus cheered from his pocket.
When the ride finally ended the three had tapped into unmatched adrenaline.
"Let's go on that one next." Joan insisted.
Ron was right behind her his ticket stub in hand.
"Kim, do you realize what you're doing?" Monique asked with strict honesty.
"What?"
"Ron is on a date, with a girl he obviously likes a lot and you are following him around for what reason?"
Kim didn't answer again, she continued to watch him.
Monique went blank faced. "Kimberly Ann Possible, has Ron ever followed you on one of you dates? Has he ever hounded you down like a criminal? Would he appreciate what you are doing?"
Kim stopped and thought about what he friend was telling her. A slab of guilt landed hard on Kim's conscience.
"You're right."
"Come on Kim let's go have some fun of our own." Monique suggested.
"Good idea."
After a short time Joan, Ron and Rufus had managed to ride every roller coaster at least twice, by then they wanted to test their skills against fairway. They browsed by the limitless games and challenges wondering who would be their first victim. Something quickly caught Joan's eye.
"Aw! How cute!" She chirped looking at a small light blue teddy.
"You want it? It's yours." Ron said in a macho manner.
The game was to throw three tiny rings onto the large bottles about two meters away. Ron paid for six rings and took a moment to collect himself. He threw the first one… it missed entirely. Ron frowned he threw the second ring… it bounced off the rim and fell to the floor. Joan was getting a little dispirited but Ron wasn't done yet. He tossed the next ring up and it landed dead on the bottle. Throwing the next ring the same way got the second ring on the bottle. Ron felt surprising pressure for such a simple game, he pitched the next but it missed the target just slightly. The last ring and the last chance, Ron took in a breath and hurled the ring up and it spun directly into place.
"We have a winner!" The carnie announced handing Ron the teddy bear.
Ron handed his date the prize with a smug look on her face.
"Thank-you Ron." Said Joan filled with content.
Ron blushed, feeling like a night in shiny armor. They continued to another stand where Rufus insisted on playing the fishing game.
"Come on buddy, you can do it." Ron rooted from behind the hairless combatant.
Rufus swung the line into the water and guided the rod to pick up the lucky red fish. Rufus strained to hold and move the pole at the same time but seemed to do quite well considering his size. Closer and closer until his line hooked on to a blue fish.
"Shazam!" he hollered.
Rufus received a tiny plush penguin doll, he was happy because he could use it as a pillow for later.
It was Joan's turn to take a crack at a game and wanted to try a shoot-out. Joan picked up the ten gauge pellet gun and aimed it at the assorted targets in the western saloon scene. Unfortunately Joan had a great deal of trouble holding the gun properly and her shots were horribly off course. After using nine of her ten shots Ron stepped up beside her.
"Here, try holding it like this." Ron went up behind her. "Pull the end tight into your shoulder, use your left hand to support the barrel and…"
Ron stopped he suddenly realized how close he was to Joan. He was right up beside her, his face next to hers and his hands on top of hers. He once again felt her soft skin and realized how sweetly her hair smelt.
"Go on." Joan encouraged not bother by Ron's more then nearby presents.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. K, well you support the barrel hold it up to eye level, and if you look with both eyes open you can see even better."
Ron stepped back and watched Joan follow his persuading advice. She aimed for a target that was just to the right and pulled the trigger. The target shattered as she hit a perfect bulls-eye. Joan didn't win anything but she was overjoyed at her one shot success. She spun around jumped into Ron's arms. Ron caught her on reflex. The two enjoyed this quick second of magic before they snapped back to reality where they parted and avoided eye contact.
Ron cleared his throat and hid the red color in his cheeks. "Nice shot."
Joan did the same. "Yeah, thanks."
"Are you hungry?" Ron asked.
"Starving."
"Let's get some food."
After a few quick stops at several concession stands Ron, Rufus and Joan found an empty bench that stood away from the loud and busy areas.
"Here you go Rufus." Ron said after divvying up all the food.
"Yippee!" Rufus commenced shoveling.
As Rufus indulged Ron looked over at Joan who was busy putting condiments on her corn dog.
"I still don't know that much about you."
"There isn't that much to know really." Joan replied after swallowing her first bite.
"Come on. Everyone has a story."
"Well, I don't go on missions."
"Does it matter?"
The two looked deeply into each others eyes.
"Tell me, it's no fair if I don't know anything about the girl I'm on a date with."
Joan sighed. "Okay. Well, back when I still lived in Spring Valley I…"
It was a character flip from the last week, Joan was talking all about herself and Ron was listening and not missing a word.
"And that's what happened at my cousin's wedding." Joan finished.
"Whoa, so the bride and groom both didn't show up and the only reason they found each other was because of you."
Joan nodded.
"That's cool."
"Ready for some more fun?"
"Is Rufus as bald as Vin Diesel's head?"
Chuckling from the analogy Rufus dove back into Ron's pocket as they headed back to the rides. Not wanting to risk an unpleasant result they avoided the fast rides and went in search of more relaxing entertainment. The trio made their way into the funhouse for some wacky antics.
Joan walked precautious as she walked into the hallway which held multiple doors on the walls, ceiling and floor.
"Which one?"
Ron shrugged. "Pick one."
Joan picked a nearby door and opened it slowly, wanting to avoid a surprise clown or car alarm or anything else a funhouse could provide. But nothing happened, she looked into the door and it appeared to lead to a new area, so she started to walk when she ran into the false wall that the door actually held. Joan fell to the ground with a loud thud and Ron couldn't help but laugh.
After gathering himself Ron offered his hand and pulled her up. "Sorry, you okay?"
"Yes. You try the next."
Ron walked about and pondered about the right choice, he looked to the ground a pulled open a hatch. The hatch revealed a tunnel slide downward… or did it? Ron reached down to make sure it wasn't another false wall, it checked out as a passage.
"Ladies first." Ron said in a gallant style voice.
"Why thank you dear sir." Joan responded in a playful "southern belle" accent.
Joan slid down the tunnel and out of sight, Ron paused for a moment waiting for her to get clear or for a scream of horror which ever came first. After a couple of seconds Ron followed. Upon exiting the tunnel Ron landed on a mat and found himself in a hall of mirrors.
"Let's go." Joan gestured leading the way.
They walked past the mirrors slowly and looked at their reflections. Even Rufus had popped out of Ron's pocket to see himself.
Glancing to his left Rufus say his reflection that depicted him to look not to dissimilar to Rufus 3000.
"Ha-ho!" Rufus smirked flexing his arms.
"That's what I'm talkin' about!" Ron encouraged giving thumbs-up.
Joan was looking to the right and found a mirror that portrayed her like she was tall and weightless.
"Are you bulimic?" Ron joked walking by.
They laughed together as Ron continued on until he saw his reflection look like he was pregnant.
Turning to Joan. "I'm due this April."
Joan nearly fell over laughing. Ron loved hearing her laugh, it sounded so lyrical and soothing to his ears. They carried on down the hall until they came at the base of a spiral staircase. It looked like something from a high class European mansion with portraits of people on the walls and a chandelier at the top. Rufus didn't like stairs so he crawled back into his little cargo chamber. Meanwhile Ron and Joan started to climb up the stairway quietly, waiting for a surprise to emerge. As "expected" one of the portraits flew open and a creepy looking jester sprung out cackling insanely. Ron yelled out and wrapped his arms around Joan in fear. The jester returned to his hole behind the portrait and Ron and Joan were left standing in an awkward position.
"My hero." Joan said sarcastically.
Ron bolted off of Joan and dusted himself off. "Was just making sure you wouldn't fall down." He explained nonchalantly.
Joan rolled her eyes but smiled happily.
The stairs led to another chamber of confusion and to another. Eventually like all confusing funhouses Ron and Joan come out of the exit and back into the gentle briskness of the night.
"I almost forgot!" Ron shouted out looking at his watch.
"What?"
"At ten they release the fireworks, if we go to the ferris wheel now we'll have the best view."
Joan was taken by the Ron's suggestion so they rushed over to get in line for the ferris wheel. Luckily they arrived just before everyone else in the park got the same idea.
"What's even better is that this carnival carries one of the biggest ferris wheels in the country, so it lasts twice as long as most." Ron informed as they waited in line.
After being securely looked into their buggy the lever was pulled and wheel slowly started turning. Ron and Joan sat quietly looking around and secretly glancing at one another, each making discomforting movements. All of a sudden Ron's hand came down gently on Joan's. They both looked and enjoyed the soft twinge of energy that passed through them before Ron pulled his hand away apologizing half sincerely.
"There starting!" Joan proclaimed as the sky began to light up in a multihued of color.
The wheel began its second turn as they stared wondrously into the sky. Ron found himself slowly looking towards Joan, she became even more stunning as the bright greens, blues, and reds exceeded her flawless features.
"It's beautiful." Joan said softly.
"It's nothing compared to you." The words slipped out of Ron's mouth.
Joan looked at Ron flabbergasted making him go pale.
"Oh God! Tell me I didn't say that out loud!" Ron said in a panicky tone.
His eyes darted up and down left and right occasionally looking back at Joan to see her reaction. Ron went from pale white to beet red as he scooted as far to his side as the boundary would allow. Joan looked at him, the warm fuzzy feeling flowing over her as she leaned up close to Ron who was still looking around nervously. Joan lifted Ron's face to hers.
"That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard." She whispered.
Ron fidgeting stopped on contact as they lost each other in the others eyes. Natural persuasion took control of their bodies as they slowly moved closer towards one another. Their entranced eyes lazily began to close. They could feel the warmth of the other's breathe graze over their skin. Mere centimeters away from embrace…
"Okay you two out you get!" The carnie ordered.
Ron and Joan snapped out of the moment and paused in misunderstanding and confusion.
"Huh? What? Oh, yeah, sure." Ron sputtered climbing out of the cabbie.
Ron and Joan walked out onto the fairground both secretly questioning what had just happened and what would have happened had the carnie not interfered. Ron rubbed the back of his neck and thought over again and again what he had said just a few short minutes ago.
"Why did I say that? Did she mind? Well she didn't freak out and slap me or anything. In fact she seemed to like it. Was she just being nice?"
"Hey Ron, I need to get home my curfew is ten-thirty."
"Okay."
Making their way up the road Ron wanted to get past the weird moment they had on the ferris wheel so he initiated a little game where he'd tell something he liked to Joan and she would respond with something she liked.
"I like nacos." Ron began.
"Uh… I like reading?" Joan replied unconvinced to the point of the game.
"I like Rufus."
"I like Rufus too."
"Hey, you can't say the same thing as me." Ron responded annoyed. "Or the same thing twice… or something I already know."
"What's with all the rules?"
"My game, my rules."
Joan laughed with a mixture of aggravation and spirit.
"Fine, I like teddy bears." Joan continued hugging her prize.
Ron already knew that but he let it slide. "I like video games."
"I like basketball."
"Really? I bet I could take you on."
Joan stopped in tracks as if almost insulted. "Ha! I'd like to see you try." Joan said condescendingly.
"Bring it on!"
"I've got it right here!"
They both burst into a fit of laughter at how ridiculous they were acting.
"Your turn." Joan reminded as they kept walking.
"I like…pretty girls."
Joan looked at Ron who in turn raised his eyebrows.
Joan blushed. "Well, I like cute guys."
Ron attempted to act suave but Joan could see the color in his freckled cheeks. Their eyes were locked on to each other as they walked.
"I like long brunette hair."
"I like freckled cheeks."
"I like sleek glasses."
"I like romantics."
"I like soft skin."
"I like chocolate brown eyes."
"I like big butts I cannot lie!" Ron shouted impersonating Sir Mix-a-Lot.
"Hey!" Joan scolded shoving Ron playfully.
"Hey yourself!" Ron replied shoving her back.
At this stage the two were walking up her driveway and were at her porch. They stood there for a moment just stalling, eating up the three minutes that they had left.
"Do you know what else I like?" Ron asked.
"No, what?" Joan asked alluringly.
"I like you."
"I like you too."
"Now what did I say about repeating me!" Ron said with empty accusation.
"I had a really good time Ron."
"So did I." Ron shuffled his feet. "Could we do it again sometime?"
"I don't know." Joan said pretending to play hard to get. "I guess I have some free time tomorrow afternoon."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Goodnight Ron."
"Goodnight Joan."
Ron slowly headed home looking back at Joan every once and a while until she stepped inside her house and closed the door. Ron was on top of the world, he had never felt this good, Ron felt like somersaulting but knew he'd wake up Rufus if he did and he couldn't even if tried. Instead Ron just laced his fingers behind his head and quietly mouthed his famous tagline.
"Boo-yah!"
Unknown to Ron but Joan had already made her way to her bedroom and was quietly watching him stroll away. She rested her head on her folded arms and let out a long and delighted sigh.