That night, instead of staying in and brooding, Alex decided to take the group to the local carnival. She remembered her father taking her to this annual carnival. He use to take her every time they came to Chicago, he always won her a huge teddy bear.

She shook her head, ridding her mind of those memories; it was a very long time ago and she wanted to keep those things in the past.

All of these memories aside she was really having a good time bonding with the group, she finally felt like she was a part of something, like she had a real place in the world.

The teens were currently watching Seth try to win a goldfish.

Alex- Seth give it up! You've already spent 15 bucks on a stupid fish.

Marissa- Yeah, and I'm hungry.

Summer- Whatever! I want the fish. Seth keep trying!

Alex- No! Look I'm hungry too!

Seth- Well, you two go, we'll catch up.

Marissa- Fine, see you guys in a couple hours.

Marissa and Alex began walking out of the carnival area toward the food stands.

Carnie- Hey, win the lovely lady a stuffed bear! C'mon she'll love it! I'm sure you'll get lucky tonight.

Marissa- Oh no, we're not…

Alex- Alright, I'm gonna win you the biggest bear!

Alex walked up to the man holding the basketball.

Carnie- Take your best shot.

Alex took one shot and the ball dropped in, swoosh. Two shots later Marissa was holding the biggest bear she'd ever seen.

Alex- So, what are you gonna name him?

Marissa- I don't know, I was never very good at naming my stuffed animals. I even named one of them teddy bear.

Alex- Call him R.T. you know like Artie. It'll stand for red tongue cuz he's got a red tongue.

Marissa- R.T. it is. Those games are rigged, how'd you win this?

Alex- My dad showed me when I was little; for a while he was a carnie.

Marissa- You two seemed so close, what happened?

Alex- He works a lot and well…it's like he never wants to see me anymore since…well you know.

Marissa- Yeah, I know. I'm sorry.

Alex- Me too… me too. It should get easier once I move in with Grandpa. I am his favorite.

Marissa- Yeah, right. Well now that you're living with Caleb we'll get a lot closer.

Alex- I don't know about that, his house is bigger than all of L.A. I'll have to drive to your room.

Marissa laughed. Alex decided that she liked that laugh and wanted to hear more of it.

Alex- Alright, let's get some food.

Alex and Marissa picked up some Chinese food and took a seat on some pick nick benches.

Summer- Hey guys. Wow huge bear.

Marissa- Alex won it for me.

Summer noticed the two were sitting very close to each other.

Alex- Where's my cousin?

Summer- He ran outta cash so he went to the ATM.

Seth- Hey guys, I'm ready to take another stab at the goldfish.

Alex- No, you're ready to eat.

Alex handed him some of her Chinese.

Seth- Well I guess I am. 'Cmon Sum I'm buying.

Summer-Well duh.

Alex (To Marissa) - Well, I've had fun.

Marissa- Me too. What happened to Aubrey?

Alex-I'm not sure yet…there's a lot to consider. I'm just really confused.

Marissa- But, isn't she the girl from your childhood?

Alex- No, what gave you that idea?

Marissa- Seth told me.

Alex- Well he is on drugs. You're the girl from my childhood.

Marissa- Really? Well you're mine.

Seth- Alright ladies! We're back!

Summer- Yeah, what have you two been up to?
Summer winked at Marissa.

Alex- Hey, what do you guys say we try a few rides?

Summer- They scare me, they put them up in one day. They probably lose so many nuts and bolts and they DON'T care! Plus, all of them just spin around in circles and that makes me sick!

Seth- How about we try the Ferris Wheel?

Summer- Fine, but if I die I'm personally gonna come back and haunt you all.

As they were walking, they noticed a gay couple and their children getting hounded by some super Christians.

Christian- How could you two raise children? They're gonna turn out to be gay just like you!

Seth- So you're saying gay people raise gay kids?

Seth gave them a skeptical and incredulous look.

Summer- Wait, don't gay people come from straight parents? Hmmm…odd how that works.

The Christians just looked at Summer with their mouths wide open, not knowing what to say.

The group walked away also in awe of Summer.

Alex- Nice one Summer.

Summer- I was just pointing out a flaw in their argument.

Summer smiled feeling proud of herself as well.

The teens split up once they got on the Ferris Wheel; Seth and Summer, Alex and Marissa.

Alex- So, you know that if we were to get together we'll have to deal with super Christians all the time.

Marissa- I don't care what other people think. My friends accept me and that's all I care about.

Alex- Well, I don't know. I just think that…

Marissa- Stop thinking.

With that Marissa crushed their lips together, surprising herself with her boldness. It took Alex a little while to realize what was happening but once she did she threw herself fully into the kiss. Both were surprised with the softness of the kiss, it was tender and passionate at the exact same time. Years of pent up yearning went into the kiss and intensified it that much more.

Marissa was the one to deepen the kiss which prompted Alex to let out a moan that sounded alien even to her own ears.

They broke apart due to lack of oxygen, yet the intensity could still be seen in each others eyes.

They were broken out of their trance by someone clearing their throat. They looked up to see that they were at the bottom of the Ferris Wheel and had a crowd of men, and some women, starring straight at them. Marissa got up blushing profusely, Alex on the other hand got up looking rather proud.

Marissa- Still doubt me

Alex- No, definitely showed me a whole new side of you.

The two walked away lost in their own world.

Seth-So, it's a beautiful night isn't it?

Summer- Yeah, I guess. Where did Coop and Alex go?

Seth- Um, I don't know, they got off before we did.

Summer- Oh! Maybe they finally got together! They were looking awfully cozy before.

Seth- Summer, enough about them.

Seth then tried to put his arm around Summer.

Summer- Cohen! What are you doing?

She shrugged his arm off.

Seth- Sorry. My arm had a spasm. Yeah, I really should get that looked at.

Summer knew there was now trouble.

Summer (to herself)- Shit, why'd he have to make things more complicated than they already are. Should I tell him the truth? God, what is the truth? Maybe I should let him find out on his own. Just great, I need to talk to Coop and Alex.