Chapter 17

"Hey are you okay?"

I looked up to see Rachel standing over me. She took a seat next to me and put a hand gently on my shoulder.

"Wanna talk about it?" She asked. I shook my head slightly. "You know it helps?"

"You don't have to concern yourself Rachel." I said with a sigh. "I'm alright… honest."

It was Rachel's turn to sigh. "I… saw what happened." She closed one eye and pulled a sour face. I looked at her for a brief second before burying my face in my hands.

"Oh god." I whispered. I guess I can't escape now.

"Why'd you hesitate?"

"Because…" I began still keep my face in my hands. "He's my best friend."

I sighed and rested my hands on the bench, leant back and looked up, trying hard not to her in the eyes.

"And?" She asked. "Patton and I were best friends and now look at us."

I cocked and eye brow as I turned to her. "You guys were never best friends." I said. "There was always something going on between the two of you guys."

Rachel blushed slightly, smiling innocently and I must admit it kind of made me smile too.

"You okay?"

I looked up and again and there stood Numbuh 345. She took a seat and looked at me sympathetically.

"Look you guys… I appreciate the care but really, I'm fine." I said hoping they would listen. I watched Bartie from the distance talking to Patton.

"You can't keep putting it off." Numbuh 345 said. Both Rachel and me turned to her. "Talk to him about it. Otherwise your friendship is damaged no matter what."

And with that she wandered off towards Patton, curling her hair in a seductive manner.

"Where does she think she's going?" Rachel asked suspiciously through gritted teeth. I didn't answer and continued to keep my gaze on Bartie. He drilled his last nail in before walking off. Numbuh 345 had a point. Before I knew what I was doing I started chasing after Bartie.

"Virginia where are you going?" Rachel asked.

"You have other problems to worry about." I called back as I pointed to Numbuh 345 chatting to Patton. I turned on my heel and continued to follow Bartie outside the carnival. I watched him sit and lean upon a tree before making my way over to him. I sat down next to him and he got a bit of a fright before realizing it was me. I couldn't help but giggle over his reaction.

"Virginia." He said.

"Yeah." I whispered, hugging my knees. "I followed you."

"Yeah I figured that."

We shared a soft chuckle.

"H-Have you heard of the… 'Carnival Theory?" Bartie asked.

I shook my head in confusion. "What is it?" I asked.

"Hoagie told it to me… I think it's a load of bull but now… anyway it's when a guy and a girl go to a carnival and the guy buys her cotton candy, wins her a prize and takes her on the ferris wheel just when the fireworks start. Then they end up together or something…"

I blinked in utter confusion. "What a load of shit." I said, but I couldn't help but go slightly pink. Lucky it was dark out.

"Yeah I thought so too." He chuckled.

"Bartie?"

"Hmm?"

He turned to face me.

"I-I'm sorry…" I mumbled.

"You've been very apologetic this last week haven't you?" He asked with a smile. I pulled out my necklace and showed it to him. I sat up straight and turned his whole body to me.

"You remember this right?" I asked.

"Yeah, of course." He replied. "Gave it to you on your 13th birthday."

"Yeah…" I trailed off before continuing. "This is a symbol of our friendship. I don't want anything to come between it. Including ourselves."

"Eh?"

I sighed. "I'm too afraid of what might happen to our friendship if we had a relationship."

Bartie sat there silently, looking at his shoes. Then all of a sudden he lifted his head up. "You know," He said looking straight into my eyes. "You're one of the bravest people I know."

"And?"

"So why are you afraid to take a risk all of a sudden?"

I said nothing and continued to stare at him. Maybe, just maybe, it won't be so bad if we ended up together.

Maybe, just maybe, I could have a relationship after all…