Chapter 11~ Of Making Memories
PREVIOUSLY, ON BECAUSE OF A FIGHT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT:
"Shut up, Ig." I gently moved Max's head to lie against the wall and got up. I reached down to shake her awake, but stopped halfway. She really did look so peaceful right then, it would have been a shame to wake her up. So instead, I put one hand under her knees, one hand under her head, and lifted Max into my arms. Steadily walking outside of the pantry, I asked Iggy, "Where can I lay her down?"
"You can just go put her in Nudge's room until she wakes up," he motioned upstairs.
"Okay." I started my way up the stairs, holding her carefully as I went up. This is definitely the last time I'm going to a party, I thought.
FANG POV
As I walked to the grocery store on Sunday morning, a brightly colored flyer tacked to a lamp post caught my eye. I stopped in my tracks and peered at it. Carnival, it read. At the Harrington Plaza, Sunday through Saturday, 5-10 PM.
The first thing that went through my head when I saw the word "carnival?" Max likes carnivals.
I whipped my phone out of my pocket and called the first person on my speed dial.
"Hello?" a female voice answered.
"Hey, Max," I greeted.
"Oh, hey, Fang. What's up?"
I scratched the back of my head as I replied, "I just saw a flyer saying there's a carnival in town and thought it might be fun. You wanna go?"
"A carnival? Are you for reals?" Max sounded extremely excited when she practically yelled into the phone. Ow.
"Uh, yeah."
"I haven't been to one since forever! 'Course I'll go!" My mouth opened to say something but she cut me off. "Thing is, I'm just impressed that you remembered how much I loved carnivals."
"It wasn't that hard, just hit me at the moment. So," I said, dragging out the word, "I'll pick you up at six?"
"Yeah, totally."
A small smile crossed my features. "Alright, see you later." I hung up and continued to stroll to the store.
Mission accomplished.
MAX POV
The shrill ding of the doorbell rang as I came down the stairs. "I'll get it!" I hollered. When I reached the door, I pulled it open to reveal Fang, standing there with his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Ready to leave?"
I nodded happily. After so many years since I've been to a carnival, it was hard to believe I was going to one. "More than ever."
At that moment, I was wearing a long sleeved black shirt, a brown scarf, tan colored jeans, and my black Vans, but apparently Fang thought I would be freezing later. He regarded me up and down, and I felt almost uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze. "You do realize it's sixty degrees outside, right? Put on a jacket first."
I waved his words off. "Details, details. Let's just go." As I tried to push past him, he put his arms out against the doorframe.
"Put on a jacket," Fang said slowly.
Staring at him defiantly, I shook my head. "No, Fang, it's not even that cold outside."
To my surprise, he just rolled his eyes and lazily held his hands up in an "I surrender" move. "Fine, but don't come running to me when you're freezing your ass off." Fang turned and walked toward his car.
I smirked at his giving up on the matter and followed him into the vehicle.
The car ride wasn't quiet like I expected but actually full of chatter as we talked about the most random things ever. It was really nice; I had forgotten how much fun Fang and I used to have, even during simple things like driving.
Soon, we reached the plaza where the carnival was held. And let me tell you, it was really a site to behold.
Since it was close to Christmas time, everything was draped in big, colorful lights that would have been blinding if they weren't just glowing faintly. All the rides and food stands were painted in either red and green. Some people were standing at the edge of the plaza and handing out candy canes to passerby. Jingle Bell Rock were blaring loudly from speakers and a group of children near me were singing along. A Ferris wheel was lighting up in gold and red and was shaped like a huge Christmas wreath. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of funnel cakes and cotton candy.
I heard Fang's voice behind me. "Like it?"
Turning to face him, I smiled widely. "It's like magic. Now, come on, I have my eye set on those carnival games."
After we bought our tickets, I dragged Fang toward a booth where a worker was there to explain the game. "It's simple, really. You get four rings and all you have to do is toss them around those 3 bottles there and you win a prize. Try it; it's only two tickets."
I was handed four rings. Next to me, Fang spoke, "I bet you won't be able to make them."
Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "What, you're not betting money?"
"Why bother if you're going to lose this one? I've never seen anyone do it before and I really doubt you'd be able to."
Challenge accepted. "Game on, Walker."
Slightly leaning toward the counter of the booth, I threw a ring. It successfully rattled around the bottle, landing on the bottom. I grasped another ring and tossed it. Once again, it made it around the bottle. I glanced toward Fang to see him doubtfully raising an eyebrow.
Boy, was I good.
I took another ring, confident I would make the shot. I threw it, but it clanked against the side and fell to the ground. I looked again to the boy beside me; he was now sporting a smirk on his face.
Closing my eyes, I grabbed hold of the last ring, took a deep breath, and muttered a prayer.
Was I being dramatic? Maybe, This was my last chance. If I didn't make this one, I'd have Fang gloating obnoxiously for the next hour, which I definitely would. I opened my eyes and threw the ring.
It landed around the bottle.
I pumped my fists and whooped. "Yes! Ladies and gentlemen, that's how it's done!" The dark-haired boy next to me had his jaw open in disbelief. I turned to him and smirked. "Careful there, Walker, you might catch flies." He glared at me and mumbled something about beginner's luck.
The game attendant let me pick a stuffed animal and I chose a large teddy bear. Clutching it in my arms, I held it out to Fang.
He looked at it with a confused face. "What, you want me to hold it?"
"No, you idiot, it's for you."
Fang widened his eyes in surprise. "What?"
"I said, it's for-"
"No, I heard what you said, but...why are you giving it to me?"
I balanced my weight on one leg as I explained, "You know how in those cheesy books and movies when a girl and a guy are at a carnival or amusement park, and the guy wins a game and gives a giant stuffed animal to the girl? Well, I thought that was unbelievably cliche and I think maybe the girl should give the guy something, so...here you go."
He frowned. "Aren't people going to wonder why a dude's holding a bear?"
"Who cares what goddamn people think? Just keep it, 'kay?"
Reluctantly, Fang took it in his hands. "Alright, then."
Satisfied, I smiled. "Good, now let's go to that Ferris wheel, Fangles." I took his hand to tug him along, but he stayed in his tracks.
Fang's was slightly pale. "Ferris wheel?" he repeated weakly.
"Yes, Ferris wheel, now start walking." I tugged his hand harder, yet the boy remained still. "Dude, what the hell is your problem?" What could be the reason he refused to move? It wasn't like he was scared of them or something.
Was he?
When I thought about it, he never did say anything about hating Ferris wheels...or liking them. "Fang, are you scared of those rides?" I wondered aloud.
His cheeks turned a bit red. "No," Fang muttered. "What makes you think that?"
I grinned gleefully. "You're blushing, you are scared! Wow, who would have that Fang Walker of all people would be scared of Ferris wheels?" Oh, God, this was too good.
"Shut up, it's not my fault I got stuck on one when I was kid," he insisted, full of indigence.
"You got stuck on one? How did that happen?"
Fang sighed. "The cart stopped moving for two hours while it was at its highest point, alright? Now wipe that grin off your face; let's go somewhere else." This time he pulled my sleeve and tried to drag me in another direction.
I grabbed him by the collar and made him stop. "Oh, no, no, no, none of that. We're going on that Ferris wheel whether you like it or not, mister."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"No."
"Yes."
"HAH. You said yes, now you have to come." I grinned triumphantly. Sucker.
Fang groaned loudly as he looked up at the dark sky, "May the Lord have mercy on my soul."
Rolling my eyes, I reproached him. "Stop being so melodramatic and get your ass over there."
After buying tickets for rides, we walked over to the line and waited patiently. Rather, I waited patiently while Fang fidgeted next to me. I really didn't want to see him worried, but this was for his own good. It's unhealthy for a seventeen year old to have such and irrational fear. In my honest opinion.
It soon became our turn, as the throngs of people waiting in line disappeared into the ride. An attendant led us into the cart and we sat on opposite sides of it. Fang swallowed thickly, looking nervous. I reached over and reassuringly put my hand over his. I could feel how tense he was. "Don't worry, your phobia will disappear once you realize how much fun it is."
My hand never left his as the cart slowly went higher and higher. Before long, we were at the very top. I looked out of the cart and could see the whole carnival lighting up the night sky.
It was amazing.
When I took a glimpse at Fang, he had his eyes tightly shut. "Open your eyes," I commanded.
He shook his head. "Nuh uh."
"Please? Just for a few seconds?" I asked. With a lot of coaxing, his eyelids rose and Fang speculated the sight before him.
"Wow...that's a lot of lights."
I chuckled. "That's a nice way of putting it."
The cart was settled there for another minute and then began its descent. Fang visibly relaxed as it continued its way down. "See? Not that bad."
"S'alright, I guess." Liar, I could tell he liked it. Instead of telling him that, I decided to keep the thought to myself.
After we stepped out of the cart, goosebumps rose on my arms. It was quickly becoming colder and colder outside. I cursed myself. Why didn't I bring a jacket?
Oh, that's right. I thought it wouldn't be cold. Unfortunately, it was the fucking Arctic tundra.
As if he could hear my thoughts, Fang inquired, "Are you feeling cold?" There was a teasing side to his voice, as if he expected I'd feel more chilly than I would have liked to be.
"N-no." Crap, my teeth were chattering. I tried to force myself to stop.
"You sure?"
I sighed and confessed, "Yeah, I'm freezing. Go ahead, say you told me so or whatever."
"Actually, I was going to give you my jacket, but if you were expecting something else, then-"
Putting a hand up, I cut him off. "You're gonna give me your jacket?"
Fang shrugged it of his shoulders and held it out after setting his stuffed bear on the ground. "Yeah, why not? You said it yourself; you're freezing."
"Wouldn't you feel cold, though?"
He draped it over my shoulders and picked up the stuffed animal. "I'll survive."
"Thanks." As we walked away from the Ferris wheel, I noticed a few girls giggling as they ran over to some big, rectangular box with one side covered by a long black cloth. The outside was painted green and white and a boy just came out of it with a girl. From what it looked like, the box was really a photo booth.
I poked Fang. "Race you to the photo booth!" Before he could respond, I ran over there and tagged the booth.
Fang quickly caught up to me, his onyx eyes full of amusement. "I never pegged you as the type to like photo booths," he told me as he leaned against the large box.
I gave him a playful smile. "We're here to make memories, aren't we?"
"Come on, come on, come on," I chanted. "Aren't they done yet?"
"Patience, it takes its time."
We were waiting outside the photo booth for our strips of photos to be printed. Problem was, they were taking quite a while.
Finally, I heard a little beep and watched as the strips came out. Before I could grab them, however, Fang took hold of them first. "Uh, uh, uh," he reproached. "One for me," Fang took a strip and placed it in his wallet, "and one for you." Looking at me, he placed the other strip in my back pocket. His hand rested there for a few seconds, and then returned to his side.
Whoa, there.
Fang's eyes never left my own as a smirk gradually developed on his face. "Now," he continued, "how about a few more games, some cotton candy, and we call it a night?"
Author's Note:
Like 10 minutes after I posted the last chapter, I already had the number of reviews I needed, wow. So, here's the next update. I know it took a little longer but I didn't expect you to review that fast guys! P.S. Thank Aliza guys, like seriously.
JLAAST GUYS DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW. I've actually started the next chapter but in order for me to post it, you have to reach the review mark(;
So how about 20 reviews for the next update... So 125 reviews?
Thank you~
Thank you~