Hello everyone! Here's a nice juicy chapter for you all c:

Btw, some of you may be wondering about Heather's character, but I don't know if I want to make her mean or not.

Anyways, enjoy the read!

Carnival

After Painting class my nerves settled down. I had until my last class to be calm and collected, because I wouldn't have to come in contact with Duncan until then. I spent my time in Algebra I and Geography daydreaming about nothing. I barely paid attention and just wanted to go home. When lunchtime came I met up with Heather and the rest.

"Hey Courtney, you're coming tonight right?" Bridgette asked.

"Huh?" I had no idea as to what she was talking about.

"Did you even get my message on Facebook?" Heather asked.

"Oh. I got off early last night." Because of Duncan.

"Well, there's a carnival that came in yesterday and we're all going tonight. You should come with us- it'll be fun."

"Cool," something to get my mind off him, "I'll ask my parents. I'm sure I can go though."

"I can pick you up." Alejandro said.

I smiled, "Sure, why not?"

"Cool. I'll be at your house at seven-thirty." He said.

Alejandro and I exchanged numbers. Seven-thirty seemed pretty late, seeing how we were going to a carnival and would probably be there for hours. But, then I realized it was Friday so my mood got a little better. I was actually looking forward to the carnival since it'd be my first time going out with my new friends. Things were looking up so I was determined to keep it that way.

Lunch was over and it was time to get to my English class. All I had to do was survive another hour and forty-five minutes with Duncan and then I'd be at a carnival and enjoy the weekend. When I got to class Duncan was already in his seat. I didn't look at him as I went to go sit down, but I could feel his eyes on me all the way there.

"Afternoon everyone!" The teacher spoke, "Today we're going to start reading Twilight."

What?

Everyone in class looked around murmuring with confused faces.

Mr. Calvert waved his hand, "I'm kidding! I'm not here to torture you guys. We're going to read Flowers for Algernon."

We all sighed in relief and some of us even laughed.

"Twilight, what a load of crap eh?" Duncan was talking to me.

I half smiled, "Heh, yeah."

To be honest, a couple years ago I had secretly enjoyed the book like a little fan girl. But, overtime I realized how stupid it was.

We all got a "Flowers for Algernon" paperback and had to take turns reading aloud two paragraphs each. When it got to Duncan's turn, I actually became a little uncomfortable. I mean, there he was, reading aloud relaxed and composed. After hearing his voice like that, I had to admit it was a little soothing. I was so used to hearing his raised voice or him saying something snarky that I never noticed how appealing it could be. I held the book close to my face trying to hide the fact I kept looking at him. Duncan stopped reading and I quickly turned my head towards the windowed wall, breaking eye contact with him.

"Umm, Courtney," I felt a nudge, "it's your turn."

I looked back at him, "Oh! Yeah, sorry."

I read in my normal tone, but I was still uncomfortable. Reading for the class was always a little hard because everyone is listening, waiting for you to make a mistake. I was sure I wouldn't make one, but I had accidentally said "Agernon" instead of "Algernon". Duncan chuckled, but I just kept going until I finished. I pretended to be reading along while the others read aloud. I was thinking about Duncan. I mentally hit myself in the head. He was leaning back, as usual, with one hand holding his book and the other arm on the side of his chair. He caught me staring and raised one of his brows. I wanted to say something to explain myself, but the bell rung. I grabbed my things and got up, quick to leave. Duncan unexpectedly grabbed my arm before I could make it out the door.

"Let go of me." I shook my arm out of his grasp.

"I just wanted to ask you a question, sheesh."

"Okay, what?" I demanded.

"Are you going to the carnival tonight?"

"What's it to you?"

"That means yes. I might see you tonight then." He smiled and waved as he walked out of the class.

"Wait, what?" I called after him, but he just kept walking.

Great. Carnival equals ruined.

When I got home Alejandro texted me, asking for my address. I sat there for a minute or two thinking of whether or not I should go, but I didn't want to chicken out because of one person. I texted him my address and got in the shower. I spent my quality time in there thinking about different ways to respond to Duncan if he approached me at the carnival. I was afraid he would when I'd be with my friends, and that'd be super awkward since they hate Duncan and his posse.

Maybe I'll just avoid him at all costs.

I got out of the shower and blow-dried my hair. I had a little trouble choosing what to wear, and I sure as hell wasn't going to spend hours on dressing up for a carnival, so I went with something casual. Jean shorts, a green & black baseball tee, and black Keds were the best way to go. I got a text from Alejandro telling me that he was at my house and to come outside. I ran down the stairs.

"Where are you going?" My dad asked.

Crap! I forgot to ask!

"I'm really sorry, I forgot to ask. My new friends invited me to go with them to a local carnival that just came."

"Well, what time will you be back?"

"Not too late, I promise." I kissed him on the head.

"Okay, have fun, but next time tell me your plans in time."

"Yeah, love you dad!" I ran out the door.

"Hey! Come on." Alejandro called from the sidewalk.

I went to him and we started walking, "So how is everyone else getting there?"

"Everyone else lives close to each other and where the carnival is being held so they walked there together."

We went to the bus stop down the street from my house. The ride there was pretty nice. We talked about music and then he asked me about my relationships.

"I've never had a boyfriend." I sadly admitted.

"That's okay. We're really young anyway." He tried to reassure me.

"Yeah, I guess."

We got off at a stop really close to the carnival. We met up with the others at the entrance and paid for our tickets.

"So, whaddya guys wanna go on first?" said the blonde boy who had his arm wrapped around Bridgette.

What was his name again?

"How about the swinging ship?" Heather said.

"Oh. I don't know how I feel about that…" He put his free hand on his stomach.

Bridgette rubbed his head, "Come on Geoff, I'm sure it'll be fun!"

Oh! That's his name. Who names their kid that?

We went on the swinging ship ride and Geoff screamed like he was getting stabbed. I was letting out a mixture of laughter and giggles; the feeling in my stomach was weird. We got off of the ride laughing at the fact Geoff looked like he was going to vomit. I stopped laughing when I noticed Duncan and his friends thirty feet away from us. He looked like he was going to come my way, so I had to think fast.

"Hey guys, I'm gonna go get some cotton candy. I'll catch up." I basically ran away.

I looked for a place to hide. I was beginning to think running away was a dumb idea. I went inside a structure without checking to see what it was. At first there were mirrors everywhere, then I went inside a dark room with glowing neon stuff all over. I bumped into someone.

"Oof!"

"Hey." It was a familiar voice.

"Alejandro?" I could see his face now, though it was still very dark.

"Yeah. What are you doing?"

"Just looking around." I lied.

"Well," he put his hand on my waist, "it's never a good idea to go looking around alone."

I turned my head to the side and blushed, "I guess."

What was he doing?

Alejandro pulled me closer. I couldn't think. I wanted to push him away but I just couldn't.

"Alejandro, stop."

"What? Don't you like me?"

"I…"

"I'll see you later." He walked off, hands in his pockets.

I felt pretty bad, but that was all so sudden. I didn't like rejecting people, but I couldn't just let someone I didn't like kiss me. It would be wrong. I stayed in the dark room for a few more minutes while couples of people walked through every now and then.

"Hey."

I looked up; only to see the face of the person I had been running from. He looked at me while I stood silent for an awkward few seconds.

"You okay?" He talked to me again.

I nodded and gave him a cheery smile, "Yeah. Why are you following me?" And there went my smile.

"It's a carnival and it just so happens we both like fun houses."

"Oh, right." I crossed my arms.

"Are you and that Alejandro kid together?"

My head went back, "Were you watching?"

"I saw, but it's not like I was being a peeping tom!"

"How long have you been here?"

"I didn't know when to come over and talk to you…" He looked away, embarrassed.

At that moment I realized something. That past week had been very uncomfortable for me, but the reason wasn't what I had thought it'd been that entire time. I thought it was because I hated Duncan and being around him made me mad, but it was something else. In that dark room, with the help of the glow, I could see the vulnerable expression he had on his face. My hormones were raging and I just couldn't help myself on what I did next. I took his face and pulled him in, kissing him.

He broke the kiss, "Whoa. What was that?"

"I… I don't know. I'll go." I turned around and started walking.

He grabbed my arm and spun me around, "Don't go, I'm not rejecting you."

He bent down and kissed me on the lips. I didn't know what to do but what was done was done- I brought it upon myself. He wrapped his arms around me and deepened the embrace. I opened my eyes and freaked out.

"Uh, I need to go!" I ran out of the fun house, leaving a very confused Duncan behind.

Walking around the carnival grounds, I kept thinking about the kiss.

What was I thinking? Why did I do that? Wouldn't it have been better to let Alejandro kiss me?

"Hey Courtney!" Heather was waving.

I waved back, "Hey!"

She ran up to me and everyone else followed slowly, "Where did you go? Alejandro tried to find you but he said he couldn't."

He lied. I looked at Alejandro for a second- he was looking away. I guess if I were him I wouldn't have wanted to explain what had happened in there anyways, "I got some cotton candy then I kind of just walked around."

"It's okay, we had a lot of fun. We're gonna go back to my house, wanna come?"

"I've got to get home. I told my dad I wouldn't be home late."

"Do you always do everything your parents ask?" She raised a brow.

"Next time okay? Promise!"

She hugged me, "Alright then. See you later."

I said my goodbyes to everyone else and headed for the bus stop. I spent the entire time going home sulking about the mess I had gotten myself into.

What am I gonna do?

Me: How as that? Thanks for the reviews guys. I'm going to attempt making each chapter around this length. Also, to cute-kayz, thanks so much (: I'm really trying to get better at writing because I want to write a book, but I feel like the way I write right now isn't very flowy. Practice makes perfect.

Courtney: What have I done?

Duncan: Aweee yeeee!

Geoff: MY NAME IS UNIQUE!