Chapter 11: Genuine and Unprepared

Sarah and Tom had decided on walking to their destination. Tom realized that she lived only a few blocks away from a park he used to go to when he was a young lad. He wanted to show her the part of London that wasn't bombarded by tourist but was filled with locals. For some reason he always felt the need to take her to places that provided memories close to his heart and there weren't too many places like that. As they walked the cobble sidewalk he couldn't help but glance at her on occasion. Her beauty was accentuated her facial features well. The fullness of her lips, the curve of her cheek bones, and the dazzle of her eyes mesmerized him to no extent. Why did she always have this effect on him? There was a slight breeze blowing in the opposite direction of the way they were walking making Sarah's hair waver in the wind as it passed all around them.

As they walked in silence Tom took this time to think things over. He had two very beautiful women in his life that he had immense feelings for. He loved one and was sure he was bound to love the other the stronger his feelings became. He had known Jade for a short time before they started dating and here they were three years later and still together. They had gone through many stages in life and she was always there for him. So why did he all of sudden go out on a whim and decide to take interest on someone he had only known for a few months. He hardly knew anything about the girl walking beside him. So why was he willing to risk all that he has known for this girl. He knew the answer but that would mean having to admit the flaws in his relationship with Jade. He was afraid that if he had examined his relationship with Jade he would find that he wasn't really happy. There were things he had over looked in his relationship and he didn't want those flaws to give him reason to go beyond being friends with Sarah. Jade was a good person but her demanding side always got the best of her. He realized that he did jump in head first into a relationship with Jade without really knowing who he was dealing with. But that didn't make him love her less did it?

"So Thomas we've been walking for awhile now, do you care to tell me where you're taking me?" Sarah asked.

"I'll tell you in due time. You have to have some patience which, by the way you seem to be lacking at the moment." He said playfully.

"I have patience!" She declared but added "well actually I guess I don't, I always like to be in the know about things. Especially if it includes people taking me places that I'm not aware of."

As they got closer to the park he brought her to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk. He turned her to face him and pulled out a black scarf from his pocket which he had taken from her room before they left.

"So I see you're an actor turned thief now." She said giving him a smirk.

He laughed and said "I needed something to shield your eyes. Okay I'm going to cover your eyes for the remainder of our walk."

Tom pushed her hair behind her back sweeping his hand on her exposed shoulder. At the touch of his hand she shuddered. In that moment she looked up at him. If he had it his way he could look into her doe like eyes for hours on end and never be tired of it. Tom broke the spell she had over him and placed the black scarf over her eyes and tied it around her head taking care not to tie it too tight.

"You're not going to push me into on-coming traffic are you? She said with a smile.

"Only if you keep asking me where we are going." He said.

Sarah laughed with much sarcasm and said "Very funny."

Tom tied the scarf around her eyes after she reassured him that she couldn't see a thing he took her arm and locked it around his. As he took the lead he always made sure she was aware of her surroundings so that if they were to take a step off the curb she wouldn't falter. They came to a stop sign at what she assumed was the crosswalk as she could hear the impending traffic. Sarah clutched to his arm tighter. He sensed her distress and leaned into her ear and whispered "We're almost there". It was seductive reassurance. The feel of his breathe on her ear sent a flutter to her belly. As traffic came to a halt they crossed the street with Sarah clinging to his arm.

Sarah noticed the sounds of cars were becoming more distant as they kept walking. The surface underneath her shoes turned to smooth pavement instead of the usual rockiness of the sidewalk. Her sense of smell kicked in as they walked closer to their destination as she could smell various different foods but couldn't quite place what foods she smelled. She could now hear various people talking and laughing, and screaming in every direction causing her to become slightly alarmed.

Just as she was on the verge of taking the scarf off he let go of her arm and did it for her. What she saw before her was the last place she thought he would bring her but she couldn't have been more excited. She was pretty sure she was smiling around like an idiot. She looked over at Tom and he looked just as excited as she was.

"You brought me to a fair?" She asked

"Yeah well I thought I would show you the things that not many people care to stop and experience-tourist wise if you know what I mean."

Sarah jumped up and down like a little kid which surprised the both of them. She composed herself but still kept her smile. She cleared her throat and looked at him as he laughed at her sudden outburst.

He took her hand in his which surprised him the most as Sarah appeared to be oblivious to his action but kept her hand in his and said "Let's go have some fun shall we?"

The smell of fried foods and cotton candy reminded her of home and for a moment she did feel a little homesick. Sarah pushed that thought away from her mind the moment she thought of it. Tom had done such a nice and surprising thing for her and she was not going to ruin it. All around her were several fair rides, game booths, food vendors, and people. Everyone looked so happy together as if there wasn't a care in the world.

As they walked through the crowds of people Tom let go of her hand it was then that she had noticed an absence. Was she that comfortable with him holding her hand that she didn't even notice until it was gone? Why did her hand feel so cold without his? She would have to mull over this later.

Sarah noticed they had stopped in front of a ticket booth. She hoped she wouldn't have to ride any roller coasters for they were the one thing she hated at fairs. Sure they weren't the kind you would find at Disneyland but still she hated them, the results were never good once she got off the ride. Tom paid for the tickets and brought more than enough for the day.

"So what would you like to do first? Play games? Ride on the Kamikaze?

"Let's take a walk around and then we'll decide I want to see everything they have here."

Tom agreed and tucked the tickets on the inside of his jacket. They walked through the park looking at various vendors of food and crafts. The park was rather big to hold such an event. The trees were high and beginning to welcome the autumn season as well as the grass they walked on. Sarah noticed that several people often looked their way but she was sure they weren't really looking at her but the fellow that was by her side. She didn't know how he dealt with people gawking at him all the time and pointing. She knew he didn't take his fame for granted but always wondered how he dealt with it.

"How do you do it?" she asked him.

"Pardon?" he asked confused.

"Sorry, I mean how do you deal with being at the center of everyone's attention? Having people always spot you in a line up?" she didn't look at him as she said this but simply walked to a nearby vendor and looked at the handmade accessories.

"I'm not quite sure really, there are a lot of people out there that have helped me get to where I am whether by watching the films I'm in or being part of the production team so I guess I just feel comfortable giving my time to those who have taken the time to support me. My mother always taught me not to take things for granted and I don't."

He truly was a great guy. The fact that he never let his fame get the best of him made her smile at how he was so gracious of others especially his fans. She liked that about him. Sarah turned to Tom, smiled and said "Well your fan club would like your undivided attention for the moment."

As Tom turned in the direction she was pointing he saw a horde of girls running straight towards him. He gave Sarah a look of sorry as the girls got closer.

She gave him a nod in understanding and said "It's okay I can wait." She gave him a push in the direction of the group "Go I'll be right here I don't mind."

"Are you sure? I'm sure they won't mind if I politely ask them to wait awhile."

She went back to looking at the other crafts laid out on the table and waved him away."Go."

As he stood in the middle of the park signing autographs on shirts, tickets and babies foreheads (Well not really but he did sign a baby bottle once)as well as taking pictures he couldn't help but look in her direction. Every once in a while he would see her having conversations with the vendors, or catch her looking in his direction and giving him a warm smile.

After the crowd died down and he signed his last few autographs, he went to the vendors' alley to look for Sarah. He walked up and down the alley and didn't come across her anywhere. Where was she? Tom ventured out into the fairgrounds scanning the many faces that passed him. He was almost in a panic when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and there she was holding a plate of funnel cake which was almost already gone.

"Where did you get that from?" Tom asked.

"Funnel cake truck." Tom arched his eyebrow and she shrugged and said "What? I was hungry."

Tom took a piece of funnel cake and popped it into his mouth all the while getting a spot of powdered sugar on his chin. Sarah gave a small laugh; while Tom looked at her quizzically she took her thumb and wiped it off with a gentle touch. Her hand lingered on the side of his face for a moment, a moment that wasn't long enough in his opinion before she took it back.

She shied away but still met his eyes. "There was powdered sugar on your chin." She said looking at the ground embarrassed at the intimate gesture she had just given him. Tom smiled and decided to shrug it off. He took her by the elbow and led her into the direction of the food trailers.

"Come on let's get you some real food."

Sarah finished the rest of her funnel cake and threw the plate away in a nearby trash can. She followed Tom to a concession trailer shaped like a trolley. Tom hoped she was enjoying the day even though they haven't done much yet but surely that was to change once they had eaten. Today was the day he was going to get her to talk. He needed to know more about her. Would knowing more about her make things easier or harder to deal with? Was he going to just decide that he wanted her and not Jade just like that? He knew that the decision would be hard or did he even have to make a decision? Tom came back from his thoughts the moment Sarah spoke to him.

"Meat on a stick." said Sarah

"Yes. Don't you like meat?" Tom gave her a baffled look.

"I like meat sans the stick."

Well you don't eat the stick."

I know that." she said rolling her eyes at the obvious.

"Do you want something else?"

"Nope, I was just simply stating that this is a meat stick stand." Sarah looked at the sign in the window and read aloud "Get a hold of this meat! Forget knives and forks handle this pork with the grip of your hand. Forget the mess and open your mouth and bite down on this savory meat…on a stick!"

Sarah laughed heartily at the sign and snorted Tom laughed along with her. They got to the window still laughing at the signs unintended subliminal message. Both Tom and Sarah quickly tried to pull themselves together but their immaturity got the best of them and they continued to laugh as they ordered their "meat sticks".

They retreated to a nearby picnic table under a large oak tree. Neither of them spoke as they ate. They were enjoying each other's company without words. To Tom it felt like they didn't need to say a word to each other to feel comfortable. There were no awkward things being said or nervous laughter. They shared a comfortable silence. As Tom thought about their silence she smiled at him and looked away. Before they had eaten she had tied her hair up into a ponytail on the back of her head instead of to the side like she had before. Her hair was now just a dark brown color minus the burgundy streaks. He could see a clear view of her tattoo just behind her ear that went a little ways down the side of her slender neck. He remembered how he gently touched the tattoo and felt the soft texture of her skin. He wished he could feel her once again, that opportunity presented itself to him on a silver platter.

Sarah turned to look at him when he noticed she had a little bit of sauce at the corner of her mouth.

"You have a little bit of sauce right here." He said pointing to the corner of his own mouth but a little higher so she would miss it on her own mouth. When she missed it he took the opportunity to reach over to her face and wipe the corner of her mouth. In the same treatment as she did earlier. He cupped her jaw and brushed his thumb on the corner of her mouth. He saw her lips part just as he touched her face. He felt the urge to run his thumb across her lips. Things were getting real, his urge was going to come to light if he didn't let go of her soon. He reluctantly brought his hand down but kept his gaze on her. It was softer than he rememebered.

Tom observed her face from the arch of her eyebrow, down to her long lashes and penetrating eyes, to the smooth slant of her nose and the fullness of her lips. She was staring at him dead on and he didn't care.

Sarah was at a loss for words at the touch of his hand. The warm hand that more or less caressed her face sent shock waves through her body. She felt a small flutter of butterflies in the pit of her stomach. The sudden act was more than she could handle but a feeling she never wanted to end. What was he thinking doing something like this? It was wrong but it felt right. These types of gestures were making her confused.

He put his hand down and continued to stare at her for what seemed like a very long time. They had gone down this road before. They had done this before. This time it seemed more intense as they observed one another. Sarah broke her gaze and looked into a different direction opting to look at the fair rides and the people on them. She was vigilantly aware that he was still looking at her.

She was going to question him about his actions but decided better on it. He was merely wiping sauce from her mouth to save her from embarrassment and that was it. The constant staring never happened. Sarah got up from the table and threw her stick now sans meat into the trash then proceeded to walk back to the fairgrounds. Half way there she turned to him and waved him over and said "Come on."

When he was up to speed with her they went and walked along the game booths. There were the usual fair games such as, Rope Ladder, High Striker (hit the pad with a mallet and ring the bell) Shoot the star, Flukey ball, One ball, etc. Sarah observed the stuffed animals hanging around each booth they passed not really noticing that Tom had stopped walking beside her and began to play One ball. As she walked up to him she caught the jest of what the game was about and of course anyone looking at three metal milk bottles stacked into a pyramid and only one ball to throw could see what it was about.

Tom stepped back and threw the ball right into the middle of the stack of bottles only knocking two over with one still standing. The carnie noticed Sarah and gave a little wink to her that went unnoticed by Tom.

"How would you like to have a free game on me? Said the Carnie "You knock all those bottles down and I'll give you whatever prize you desire. I can be your prize if you want."

Sarah thought to herself why me? She laughed and told the man no thank you and walked to a different game leaving Tom with the overweight balding Carnie. She sat at a water derby game with two other people and paid the man for the next game. Before she knew it Tom came and sat next to her and paid for his game.

Was he an asshole or a jerk face?" Tom gave her a sly smile knocking his shoulder into hers.

"Neither. He was dismal." She said with a laugh. Just then the carnie announced the start of the game. Sarah and Tom set their hands on both handles placing their thumbs on the triggers. Sarah turned to Tom and said "Ready to eat my dust, Thomas?"

Tom didn't respond but gave her a smirk. When the countdown reached three and the bells rang they both pulled the triggers hitting the target in the bulls eye, constantly looking up at which duck on the board was making way. Tom's blue duck was just a foot away from the finish line when Sarah took her hand and pushed his shoulder causing him to lose his target and spray water in a different direction. Sarah's purple duck surpassed Tom's for a moment when he in return pushed her. Both were unaware that they were not the only ones playing the game until the winners bell rang and a green duck quacked into the finish line. Tom and Sarah called shenanigans and left the table laughing at their competitiveness. They continued to play games as day became night deciding on finally using their tickets for the rides.

Sarah was glad that the awkwardness from early was gone away. She liked Tom. He wasn't like other guys and this day was a sure sign that he wasn't. He made her laugh and didn't once try to bring her down. He was attentive to her and included her in everything. If she wasn't aware that he was with Jade, and was someone on the outside looking in she would've assumed her and Tom were together. Sarah tried to stay away from thoughts like that. He was with Jade and they made a perfect couple. She was glad to be out with him even if they were just friends.

The haze of the sky bled into a dark orange hue blending into a scarcely light shade of white clouds and an almost night sky. Sarah found herself in line for a ride called Fire Ball. While Tom was all hyped up about it she was nervous as hell. She was sure her lunch was going to come up by the end of the ride or perhaps while she was submitted into the sky looking down. Sarah wasn't into rides that thrashed her around in high altitudes. She was more of a Ferris wheel kind of girl. She never knew how he got her to agree to go on the ride but he did.

As they stood in line for the ride Tom noticed Sarah staring at the ride watching as it came down to a halt. She closed her eyes and let out a breath. Standing side by side as it was there turn to take their seats on the Fire Ball Tom took Sarah's hand in his and walked her toward their seats. She turned to look at him with a slight unease and held his hand tighter. Tom rubbed his thumb on the top of her hand.

"We don't have to ride this." He said in a low voice.

Shaking her head Sarah said "No, I can ride this." She wasn't even sure it was her that said it.

Sarah stood in front of her seat wondering how she was going to get on the seat. She prayed that she would be too short to ride the ride. Her prayer was smashed to bits when Tom put his hands on her waste and like nothing picked her up and gently placed her in the seat. When everyone was seated the safety bar came down and locked into place. Sarah was glad that it came down like a vest which reassured her she wouldn't fall out of her seat.

A new song played on the rides speakers, as the ride began to slowly spin in a circle, Sarah closed her eyes and hoped that it would end as soon as it started. Tom reached for her hand again sensing her uneasiness.

"It's okay" he said

Sarah felt the rise of the ride descend upon the now dark sky. They were spinning at a moderate speed the arm of the ride began to tilt to the side, slow. She could feel her weight press against the vest which was sure to leave her arms sore the next day. The spin was causing her stomach to dither. She held Tom's hand tighter as the arm extended to its full height. Sarah closed her eyes, not wanting to look at the height of the impending fall. Tom rubbed his thumb on the top of her hand, which oddly enough started to calm her down.

"Just close your eyes and fall with it." The voice was so soft that she just barely heard the words.

Soon enough the arm fell to the side and the tickle in the pit of her belly became intense. Sarah was on the verge of tears wanting the ride to stop as soon as possible. Her body was tensing and she decided to take Tom's advice. She kept her eyes closed, slowed her breathing, and relaxed her body. As the ride did its drops and spinning Sarah soon fell into the blissfulness of being in the air and feeling weightless. She opened her eyes and saw a blur of multi color lights pass by. She thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Tom felt her hand loosen its hold on his. He looked at her and saw that her eyes were open and she was jovial. Her smile was so inviting, that he could feel the happiness she was emitting in the pit of his stomach it was a feeling he never wanted to go away. The ride slowed and retracted to its starting position and came to a stop. Tom jumped out of his seat and helped Sarah get off hers. The Fire Ball left Sarah with an adrenaline rush that made them ride several other fair rides. Anything that Sarah wanted to do he was happy to oblige, he was going to make it his priority to make sure she was always up in spirits, he never wanted to see her as sad as she was earlier in the day.

After they had used up most of their tickets Tom and Sarah walked around the rest of the fairgrounds eating cotton candy both decided they would wait to ride the Ferris wheel before they left. They rounded the corner of the last game booth and found themselves in a tent filled with photo booths. Sarah walked ahead of Tom and led them to the nearest one.

"Let's end the night with a picture."

Tom looked in the small photo booth and said "How are we going to fit in there. I'm twice the size you are."

Moving the curtain to the side Sarah examined the diameter of the booth and he was right. Without thinking it through Tom decided that he would sit on the stool and she across his lap.

Tom sat down on the stool and Sarah came and sat on his lap with her legs hanging off the side of him. She placed her arm across his shoulder to help balance herself. Being this close to his face she could smell his aftershave causing a slight pull in her belly. They looked at each other face to face not believing they were this close to each other. Tom inserted the money into the booth and they began striking there poses, sticking out tongues, and simply smiling. Each photo was taken with a countdown of six seconds in between. During six seconds of the third photo Sarah tried to quickly adjust herself for the picture which was to be nothing special. During her adjustment she accidentally whacked Tom in the face with her elbow while fixing her hair.

"I'm Sorry!" She said letting her hair fall down her back

"It's okay. It didn't hurt." Tom said as he rubbed his forehead.

Sarah began to laugh because she didn't know how she had hit him.

"So my pain is funny to you?" he said feigning a pout but began to laugh too."Did you just snort?"

A light flashed signaling that the picture had been taken. Sarah who was still laughing looked down at Tom.

"I'm sorry Thomas. Here let me have a looksie." Sarah placed both hands on the sides of his face. She looked at his fore head which was a little red. Little did she know what she was doing to him; because in that moment as she held his face in her small soft hands Tom felt an immense tug towards her that couldn't be denied any longer; while he felt this she in that moment looked into his eyes studying the irises. Ocean blue eyes stared right into her soul. How could eyes such as these make her feel so comfortable yet scared at the same time? Why can't she look away? Sarah's left hand went back around his shoulder while her other hand stayed on his face. The pull they felt was strong, almost magnetic…coming closer…never loosing eye contact…closer…

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Be kind and Review. Thanks! come on hit the review button.