CHAPTER 3: WEEKEND AT THE CARNIVAL

Charlie Brown, Frieda, Peppermint Patty, and Franco all went to the Hennepin County Fairgrounds for the Fall Carnival. They were in for a fun time riding rides and winning prizes. Marcie and Hans would have joined them as well, had it not for Marcie being laid up with the flu. Charlie Brown and Frieda, in particular, were going to enjoy the day together and have some fun, to distract themselves from the drama involving Linus and Eudora.

"Look guys," said Patty. "They have a roller coaster here! Let's go ride it!"

"You want to, sweetie?" Frieda asked Charlie Brown.

"Why not?" said Charlie Brown. And all of the kids boarded the coaster which had a vertical loop in the middle. They had fun riding the coaster, though Charlie Brown got a little dizzy. Frieda was there to help him up.

"Well how about some carnival games?" Patty then suggested.

"I've never been good at those," said Charlie Brown.

"Aww, you don't have to try to win me a prize, Charlie Brown," said Frieda. "I already got what I wanted right here." And she hugged her boyfriend tightly, making Charlie Brown blush.

Peppermint Patty and Franco took turns winning each other prizes and stuffed animals, while Charlie Brown and Frieda watched. Then the two couples went on the Ferris Wheel. While riding, they spotted Linus and Eudora on the midway.

"Look, Charlie Brown," said Frieda. "Linus and Eudora did show up after all."

"I just hope they settled all of the drama," Charlie Brown replied.

"It looks like Linus and Eudora actually showed up," said Peppermint Patty to Franco.

"Yah, maybe they settled their problems," said Franco.

Meanwhile below, Linus and Eudora spotted the couples on the ride and waved to them. Linus then said, "Why don't we wait for then to get off and then we can do some stuff together?"

"That sounds good to me, Linus," said Eudora, who seemed to be in a better mood. Just then the kids all got off the Ferris Wheel. Charlie Brown, Frieda, Patty, and Franco went to greet them.

"I'm glad you two made it," said Patty, smiling.

"How is everything?" asked Charlie Brown.

"Pretty good, Charlie Brown," said Linus. "How are the rides here?"

"Amazing, Linus!" said an excited Patty. "We rode the roller coaster, did the bumper cars, went inside the fun house, and even did some carnival games."

"Right now we were talking about getting something to eat," added Franco.

"I am a bit hungry, babe," said Eudora.

"Well I saw some food stands over by the bumper cars," said Charlie Brown. "Let's go check it out." And the kids went over to get something to eat.

Right around that time, Snoopy and Woodstock were also at the carnival enjoying all the rides and especially the food. When the kids made it to the food stands, they saw them eating food in a stack taller than them.

"How in the world did Snoopy manage to get into this carnival, and get all of that food to boot?!" asked a bewildered Charlie Brown.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again," said Linus. "He's your dog, Charlie Brown." And the kids all went and got their food to eat.

Sometime later, they decided to give the roller coaster another go when they saw Sally and Michael heading down the midway. Eudora, who was in a good mood, started feeling her mood change when she saw her former best friend and her boyfriend.

"Oh no," whispered Charlie Brown to Frieda. "Sally told me she didn't think she was coming to the carnival today, and that she had a ton of homework to do."

"Maybe she got it done sooner," suggested Frieda.

"Maybe, but now with Linus AND Eudora here, I'm afraid things are going to explode," said a worried Charlie Brown.

Meanwhile Eudora muttered to Linus, "What is SHE doing here?"

"Easy, Eudora," said Linus, trying to calm his girlfriend. "It's a free country. Besides, she's with Michael. There's nothing to worry about."

"Okay, I won't make a scene," assured Eudora. She was still worried about Sally, but she put that in the back of her head for the time being.

"Hey everybody," Sally greeted happily.

"Hey, sis," said Charlie Brown. "Hey, Michael."

"Hey, Charlie," said Michael. "Hey, Frieda."

"Hi, Michael," greeted Frieda. "Hi, Sally."

"How are the rides here?" Sally asked.

"Pretty good, Sally," said Peppermint Patty. "We were just talking about riding the roller coaster again."

"Are you sure?" wondered Sally. "My brother isn't the best with wild rides, you know." Charlie Brown turned red with embarrassment.

"Well, Sally, he's been doing pretty well today," Frieda replied. "Sure he was a bit woozy after some of the rides, but he was solid, otherwise." Charlie Brown smiled after his girlfriend made the save.

"Well are we going to ride or what?!" Patty finally asked. And all of the kids got on the roller coaster. Everyone had fun, and even a chance of drama from Eudora seeing Sally was diverted, at least for the time being. Charlie Brown and the rest knew that a confrontation was brewing under the surface. It wasn't a matter of "if"; it was a matter of "when". All they knew was the clock was ticking and hopefully Eudora could get past her petty jealousy soon.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT