Hey there,

Welcome back, Quoganites! It's Thurday! It's time to party! And this chapter will be from Logan's perspective! YAY! And this date will be all to Quinn's masterminding! So we'll get to be as surprised as Logan is, as we're all along for the ride! I really hope you all enjoy this week!

Special thanks to the new few who just found this story and placed it on your Favorite stories list or story alert list. And Thanks to the few of you who just favorited me as an authoress or placed me on your Author alert list. That is High praise and I appreciate it more than I can say, I hope you're all still reading and enjoying!

Special thanks to my reviewer: [And friend] Rose-Aki (Thank you for your unfailing support. I'm so glad that you liked that peek at Michael and Lisa at the beginning of the last chapter. Since it is a very Michael episode, I wanted him to still be very present. But I also wanted to showcase Lisa can work her own brand of magic. I always get so nervous when I stray from Quogan, I'm so glad that you liked it. And my ongoing coverage of James' stuff at this point. Like we've talked about I feel like I can really patch up some of his holes. And I really hope I can do him justice! Mark and Quinn finally making progress towards peace was so important too. But your comments on my Quogan moments too, just gave me the kick I'd needed to pour everything else into this post this week. Those moments of banter and realness that happened during Quinn's search for Mark were crazy fun to create. But even as I posted, I wondered if I'd made them easy to follow or believe. You're a tremendous friend, SPECTAULAR person and I know I say it all the time. But I couldn't be this brave without a friend like you. I hope that this is reaching you very well! I saw you posted today too! {for One Piece} CONGRATS! Take Care and Much Love!)

Enjoy!

"The Collective Trials of a Quinnventor… and Logan"

Chapter 31 - That First Picture

(Logan's Perspective)

I honestly can't remember the last time I felt this relieved or excited about a night. That I had absolutely no control over, but Quinn had said, she wanted tonight to be left to her. So, I was going to do that. Let tonight be entirely up to her, I'd never been here before, and she'd spent too much time here. It all sounds like Mark left her very lonely between experiments. I wasn't going to do that, I was leaving it all up to her more than brilliant mind. And just doing whatever she wanted to do.

It was the least I could do, after watching her overcome so many things all in one day. And I didn't really have to do anything, not really. Except watch her do it from front-row seats. She did it all herself, on her own sweat and determination. I hoped she felt a lot lighter now that so much weight was off of her shoulders. I did, and it wasn't even happening to me.

She really had so much to be proud of… I was so proud, impressed…amazed by her all over again. And I don't know how many times today. The words had been trying to come out… "I love you"... It kept almost being shouted at her, after weeks of not coming out. Today it was taking all of my strength to keep it locked in… Especially when she'd told me that 'saying it could ruin everything. Because the person you're saying it to might not feel the same.' You would think that would have killed it, and would have made it that much harder to get out. But no, it turns out to have had the opposite effect on me.

I had felt a POP in my throat like something had finally UNLOCKED! And it had almost come out right then and there. But I'm glad I'd gotten a hold of myself and not said it then. For a lot of reasons, the biggest being that I didn't want to say it in any place where she already had too many good and bad memories with her ex. I wanted to do it someplace not so tainted, and maybe even more special to both of us… like our bench or our beach. Those were good places, now that I can say it… I think I can wait to say it in a place like that… But can I really wait that long? I guess we'll see.

Quinn did end up finally facing Mark, and not only making sure he was fine. But she'd nearly made peace with him and gained much better closure. From that part of her life that had hurt her so much. Then she'd come straight back to me, as promised, and I didn't have to let her go again today. Not like this morning or each time she'd slipped out of our boats to check hidden places throughout those rides. I got to keep her now and I intended to.

When we had to get out of our boat, and the search was finally over! And because Quinn had fallen into the water back there helping Mark. You could see straight through her top and her shorts a little bit. I had to keep not telling her "I loved her," to basically keep telling her to, "Cover up!"

She'd panicked so hardcore, I had to walk in front of her and block everyone's view from seeing all I'd seen. Nope! That was for my eyes only! And it had been GLORIOUS! But nope, no one else gets that view. Not even the girls if I can help it.

We'd even planned to go buy some dry clothes before we met up with our friends. But of course, all of these similar water rides are in one designated area. So are their exits, they all seem to shoot for the same stupid square. And all of our friends plus the Sci-club were standing by the exits waiting for us when we came out. They were standing right between us and the clothing shop we'd been heading for.

But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Because it got us talking to them over with, so we could move on to the part of the night I had been looking the most forward to. And it was happening a little earlier than planned. So before sunset! That had been a goal since Quinn had hinted there were a few things she wouldn't mind us doing together in the park before sunset. And I had said, "We're so making that happen."

And now we actually were!

You know, as soon as Zoey, Lola, and Lisa let her go. I had to rush things along saying, "Can you girls quit being such girls, already? We're both cold and dripping here, can we move things along?"

But the girls were asking Quinn where was the best place to eat in the park. As if someone had heard our conversations earlier? And knew just what to ask? Quinn was honest and recommended the same place we'd eaten in earlier. And it sounded like the gang was all eating there together. Even Stacey… though again, I have no idea how she'd grouped herself with the rest of our friends… But does she ever really ask before doing that? Or does she just push her way into everything? That does sound more normal, doesn't it?

I think Stacey was trying to see what I was doing later. But she seemed just as interested in Quinn's plans annoyingly. Because she was single (I guess), and I think Stacey was looking for company, pretty much ANYWHERE she could get it. We ended up lying that much more because of her though.

Quinn had to spin it to our friends, just like this. "You guys should go ahead and eat. I have to go pick out something else to wear. Purchase it, then dry some things under the hand-dryer in the ladies room while I get changed… it isn't my first time doing it but I will take a minute and you guys should go ahead and eat. Enjoy the park together, I've already done things like this for years. I'll be fine!"

All I had to do after she'd said that was jump in and say, "I've basically got to do the same and get ready for my meet up date tonight too. Why don't you guys just go ahead and start your dates a little earlier, while we do that?"

Zoey cut through all of that careful wording and said, "No, No! You guys go get all fixed up and we'll eat all together. We'll ride a few more rides in the meantime, nearby. But I want us to all at least eat together once before we split for the night."

Quinn tried to even say we could all meet up for dessert before we head for the buses. But Zoey still wasn't having it and neither were the rest of our friends. They really wanted both of us with them…

Why do ALL of my friends pick the WORST POSSIBLE MOMENTS TO CARE!?

I mean, I'm glad they do care, but WHY? Oh! WHY? NOW?

The only way we could get away from them was to agree to meet them at the restaurant Quinn had pointed out. Even though Quinn and I had already eaten there, earlier. We couldn't exactly say that, it would be another Vince-trap! As we walked the rest of the way to the shop she was steering me towards (still standing behind me and holding onto my shoulders). I asked her, "Are you okay with ditching them?"

She shared, "I don't know… I mean, I know exactly what they're all doing. And it's so sweet-"

"Yeah, more than anything I think they want to make sure you're okay." I nodded, before sharing, "I'm a little surprised they're not insisting on coming and helping you fix up. Girls usually insist on things like that."

"It's not entirely out of the question yet." She warned me, over my right shoulder, this time. "They could still show up to do that once I head out of here. It looks like Lola stationed Vince to watch the doorway."

I asked her, "How much you wanna bet he volunteered for that gig?"

She did laugh into my shoulder and the warmth had felt so nice. We were both shivering and I couldn't do a thing to help her with that just yet. Because ZOEY just HAD to pick now to play caring roommate! And Vince was stationed too close to think he'll miss a thing! AHHHHHG!

But even Quinn had to admit, "He does seem to be watching us rather smugly, isn't he?"

"No, not him." I'd said sarcastically. And she laughed again while I was still walking in front of her and blocking her from showing all she had. I was glaring at guys who were trying to oogle her, past me, and I was catching a glimpse whenever I could. Purposefully walking us past mirrors and all reflective surfaces. But if I slowed down or she caught me looking, she'd swat me. And it was still worth it!

But when we got to the store and split up for a minute. I had an idea, I picked out three shirts I liked and had her decide which one I bought. And just so you know, she picked one that she described as "rustic orange" When I asked her why, she'd said, "It brought out the color of my skin, hair, and eyes well. Even when it was still on it's hanger."

I'm gonna have to remember that, and then she had been between two shirts. But she didn't like what either of them said. They were promotional shirts for the park and she'd already purchased similar ones before that she still had. So I picked out a blue one, I saw on a rack near me. That was the same shade of royal blue as her dress had been for my Dad's last party up north. I swear it's becoming a favorite for me lately. And it looks too good on her every time she wears it.

She went with my suggestion and after picking out replacement shorts. (I planned on just throwing my wet clothes away, but Quinn insisted on buying a bag where we could put our wet things till we're back at school) we each headed for check out. Before splitting up to get changed for our dates. And as Quinn had predicted, Vince ratted us out and all of the girls left their ride (when it finished) to bolt for the ladies room where Quinn was getting ready. They were determined to make sure she looked her best.

I'm so thankful that isn't a guy thing so much. Even though Michael, James and Vince all checked up on me while I was getting ready too. But that was only when they themselves had to use the restroom too! They didn't huddle around me and make a group activity of it.

But when Quinn had stood up from that boat today and I saw that her top had gone see-through. I'd meant what I'd said, I wasn't gonna sleep this whole week! She was too beautiful, too perfect and then when she'd seen it for herself in my pocket mirror. She'd been so adorable. Not wanting everyone to see her looking like that. I'd done the same thing I'd done on all of these water rides this afternoon and covered her the best I could. But when we had been shopping together and I didn't have to shield her anymore. I will admit I was staring… I couldn't help it. Her top was showing every mark, freckle, mole and clung to her like a second skin. You could see her bra like it was outside of her shirt and her belly button was so teeny and cute. It might as well have been showing.

Yep, I may not sleep the rest of the month! But it's STILL worth it! She was just gorgeous and I couldn't wait to be alone with her. Which would be happening as soon as possible. Even if we did end up eating the same food twice today. It had been good enough to eat twice. But one of the last things Quinn had assured me of, while we were shopping. Before the girls stole her away, was that "The menu at that place was totally big enough. We could order different things now and still save face."

I had even asked, "Yeah but are the other things as good as what we were eating earlier?"

And Quinn said, "Oh yeah, we'll be fine. But if you want to order the same thing over, that's fine too. I just didn't want you to feel like you have to eat the same thing twice. You know?"

"No. I'm glad you told me." Then I had been asking what other things were good before all of our female friends (EVEN Stacey and Paulina had run in there). And I had managed to change quickly and resurface. Even though I had been using the hand dryer to dry my hair a little. Just till it didn't annoy me anymore dripping water down my back.

Why do women always take FOREVER in bathrooms? Or getting ready like this? What's so hard about it all? Really? Quinn was already GORGEOUS when she went in there. Do they really need to do that much work? On anybody? The could have built a robot person by now to go out on a date.

The first girls to reappear had been the last ones to join in. Paulina and Stacey, and in that time Paulina had not only freshened up her look noticeably. But she had given Stacey a new hairdo, and even I had to admit. It did make her look nice, see what I mean? Paulina had managed almost a full makeover in this time. But I was camped waiting to see one girl and it wasn't Stacey.

Next to appear was Zoey and Lisa still arguing about what they both COULD have done with Quinn's hair. But Quinn had turned them down… good! They walked over to their boyfriends and sat on their laps, to start waiting for Quinn and Lola to come out like the rest of us.

Lisa explained to Michael (and I overheard) that Quinn had turned down every updo all of them had wanted to put her hair into. They had only helped her take it down, from the crazy complicated style Paulina had put it in this morning. Paulina had even had to help with some of it. But Lola was only helping her dry it over the hand dryer (because there was so much of it). It was getting left down, so it could dry right in it's naturally wavy curliness. Zoey added that she'd at least helped her get her make-up on point. And had thankfully told James, "She didn't need much, just a touch-up."

Then Lola walked out still arguing with her about… I really have no idea what Lola had been saying. Because the moment Quinn came back out, wearing the top I had picked. Looking so perfectly like herself and eye sparkles reaching new spectrums…the rest of the world around me just zoned out. When our eyes met, and she gave me that little shy smile. I really wanted to run over, grab her hand and just take off running. We could eat with our friends any old time. We still had a full year of school together. They could do without us for one night!

She really did look so much better and relaxed from before. And that color on her just made her stand out from all of the other girls. She just looked that freaking… Good! HOT!

Why did we have to be around so many people right now?!

Michael banged onto my shoulder and said, "WAKE UP LOGAN! Are you still with us?"

"Yeah," I answered him slowly, "Are we FINALLY done? GIRLS?! Two years later?" They all threw back-sass my way except for Quinn who just smirked and shook her head. I let her roommates' know, "All I know is I didn't take nearly as long as you guys. And I've been told by all of you at least once that I'm the most vain person here."

Quinn made it all worse telling me, "That was all my fault in the end. I thought I could dry out my under-things enough to put them back on-"

I asked her laughing, "You're what?"

"Under-things? You know, undergarments?" She asked and I just wouldn't react till she said the magic word. She caved, "My underwear, okay?" She said lowly and I'd cracked up and she'd elbowed me so hard. Before slapping Michael, James and Vince who had all been laughing too. She claimed, "You're all kindergarteners! I swear!"

But she went on anyway, Quinn said, "I've done it before just fine but I ran into some extra problems today and I needed to just send Paulina to buy me a bathing suit to put on underneath my clothes. Thanks again by the way."

"Any time, Quinn." Paulina said cheerfully still laughing too. "We've all had moments like that before."

Vince finally said, "Now that we're ALL here, LET'S EAT!" And everyone agreed YAY! Before heading for the place Quinn and I had visited earlier. True to Quinn's promise, there were still a ton of different things to try, and she had nearly tried it all. When I was running my order past her, she'd said. "Oww, yeah! That'll be good." After lunch was so fantastic I was glad to hear her approval. I whispered while she was close, "Sit next to me if you can so we can share like we did earlier, okay?"

And she'd smiled and nodded back at me. Before she had to go back into full secret keeper mode and act like this was her first time here today. True to their word, all of her friends were acting like it was our first time too. Even if a few of them had winked at me too. And I honestly began to think I needed to come to this park more often the atmosphere wasn't like any other park I'd been to. They were all such unique characters and they were all so great to Quinn. I was mad impressed and I may have left those girls a very generous tip in their tip jar. Just for being so good to Quinn… (But really, both of us right now! And Yes, I did do that both times today.)

Nearly everybody got something different and passed it around so EVERYONE could try. I almost enjoyed the food tonight better than the food we'd shared this afternoon. But it had all just tasted so much better when it had only been the two of us. Eating off of our own and each other's plates. When I'd gotten to hold her hand on top of the table or while sitting closer in a booth. Not having to hide a thing, not a care in the world. Now we were holding hands underneath the table. But we'd made a game of sneaking bites from each other's plates and we'd each gotten a different kind of dumpling. Her's were veggie and they really were just as good as my pork ones. If not better!

God! When were these people gonna LEAVE?

And WHY hadn't I thought of arranging a place to actually meet up with Quinn if these dummies took too long? That would have been a master plan! But no! I'm stuck here watching them all stuff their stupid faces when I could be alone with Quinn. Helping her forget how stressful the rest of today was. And how much better things can get from here.

I could be finding out whatever things Quinn wanted us to do together. Now that Mark was no longer the center of her romantic ideals. And I was! Which was supposedly a separate and very different list. Just what goes on in this place at sunset and after dark?

When Michael came back with his second and third order of dumplings. I swiped Quinn's phone out of her new bag resting between us and placed it in her hand as I stood up. I said to our group, "Not that this hasn't been fun and all. But I have places to be and girls to smoosh. I see you guys back on the buses. Later!"

Then I waved and walked right out of there, hoping Quinn had gotten my settle hint as soon as I was out of sight. I texted her, "Where do you want to meet? You know this park better than me?"

It didn't take her long at all to text back, "Meet me at the Wack-a-Mole game booth. I saw which way you went, if you keep going straight it should be straight ahead a ways and to the far left."

She texted again "There are some trees and benches in front of it. Forming this nice shaded sitting area, is that okay?"

I kept walking straight, as she texted one more time, "I think we can meet there and not be so out in the open?"

I found exactly where she'd meant, but before I could hide myself. I heard a familiar voice over the loudspeaker announce, "Logan Reese everybody! Living Proof that they'll just let ANYONE into this place."

It was my favorite barista and the one who had even been helping me out on these SUPER early mornings. "Lydia? What are you doing running a game booth?"

"Moonlighting." She smiled with a shrug before she gave me a cool handshake. Like we did every morning. She told me, "Not all of us can afford to be so idle, I create caffeine fixes all week but come here on weekends to make the big bucks for college. That's why I'm up as early as you and Pensky on weekends. Even if I'd rather be dancing too! How's it going? Are you guy's enjoying the park? It's fun, right?"

I found myself admitting, "It's a lot better than I was expecting actually."

"Awesome! Hey? Did you guys ever find Del Figgalo? James told me you were all looking for him, and quite worried?"

"Yeah, he's okay… he just scared the sci-club. To the point they were asking Quinn for help." I explained hopefully better than James.

Lydia stomped hard on the wooden floor of her booth and announced, over her speaker. "Well look at that everyone, I think HELL may have just FROZE OVER! PCA's renowned Sci-Club joining forces with Quinn Pensky to find Quinn's ex! If that doesn't make Jeremiah Trottman's morning newsreel, that bulldog is getting lazy." Then when she had the microphone away from her mouth she explained. "My boss starts showing early stages of stroke whenever I don't say things over the speaker every few seconds. And he's a bit young for all that, so I try to do it ever so often. Even when I'm saying nonsense like that."

I had to admit, "At least your awesome at it with all your crazy voices and impersonations."

She shared, "Yeah, but this is also why I usually have no voice Monday Morning too." She said holding her throat. Before she told me, "Hey have fun out there, okay! Oh and hey! Pick out a prize for being my best customer. Tell anyone who asks where you got it, that it was here and WAY EASY?"

So that's how I ended up with a SpongeBob Sqaure-pants, on the seat with me and waiting for my girl. How is that following me everywhere I go since I couldn't sleep last night? That had been the only thing on tv, worth watching! I grabbed a seat at the back of the sitting area Quinn had mentioned. Where I wasn't so easily spotted (And Lydia couldn't see me either) before I texted Quinn back. "Okay, I'm here, sitting towards the back outta sight and ready whenever you are."

A few minutes later she texted, "On my way."

And just reading those words sent a thrill down my spine. THIS is what I had been waiting for since I'd ARRANGED for this little side trip. Against ALL odds, we were meeting before sunset still. I don't know HOW we'd made it. But when Quinn came into sight, I wanted to run at her. Pick her up and swing her around, I was that thrilled we were finally doing this. But I knew if I did that, for one thing, I could scare her to death. And Lydia might see us, and say something else over her sound system.

So I bolted myself to my seat and waited for Quinn to come to me. When she spotted me she did a little run at me, and gave me a quick Eskimo kiss. "Hey, Baby… and SpongeBob… Wasn't expecting him."

"Did you know Bastisa Lydia works here?" I asked her and of course, she already knew.

"Yeahyeah! She's saving up for college, she's been doing that since I've been coming here. Is she still running the Wack-a-mole stand? Making crazy announcements all the time?" Quinn asked with a laugh.

"Yeah, she's even using all her crazy voices. Does Lola still call her voices multiple personalities?" I had to ask back and Quinn was laughing harder as she admitted.

"She sure does, Lydia beat her out of a few comedic roles with that talent. She still won't admit that Lydia deserved to either, you know Lola. She can't admit she's wrong even when she knows it." Quinn waved off but there was something… a feeling sweeping over both of us. As we were talking about all of this other pointless crap… that we were FINALLY ALONE. Brooke had been kicked outta the park, so she wasn't coming to ruin this. The Sci-club had agreed to sign an official treaty with Quinn tomorrow morning before homeroom in a mutual lab (since they all have private ones). So they weren't gonna crush this either. BIGGEST-BURDEN-OF-ALL- Lifted off of everyone-TODAY! Quinn had forgiven and cleared the air with Mark a bit. Even if she told him she still needed time before she could call him a friend. They had made peace too. So Mark wouldn't be coming to wreck this either…

I had been so worried all day about losing her, about Mark stealing her back. About any of this being too much for her. And her getting hurt, again. About seeing her cry again, or something bad happening… But she hadn't just shouldered all of it like a champ, she'd also come back to me in the end. Just like she'd promised. Now we were finally here and together like this and I just grabbed her up into the kiss I had been holding back since…

I think this one could have been held back since yesterday. When we'd been standing on our beach together. And I kept asking her how I could help. What I could say or do to help her? I think this had been storing up that long, if not longer. It could have been since we danced that first time or since that first kiss on our bench. That was definitely how long all of Quinn's unresolved stuff with Mark had been getting all stirred up and hurting her off and on.

I was so outta control I had grabbed her in a nearly public place. I'd gotten so swept up in the freedom we had… AT LONG LAST! I didn't want to let her go, I didn't want to stop and I didn't even need for anything else to happen besides this, really. But I had tried to pull us behind a nearby tree. With a huge thick trunk, I hoped no one saw us. So we weren't quite so out for anyone to see. And if she told me this was her whole plan for the rest of the night I would be so happy.

But eventually, she'd pulled away laughing and leaned her forehead against mine. She asked while we were still so close, "Why do I get the sense that had been a long time coming? Even when it wasn't our first kiss of the day?"

"Because it was… I think," I told her. Before I snuck a few more pecks and told her. "You can't know how proud I am of you, amazed and impressed… You're just… Incredible Quinn."

"Nuh!" She said all bashful. Coloring beautifully as she pushed up her glasses. "If I'd known I would be tackling half of this stuff today… I would have probably stayed in bed. I'm just too glad it all worked out as well as it did. Even though it sounds like Brooke won't be heading back to school with us tonight after all."

"She won't?" I did ask, even if I felt like just saying, "Good!"

"Stacey said the park pressed charges, so she'll be heading to real jail till her parents bail her out and talk to Dean Rivers." Quinn explained, "I feel kinda bad-"

"Don't, you didn't pour the booze down her throat. And she was gonna hurt you," I did tell her before I asked her to. "Forget about her. And all of that other stressful stuff."

"I'm trying, I really am… it did help that Mark and the Sci-Club came into the same restaurant to eat right after you left. He looked like he felt a lot better than he had at the waterfall." Quinn did seem more relieved too as she leaned heavily against the trunk with me leaning more into her than the tree.

"See! Progress! Even Mark's doing better, now we gotta get you feeling better. What did you want to do together before sunset?'

Her eyes lit up and she said, "Follow me!" She tucked my SpongeBob safely in the top of her bag. Promising there was a towel between him and our wet things. So he should be fine, before she took my hand and was nearly running in the direction of whatever it was she wanted to do. The way I'd been hoping we would do all week. Wherever she was taking me wasn't so populated either. So I didn't have to let go right away either. Major Perk!

Since this was happening later (and not right at the beginning of this entry), we only had time for one thing before sunset. But it was the thing Quinn had wanted to do most with me, for that time slot. So… I wasn't as mad at our friends as I could have been. We took a long walk down a path that is supposedly open only during the daylight hours till sunset. Because Mark's family has no dreaming idea of how to properly light the way without taking away from all of the natural surroundings. Or any way of powering (or really running wiring to this) lights for such a LONG distance. Quinn explained along the way. But she also explained how the heat from such lights and wiring could hurt the delicate ecosystems we passed along the way. Even though it all naturally teems now a simple change could destroy everything.

She's been racking her brilliant mind for years trying to think up a solution. They'd even approached her about working on something this summer. And closing it down to the public for a week or two while she helped make these changes. And if professionals were necessary she was appointed to oversee the process. (Clearly, Mark's family still believes in her abilities too).

Not only was the whole way completely gorgeous, even to me. Like movie set ready, perfect! But it also led to the best natural views in the park. Where the Del Figgalos haven't done a thing that nature didn't do itself. Except pour a concrete path and line it in some wood benches. The views there, were why the place was called "Mystic Mountain." It really did look like something out of a fairy tale. And I wondered if my Dad had ever seen it, he would probably have a million movie or series ideas for a setting like that. By the time we reached the end of it, sunset was happening and it was just magical.

I'm not even as nuts as Quinn is about sunsets and I was saying that. It really rivaled our beach, and Quinn was all smiles. Having her hand in mine and not having to worry so much for a while too had been just the break we both needed.

If the sunset and scenes hadn't done it for me. That smile would have, but I'm proud of myself for taking a look around. Because I had a hard time not staring at her the entire time. I think I had to keep telling myself to take it all in (and not just her). Because I'd really wanted to see every little thing Quinn had wanted me to see. All of it, especially the things that hadn't been on her list of suggestions for Mark. Because today was about a list all for me, and this was only stop number one.

I took out my phone and started snapping pictures of everything. But I will admit, I'd kept sneaking pictures of Quinn in this place too. In the shirt I'd picked, just looking so relaxed. But then she'd caught me totally taking a picture of her. And asked, "What was that?"

"Nothing." I'd lied.

And she'd said, "Mmm-hmm, I thought we had decided not to take any pictures together or of each other in case our friends went snooping through our phone or device galleries? That we could only sneak things like that when we had a good excuse."

"A class trip isn't a good excuse?" I asked her back.

But she got me by asking, "Have you taken any other pictures before now?"

"Yes," I said because I had been snapping pictures all day on the sly… but 85 percent [if not 90] had been of my girlfriend. And I was not going to tell her that because she'd make me delete them. Most likely, if she knew just how many I'd snapped. Or how funny some of them had turned out.

She still shook her head at me and reminded, "I thought it was too dangerous to have something like that. Something we would have to explain if our roommates ever found it?"

"That was a rule we thought up at the beginning of this whole thing. Most of those have been changed or forgotten. Don't you think it's run outta steam by now?" I asked her. Before leveling with her, "Look! My Dad bought me these fireproof vaults to store things in. He gave a huge one to keep all of my pictures and memories from Junior Year. He's already got more coming for Senior Year and I have others already for my other years at PCA. I feel like right now, this year's box doesn't even have as much of you as others do."

"Say what?" She interrupted, "You have pictures of me from other years that I don't know about? Or something?"

"Not just of you but of everyone." I covered, but I had been looking back through some of last year's stuff and I had already noticed. I had been taking a LOT of pictures of her, long before we'd started this. She had been everywhere in that box, and we weren't even dating yet. And I'd begun to realize I've had a thing for her, way longer than I even fully knew it myself… but again, I'm not telling her that. Not now, anyway.

While we were still at the end of the path, I did two things. First I asked her, "Could we please take our first boyfriend and girlfriend picture together here?" It was such a pretty place and it was something she'd wanted me to see. I didn't want to forget it. I thought it was a really good idea.

She still asked me, "What is bringing this up all of a sudden?"

I said, "Come on, it's nothing major, it's just a selfie of the two of us. There aren't any people to stop and ask for a real picture." I think that was the only reason she'd let me take it.

She was making this face as I pulled her close that I may or may not have snapped a picture of because it was so funny, how she kept looking at me like, "Why!?" I knew I was pushing it so I'd snuck that.

She'd asked, "Wait! Did you just snap one early?"

"Nope, not yet." I lied again, this was too fun, how had I not been snapping pictures this whole time? This whole relationship, she was just as photogenic as me too. Don't let her fool you. We both smiled for our first one… and that was the first picture(s) ever taken of us a couple.

As if someone in heavens had heard me complaining that no one was around to help take a picture. One of the janitorial staff for the park was walking by rolling a big trash can and I did ask him if he could take a few more pictures of us. So our first pictures together got to be selfies and actual posed for photographs too. I couldn't be more thrilled about this.

I did also ask her while we were out there and mostly alone (because I was so curious). "So why wasn't this a suggestion on your other list? What about it said I would appreciate it more than Mark? Has he been here a hundred times and he's just sick of it?"

She said, "Well, Mark is kinda well known for not being an avid walker… Do you remember his results in the walk-a-thon?"

I had to admit, "Yeah, that was pretty pathetic."

Before she held on to the railing in front of her and leaned backward. "But even if that wasn't the case, I do think that when Mark is here. He can only think of the problems and drawbacks of this area. I think they've been talked about his whole life to the point that he can only see the glaring problems and not the beauty that needs protecting."

"And you thought I'd notice?" I had to ask a little surprised. I have had it pointed out to me ALL day. By our friends and several strangers how shallow, vain, and self-obsessed I can be. Why does my secret girlfriend believe I would see anything here? Why does she think something different from everyone else?

"I hoped you might." She shrugged, and I hoped she would explain a little more. I was so glad when she did. "You noticed me when I felt pretty invisible, and you didn't let me completely disappear. I was hoping maybe our combined forces may even think up a solution. If you're up to the task."

I know I sounded floored, "You want to work… together? On this?"

"Only if you want to," She said, making sure to leave me an out. "I'm clearly not coming up with anything on my own that wouldn't kill every beautiful thing here. And I know you've heard a lot of the opposite today, but you're pretty spectacular at making the impossible seem possible…" She'd complimented and I so loved that idea. But I could tell she'd gotten nervous at the end because she quickly added. "Not to mention, I can think up a few epic movie scenes in my inexperienced amateur head that could be filmed anyplace along that stretch we just walked. I thought it might just be a good thing for you and your Dad to know about as well. It might come in handy."

I glanced to make sure no one we knew was around or watching us. When I was sure, I'd laid a kiss on her that lingered for a LONG moment. Yet still felt too short, and I told her. "I would absolutely love the chance to work together. On anything, but this is really something I already have some ideas for."

Her answering smile was so happy, her eyes could have put any diamond to shame with those sparkles. She said, "I was so hoping you would. You have so much more experience of thinking up lighting solutions. In very difficult locations with probably even more demanding specifics."

"Oh yeah." I boasted, why wouldn't I? Not only did she leave it wide open for me to brag, but it was also very true.

As we walked back swinging our hands between us. I was even telling her about some of the places we'd had to light for my Dad's scene work and how nuts some of the demands were. I had been telling ones I thought of off the top of my head. But she'd even laughed at the funnier stories. Even though Michael always complains about how tough it is to make Quinn laugh. I didn't have nearly the trouble he does.

I had been worrying about what excuses we could use or think up. Once Prom and all of the school dances are behind us. Dancing has become such a staple in our relationship. I worried how I could cope when that excuse was gone. When exam prep is all anyone is talking about anymore. Leave it to my GENIUS girlfriend. To already be thinking up other things we can do together. I can't tell you how excited I was to start working on this together.

After that we took a slight detour through the retro-style arcade next to the entrance of that long walkable path. An arcade with all kinds of really old games mixed with modern ones. We played with several as we passed through. That had been something up my alley and when we came out the other side. We were right back to the rides and more crowded places in the park. Since we were surrounded in classmates, teachers and other staff from school again. We did have to walk with two stupid feet between us most of the time.

Most of the rides we rode as we went had been things we'd already ridden earlier. We'd both wanted to ride together and couldn't but she'd mixed several new ones in too. Ones she knew I would like. And she'd been right, she knew my style.

But I have to admit we'd nearly bumped into some of our friends a few times too. We almost bumped into Lola and Vince twice. Then Lisa and Michael three times. But we somehow made it through all of that without any more catastrophes…

I hoped that luck could stretch… but come on, you know. We can't be THAT lucky for THAT long. We somehow ended up running into Zoey, no James mysteriously. Just Zoey, she caught us both coming out of the "Music Express" and she immediately asked. "How are you two together? I thought you were both meeting other people?"

We both lied, "We are! ... We are!"

I lie better so I took the lead, "My girl blew me off to go ride some kiddie rides with her friends and Quinn's dude couldn't take rides that spin so much. What a throw pillow."

She elbowed me and swore, "Hey! He has a lot of hidden qualities too. He just knows his limits, I admire that." She said with authority.

I still nudged Zoey swearing, "I still think the guy's a few eggrolls short of a combo platter. If you know what I mean?"

Zoey told me to, "Stop it Logan! If Quinn's happy that's all that matters-"

"Even if he's a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic and Quinn's freaking brillant?" I asked.

Zoey enforced, "YES! Now pipe-down already. James said to meet him by the wack-a-mole booth and I'm totally lost. I can't seem to find a single mole to wack in this whole strip." Then she asked Quinn, "Do you know where he's talking about."

"Yes, but I can't see how you missed it." Quinn said.

And I backed her up, "Yeah this is my first time here and even know where that is." I pulled SpongeBob out of thin air and even said. "That's where I won him, it was super easy."

Zoey said, "Hmm, didn't take you for a SpongeBob fan."

"Ah, it's alright and all that was on last night when me and the guys couldn't sleep." I admitted, while Quinn told me, "Here! Put him in here I'll keep him safe so you don't have to take him on rides with you anymore."

Zoey giggled, at the visual. "Logan, you rode a cool thing like the Music Express with a SpongeBob SquarePants?"

"Just because there was a weird worker eyeing my prize and I didn't want him to steal it." I explained. So glad I didn't have to explain why Quinn and I had been riding together and been quite so cozy. Thank goodness no people we knew were around at the time.

I think Quinn was just as determined to get back to that set up quickly. Because before anyone could say anything else she was walking dragging Zoey with her saying. "Come on I'll take you right to it."

And I had to keep up with her pace and not laugh my ass off at her speed.

((James' Perspective))

I had been wanting to thank the girl I'd met earlier, with the wacky voices running the wack-a-mole stand. For all of her help earlier, but my date with Zoey had been going so well. It didn't look like I would get the chance.

Not till Zoey wanted to see if she could catch a glimpse of Quinn. To make sure she was alright, after talking to Lola. When her brunette-actress roommate had hinted she'd seen the Quinnventor and Logan standing near each other around the Scrambler. I told Zoey to meet me by that particular game stand before she cut out on her mission…

But the little red-headed girl was no longer there and her boss had taken over her stand. I was about to walk back the way I'd came but then I just so happened to spot the little redhead eating out of a brown paper bag seated on the benches in front of her stand.

She kept yelling to her Boss, "LAME!" Or, "I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" And, "I don't even WANT a SpongeBob that much and he's a TELEVISION ICON! SELL IT!"

True to all of this girl's stories, the vein in her boss's forehead was protruding and pulsating. When he told her to, "Stay out of this SLACKER!"

She yelled right back, "That was the FIRST THING, YOU'VE SAID THAT I BELIEVED! COME ON! MAKE ME BELIEVE YOU, DEMITRI! Put some freaking HEART into it!" She insisted.

First I had to stop laughing, which got harder when her boss… used the speaker to tell her, "QUIET SLACKER, YOUR BREAK HAS ONLY FIFTEEN MINUTES LEFT!"

She yelled back comically, "That's right ladies AND gentlemen, only fifteen more minutes of this left before the Queen reasends her thrown! You're all very welcome, stick around! I'll rise again!" She bowed while remaining seated. To the applauds of a surprising amount of our surroundings. I thought that kind of public pull was only something Lola could pull off on stage. Ha!

After snuffing out my laughter I sat on the bench next to hers and asked over the back of it, "Hi, eat here often?"

"Oh! Hey Garrett! Nice to see you again. And I only eat here on weekends, otherwise, the gossip mills start cranking away about my champagne taste. But Dollar Tree funding." She teased with a flourish of her napkins.

"That's your dinner, in that bag?" I asked feeling bad about the FANCY meal we'd just had at the place Quinn had recommended.

The girl said, "Yes, the food in the park's great but expensive. I save more this way and just treat myself here or there after the really good weeks or bad ones. Logan Reese, Vince Blake and Lola Martinez all stopped by to let me know you guys found Del Figgalo. I'm glad everything worked out."

"Yeah, me too. I just wanted to personally say thank you. For lending us all of your help and your eyes during that search. It was a little scary there for a while."

She was already waving off, "Oh! It wasn't that much, but thanks for saying that. And making the trip back here, but where's Zoey? Aren't you two on a date tonight? All of the others looked paired off even Reese and Pensky who're usually singles."

"We are," I confirmed, "She's checking on another friend right now. Do you know Quinn Pensky at all?"

"Know her! She's a pal!" The girl smiled. "She tutored me in three subjects this year alone. More than that other school years and we've caught dinner together too many times in this park when Mark snubbed her for science. I probably know her the best of everyone in your little group. Even if my vocal talents have rivaled Martinez more than a few times."

"That's who Zoey's checking on." I nodded.

The girl said, "Why is she checking up on Quinn? I've seen Quinn pick up a snake and set it free without breaking a sweat. I've seen her run putout a burning food cart with a tiny fire extinguisher, bag of sand, and lawn hose. She's unbelievable! Why doesn't your girlfriend know that she's unbelievable if I do? Also, why is she running off on you, to do it?"

I heard myself explaining, "Well, Quinn has been through a lot today. She made peace with Mark, she got Brooke Margolin and some other girls thrown outta the park for trying to start something with her. She even made peace with the Sci-Club after YEARS of war… AND she met up with someone after dinner. I guess my girlfriend worries about our friend getting overwhelmed."

"Overwhelmed, does she know Quinn?" The girl asked again. "All of that's just a wacky Sunday afternoon to her. She's a big girl."

"I think so too, but I can see why Zo's worried too. I think she's afraid of this guy not showing up or treating Quinn wrong. The way Mark did."

The girl put plainly, "Okay… but how is that any of her business?" Then she went on to say, "Look, I could be completely wrong. I mean, I don't know Zoey as well as most. But that sounds like Quinn's night couldn't possibly get any better. She's faced so many things head-on and gets to end her night with someone new. If Zoey crashes in on it all of a sudden, isn't that kind of ruining it? Possibly, for Quinn? If the guy's skittish, he could even bail, you know? When all of Quinn's friends start sniffing around, why risk it?"

I'd thought that same thing but thought I was crazy. And Zoey has known Quinn a whole lot longer than I have. I ended up sitting next to this girl and she was already apologizing to me. For being too real and blunt claiming she's always getting told she's "too much."

But I confessed, "No, you didn't say a thing I wasn't already thinking myself. Zoey and I have been fighting and arguing a lot more lately and today… Tonight has been a lot more like it was in the beginning. Until Zoey suddenly disappears on me, saying 'I'll be back.' I get why she's concerned, I have been all day too, for Quinn. But I know when to quit, and I can't help but worry that she may be more concerned with her friends than me. In the end… to the point, that I don't know what I am to her…if I'm really the only one who sees that. So, thanks again for your eyes and honesty."

The girl asks me, "Do you love her?"

"Yes." I said on cue.

Then she stuck me with the same question that the guys asked last night. "Have you told her that?"

"I want to, but I'm worried she won't feel the same," I said, and somehow. It was so much easier saying this to her than it had been to Michael and Logan last night. Even if it could be because this kind girl wasn't gagging like Logan had been.

She crossed her legs Indian style under her and turned to face me on the bench. "Hey, if you tell her and she says she loves you too. Then you know you were worried about nothing, right? And if she's stupid enough to not feel the same as you. Well, at least you'll finally know where you stand and you'll know what to do."

That was some sound advice, sage advice, even. I said, "So just to clarify, you think I should say it. To Zoey, even if I'm scared… because ultimately I'll know where I stand and how to move forward. No matter what her answer to that is?"

She said, "That's what I'm saying. But maybe say it in a unique way… girls like it when you put a little effort into it. It makes us feel like we're something special, you know? For a minute or two but you don't have to listen to me. I've only said 'I love you' to like eight people in my life! And most of them were as in love with me as Demitri over there."

I laughed and as if on cue her boss started announcing, "BREAK TIMES OVER SLACKER! GET BACK TO WORK YOU LITTLE PISS-ANT!"

She said, "Aww! See! He does love me! Demitri!" I laughed and she kicked out one leg, spun and sprang up from her seat to dance her way across the path back to her booth. She kissed her boss' cheek and said. "I just knew you loved me! I just KNEW it." I laughed the whole time she put on this show. She was back on the speaker and drawing a crowd in no time. All of the other booths tried to compete with her. But her pitches and voices carried over all of them the best.

She was something else.

That was when I was spotted by Zoey, Logan and Quinn. All coming towards me and Zoey had even brought me coffee. Saying I was starting to droop in my seat. I thanked her and waved to our friends asking, "What are you two doing together?" Before I took a sip, and it was great coffee.

Quinn said, "Oh we just happened to bump into Zoey. She had some trouble finding Lydia's booth. I'm gonna pop over and say hi, before I go find my date. Bye guys!"

And like that Quinn was gone, but now I finally knew her name. Lydia… huh. I had a feeling I was gonna have to thank her later. No matter what the outcome of her advice was. Zoey sat next to me and Logan was getting called over to a group of girls he'd been riding around with earlier. So it looks like all our friends are fine. So I asked my lady love, "Aren't you so glad that you were worried about nothing?"

"Yeah! Quinn's fine! Logan's… you know, Logan. I was worried about nothing. Besides… if there is anything really happening between them. Michael and Lisa supposedly worked together with Vince, the sci-club and Mark to set up a little activity we know they won't be able to resist… if they are together, at all in the park tonight."

"Activity? You don't think it's a clever trap?" I asked her. And she shrugged adorably back at me.

"Event? Trap? Scheme? Isn't it all the same, in the end?"

"I guess today it is." I had to give her before asking her, "Why don't we go for a ride on the Ferris wheel and look at the stars as they show up?"

"That is one of the only things on Quinn's list left that we haven't tried yet." She smiled before I offered her my arm and led her on. With her little sunkissed hands tucked into the bend of my elbow. I think I'd wished on every star we saw for Zoey to return my feelings that night. I really hoped we got to stay like this forever. Instead of just the last few magical months, we'd spent together.

(Logan's Perspective)

When Quinn took off yelling to Lydia, a bunch of girls I had been riding with earlier flagged me down too. Making me look so good in front of my friends, not like I was waiting around for Quinn at all.

This looked like I had planned to meet them here all along. They were all flirting and trying to get me to come with them to dinner. But not only had I already eaten, but I had a date to get back to, ASAP! More than listening to any of the girls talking to me, I was listening to Quinn and Lydia's conversation. Where Lydia talked Quinn into playing a round of wack-a-mole. Against a bunch of my football teammates. Even though I was draped in girls again, that was where my concentration was till I could make my excuses and slip back over to my date.

Zoey and James left for more rides, thank God! Quinn finished chatting with Lydia and won a completely different SpongeBob beating out that whole bunch of guys with her reflexes. She'd picked a dorky-looking SpongeBob with dorky black framed glasses and jellyfish net in his hand. When Quinn left waving and still talking to her friend. I excused myself from my fan club saying I had other plans and followed closely behind her. When I rounded the corner and she was nowhere in sight. Something caught my hand and pulled me behind a closed-down stand. All chained, locked up tight, and covered in tarp.

It was Quinn smiling and showing off her own SpongeDude. I had to tell her, "I like yours better than mine. And you won yours, against first-string football players. Lydia just gave me mine."

She was trying to fit them both in the top of her bag. But with our wet clothes and a towel separating the wet stuff from the stuffed toys. And the squared-off heads of both toys, Quinn was really stuffing things WAY down, trying to make it all fit. I told her, "If it helps we can just toss my clothes. I have plenty and I like what you picked better anyway."

"No, I got it." She said standing back up from where she'd been crouched. "It took some cramming but I don't quit easily."

"No, you don't." I had to back her up and something about Zoey invading on us, had kind shook us both up. For some reason, so we hugged it out and I stole a couple of kisses while we were hidden away from anyone's sight and told her. "That was close."

She'd agreed, "I know!" Before we went on trying to figure out what else we wanted to do. I decided, I wanted to ride a few rollercoasters with her, where she wasn't having a full meltdown on the drop [as HILARIOUS as that had been, why HADN'T I taken pictures then?]. So not only did we go on a few of those again before the highlights of the night could happen. But I had been snapping more selfies of us together in these rides, whenever the lighting was good enough. I needed her to get more used to me doing this. And she was relaxing more as the night went on.

But that first highlight of the night had been when we'd gotten near the Ferris Wheel. It had been something I'd noticed on her list on the site. Ever since I'd seen that, I had been dying to get her on it, because I was itching to see how romantic that could be. Because even if we were going off of a completely different list she'd thought up for me. This one just felt like it should be on EVERYONE'S list who didn't wet themselves over heights.

So I tugged on her hand and said, "Let's try this one next."

"This one?" She asked with a little bit of that hurt look pinching the corners of her eyes when she looked up. I knew she wasn't nervous about heights. We'd already ridden several things that went way higher than this. So I wondered what was that about? She asked me, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, is that okay? Do you not want to?" I'd asked and she'd looked all around nervously.

Then asked, "But that's pretty much a romantic thing no matter what you do. Are you sure you want to do such a sappy thing with me? Chance being seen together?"

None of that question had sounded like anything Quinn would naturally say. My bet was that this was a "Mark-thing," and I told her, "Yes! But only if you want to."

She'd smiled like it hurt her face, and I could tell. This was going to be tapping into some of the scars she'd reopened earlier. Deep ones and I was determined to make this better for her, anyway I could. I bravely took her hand and pulled her to the back of the mini-line waiting. There was barely any line, maybe six couples in front of us all holding hands and making goo-goo eyes at each other enough to have noticed if the whole place was burning down. I know none of them saw me holding her hand. And none of our friends were there waiting with us. When all the riders were let off the high-spinning circle. None of our friends walked off either. The only face I recognized was Jeremiah Trottman and he was covered in lipstick and I don't think he knew where he was. At least he's not following around our group with cameras tonight.

I glanced behind us at the line still forming and nope, none of our friends were there either. And some of those people were openly making out. Is it weird I envied them? Not for making out with each other or anything, just that they got to do that out in the open… and I couldn't with the person I loved more than anything in this world. I felt like I was getting away with murder just getting to hold her hand right now. Tempting fate, as we stepped closer, I kissed her hand and she looked at me so shocked for a second before she'd scoffed this teeny sound... it was so soft.

"Gutsy moves, ace? Don't you think?" She asked and I'd pushed her glasses up her nose before she could. And she thanked me.

I whispered in her ear, "Just wait till we're up there." and got to see the chills shoot through her. God! She's so cute! How did I ever go so long without noticing? Looking through my pictures of last year, it was obvious I'd started to notice. But really? What the hell had taken me this long?

We had to step up a few steps before we were next. The area where the little carts were loading was well-lit for the operators. The rest of the wheel sat in almost total darkness. You couldn't make out the faces or figures of the riders, it was all too perfectly dark! This was GREAT!

But then the people in front of us took forever to sit right. So that the little handlebar thing would close right on the HUGE linebacker and his teeny, tiny cheerleader date. Something about the worker of the ride, struggling seemed to make Quinn look all the more close to tears… (Like maybe Mark had been mean to her when he hadn't fit, that was my guess) and I wanted to know why. But I also didn't want to know. Because I didn't want any other reason to find Del Figgalo and punch his lights out. Peace or no peace! How could he treat her this way? Finally, the protective thing shut with a slam and they were lifted out of our way.

The worker turned and said, "Hello- HEY QUINN! Finally going up again, huh? I told you you'd be back and with a guy more your speed! Good for you, little lady."

The older gent with cocoa skin and a snowy beard had said while Quinn gave him this teeny watery smile. Her eyes were almost brimming over as she'd said quietly. "Thank you, Grady. You're the best." And her grip on my hand got tighter before she let go and headed for our seat.

I asked the gentleman, "Hold on... Grady, is it?"

"Yes sir?" He came over to me.

I asked quietly. "Is it possible that when me and the lady have come back around and our ride is over that I could snap a picture of us before we leave? I would now, but I think it needs to be after the ride and not before if you know what I mean."

He slapped me on the back and said "Boy! I like your style, but if you knew, what I knew? Ha! You would know how much you've got your work cut out for you, Mark ain't made it easy for ya... but sure. I'll even take the picture if you want. Anything for Miss Quinn, she saved my son's life when his food cart caught fire. And it was a grease fire, could have burned his hands and face off, that girl's solid gold 'round here!"

"Thank you," I said, while Quinn was already seated in our little cart, I climbed in next to her. I shut the safety bar around us.

Grady made sure it was locked and secure, but I had seen him pull up Quinn's chin on the sly telling her. "None of that frowning on this wheel! I told you, this thing runs on happy faces." Before he'd stepped back over to the handlebar, to crank us up and away. Saluting, "Y'all enjoy the ride now!" And up we went, just outta the way for the next riders. One car length.

I then finally asked. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She lied. "I just haven't been back on this Ferris Wheel since a really bad night... or a few bad experiences. You know, I even told Mr. Grady I was probably ruined for Ferris Wheels for life. And he'd told me-"

Mr. Grady was standing right beneath us, and told me before Quinn could. "Chin up, everything'll be better tomorrow, and if Mark doesn't straighten up. Doesn't start loving you right! Then there's miles and miles of better boys, who will treat you right. Just waiting for you to be done with him." Then he laughed, "And look who's right!"

Before he sent us up one more car length higher. And I could ask Quinn, "What did he do?" She knew I meant Mark.

"No, I don't want this whole day to be about this stuff." She said leaning on her elbow attached to the hand I wasn't holding, she put her head in that hand too.

"It hasn't been, just tell me… what happened?" I asked her.

She let out a sigh so sad and deep and said. "It's the only ride I almost got Mark on… but the safety bar wouldn't close. Then he yelled at me like it was all my fault for making him feel fat. When he didn't fit. But the Sci-CLub let slip he'd been wearing all kinds of padding under his clothes to make certain it wouldn't close. He really didn't want to ride with me that much. He was wearing padding in the summertime? He could have passed out from a heat stroke, just to avoid it… avoid me."

She'd shared first before she said. "That wasn't even the worst fight we had because of the Ferris Wheel either. The worst one wasn't even on the ride, it was beside it. I was in line and Mark had been walking past toting all of this equipment for one of his studies. I'd tried to get him to come with me that one last time, to do this one thing from my list together. To celebrate some weight he'd lost too…It was the last time we were here together right before we broke up. That was when I realized… Mark was never going to do any of these things with me. Ever, and I called him out on it, hoping I was wrong. That he'd tell me he loved me and he might even grant me this one request. It was one of the worst fights we EVER had. Because it meant so much to me and he couldn't even be bothered to do this one thing. It wasn't even a terribly long list and he couldn't… I'm sorry."

I pulled her to me and I hugged her as tight as I could. In the confined space, and I'd kissed the top of her head as she buried her face in my shoulder and neck. Saying, "I know I made peace with him today. For everything… but I also ripped some old wounds open again. I'm sorry you've had to see too much of that today."

I told her, "No, I'm glad you trust me with it. And bravely got back on here with me, tonight. Mark's time may have been okay while it was here. But it is over and done now, and I'm not gonna ever let you feel like that. Not here or anywhere else, okay? And tonight, we're gonna take all of that hurt and pain away the best way we can."

"How are you gonna do that?" She asked me, like that wasn't possible.

I reminded her, "Wasn't it you who said I have a talent for making the impossible seem possible?"

She smirked at me and nodded, "Yep, that was me, and you do."

"You're making this seem pretty impossible right now. How much you want to bet I can have you smiling ear to ear feeling more like your old self. By the time our ride is over?" I'd asked knowing how much she loves a good challenge.

She'd pretended to think about it as we were nearly at the top of the wheel now. The moon and stars were all bright. But when she turned to me, her eyes still outshined it all.

"I'll bet you a SpongeBob trade if you can make me feel like myself again by the end of this ride. How about that?" She'd asked.

"So you mean-" I tried to clarify.

"I would keep the one you won and you could keep my geeky one... if you pull this off."

(Because she already had my other hand in hers) I'd offered her my free hand saying, "Deal!" She'd let go of my other hand to shake the other. As I thought, 'This will be the easiest bet I EVER won.'

While we were still shaking hands and we had reached the top of the wheel. Quinn asked me, "Okay Mr. Possible, how do you plan to do all that in one Ferris Wheel ride?"

"Easy." I did say before I pulled her to me and I was going to kiss her. But when our bodies met on that seat and when our eyes locked. I could still see the glint of that hurt and the echo of pain. In those eyes, I love so much. This couldn't be a kiss like some of them we'd shared earlier. Where I'd said goodbye in case I never got to kiss her again. No, this had to be healing and sweet as she was. She didn't need to be ravaged, she needed to know I would never treat her like that. Not if I can help it, and I would never leave her so alone, or feeling like she was wrong to love anything, or be herself the way Mark always had. So instead of grabbing her and kissing the living daylights from her. I kissed her even more gently than I had that very first time. Small, sipping kisses, when she pulled back to warn me about the other riders. Saying, "What of they know us and see?"

I reminded her, "It's dark and they're probably doing the same thing." Then I pulled her to me again and continued in these gentle kisses. Till I felt her kissing me back, there was a back and forth happening between us while the rest of the wheel was filling up. After having to be so careful all night and trying to hide so much of our time together. This had been what we'd both needed and by the time the real ride began. She'd pulled me closer by my collar, so that when we came spinning past the old man running the ride. He let out a long yelp going "Whooooooooooooo!" That had made us both laugh.

When we came back past him, kissing again he added, "Now there's a boy who knows how to ride this thing!"

I laughed and so did Quinn, I think Mr. Grady maybe my favorite worker in the park, I dealt with all day. I hope he's good at taking pictures. (Sorry Lydia, you were trumped, knowing her she'd admit defeat comically).

We were cuddled close as we could get when we weren't making out for the rest of the ride. and I never wanted it to end, but it did, and as promised Grady took the picture(s). I didn't even ask for such service, but he'd kept us on a little longer and let everyone else go. Then he'd brought us back around and took FIVE pictures of us. My favorite from the WHOLE day!

He took my phone and said, "Alright, give me a good picture first," He asked and we posed with our arms around each other smiling. There were enough lights around his station where I knew these would turn out good too. {SHUTTERSOUND} "Now a silly one where your both making faces, YEAH!" He encouraged, like we were models {SHUTTERSOUND} "Now show me love!" Which to Quinn meant to kiss me on the cheek, {SHUTTERCLICK} I was shocked, I didn't have any pictures of us kissing… not at all… I had video of us doing that during our dance performances. But no stills at all. "Come on boy, give her some sugar!" So I gladly kissed her cheek too. {SHUTTERSOUND} Then he said, "Y'all can do better than that, now." So I took a chance grabbed her and planted my lips on hers and I could feel us both smiling. It's the first picture ever captured of us kissing. EVER! {SHUTTERSOUND} And he'd let us be the last ones to leave, and MIRCULIOUSLY there was no line.

It was like someone had wanted me to have these stills. These pictures and the planets had aligned just for us. You can't know how excited I was to look at those again tonight. To have them printed and added to a collection I've been working on since we came home from Dad's sets. Filling those boxes Dad and Chancey said I could fill with memories of Junior year. I knew that these pics would be damn hard to beat as the very best.

I thanked Grady and he high-fived me after giving me back my phone and whispered, "Keep treating her right, young man. She's a good girl."

I had to say, "Not even hard to do. Thanks again."

"Hey! Anytime! Come see me again, now!" And then Quinn had hugged him before she left to. I was already looking at the pictures and I was SO stoked to send them off to be printed.

When Quinn caught up she'd asked, "Can I see?" So I tilted my screen and she took hold of my hands. To say, "Oh God! I look terrible."

"No, you don't! How can you even say that?" I asked, how did she not see what I saw.

She complained, "My hair is all wild and untamable looking next to you. I'm a frizz factory, a Hermione in Harry Potter fuzz-head."

I had to go there, she made me do it. I whispered, "I don't see frizz, I see it's a little windblown, so is mine. But we've never looked happier and I think you look sexy as hell."

Sneaking a quick kiss on her cheek while she flipped through the others and realized with a gasp… "Have we ever kissed for a photo before?"

"Nope, this is the first and no I will not delete it, I don't care if anyone finds it, I'm keeping it." I told her.

"But it's so dangerous!" She said reaching for my phone. "I didn't even get to see the last one, where you grabbed me."

I warned her, "If you delete it I'm dragging you back and we're doing the whole thing over again."

"I wouldn't do that, it's your picture… but I will ask for copies when you print these. I'll even give you money-"

"No, if you want copies, you get copies…" I said too happy she wanted copies. I saw how she felt about pictures of us before. She'd looked but hadn't taken a single one at least I don't think she did. But these she wanted… even though it WAS dangerous. I felt like dancing…

Then I noticed the loud music, cheering crowd, and our usual DJ in the gym. Leon was spinning beats for a professional-looking DJ booth right in the middle of a huge open area. Where several couples had started dancing together and I looked at Quinn to ask, "Is that normal?" But I could tell by how shocked her face looked, it wasn't. So I followed her over to Leon's booth and she asked him, "What's going on here?"

"Someone told the Del Figgalos about all of the dancing we've been doing lately. And they've been trying to show us how it's done old school. I was hoping you two would find us eventually. Didn't the others tell you about this?"

"Other's?" Quinn repeated.

"Yeah your friends, they've been here." Leon said.

Quinn almost told him, "no" but I stopped her and showed her I had a few missed texts. From practically everyone saying our dancing expertise were needed. Paulina and Gleb were already working the floor waving us in.

Quinn asked me, "How is it she looks that perfect even in jeans and halter top?"

Paulina is a pro, but I knew Quinn could look just as good in anything she was wearing too. So determined to prove this, I turned to my ultimate partner and asked her. "Wanna show em how it's done?"

"What style do you think matches the music?" She'd asked expertly.

"It has been hours since we Mambo-ed." I'd hinted and she'd nodded.

"We do seem to do that pretty well." She'd almost complimented it before she ruined it by saying. "But I really believe ninety-five percent of that is all you."

"Please! You picked that one up quicker than any other dance." I pointed out and as we started to lightheartedly argue, Michael came over and got between us. Claiming, "Hey Hey HEY! Just the ones we've been looking for! Could you guys forget you hate each other again for a few minutes and come with me?"

"Tall order, Michael." Quinn crossed her arms and pretended to be miffed at me. But I was too used to these games we'd gotten so good at playing. I knew it was all a front, and I hadn't missed the coloring on her face, when Michael had squeezed us together. Asking us to bring the older Del Figgalos to the 21st century with our fresh style.

Just to piss him off, I tried to convince Lisa to dance with me instead. Michael reacted just as I'd hoped telling me, "UH-AH! She's already GOT her perfect partner ALREADY! And you've NEVER danced better with ANYONE the way you dance with Quinn. FACE IT, BRO! Even if you hate each other! Y'all look damn good out there together. Go do this whole place a favor, let them see what we've all seen. Take a victory lap already."

Quinn offered me her hand for a change and said, "Come on, Reese. I'm game if you are?"

I was taking her hand before I even knew what I was doing. But I did ask Mo (who was sitting this one out, waiting on her boyfriend to show up). If she could "snap a few pics of us while we were up there." And she'd been super cool about it just asking, "How many did I want?" I did tell her as many good ones as she could get, before I was walking Quinn out to the center of the floor. Because that's where she belonged, just as much as those pros. And we were greeted like the pros, all of our classmates had been clapping for us, just walking out there together. I did hear Mark's family saying excitedly, "Oh look, there's Quinn! YAY!" too. So they weren't even mad at Quinn about the way things had worked out. And they're Mark's family... kinda says a lot, don't you think?

It shouldn't surprise anyone, that this was how the rest of the night was spent. Performing, like we've done so much lately. But the majority of our time left in the park. We'd mostly danced. And JUST like this morning, Quinn's dancing was on a whole different level. I wasn't the only one who couldn't take my eyes off of her.

Mo handed me back my phone when Sockberger finally showed up. And Quinn even said, she was proud of both of them for stepping up too. They looked really happy out there together. The rest of our gang, eventually showed up and we all got something sweet to take on the bus ride home.

Quinn and I had both chosen different and single things. Knowing we wouldn't be sitting together or getting to share. Like all of the other couples, surrounding us. But by chance, Quinn had liked my ice cream better and I'd liked her choice better than what I'd gotten. So before we met back up with our friends. We had switched, but only we knew that. Lola and Vince were feeding each other cotton candy. Zoey and James were splitting a funnel cake, Michael and Lisa were sharing a huge bag of kettle corn. While we were all standing in line waiting to board the bus.

I was so irritated with ALL of them, sad the date was over. Tired, exhausted and PISSED OFF that I wouldn't even get to kiss my girlfriend goodnight. There probably would be NO way I could do that. And I was extra cranky because I was going on no sleep really.

I have no idea how it happened but the only seat left, when I got on the bus… was next to Quinn. So even if I couldn't do much I could hold her hand. I didn't expect to fall asleep, but I did, and so did she. We'd both had very early mornings, and I guess it caught up with us.

But it felt like I'd sat next to her, after making show of forcing myself to do it. I took her hand under the armrest, we'd finished our ice cream and then I was waking up. We were back at PCA. Parked in front of the girl's dorms, and Quinn was still knocked out against my shoulder. Sound asleep.

Zoey and Lola were gonna wake her up, but I told them. "No. I got her, I'll just put her in her bed. It's the bottom bunk, right?"

Zoey said slowly, "Yeeeah, but you were just asleep too. Aren't you too tired?"

Lola said, "Be careful, don't drop her."

I'd slung her bag over my shoulder first then I'd lifted her easily and told both of her roommates, "I won't drop her, I've carried her around for weeks! In practice."

Then I walked off the bus carrying Quinn, who started to wake up. I told her to, "Play dead just a little bit longer for me. I've got a plan."

She did as I asked and stayed limp against my shoulder as I carried her. When we got to her dorm room. Coco opened the door for me and told me, "Put her down and come right out. No funny business."

I told her, "She's dead to the world, what am I gonna do?" Thankfully she was already gone. Brooks and Martinez were lingering saying goodnight to their boyfriends. Just like I hoped they would.

So I was free to have this tiny moment with my girlfriend in her darkened dorm. I carried Quinn inside, kicked the door closed with my foot and insisted on placing Quinn in her bed. So I wouldn't be lying when I told her friends I'd done that. But really I'd just wanted to tuck her in and kiss her goodnight. When she'd caught on to my plan and she was safely under her covers though. She'd grabbed me into a kiss so good, my legs gave out and fell on top of her a little, and she'd laughed. While I was on top of her, her legs and arms had come around me and tangled me in her covers. It was THE sexiest goodnight kiss I've ever gotten in my life. I would have killed to just stay there with her. It had been so cozy, I wish I could have stayed all night, wrapped in her arms, legs, and the covers there. Like I was for that kiss. I knew my bed wasn't gonna feel nearly as nice, now.

But I did somehow pick myself back up and tell her, "I'm gonna have to let you control our dates more often now."

She said, "And I'm gonna have to adjust to all of your picture taking and posing, I think."

"Yep, I'm gonna need a lot more, before summer," I warned, digging out the dorky SpongeBob I'd won fair and square. Before handing her (the other that was mine but was now) hers, And I told her, "Sweet dreams, baby."

And she told me, "Night, Baby. Try to think about how easy it was to sleep on the bus. You need to sleep like that again in bed now."

"That was easy, I think, because you were there." I reasoned.

She gave me this sexy little look from the side and told me. "Well just pretend I am there. If it helps."

I told her, "Quit tempting me, you're supposed to be out! Night!"

"Okay! Night!" Then she was back to playing dead for her roommates.

Nope, if I pictured her giving me that saucy look she'd just shot me, or HALF the things she'd driven me crazy doing today. I'd never sleep AGAIN! And it would still be best the school trip ever!

I'm so glad I'd had any part in making it happen… even if tomorrow morning was going to be here too soon! Ahhg! And next Saturday was our PROM! Yikes! How did that get here so fast?

That's all folks!

Well, for this chapter anyway. But don't fret, I'll be back next Thursday with another post… and this one won't JUST be from Quinn's perspective. But it will FINALLY begin our PROM coverage! ((Happy dancing around and trust me I should never do that)) I cannot believe we're finally here! And I'm so tickled for you guys to read what I have in store for that. But Thursday will be here before we know it! And the story isn't gonna end there. It is going to go past that a bit before we end. But that will be ENTIRELY missing moment speculation, while this is still between actual episodes. Thank you so much to anyone reading this right now! Please review if you can, I would love to hear from you! I hope you're having a great week, Take care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85