The carousel whirls to life, its vibrant colors spinning as laughter fills the air.
Once the ride concludes…
"That was amazing!" Logan exclaims.
"It's really heating up out here. We should find some shade for a bit. I know the perfect spot," Mr. Mark suggests.
"I want to visit the Lego Store! My dad promised Steven and me we could pick out new sets for our good grades and all the chores we've done," Andy chimes in.
"Alright, let's head there," Mr. Mark agrees.
They step into the store.
"I just don't get the excitement around this toy. It's beyond me," Hannah remarks, lifting a Lego set. Suddenly, someone bumps into her. She turns, ready to scold, but then her expression shifts. "Wait, is that you, Evan Sanchez?"
"Hey, Hannah! Great to see you outside of school. I didn't think I'd run into you here in San Francisco at a Lego store. Are you into Legos?" Evan asks, glancing at the box in her hands. "Oh, and is that a Harry Potter set? I'm a massive fan of both Legos and Harry Potter!"
"Absolutely! I'm a huge fan of both," Hannah fibs without hesitation.
"What?" Andy exclaims, taken aback.
"So, you're planning to buy that Hogwarts train set? It boasts 5,129 pieces and is meant for ages 18 and up. It's a collector's item! Are you really going to get it?" Evan inquires.
"Well, I'm actually getting it for my brothers, and we'll build it together," Hannah continues her charade.
"Wait, what?" Andy says, incredulous.
"That's really generous of you, but it's priced at 499.99! That's a hefty sum, even for a teenager. You can't possibly have that much cash, right?" Evan questions.
"Not exactly, but my dad can cover it," Hannah replies. "He'll buy it for me and my brothers."
"Now you're just asking for trouble," Andy warns.
"Shh," Hannah hisses quietly.
"Are these your brothers? Andy and Steven, right?" Evan asks.
"Indeed, you are the young man who has captured Hannah's heart. She speaks of you incessantly," Andy remarks.
"Really? That's quite endearing. She mentions you and Steven as well, but her words often paint you both as a bit of a handful," Evan replies.
"What do you mean by that?" Andy inquires, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
"Well, she mentioned that you struggle with anger management and tend to be disrespectful to your parents. As for Steven, she claimed he suffered severe brain damage from a car accident, which robbed him of his speech and sight, explaining his need for a guide dog. She also said his autism leads to unpredictable outbursts towards strangers. I must admit, I'm preparing myself for that," Evan explains.
Steven's expression shifts to one of disbelief, his eyes widening in astonishment.
"What on earth!" Andy exclaims, casting a sharp look at Hannah.
"I'm perplexed. Is any of what she told me accurate?" Evan asks, seeking clarity.
"Not at all. She has spun a web of lies. Every word is a mere fabrication, crafted to impress you. Particularly the part about her fondness for Legos and Harry Potter, which she dismissively labels as 'nerdapalooza.' She mocks both Steven and me for our love of building with Legos, watching Harry Potter films, and dressing as our favorite characters. She never lends a hand in constructing our sets and often tries to snatch away the instructions, deliberately misplacing pieces, especially the tiny ones. Allow me to share the truth about Steven and myself: I do not have anger issues, nor do I speak back to our parents. In fact, it is Hannah who has a temper and frequently challenges our mother and father. Steven is not brain-damaged; he has never been in a car accident. He is simply shy, and while his autism may limit his verbal communication, he uses sign language when he feels overwhelmed. His vision is perfectly intact. Tyson is not a guide dog; he is a therapy dog, providing emotional support due to Steven's autism and social anxiety," Andy clarifies.
