“How do I look?” Abby spun around in front of her sister.
Abby and Bex were practically twins. Abby was only slightly shorter than Bex. The two girls were that same size for the most part. Abby was average weight, not to thin and not overweight. Although Bex was a little more toned in her legs and stomach than her, mostly due to band practice. Abby’s hair was dark brown, unlike her sister's sun-bleached alburn colored brown hair. They both had the same hazel eyes and heart-shaped face. The difference between the two was minor but enough to tell them apart.
Abby wore blue jeans and her new fur boots that their grandmother gave her when she came over a few days ago. She had on a long-sleeved grey shirt and a baggy yellow cardigan. Her hair was straightened and came just past her shoulders. Her makeup was simple and only showcased her natural beauty.
“Great, and me?” Bex also did a twirl.
“What’s it matter? She’s already your girlfriend.” Abby smirked.
“Just tell me.” Bex frowned at her.
Bex had on purple skinny jeans and black leather combat boots. Her hair was pulled up in a nice ponytail with all her flyaway hairs slicked back and her long tail flowy with loose curls. She had on a plain black t-shirt and a leather jacket. With a purple scarf hanging loosely around her neck.
“You look fine. Come on!” Abby squealed in excitement as she dragged Bex downstairs.
All week Bex had been trying to get Lyssa to warm up to her. Although Lyssa proved to be a tough nut to crack. As soon as Bex would land on a touchy subject she would get shut down instantly, sometimes literally being ordered to drop the subject. It didn’t help that Bex had been dying to talk to her friends, excluding Joan of course, about Lyssa. Not the vampire part, just the Lyssa part.
“Ready girls?” Their dad asked. He was taking them to the carnival to drop them off, Rory agreed to meet Abby there and take her home later. Same could be said for Lyssa.
“Yes! Let’s go, Rory just texted me he’s almost there!” Abby pushed her dad out the door.
“Okay, okay.” He chuckled.
“Shotgun!” Bex called out and raced her sister to the passenger seat.
Abby pouted at her defeat but accepted the backseat quickly, eager to go on her date.
Bex had to admit she was sort of nervous. What if she found herself on a touchy subject again? What if Lyssa was a stick in the mud and refused to have fun? What if she made an utter fool of herself? So many what ifs she found her heart racing in anticipation and her leg shaky as she sat silently in the car.
Her dad was going on and on about rules and curfews and whatnots the whole ride there, but neither girl paid him much mind. When they got there Abby ran out of the car and to the ticket booth.
“Keep an eye on your sister will you.” Her dad sighed with worry.
“I will. Bye dad.” She smiled and kissed him on the cheek before getting out of the car.
The two girls quickly paid to get in and it wasn’t long before Bex found herself alone as her sister ran off to have fun with Rory. Bex glanced around for Lyssa but didn’t see her so she pulled out her phone and called her.
“Hey.” Lyssa sounded nonchalant when she answered.
“Hey, where are you? I am at the carnival.” Bex said.
The line was silent for a moment.
“Lyssa?”
“I uh, can’t make it. I um. Need to, uh, run some errands.”
“Your lying.” Bex accused.
“Am not!”
“Are too! You are totally trying to blow me off!”
“You are being dramatic Rebecca.”
“You know what forget it! Why do I even try?” Bex hung up the phone.
She sat on a bench alone with tears in her eyes.
Stupid vampire. She thought to herself.
She looked around to everyone having fun. Friends, families, couples. She sighed and brought her scarf up to cover the bottom of her face. She didn’t want people to see the frown engraved on her face.
“Rebecca?” Someone called out to her.
She turned and saw Darci, Mike, and Jaden walking her way.
She quickly wiped her tears and put on a fake smile, pulling down her scarf to talk to them.
“Hey, guys.” She smiled.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Mike asked.
“Same as you guys.” She forced a laugh.
“I mean like why are you alone, did you come here with someone?” He pushed.
“Oh uh, guess not. My sister is here somewhere. She’s on a date.”
“Are you okay? You look sad.” Darci frowned at her.
“Hey, I got the…” Joan trialed off as she ran up to the group.
Her and Bex locked eyes.
“Uh, I should go. Have fun.” Bex quickly turned to walk away.
“Bex wait,” Joan caught her by the arm.
“Where’s Lyssa, isn’t that your new friend?” Jaden asked, slightly salty towards her.
“She’s uh, she’s not coming,” Bex said, still not facing her friends, her arm still in Joan’s grasp.
“Oh no! Bex did she stand you up!?” Darci hit it on the nose.
Bex yanked her arm free and wiped the new tears that threatened to spill.
“Something like that,” Bex said.
“Well, you can hang with us, who needs her,” Mike said.
“Uh, actually I think I’ll just go home.” Bex tried to walk away again.
Once again Joan caught her arm.
“Rebecca!” Lyssa called, almost sounding angry as she approached.
Bex’s head shot up and her face lit up in delight. She quickly pulled out of Joan’s grasp to jog up to Lyssa.
“You said you weren’t coming,” Bex said.
“Well, I changed my mind.” Lyssa frowned at her.
“Thank you!” Bex engulfed her in a hug.
Lyssa tensed up.
“Rebecca honestly.” Lyssa sighed.
Bex pulled back and gave her a goofy grin. Lyssa thought about how that grin made her weak inside. She quickly pushed the feeling away and looked over to Joan.
“What are you doing with her?” Lyssa accused.
“Oh uh…”
“Nice to officially meet you, Lyssa.” Joan approached her and shook her hand forcibly.
Bex gave her a confused look.
“Likewise.” Lyssa eyed her.
“So maybe you guys could hang with us now that the gang is officially all here. Come on Bex feels like forever. Hang with us.” Mike begged.
Bex looked to Lyssa for permission and Lyssa sighed before eyeing Joan again. It was clear Joan wanted to pretend that she didn’t know Lyssa and Lyssa had no clue why. But she had a feeling it was to get closer to Bex again. Still, the pleading look on Bex’s face made her give in.
“Fine,” Lyssa grumbled.
“Yes! You’re the best!” Bex hugged her again.
Again, Lyssa tensed up, but everyone but Bex noticed the small smile on her face. When Bex pulled back Lyssa put on a straight face again.
“Come on!” Bex grabbed Lyssa by the hand and dragged her towards the ticket booth so that they could buy a bunch of tickets for the rides and stands.
“My dad only gave me ten bucks but that should be enough to get 10 tickets, five for you and five for me,” Bex said.
“Nonsense. I’ll buy you as many tickets as you please.” Lyssa said.
“Really?” Bex eyed her.
“How many?” Lyssa asked.
“I want 50 tickets!” Bex said in excitement.
Lyssa nodded and bought 100$ worth of tickets. When the two walked back over to the group everyone had wide eyes at all their tickets.
“Now what should we do first?” Lyssa asked.
“We were going to go on the roundup! Come on.” Mike said in excitement.
“What is a roundup?” Lyssa asked.
“That one!” Bex pointed to the small ride where you sit in chairs in a large dome-like circle and it spins and tilts rapidly.
Lyssa made a face.
Still, Bex grabbed her by the hand and took her to the ride. It cost three tickets to ride. When picking seats Lyssa sat on one side of Bex and Joan sat on the other.
“I’m terrified.” Darci squealed in excitement.
“Me too,” Jaden admitted.
“What about you Lyssa?” Bex asked.
Lyssa swallowed the anxiety building in her stomach and looked to Bex. Bex laughed when she could see the look of fear in her eyes.
“Shut it.” Lyssa snapped at her.
“This is not even the worst one. Plus, the ride hasn’t even started yet.” Bex giggled.
“I am aware of that.”
Just then the ride started up and began to slowly spin around. Lyssa clenched onto her seat and tried to remain composed.
Soon they were spinning quickly and many screams of the other riders filled the air. Bex cried out in laughter and excitement as the speed tickled her insides. Lyssa closed her eyes tightly and tried her best not to scream. When the ride was over Lyssa was the first one off.
“Oh my god, that was so fun! We should go again!” Bex laughed.
“I thought I was going to hurl.” Joan laughed.
The two shared a look and Lyssa watched as they smiled warmly at each other. It made her stomach turn.
“On to the next!” Mike declared.
The group went from ride to ride wasting tickets. Each ride more thrilling than the last. Lyssa tried her best to remain composed. But her facial expression would give her away. She would crinkle her nose at something she didn’t like. Her eyes would go wide when she was scared. She would clench Bex’s hand harder right before they went on the next ride. She stayed silent for the most part, letting Bex do all the talking for her.
Bex and Joan had quickly rekindled their friendship as if nothing had happened between them. Joan did her best not to mind Lyssa and made sure to do all the things Bex liked the most. She wanted Bex happy and in a good mood, not thinking about how she and Lyssa almost killed each other.
“Look at the picture.” Mike laughed as they got off the roller coaster.
“Let me see!” Bex snatched it from him.
Bex busted out laughing at Lyssa’s face. Which was clenched tight in terror.
“Lyssa! You didn’t even have your eyes open!” Bex laughed.
“Aw man look at my face.” Jaden frowned.
Each friend took turns looking at the photo passing it around. Finally, Bex noticed Lyssa had gone silent.
“Hey, are you having fun?” Bex asked.
“If you call being in a constant state of terror fun, then yes.” Lyssa nodded.
Bex snickered.
“Come on, we won’t do those types of rides anymore. What do you want to do?” Bex asked.
Lyssa looked around the fairground and saw a bunch of mini-games with prizes.
“Come on.” Lyssa grabbed Bex’s hand and dragged her over to the strong man game.
Lyssa picked up the hammer.
“Which one do you want?” Lyssa asked Bex who eyed the prizes.
“That one.” She pointed to a rather large stuffed panda bear that looked to be chewing on bamboo.
“That one,” Lyssa told the game attendant.
“Okay, if you want that one you got to ring the bell.” He informed them.
Lyssa smirked to herself and lifted up the hammer, pretending it was heavy as her arms struggled to hold it up. Bex giggled. Then she slammed it down hard on the machine. Causing the light to go all the way up and the bell to ring.
“Wow, you did it. Here you go.” He handed the panda to Bex.
“Holy cow Lyssa you are strong!” Darci said in amazement.
Joan frowned and turned her head away.
“Thank you!” Bex forced Lyssa into a hug with a panda bear.
Lyssa smirked.
“On to the next Rebecca.” Lyssa declared.
“I bet I could win you something.” Joan jogged up next to Bex.
“Yeah?” Bex smiled at her.
“Yep, look over there.” Joan pointed to a game where you had to hit balloons with darts.
“Okay, let's go.”
Lyssa narrowed her eyes at Joan and quickly followed after the group.
“Which one you want?” Joan asked.
Bex once again eyed the prizes and smirked. She wanted to make it extra hard for Joan so she picked the rare prize.
“That one.”
“The Banana man?” Joan eyed her.
“Sure.” She shrugged.
In order to get that prize, you had to hit the golden balloon while the wheel of balloons spun around. Joan got three darts, three tries.
The first dart landed on a plain red balloon, a small prize.
The second dart landed on a blue balloon, the medium prize.
One dart left.
“Come on Joan you can do it!” Mike encouraged her.
Joan eyed the wheel carefully before taking in a calming breath and throwing the final dart. It hit the golden balloon.
“Yay! You did it!” Darci cheered.
Joan sighed in relief.
Bex was handed the Banana man. She giggled at the silly face it had.
“Don’t I get a hug?” Joan asked.
“Of course, thank you!” Bex hugged her now with two large stuffed toys in hand.
Lyssa narrowed her eyes at Joan.
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