It was another slow day at work and Stewart was starting to find the quiet days boring. He knew life was moving slowly when he was starting to miss doing homework. He listened momentarily to Jenny as she spoke about her latest date adventure, and they hung up posters for the fair. The way she spoke about her girlfriend so animatedly stung a little. The two were high school sweethearts, now being seniors in college, and childhood best friends. It didn't matter which girl you spoke to–and Stewart had gotten to know both over the last year of working at Tails Pet Store–they each spoke of the other like they had found the one.

Stewart thought back on Dean. He hadn't spoken to him ever since a few weeks back when the teen had come to the store with Kai. If Stewart didn't know any better he'd say Dean was ignoring him, especially after he asked the other to go to La Sirena with him.

The aforementioned fair had finally arrived and it was indeed the last few weeks of summer. As per custom, the pet store spread flyers for the famous fair as advertisement. In return, the fair would let them have an adoption booth.

Stewart's brown gaze got lost on the large poster he had just glued on the storefront window. The fair was to be opened within eight days of its arrival. He turned to Jenny, who was smiling proudly at the posters that displayed rides and acrobats.

"Not that I mind an extra hand in the booth," Jenny began as she packed the roller along with Stewart, "But are you sure you don't want the evening off for the fair's first night?"

"Nah, I'm fine cuddling puppies and providing them a home. Nothing can beat that."

"How about a date?" A deep voice replied, and Stewart was definitely sure it was not Jenny.

The male's gaze fell on Kai. His white shirt clung to his torso, translucent from being soaked in seawater. His sandy hair damp, signaling he'd just gotten out of the beach. He was his typical messy and boyish self, which suited his nickname, Riggs.

Stewart looked back towards Jenny, confused, before meeting his gaze back with the surfer. "Jenny is gay, Riggs."

The teen rolled his eyes and stepped forward, closer to Stewart. "With you, Dork."

Stewart stared at the boy, eyes looking deep into the other's brown, as the entire world decided to become nothing but static. The smell of salt and the ocean assaulted his nose and anxiety bubbled in his stomach.

His lips parted, speaking unintelligible words, before closing and then trying again. "What?"

"You usually go with Dean, right? I thought since he was busy, we could go, and you'd be my date."

Stewart fought the blush in his cheeks by looking down at the equipment he carried and organizing it aimlessly. "Right. Sorry, I'm actually working that night."

"Oh," Jenny intervened, "you can have the night off, I don't need much help other than loading the truck in the morning."

Stewart's head whipped up towards the girl, his heart was beating so fast he found it incredulous that she did not get the obvious hint that he did not want to go. Could she not hear it?

He smiled, "I guess I'll be your date to the fair then."

The smile that shot across Kai's face was something Stewart would have never expected. Nor was the fast pace his heart began to beat at. It was just a friend date, so why would Riggs react in such a way?

"Cool," the surfer beamed. "I'll catch ya later then."

Stewart nodded, dumbfounded and watched the teen leave the storefront with a skip to his step. He felt a bump against his shoulder and looked down at Jenny who was wiggling her brows oddly like a wave.

"What are you doing?"

"And here I thought you'd die before someone holding your hand."

Once again the teen blushed, "What are you talking about?"

"Well your friend, he just asked you out."

"What?"

Jenny stared at the teen as if dumbfounded and Stewart couldn't point out why. Until it hit him what the other was thinking. He doubled down laughing and shaking his head.

"Oh no, no. Riggs would never date someone like me. We're just friends. If anything I bet Dean has put him up to it, since he can't come with me."

"Stewart, did you not see how happy he looked? That's not how someone hanging with a friend reacts."

"You probably don't have enough platonic love in your life. It's normal."

The girl smacked her forehead and headed towards the store doors, "Suit yourself."

Stewart shook his head again chuckling lightly. It was far fetched for someone to ask him out in a nonplatonic way. Riggs most definitely did not ask him out.