Caden and I left a few minutes later after I’d changed into more suitable clothes. I walked out of the house in plain jeans, a few rips in them. My purple sweater was cut low enough to flash a little cleavage, but enough to be respectable.

Caden remained in his jeans and striped shirt that he’d left school in. I noticed that a
plain black beanie was now on his head. As soon as he saw me come down the stairs, he
grabbed his keys, heading towards the door. I stuff a couple bills in my back pocket before
following him out the door.

Once in the car, Caden pushed in a CD, letting the music play in the background. He
rolled down the windows, letting the warm air rush past us as we drove out. I leaned my
head back, closing my eyes.

“You can’t be tired already, we’re not even there yet” Caden said, trying to start a
conversation.

I shrugged, not answering.

He turned the music up louder, tapping out the beat on the steering wheel. I opened my
eyes slightly, watching the scenery go by.

Though it was barely 4 o’clock, parking was horrendous. Caden ended up finding a spot
at the farthest end of one row, leaving us a huge walk.

He locked the car, catching up to me as I headed to the carnival. Caden slung an arm
around my shoulders.

“You excited?” He asked

I rolled my eyes “Its just the fair, Caden. No big deal”

“Still, Pumpkin. I get excited every year” He admitted “When I go off to college, I’ll still
come down for the fair”

I snorted at his comment.

“What?” He asked, frowning in confusion.

“You? College? Let’s get a little realistic”

He laughed, giving me a playful shove “You’re such a bitch sometimes”

I rolled my eyes.

We reached the entrance, heading in. Caden and I decided that we’d play games or something until our dates arrived. Then the fun would begin.

I had every intention of ditching Caden and Shelley as soon as I could. I could barely
stand Caden. I didn’t want the female version of him here too.

Caden smirked, looking at the first game. It was the water game, where you aimed
streaming water at a target trying to fill up the container catching the water below. He nudged
my arm, pointing over to the game.

A couple middle school kids were paying to play. There were roughly ten seats, four of
them already taken.

“Oh it’s so fucking on” I said, leading the way.

I handed the man the money, taking a seat. Caden sat next to me, taking aim. The man
counted down before turning the water on.

Out of three games, I won one. The other kids stood no chance against us, giving up
after two. I earned myself a green beaded necklace while Caden got a small stuffed dog.

He stuck it in his pocket.

We played a few more games before Caden got a text from Shelley.

He grinned, heading towards the entrance.

“Caden!” A girly squeal sounded. Caden grinned, jogging up to the blonde girl. She
squealed again, wrapping her arms around him. I stood a few feet away awkwardly, wishing
Jason would get here soon. He was already a half-hour late.

When they finally pulled away—after a passionate kiss—Shelley looked at me sweetly.

“Joanna?” She asked

I smiled “Call me Joey”

“I’m Shelley” She said, pulling away from Caden for a proper introduction. “Sophomore
right? I’ve seen you around school”

I nodded “Yeah, that’s me.”

“Where’s your boyfriend? Caden said we’d be meeting him here”

“Well…” I sighed “I don’t entirely know where he is”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. A
familiar face nuzzled into my neck, causing a giggle out of me.

I didn’t have to look to know it was Jason.

I turned around, giving him a hug “Finally you’re here”

“Well, I would’ve been sooner if someone would pick up their phone” He teased.

I turned back, looking at Caden and Shelley “This is Jason. Jason, that’s Caden and his
girlfriend Shelley”

Jason stepped away from me to give Caden a handshake.

“Nice to finally meet you, Jason” Caden smiled politely. My eyes glanced between the
two boys down to the death grip they had on each others hands.

Neither boy exposed the pain the other inflicted on him.

After a moment, they dropped their hands, Jason moving to say hello the Shelley.

“Alright. Now that everyone’s here, let’s make our way through the fair” Caden
suggested, eyeing Jason and I suspiciously.

I laced my fingers through Jason’s, loving the feeling more than I should’ve.

~*~

The evening ended up being more fun than I had expected. While we never managed to
lose Caden and Shelley, Jason and I did get to have our own fun. We rode all the carnival
rides; the carousel, the salt-N-pepper shaker, the Scrambler, even the tiny roller coaster they
had set up.

By far, my favorite was the Fairs Wheel. Jason and I got our own seat, just leaning
against each other like normal. His arm was around my shoulders, my head on his chest.
He had pulled my feet across his lap to get me more comfortable as I wrapped my arms
around his waist.

We didn’t talk, just enjoyed the moment. But in that moment, I felt the happiest I had
been all night. I hated having to get off.

We played the games, ate the fatty foods, all the things you did at a carnival. Every now
and then you’d look over and see Caden and Shelley making out behind one of the booths,
but they held back on the kissing fairly well.

The most kissing Jason and I had done was a small peck on the cheek on my part for
him winning me a stuffed bear.

As we walked back to the car, we trailed behind, not wanting to end the evening.

“What did you think of Caden?” I asked, curiously

“I don’t like him. At all” Jason admitted

I laughed, “I didn’t think you would after he ‘accidentally’ jabbed you in the ribs”

“Oh yeah, that doesn’t help my opinion at all”

“Thank you for coming, Jase”

“Haha, no problem, Joey. Thank you for letting me meet Caden” He said, stopping once
we reached the car. I assumed Caden had walked Shelley to her car for he was nowhere in
sight. We stood in front of it, little space between us. “Now I definitely don’t feel comfortable
knowing he’s your babysitter”

I smiled “Neither do I.”

“I had fun though” He said, his hands resting on my waist. I felt my heart flutter, knowing
he wasn’t doing this for show.

“Me too.” I whispered, my hands on his chest.

“I’m really glad you suggested the carnival instead.” He said just as quietly, pulling me
gently towards him.

My heart was racing in my chest. I worried he could hear every beat “I’m so glad you
came, Jason.”

He leaned in slightly “So am I”

I felt myself doing the same, so that my breath hit his lips.

Neither of us spoke, our eyes locked. He dared me to make the first move while I waited
for him. I ran my hands slowly up his chest and around his neck, running my fingers through
his hair while he wrapped his arms around me.

A horn blared at us.

Blinding lights flashed on.

We jumped, I pulled back.

Holding a hand up to my face, I glared at the car window, hate radiating off me. I could
barely make out Caden laughing in the driver’s seat.

I smiled apologetically to Jason

“Haha, well I guess I’ll be going” He said awkwardly.

“Uhm.. yeah. Bye, Jase” I said just as awkwardly.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, picking me up in the process. I laughed, glad
he just vanquished any tension between us.

I laughed as he set me back down, releasing me. I waved goodbye, still feeling giddy as
he walked to his car.

I walked around, climbing into the passenger seat of Caden’s care.

“You’re such a douche bag” I mumbled, crossing my arms as he pulled out, still
laughing.

“You have to admit, that was fucking hilarious”

“No it wasn’t!”

“You should’ve seen your face!”

“I fucking hate you Caden” I growled

“Damn, that was the funniest thing that’s happened in the longest time.”

I ignored him the rest of the ride, furious with him.

Back at the house, I noticed that my mom still wasn’t home. And honestly, I didn’t care. I
knew one way or another Mason was in good hands. I opened the door, walking in fuming.

Caden followed, closing it behind him.

I went into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water. I felt exhaustion flow over me as
I sat on the counter, drinking.

Caden came in, stealing my cup right out of my hands.

“Are you kidding me?” I whined

“Yes” He smirked.

“Smartass”

“You love it”

I rolled my eyes, reaching for my drink. He rested a hand against the counter, holding it
just out of my reach.

I groaned, giving up.

Caden chugged the rest, setting the glass in the sink.

“Did you have fun?” He asked, leaning against the counter next to me.

I shrugged “Would have been better if you hadn’t been there”

“You wound me, Pumpkin”

I rolled my eyes “You’ll get over it”

“You know, I didn’t think you actually had a boyfriend”

I smirked triumphantly

“Still don’t”

My smirk disappeared “What?! Why? You fucking met him!”

“I think you just made him pretend to be your boyfriend for the evening”

How the hell…

“I did not!” I lied.

He smirked, knowing he was getting to me. “Oh you so did. That almost-kiss? Yeah, it
was definitely not the kiss of a couple”

“How the fuck would you know? We’re legit” I said, annoyed.

“No, that was the kiss of two people who have never kissed before”

“Maybe we haven’t kissed yet”

“Oh really? You two have been together for a while though apparently. Why does that
seem unlikely that if you two really were dating you wouldn’t have kissed yet?”

“We’re taking it slow?” I offered

Caden laughed, turning to face me. He rested a hand on either side of my legs, leaning
his weight on them. “You’re hysterical, Pumpkin. What happened to ‘what you’ve done’ I
mean ‘who you’ve done’”

I narrowed my eyes “Maybe I’m not the one who wants to go slow. Ever think of that?”

“Oh I know it’s not him. I know he’s not one to take things slow.”

“I’m dating him! He’s my boyfriend! Get over it Caden!” I hissed

“I’ll get over it once you admit he’s not really your boyfriend”

“What proof do you have? Our almost-kiss? Yeah right. That’s how a legit couple kisses. That’s how we kiss”

Caden smirked, finding this amusing “You want to know how a legit couple kisses?”

My eyes widened slightly, knowing what he was asking. I felt my lips go dry. I ran my
tongue across them, trying to find my voice again.

“You look incredibly sexy when you do that” Caden whispered, leaning in. I stifled a
shiver, tilting my head back as I felt his lips graze my skin.

“Caden…” I said warningly.

“Say my name again” He said, his hands sliding onto my thighs. I gasped slightly at his
touch, surprised. He moved his hands up and down my legs, slowly moving them apart.

“Ca… Ca….” I stuttered, my breathing panted.

He trailed his lips along my jaw line, pressing them gently to the corner of my mouth.

“Say my name” he growled against my skin.

“Caden” I squealed as his hand traveled onto my inner thigh. I felt him pull my hands
around his head.

He groaned, pressing his lips against mine. I felt my fingers tightened around his neck,
pulling him closer as I kissed back. Caden’s lips mingled with mine, tongues dancing
together. I felt him pull me closer, my legs slightly around his waist. His fingers slipped just
under my jeans, hooked.

I moaned slightly as he pulled away, traveling down to my neck. Caden pressed his lips
down, nipping me, another gasp escaping.

I gripped his hair, holding him there as he sucked on my skin. He pulled on my jeans,
undoing the button.

My eyes widened as I felt the zipper go down. I pulled away, pushing Caden off.

He backed away a few inches, looking me dead in the eyes “That’s how a legit couple
kisses”

I didn’t say anything, trying to regain my breathing.

He pressed his lips against mine one more time before pulling away, walking out the
door.