The sun will be setting soon. I had gotten dressed and I'm watching my aunt and Daddy from the foyer. They are in the kitchen arguing about Daddy being diagnosed with high blood pressure.

I ignore them and walk to the black, full-length mirror we have in the living room. Tonight I am wearing black, jean shorts and a pink, spaghetti strap shirt. My outfit was paired with cute, black gladiator sandals. The ones that buckled up just underneath my knees.

I love them! It's my first time wearing them.

It's also going to stay at ninety degrees tonight and I don't want to suffocate. I have my hair up in a ponytail and I decide to put some black eyeliner and give my lips some shine.

I am also freaking out. Maybe I am self-conscious because I haven't talked to Levi all day. I never bothered to open his texts either. On top of that, he called twice today and I know I'll bump into him at the festival.

The festival is being held on the Castor property. It's actually in that clearing next to their estate.

The one I drove through the night of that storm.

I really just want to get through the night without seeing Levi.

Rick and Sandy don't want all the trash, carnival rides and loads of townspeople stomping all over their grass in the estate. I think Alice said it was imported from Italy. This was why the clearing is the best choice. Not that I blamed them. I wouldn't want a bunch of strangers messing up my property.

All the cars are parked on the sides of the road. Between the food, games, and rides, there isn't enough room for the cars. We slow down to a crawl and my mouth falls open when I see the clearing.

It looks like an actual amusement park.

There is such a huge crowd, bright lights, and booming music. If the Castors want to make sure the music is heard in the next town over then mission accomplished. I smile. This might actually be fun!

Daddy finds a spot and parks. My phone beeps.

Katey:
Where are you!? I'm standing next to Todd Stiller's truck. Hurry up! 😑

Me:
We are parking. I'll be there in one minute.

I jump out of the truck and begin walking toward the overly excited crowd.

"Hey, hey! You're not sticking with us?" Alice asks as she grabs a box from the back of the truck.

"Not this year. I'm meeting Katey and Var-Katey!" I suddenly stop talking. I don't want her to ask me questions. We'll be here all night.

She looks at me curiously. "Oh, okay! Have fun!"

I turn and walk ahead towards the ugliest truck in town. Mr. Stiller's old Chevy truck. The entire truck on the outside is rusted completely. He claims to love it. We all cringe when we see him driving around in it.

Several bets have been made to see when and if Mr. Stiller will go through his chair and come out underneath the truck. He drives no more that twenty-five miles an hour.

"It's about time, Summer! I've been here for an hour!" Katey yells, hugging me. The DJ booth is near the entrance and it's very loud. A huge crowd walks behind me as we walk towards the ticket booth.

"An hour?! Are you kidding me? I told you I'd be here by six! Are you alone?!" I yell looking at the crowd.

Someone taps my shoulder. I turn and see Marcus. He is grinning. "Hey, stranger! Remember me?! You left me hanging and never apologized!"

I open my mouth and close it. What am I going to tell him? Sorry but we actually were hanging out. A jealous angel dropped you on your head, erased your memory, and almost got me killed. Again, sorry!

"I know! Please forgive me! I've just been so busy!" I smile and hug him. Marcus puts his arms around me and hugs me tightly. I remove my hands but he keeps on.

Awkward.

"Get off, Marc!" I hear Katey yell as she pulls him off of me. "Hey! Be nice!" She points at him. Marcus smiles and pretends to bite her finger. "Stop being a spaz when Emery is around!"

"Shut up, Katey!" Marcus yells, shaking his head. "Let's go play some games! I got the tickets!"

Katey and I lock arms and happily follow Marcus through the crowd.

Katey and Marcus are in the middle of a water gun, horse race game. I have lost twice and had given up. I am a very sore loser, my father's child.

As I look around, I still can't believe this is the area where I basically almost escaped with my life. Well, those were my thoughts that night.

It turns out the creature, I ran from, is one of the good guys and saved me from a horrible accident. Why hadn't I still asked him about the night he saved me? How did I get out without a scratch?

I start to get flashes of that frightful night which gives me a massive headache.

An alarm goes off above Marcus' head signaling that he has won. He jumps for joy as the game attendant hand him a medium-sized stuffed pig.

"No fair! I wanted that pig!" Katey yells in annoyance. She stands to her feet.

Marcus laughs. "Stop being a brat! You can have my moo!" He hands her the stuffed cow that he had won two games ago.

"Really?" She takes the cow happily and hugs it.

"There are still more games I can beat you at and get prizes."

Katey smiles and rolled her eyes. She looks over at me and her face falls. "Hey, Em, are you alright?" She puts her hand on my shoulder.

I really feel sick.

"Yeah, you look pale," Marcus says with concern, putting his hand on my forehead.

"I think I'm hungry. You guys go on ahead. I'm going to grab a hot dog."

"Are you sure?" They both ask in unison.

"Yeah, I'll catch up with you once I'm done."

Marcus and Katey walk away looking concerned. I smile as I see them disappear into a sea of people.

I turn and see the hotdog stand is only a couple feet away.

My eating habits haven't been great. I hadn't eaten all day either. I'm sure once I get food in my system I will feel like a million bucks!

I bump into several people, excusing myself, as the smell of hotdog hits me hard causing me to salivate. Okay, maybe I am literally starving! If I don't get something to eat in the next minute I will chew my arm off!

As I walk up to the line, I see how long it is.

"I guess I better start chewing at the wrist and make way up to my elbow," I whisper to myself with agitation.

After several longs minutes, I realize I haven't moved up in the line at all and I immediately notice why. People were letting their friends cut into the lines.

I sigh and give up when I hear someone say my name loud and clear. It scares me because I can't hear anything but music and the park goers laughing or screaming.

I turn suspiciously and look around.

"To your left." The person whispers. I follow.

It sounds as though they are right in my ear. I look around determined. I continue to look around until I see a small golden light ahead.

I begin walking toward it. It can only be one of two people.

Levi or Vartan.

For some reason, I am hoping it is Levi.

The light starts to disappear as I get closer and I immediately see it's Vartan. He is sitting at a table alone.

"You're a little dramatic," I say feeling slightly disappointed it isn't Levi. I look down at his table and see a barrage of food. Pretzels, popcorn, hotdog, and pizza. My stomach growls.

"And you're hungry. Sit down and help me eat this," he says grabbing a slice of pizza and biting into it.

My mouth waters as he moans and chews. I know what he's doing and it's working.

"Fine!" I yell over the crowd and sit.

"You know, you don't have to yell. I can hear you perfectly. Just like you hear me perfectly." He makes his brows jump and grabs a piece of cheese off the plate and eats it.

"Oh! I didn't know. Sorry," I say taking a bite out of my hotdog and closing my eyes. So good! Might be the best pizza I ever had.

"Here," Vartan says as he opens two plastic containers. One has chili and the other has macaroni and cheese. He puts a spoonful of chili and the macaroni and cheese on my hot dog. "You haven't lived until you had a loaded hot dog."

I don't bother doubting Vartan because I am so hungry! I take one bite and I am truly not disappointed. He smiles at me, dipping his pretzel into the chili.

Vartan and I both continue eating in silence which feels good. We turn occasionally whenever someone yells or trips. I can't tell you how many people fell in front of us.

Vartan explains that the grass isn't leveled. No one sees it until they face plant. He howls with laughter every time someone falls. I try my hardest not to laugh, but I fail nevertheless. Only because his laugh is infectious.

"So have you gotten on any rides?" Vartan asks me as we head toward the back of the festival. It starts to get more crowded. It's where all the rides are.

"No, not yet. I don't think we should even attempt a ride. We just ate," I say taking a sip of my water. "It hurts to breath. I blame you."

Vartan scoffs. "Speak for yourself, mortal. I never get sick." He pulls on my ponytail lightly.

"You're so lucky then." I smile at him.

"Alright." He puts his hand out to stop me from walking further. "Kiddie rides or the Ferris wheel?

I laugh. "I don't think you'll fit on a kiddie ride." I stand directly in front of Vartan and look up at him.

Vartan mulls over my words. "Ferris wheel, it is." He ushers me toward the long line when someone comes over the loudspeaker.

"Hello, Ackley!" A familiar voice rings out. The stage luckily is next to the Ferris wheel. Both Vartan and I turn. "Welcome to the 98th annual midsummer festival! I am your Master of Ceremony: Sandra Castor!"

I smile as I see Sandy. Everyone claps as she excitedly waves at the townspeople. She is way overdressed in a hot pink, flowy gown. Her hair pinned up in a bun. She looked absolutely beautiful.

Rick is standing next to her in red slacks and a short sleeve white button up. He has his arm around her hips, smiling. They are like the real life Barbie and Ken.

The crowd erupts in applause and yelling. I look around. Everyone's eyes are glued to them. I am smiling until I see Vartan. He isn't happy at all.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?" I ask smiling. "Looks like someone pooped in your cheerios."

Vartan looks down at me, his brows furrow. "I've lived far too long and I've never heard that expression. You are intriguing, mortal." Vartan pulls on my ponytail again and places his hand on my shoulder.

I freeze underneath him. I am in shock that I don't feel anything towards him. Sexually, I mean. Yes, he is gorgeous, but for some reason, I feel like he cares for me the way sisters and brothers does. I really liked it.

Vartan starts talking about being bored and wanting us to try some rides.

I smile as I look from Vartan to the stage. However, Levi is now standing next to Sandy. He is glaring at both Vartan and me. My heart falls.