Even after taking my time cleaning up my classroom and getting it ready for next week, I got home with plenty of time to get ready. It would take me all but three minutes to put something new on and freshen up.

I spent the next four hours cleaning, making something to eat, catching up on a few work things, and then went to shower. It was 4:30 when I finally got out of the shower and started to get dressed.

The best part about the fall festival was the weather. It was the last week of September, so it was finally cool enough for jeans and sweaters. Whenever the festival came around it was like everyones mood picked up.

Knowing it was going to be chilly tonight I wiggled into a pair of dark blue skinny jeans. The one good thing about skinny jeans is they definitely made your legs look longer and skinnier than they really are. With those on I threw on a pretty maroon colored sweater. You could never go wrong with jeans and a nice thick sweater.

I quickly went back to the bathroom to finish getting ready. I had a good set of bags under my eyes, sadly not prada, that needed to be covered. I wasn't one for much makeup so I kept it light. Only putting on a bit of concealer to hide my bags, I put on some mascara, and topped it all over with a matching lip color to my sweater. Lastly, I undid my hair from the messy bun I had put it in early this morning. Soft blonde waves fell around my shoulders.

I didn't look gorgeous by any means but I smiled at my reflection. I had actually tried a bit more on my appearance, something Annie should be extremely happy about. For the first time in a bit I felt pretty.

Smiling at myself one more time I left my bathroom to finish putting my shoes on. It was nearing 5 o'clock and I knew if I was a minute later Annie would lecture me for a solid five minutes. I could do without that today.

Sliding on a pair of tannish booties, I grabbed my shoulder bag and made sure I had what I needed. Money, keys, lipstick, gum, and my phone I was good to go. Before I left the house I sent my brother Lucas a quick text. I hadn't spoken to him over the phone in two days and wanted to make sure he was okay.

Lucas was younger than me by 6 years. He just recently turned 18 and left about a month ago to go to college at Gonzaga. It was about 5 hours away from here. At first I didn't like that he was going that far from me. He was my responsibility but he got a good scholarship and he wanted to go. So after a lot of research and visiting campus with him I let him go. Of course on the condition he calls or texts me everyday and he comes home for the holidays.

When my mother, Laura Gardner, got sick 6 years ago I kind of became the mother of the household. The first few months after her diagnoses she was completely fine. She didn't act sick, did everything like she normally did. The only sign was she got tired faster but that was it. It wasn't until a year came upon did she get really sick.

All of the sudden the cancer just spiked and wore her out. After that the doctors told her she had to stop doing most of the things she was doing. She did go against their orders, my mom was just like that, but after a while she just got too weak and tired to do things. So I stepped up.

I worked two jobs to help with the bills, not that it helped much. I went to night classes, I drove my brother to and from school and sports. Helped with homework, made dinners, cleaned the house, and took care of my mom. It became my life until two years ago when she passed.

Not wanting to think about it I left my house and locked it up behind me. I didn't need my mood to dampened, not when a fun night was ahead. Getting in my car I headed towards the big field the festival was always held at near downtown. The closer I got to the festival the bigger my smile became.

Even though it wasn't even five yet there were tons of cars pulling into the parking lot. No doubt everyone wanting to get here early to see everything first. Finally I found a parking spot and I knew I would most likely forget where I parked by the end of the night.

Sending Annie a text I locked the car and moved with the crowed towards the entrance. All around me people talked excitedly, the atmosphere shifting the closer we got. I couldn't help but get excited with everyone else, getting caught up in it all.

Feeling my phone buzz in my pocket I took it out to see a text from Annie. Reading that she was going to be near the front by the cotton candy booth, I picked up my pace. It took me a bit to weaved through everyone to find the cotton candy booth, but eventually I spotted familiar red hair. Grinning I speed walked towards Annie. Seeing me she launched herself at my body, almost tackling me with a hug.

"You are finally here!" Laughing I hugged her back. I sent Brad who was standing behind Annie a smile. He smiled back, his hands tucked in the pockets of his dark jeans. He wore a dark plaid long sleeve shirt that looked really nice on him.

"What should we do first?"

"I say lets do a few rides before looking at the booths. I can see more young kids coming so we need to get in line first." Annie glanced at Brad to get his opinion.


"Works for me." He answered. The way he smiled down at Annie had me raising an eyebrow. Before I could look more into it Annie was grabbing Brad's arm and yanking him away. Smiling at the look he had on his face, I trailed after them.

We past booth after booth as we made our way to one of the rides in the back. From a quick glance I could see tons of good stuff people were selling and I made a mental note to look back at them later. Tomorrow I volunteered to help out so tonight was one of my only chances to look around and get some stuff.

Annie stopped suddenly in a line for the spinning cups. We shared a grin as we watched the ride go. Every year we went on this ride together and laughed at how many people got sick from spinning around so much. It was personally one of my favorites and it was one of the few rides I would actually ride, since the others looked like they were about to fall apart.

Thankfully we didn't have to wait in line too long. Before we knew it the three of us were jamming ourselves into one of the cups. I hadn't realized until then just how big Brad was as I sat there shoved against the side. On the other side of Brad was Annie, who was practically on his lap.

While it was uncomfortable we were all laughing too hard to care. When the ride started I held onto the bar in front of me. From the corner of my eye I noticed Annie and Brad sharing a smile before the cup started to spin.

For the next ten minutes the three of us laughed our heads off as we spun around, well Annie and I laughed, Brad looked like he may be sick. When we finally came to a stop the three of us sat perfectly side by side, the spinning somehow making us fit better.

As soon as the bar lifted Brad stumbled out looking a bit green. My legs shook slightly as I got out but I was fine, unlike someone else. Annie had an arm wrapped around Brad as he made his way towards a garbage can. That ride wasn't for everyone.

"You good there Brad?" I teased.

"Just peachy." He muttered making me grin.

"While you two take a breather I am going to go to some of the booths. I will meet you guys by the ferris wheel in a few minutes." I knew Annie wanted some alone time with Brad anyways, so this was a win win.

I could practically see the giddiness coming off of Annie as she kept her arm around Brad and helped him towards some benches. She was probably drinking this all up and I wouldn't blame her. She has been trying to get Brad's attention for forever and now she had it. He just better see what was in front of him before it was too late.

The thing about guys is they don't see it like us girls do. They don't see the perfect girl standing in front of them that will love them until their last breath. No they only see the girl who treats them like shit and somehow still stays with her.


Or you get the guy who messes up what he had. The guy who had someone who really cared for them and would do anything, and ends up cheating on that girl. Ruins the only good thing going on in his life for some stupid girl.

Of course you had other types of guys you had to worry about. The 'fuck-boys' who only care about getting in girls pants, you have the guy who is hot but gay or taken, and then finally you have the best friend type of guy that will never look at you that way.

Sadly, every girl has probably dealt with one of these types which just made dating even that much harder. Annie and I have dealt with these type of men, which is why we were both single. But for Annie's sake I hoped Brad was somewhat different. She needed someone. Then maybe she would get off my back about my own love life.

Giving those two one last smile I turned back to the booths I saw earlier. I'll look around and give them a few minutes alone before making my way back to them.