James overslept, normally he tried his best not to do this. Yet somehow he managed it. He woke up in a hurry, his entire body panicking as he jumped out of bed getting dressed.

"Shit" he struggled to put his shoes on as he ran out of his room pushing Andrews door open. The little boy sat on his bed playing on his game.

"Sorry buddy, looks like you're coming with me today" the little boy looked at him with a smile "good, that means I don't have to take that test".

James huffed "did you turn my alarm off so you could miss school?". Andrew laughed as he ran out of his room "we can hang out today! And I can meet all your friends!".

James sighed as he grabbed his keys "you're lucky I'm in a good mood. You know just for this I'm not taking you to the fair tonight".

The little boy gasped loudly turning "I'm sorry! Look I'll go to school and just..". James patted the kids hair "I'm messing with you, get your shoes on. I'll be in the car".

James walked outside getting into his car, he yawned as he pushed his fingers through his hair. It was messy but he tried his best making it look slightly less like shit.

The door opened and Andrew got into the backseat. He held onto his game "you better not be loud in any of my classes today. We'll both be kicked out".

James drove off quickly putting his backpack into the seat beside him sighing. "I had a test first class as well, damn I've missed it".

—

James walked in a rather fast pace as he pushed the school doors open. The hallway were empty and he could the soft chatter of people in class.

Andrew held onto his hand as they neared the boys locker "this place is huge, don't you get lost?". James laughed lightly as he grabbed his books.

"I've gone here for awhile, you get used too it. One day you'll be here. So get used to this". The bell ringed loudly when James slammed his locker shut.

"Come on, stay close" students walked quickly as James neared Ruby's locker. The girl held onto her purse tightly as she grabbed hold of her books.

"Rubes, sorry for being late.. Andrews turned my alarm off so he could miss school". The little boy pushed at James side "you said you wouldn't tell".

Ruby closed her locker "you've brought him" James nodded "couldn't really leave him alone, besides he'll stay with me".

"You're still taking us to the fair right?" she looked at Andrew who held onto James hand tightly. "Of course I am, we've gotten to ride the Ferris wheel".

Andrew leaned into James side "he's scared of it, I'll likely let him run around with his friends while we go on it together".

Ruby smiled as they walked down the hallway together "I was worried you weren't gonna show today, I almost called you".

James pushed open the classroom door for the girl "sorry, I was gonna text and say what happened.. but I was rushing".

He practically heard the whispers of students when he walked inside with Andrew beside him. He grabbed an extra chair setting it beside him.

"Hey bud, play your game. Just be quiet" the little boy sat down his fingers jabbing harshly at his game. James and Ruby sat down.

"So what made Andrew wanna ditch school today?" James smiled "he had a test that he didn't want to take, suppose he gets it from me".

Ruby put her purse down "I can't wait for the fair, anwars been talking about it all morning. Really has me excited for when we go".

"Andrews excited for the food. He practically begged me to buy him everything". Ruby smiled "he's a sweet kid, I suppose he gets that from you as well". James shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not that sweet, I mean I stole a kids lunch once when I was Andrews age. I was a troublemaker". James leaned back as he opened his notebook "but then again I had shit parents, so they didn't care what I did all the time".

Ruby grabbed hold of his hand "let's stay in tonight after the fair. Instead of getting food somewhere. Perhaps you can cook something".

The bell ringed and James nodded as he held onto Ruby's hand "I'll muster something up for us, it'll be absolutely delicious".

—

    Andrews burst of giggles entered the atmosphere as he held onto James shoulders tightly. He could feel the softness of stuffed animals in his grasp as he was held onto.

James walked along the fair ground holding onto Andrew making sure the boy didn't fall off his shoulders. "Where did Ruby go?" James neared a small picnic area "she's getting you cotton candy".

James carefully set Andrew down onto the ground and the little boy held onto his stuffed animals. Which James won easily, which was shocking.

"I hope they've gotten blue! that's my favorite" James sat down on the picnic table. "Of course they will, although I prefer the pick one".

Andrew cringed as he sat down beside his father "that kind is gross". James grinned as he messed up Andrews hair making the little boy protest.

He felt his shoulders tense up once he saw Otis and Eric in the distance. The duo practically were running towards him when they spotted him.

"J-Man! I haven't seen you all week!" Eric stopped near the side of the picnic area. Otis stood beside him holding onto a goldfish.

He seemed distressed about something "oh, who's this little guy" Andrew smiled weakly as James stood up. "This is Andrew" Eric waved at the little boy as he grinned at him.

"Is he a friend of yours? I'm shocked you've gotten more friends than me". James laughed weakly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Uh actually he's my son... his mum died so I'm taking care of him from now on". Eric's eyes widen "I'm sorry, have I heard you right...".

He turned looking at Otis "did I hear him right Otis? Did he just say, this was his son".

Otis smiled awkwardly "I believe he has" James grabbed the cotton candy out of Ruby's grasp when she appeared. "Sorry I haven't told you guys. It's just I've been busy is all".

Eric gasped dramatically"I can not believe you've told Ruby before us. I should steal that cotton candy from you James".

James laughed as he sat back down "you wouldn't dare" Eric grabbed the cotton candy and ran. "Hey!" James stood up fast running after the boy.

Andrew giggled "I told him pink was gross" Ruby smiled at the little boy as they watched James chasing after Eric who was laughing.