Chapter 4

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Allison hair and outfit

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Allison hair and outfit

It's been four days, and I'm still thinking about what Nathan said to me at the park. No one has ever complimented me like that before, especially a boy. It's weird, if I'm being honest. But tonight is the carnival, and Trey and Maggie are going to be happy and have fun while I'm just there.

As long as my best friend is happy, that's what I care about. Trey is like her dream guy, and I'm genuinely happy for her, even if it means being the third wheel. He's on her dream board, for crying out loud. I'm happy for her.

Getting ready, I went downstairs and saw my dad on the couch, watching National Geographic.

"Dad, I'm about to go. I'll be back by 10, is that okay?" I asked. When my parents divorced, I had a choice to live with my mother or my father. I'm happy with my choice; he's my role model, and he's cool.

"That's fine, sweetheart. Just be careful," he said.

"Okay," I replied. But before I left the house, he added, "And wear protection."

"Dad, eww! I'm not doing... that," I cringed.

"Just saying, be safe."

"I will, and don't worry, I'll bring you back something," I said with a smile, trying to shake off that awkward moment, and then I left.

I picked up Maggie, and we headed off to the carnival. As we started to walk around, I asked, "Okay, where did Trey say he'll be at?" Maggie checked her phone.

"By the cotton candy stand," she replied.

"That's like... far," I commented.

"That's what you get for parking this way," she retorted. I shot her a look.

"Hey! I was trying to find a good parking spot without having to walk too much," I defended myself.

As we continued walking that way, Trey and Nathan were waiting.

"Hey, guys," Trey greeted us.

"Hey, Trey," Maggie replied, her face lighting up with a smile.

"You look nice," Trey said to Maggie, causing her to blush.

"Thank you," Maggie responded, and I couldn't help but notice the chemistry between them. I thought, "Why is Nathan always in the area I'm in?"

"Hello, Allison," Nathan said, looking surprisingly cheerful. He knew he was getting on my nerves even though we hadn't been together for like 2 minutes.

"Nathan," I replied, sizing him up with a fake smile.

Trey and Maggie probably sensed that this meeting wasn't going to go smoothly, but they had plans, and they couldn't deny the chemistry between Nathan and me.

"This is awesome, Maggie. Your best friend is here, Nathan's here, it's a group gathering, no third-wheeling," Trey commented, oblivious to the tension building between Nathan and me.

"Yes, absolutely perfect, right, Nate?" I said, putting on a fake smile.

"Yes, Allie, perfectly fine," Nathan agreed.

Our evening began. Maggie and Trey were adorable together, truly meant to be. They were having fun with each other, and I couldn't help but think, "I just want to go home and read instead of being with Nathan all night, even though I don't like him at all. At least I'm not a third wheel."

As we played games, I spotted a stuffed panda, my favorite animal, and my eyes were locked on it. Nathan noticed.

"Do you want to play for it?" Nathan asked me.

"What?" I asked in surprise.

"The panda, it's calling your name," he said with a smirk.

"Sure," I replied. I started playing and was winning every second of that game, but then disaster struck at the end.

"Hey, I was so close! How did the ball not make it in?" I exclaimed in frustration as I walked away.

As I got myself a drink, Nathan came over, but he had the panda stuffed animal in his arms.

"Here you go," he said, handing it to me.

"You won this?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, after you left, I played and I won. It's not a big deal," he replied.

"You didn't have to do that," I said.

"I know, but I wanted to, at least win something since you're stuck with me for the next two hours," he said, and we both laughed.

"Thank you," I said genuinely.

"You're welcome. What are you going to name it?" he asked.

"I don't know yet. How about 'Mr. Pebbles'?" I suggested.

"What?" he asked, trying not to laugh.

"What? It's not a good name?" I teased.

"No, but that's your first choice," he replied with a smile.

"Fine, Mr. Pebbles it is," I said with a chuckle.

We continued to laugh, and as we did, our eyes locked. I smiled, thinking it might be the lighting, but his eyes were nice. He just...

"Wanna play more games?" he asked me.

"I'm sure you're on, but I don't know. I might beat you," I teased.

He laughed, jokingly, "Yeah, sure."

"Is that a challenge, Mr. Woods?" I asked playfully.

"I guess so, Ms. Richards," he replied, and we both laughed.

Throughout the night, we continued laughing and playing games. Surprisingly, I actually had fun with Nathan. It was a pleasant surprise, and I didn't hate it, not one bit.

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