I must have spoke too soon, as Alexander watched the smile disappear from my face and a look of anger filled it’s place. Karleigh and Brady were approaching, hold hands, her stupid face set into the most obnoxious grin as she looked at me, flaunting the fact that Brady was hers.
I felt an arm snake around my shoulders and watched as Karleigh’s stupid smile was replaced by a confused look. Alexander pulled my body into his as he enveloped me in a hug and rested his chin on the top of my head. Oh if I could see the look on Brady and Karleigh’s faces right now…

Karleigh scoffed and I heard Brady clear his throat as I pulled out of Alexander’s spontaneous hug and looked up into his eyes, mouthing a silent thank you. He winked and then he did something so Hollywood it wasn’t even funny. His hand reached for my the back of my head as he gently pulled my face towards his, my body went on auto-pilot as I stood up on my tip-toes to reach his mouth with mine.

Our lips softly crashed into each other and I could feel his sincerity in the way he kissed me right then and there in front of the two people that hurt me the most.
As if on cue, the fair’s nightly fireworks exploded behind us, lighting up the sky as Alexander and I were still locked in what is sure to be a kiss that I’ll remember forever.

He pulled away first but from the look in his eyes, I could tell he didn’t want to. Who needed air when you could kiss someone like that, so out there and in the open, and romantic… for everyone to see. People awed and whistled as I turned around, my cheeks flushed. Now I was the one grinning stupidly.

Brady looked from my face to Alexander’s and back to mine and finally I saw something in his eyes that I thought I’d never see… jealousy. Karleigh latched onto Brady’s hand and dragged him away from the two of us.

“Well that was certainly something…” Alexander whispered into my ear, startling me and bringing me back to reality and away from the movie scene we just lived in. My skin tingled in response and I could feel my hair stand on it’s end as he laced his fingers with mine and pulled me away from our spot.
“Come on, Charlie. I have some friends I want you to meet,” he reassured me as we snaked through the crowds and towards the musical performance area of the fairgrounds.

Three guys who were close in age and dressed similarly to Alexander came into view, I watched as they unpacked stage equipment and instruments and loaded them up onto the main stage. Were they roadies?

“Yo dudes!” Alexander called out and the guys turned around, shouting their own variations of Alexander’s greeting. I watched as they noticed me, their eyes giving me the quick up and down, before smiling and nodding appreciatively.
My hand was released from Alexander’s and he trotted up to the stage to quickly talk to the guys, I stood there awkwardly and looked around.

A big banner that read “Performing tonight: HONOR SOCIETY” hung over the stage, girls stood behind a roped off area.
Oh shit. I was in the roped off area, maybe that’s why some of the girls were glaring at me. My bad.

“Charlie!” I heard my name shouted by a different voice, this one was much high than Alexander’s and sounded almost melodious. I turned to see Alexander and his friends waving me towards them.
My feet quickly carried me to the stage and I held out my hand for Alexander to help me up onto the raised area. I practically flew up onto the stage, getting some serious air, Alexander must have underestimated his strength as my body was airborne. Quickly thinking I twisted my body, using an old gymnastics move, and tucked my body in for a flip. I flipped with ease and landed on my feet a few feet away from a speaker. Ouch, that wouldn’t have been good.
“Sick narsty ninja reflexes,” said a tall, attractively pale in a Robert Pattinson way, blonde guy with eyes as pale as Alexander’s, who stuck his hand out for a handshake, “I’m Andrew Lee and I don’t shake hands, I hug them.” He took my hand in his and did some serious holding with slow back and forth movements.
I laughed as he sang some song about hand-hugs and Alexander stepped forward to introduce the other two.

“Excuse Andy, he doesn’t know how to act properly in the presence of a lady. I’m Jason, it’s nice to meet you,” Jason laughed, he was shorter than Alexander and Andrew and had dark hair, eyes, and mocha colored skin. He was handsome.

“And I’m Michael, but you can call me Mike or M.B,” Smiled a short but adorably cute guy with dark short hair and honey colored eyes. Alexander sure has some attractive friends. Stupid moment again, I stood there not saying anything before snapping back into reality and out of day dream cute boy world.
“Hi Andy, Jason, and Michael. I’m Charlie, it’s a pleasure to meet you guys,” Smooth recovery made by me, oh yes.
“Nooo… the pleasure is all Alexander’s!” Michael winked at me as Alexander blushed. These boys were sweet, I loved the way they interacted with each other, they laughed and joked easily. I felt calm in their presence.
“So, judging by the glares that I’m getting and the screaming of your names… you guys must be Honor Society?” I ventured and I watched the way their faces lit up. They nodded enthusiastically and Michael excitedly explained to me, “Yes, we’re Honor Society and we’re here to rock this party all night.”
“Mike. No shameless song quoting, please,” Jason laughed.
“Kidding, kidding. But yes, we’re here to perform a couple of songs tonight and then we’re going to a friend of ours’ party. You gonna stick around for the set? I’m sure Alexander here would love to show off for you,” Michael continued.
“I’d love to!” I smiled and then the boys surrounded me for a group hug and high fives.
“Charlie, I gotta finish setting up but when I’m done, I want to see you standing right there for the show…” Alexander said softly as he directed me to a spot off to the left side of the stage, “That way I can see if you’re enjoying yourself or not during the show.” I blushed from head to toe, this boy was perfect.

Things picked up pace and quickly the stage was set up, then came the girls who filled into the area, crowding around, pushing each other to get to the front, holding up posters for the guys to see. Clearly Honor Society was popular, girls screamed at the top of their lungs when Michael, Andrew, Jason, and Alexander finally took to the stage. They needed no introduction and stood there before the crowd for a minute, letting them scream. I think I even saw a few girls crying. What even?

Finally Michael spoke into a microphone, a natural at taking control of the crowd, his voice flooded out through the speakers loudly.
“What’s up with it Sonoma County?!” He yelled, this elicited even louder screams from the girls. “This is Honor Society’s first time performing in this city and we’re happy to be here. This first song, I’m sure a lot of you all know…” He spoke. Andrew’s fingers slid over his bass quickly and the opening riff to one of their songs started, Alexander began to drum out a beat that flowed well with Andrew’s bass line he was laying down, then Jason became animated as he banged on the keys of his keyboard, finally Michael joined them with his guitar and the boys moved together, letting the music control them.

Michael grabbed the mike and sang to the crowd, “She’s a pistol, pointin’ at me, smokin’ from her head to her feet… packin’ the heat. She’s lethal, with a license to kill, stilletos rippin’ open the street. She’s a heart breaker! Like a master piece, but she be lookin’ even better with me. She’s the baddest girl I ever seen, how could something that’s so wrong be exactly what I need? Here comes trouble again!”

I was hooked as I watched the boys play and sing their hearts out. My eyes switching from the crowd to the guys, watching the girls sing along and dance and shake their signs, as the guys smiled through their music, winking and pointing at everyone. Making them feel special. Each girl screamed a little louder, jumped a little higher when they got some form of attention from the guys but I watched as they stood in envy as the song to a point where they slowed it down for a few seconds and Michael motioned me to join him at the front of the stage, he grabbed my hands and I shyly walked out and sang to me, making me laugh and smile. Dancing in front of a crowd of girls and their boyfriends. This was so-not something I would do, but the look in Alexander’s eyes made all of it worth it. I watched as his face lit up as I danced, enjoying that I was bonding with his friends.

This was amazing. The song came to an end and the audience clapped and screamed in approval. The guys stopped playing to wipe off their sweat and take a drink of water, Michael turned to me and whispered away from the microphone, “Can you harmonize?” I gulped, sure I could, I used to sing all the time, I even had videos of myself doing so on YouTube, where the feedback was always positive. “Sure. But I’m afraid I don’t know any of your songs…” I whispered back embarrassed, biting my lip. “It’s okay, you’ll know this next song once you hear it. I’m going to start out on the first verse alone and I want you…” Michael was interrupted by a rose that was thrown on stage at him, he laughed and picked it up, yelling a Thank You at whoever threw it, “I want you to jump in during the chorus, don’t worry. You’ll do great Charlie-Rose-Five-Seven,” Michael winked, oh shit… CharlieRose57 was my YouTube user name, he knew who I was.
Jason picked up the next song and started to play the opening riff on the piano as Andrew and Alexander joined him, soon Michael jumped in again with his guitar and his sweet voice.

”I know you’re scared… everybody gets a little bit of stage fright…”

Caramel apples, popcorn, giggling children, tired parents, endless lines…

I wandered aimlessly around my town’s annual summer fair. It was the same thing every year, the nauseating rides, booths of games that rip you off, food that made you loosen your belt, I really don’t know why I came. All around me couples, families, and group of friends seemed to be enjoying themselves. A small crowd gathered around a magician, boys raced girls to the front of the line for the fun house, vendors hocked their sickeningly sweet treats, and I just watched as time passed me by. Soon the sky darkened and there was a collective ‘ooh’ as the flashing lights on every single ride and display blinked on.
The Ferris wheel glistened in the center of all the organized chaos, the bright shining wheel spun tiredly as it’s passengers waved to the people below them. Something unknown drew my body towards it and soon enough I found myself in line for the ride.

Single riders, that’s what I was going to do. Just take a spin and then go home. I was tired, my feet ached, it was bound to be cold, and I was beginning to permamnently reak of fair food. Someone bumped into my side, knocking me out of my place in line and onto the grassy ground.
“Hey… watch it,” I snarled as I got up and dusted my pants free from any grass or dirt.
“Oh, sorry… didn’t see you there,” a nasally familiar voice whined. Karleigh Meyer. My high-school arch nemesis.
“Karleigh,” I practically spat her name.
“That’s me,” She gushed, clearly loving hearing her own name. She wasn’t alone, I noticed she was with her pack of self-absorbed and shallow boys, they flanked her in a perfect V as she stole my spot in line, forcing me to stand directly behind her and her boyfriend, who happened to be
my ex. Brady Brian, he stood there, the typical all-American boy with his blonde hair and blue eyes, staring at the ground as if it were the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. I knew what he was doing, he did this when he was embarrassed or uncomfortable. Karleigh liked this awkward exchange and saddled up to make some usualobnoxious comment. I could hear her as she raised her voice and flipped her dark hair over her shoulders, “So Charlie, hot date night by yourself? Or did you just come here to stalk Brady and I some more?” Her friends teetered as I felt my skin prickle, beads of sweat formed as I faced what was sure to be public humiliation.

My throat felt dry and I barely croaked out a “no” as my response. This resulted in more snickering.

“Well good, because Brady here is completely over you and he’s not coming back. He’s mine now and don’t you forget that,” Karleigh hissed and she slid her overly tanned arms around Brady’s neck and kissed him way too dramatically, as if she were the star of a daytime soap opera. Typical. When they finally surfaced for air, Brady did something he rarely ever did,
he looked me clear in the eyes, and I saw no remorse or sympathy that I once saw in his eyes two months ago.
It was my 18th birthday and Brady’s family threw me a party at their beach house, tons of people showed up, there was music and food and dancing, a typical party. Almost everyone that I knew was there, from family to friends… to enemies. As my parents and Brady’s parents were bringing out a fabulous cake with 18 candles and a crowd gathered to sing “Happy Birthday” to me, I noticed that Brady wasn’t at the head of the crowd, instead his lips were attached to Karleigh’s. They were locked in a passionate kiss and of course neither of them saw when I took the cake
straight from our parents’ hands and dumped it over their heads and left my own party, crying. Brady had only tried apologizing once and I refused to speak to him, I just watched as he pulled some half-assed apology out of nowhere, stating he hoped we could be friends again and that he was sorry I had to find out about him and Karleigh like that.

I cried for a long time that night, ignoring any calls or messages or texts from anybody. But then when I woke up in the morning, I realized that life is going to go on with or without me, so I got up and went to last week of high school, shutting everyone out of my life. I only talked to my parents or teachers. My trust was broken.

Tears stung my eyes now, from all the memories that flooded back into my mind and I pushed by Karleigh and her group and up to the front of the line. The ride operator took my ticket and helped me climb into the Ferris wheel carriage and then it was up, up, and away for me. I collapsed into tears as the fair grounds slowly appeared below my feet.
I just knew that I shouldn’t have come. Why does Karleigh have to be such a bitch? And Brady… that blank expression, like I was nothing to him, that hurt. I used to be his everything… now I don’t exist in his world.
“I”m pathetic. This is pathetic,” I mumbled to myself through my tears, the lights of the fair blurred into bright circles as my vision clouded over. I blinked away my tears and stared down, it seemed as if the world hated me… happy couples seemed to be the only thing I saw, giggling, smiling, holding hands, sharing caramel apples, winning that stuffed bear for their special someone.
I was one of those happy girlfriend once, now look at me… alone on a summer night, drying my eyes at the top of a Ferris wheel. Epitome of classy.

As the fairgrounds were laid out before me, I saw something different, something apart from all the fast paced movement. An boy around my age, stood in the middle of the bustling crowd. He had caught my eye. He looked so lost and lonely, like he could use someone. I watched as his face searched for someone in the crowd. He was handsome, even from a distance, he was tall, lean, had a slight tan, short chestnut hair styled into a tiny mohawk. He had strong facial features that I noticed more in detail as my carriage descended and I got a closer look. His nose was prominent, his cheeks were round, his pale pink lips were set in a line, and his brow furrowed over his eyes. He was dressed casually, as any other boy would, but something set him apart… maybe it was the way his dark jeans made his legs look endless, or the way his plain white v-neck t-shirt hugged his chest tightly, or his black Nike dunks that covered his feet, and his faded black leather jacket that protected him from the approaching cold air of a Northern California summer night.
Perfect, he looked perfect, his eyes locked onto mine as my carriage came to a stop. He blinked at me before I gave him a shy smile, then he blushed and his tanned skin turned an adorable pink. How cute was he?

My smile widened as his did too, revealing two rows of perfectly straight pearly whites, wow. Beautiful smile for a beautiful boy. As a new surge of people loaded into the Ferris wheel and I got off, I watched as he disappeared into the crowds. He was gone. I could hear Karleigh cackling behind me at something that Brady must have said, so I slipped away as quickly as I could. Dodging through people, eager to just get out of here and go home to my silent house. Until I bumped into someone.

“Don’t leave,” a smooth and deep voice told me as I looked up to see that I had bumped into the beautiful boy with the smile. I stood there in shock as he steadied me and brushed my long bangs out of my eyes.
“I was just coming to find  you, you looked like you could use a cotton candy so I went and got you one. I’m Alexander by the way.”
God, he was beautiful. His baby blue eyes searched my face, I wanted to reach out and feel his long thick eye lashes. I must have looked like a fish out of water, my mouth gaping open as this undeniably attractive boy held me in his arms and stood there smiling at me, looking concerned.
I was staring blatantly and realization struck me when I figured out I hadn’t said a word.
“Uh… hello, I’m uh Ch-Charlie… Thank you for the treat,” I barely stuttered out as he passed me a big cone of pink fluff, marvelling at his thoughtfulness.
“How’d you know I would want pink?” I asked, he looked startled and then regret filled his sky colored eyes.
“I’m an idiot. I should have known… I just assumed y’know that you’d want pink ‘cause you’re a girl and all and that’s what I bought and I now I realize that was sexist. Not all girls want pin-” I shoved a piece of his blue cotton candy into his mouth to stop his rambling.

“Calm down. I like pink just fine, so thank you but you didn’t have to do that, I hope you know,” I said between small bites of my own sweet treat and smiled at him.
Two dimples popped onto his face as he smiled back at me, his teeth were slightly tinted blue but the effect wasn’t lost. His eyes crinkled and his whole face lit up, pleased that he had done something right.
We stood there, in the middle of the moving crowd, for a good while. Just smiling at each other as we ate our cotton candy, watching as it dissolved quickly on our tongues like snowflakes to the ground. In that moment, I was happy… Alexander had cleared all the thoughts from what had happened over by the Ferris wheel out of my mind.

Steph, Steph, and Ash… you should expect the first chapter of the story I was telling you about. :)