Valeria Campbell
Ivan has been driving for an hour and we finally arrived at the funfair. He parks his car, and we both get out.
We start walking side by side when I felt his handhold mine intertwining our fingers together.
The touch gave me butterflies, I hope he doesn't notice my sweaty palms.
"What do you want to eat?", he asks leading me to the different food kiosks.
"I'll get a corn dog", I answer after scanning the various options. "What will you get?", I add.
"I'll get the same thing as you."
He takes me to the food stand still holding my hand.
"My treat", he says turning around to face me.
"No, I can pay for mine, it's okay."
"I know you can but I'm the one who invited you."
"Okay, but I'm paying for dessert." I negotiate.
"Deal." He tells me with a smirk.
We get our food and start eating while walking around the fair seeing different games and kids running with pure joy on their faces.
"Hold on, look at that teddy bear, I need it," I say with excitement pointing to the small purple toy with pink heart eyes.
"Okay, let's go win it then".
We head to the stand, while I smile like an idiot. What am I acting like a child?
"Hello, I'd like to play, please," I tell the man at the booth.
"Sure young lady, you have five balls and you need to try to get them in that hole. If you get five or four, you get the big price, three and two the medium, and if only one ball lends, you'll get the small one." He explains and I nod handing him a five-dollar bill to be able to play.
I throw the first ball, but it doesn't make it into the hole. I try a second time but still nothing.
Third time. Fail
Fourth time. Fail
I need to get this one in. I take a bit more time trying to aim it.
3-2-1.....and I still fail.
Fuck.
I've never been good at aiming.
"Better luck next time." The nice man says with a smile.
I'm a bit frustrated but it doesn't matter, I'll still have a good time.
Ivan and I leave the stand and start heading in another direction.
"I need to go to the bathroom, it's right there. I'll be back in a minute". Ivan says quickly and I nod.
I sit on a bench waiting for him to come back.
I look at my phone and see a text from my dad.
Dad: "I hope you're having a good time honey."
Val: "Yes, it's going great. Thanks, dad <3"
Dad: " Enjoy your little date ;)"
Val: "It's not a date we're hanging out. He's just my friend."
Dad: " Whatever you say, Val."
It might sound quite weird that my dad wants me to go on a date. Fathers can be extremely protective of their daughters not wanting any other male figure to try and replace them.
But my dad is different.
He knows the shit I've been through over the past year with the whole mom situation. I had no friends and I spent all my time either in my room or next to her. As well as the numerous panic attacks that happened every once in a while. He just wants me to have a normal teenagehood. And I love him for that.
I felt a tap on my shoulder making me lookup.
"I have something for you". Ivan says with a smirk on his face keeping his hand behind his back.
"You didn't". I widen my eyes and stand up as he shows me the purple teddy bear that I failed to win.
"Yes, I did."
Before thinking I wrap my arms around him bringing him into a hug giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that, I got excited". I tell him pulling out of the hug. Why did I do that? Why am I so fucking stupid?
"Don't apologize, love, I liked it".
He gives me the bear and I take it my eyes lighting up at its sight.
And before I can thank him, he leans forward kissing me on the cheek.
I didn't know what to say. I'm sure my face was as red as a tomato at this point.
"It's not fair if you kiss me and I don't. We're even now." He murmurs with a devious smirk on his face.
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
"Anything for you princess."
My heart was racing faster. What the hell have you done to me, Ivan Knight?