POV JULIE
Scott looks at me with an amused expression on his face. I don't know if it's because Arthur is almost grabbing his leg to beg and make the scene of the puppy that fell from the moving truck more melodramatic or if it's because he found out that I'm afraid of heights.
As if it were just me. I'm sure there are thousands of people in the world, at least those in their right mind, who, like me, don't like, are terrified of, riding the monstrous rides at an amusement park.
_ That one is too dangerous for you. How about the little horses? _ He asks the last question looking at me. A cynical smile already takes over his lips and then I realize that the question he asked was for me and not for Arthur.
Scott being Scott. What a surprise. He never misses an opportunity to make fun of me.
_ No. That one is for the kids _ Arthur protested and Scott laughed.
- You're absolutely right. We're already big. But maybe Julie wants to go with them - I roll my eyes and his smile widens.
- I think it's time to go home, young man. - Dad interrupts the moment "Laugh at Julie's face for being afraid of heights" and I mentally thank him for that.
- No. I want to stay with Cot - Arthur lets go of Dad's grip and hugs Scott's leg.
- My love, it's already late. You have school tomorrow morning - Mom says in her sweet voice and tries to take his little arms off Scott's legs, but without success.
- Arthur, your parents are right, it's already late and you need to sleep - Scott carefully removes Arthur's arms that were tightly hugging his leg and crouches down, getting to the height of my little brat. - Did you know that boys need to sleep to grow tall? Why do you think I'm this tall? - Arthur listened in amazement to the "tall friend" who was in front of him.
- And one of these days we'll plan a really cool outing - Scott concludes and ruffles Arthur's hair, making him laugh out loud.
After this scene, all I can do is ask, "Who is this and what did he do to Scott?".
- You've already told me that twice today - Arthur holds up two fingers - If you're lying to me, I'll be sad and I won't talk to you anymore - he warns and Scott nods his head in agreement.
- Promised. Is it better this way? - Scott extends his hand and Arthur takes his before they shake it.
- Okay. Bye Scott, I need to sleep - He runs towards Mom and grabs her arm.
- Julie, I'm here with some college friends. Stay with us. - Scott proposes and my first instinct is to say no very rudely, but before any words come out of my mouth, Mom says.
- Stay with them, Julie. Think about what we talked about.
- No. I want to go home. - I hope they end the matter and leave me alone, but not everything is the way we want it to be. Isn't that right?
- You should stay with your friends and have some fun. You never go out - This time Dad speaks and I cough as he says the word friends.
- I want to go home and besides, if I stay, how will I leave afterwards? - I ask in order to make some excuse. I don't want to stay in this park and on top of that with Scott and his friends.
- I'll take you home whenever you want to go. - Scott, being the "gentleman" that he is, offers to take me home.
Look how cute, as if I didn't know what a guy he is. If I hadn't been his favorite victim for over a year I would even believe in his good will, but after everything I've been through at his hands, all the insults, jokes, humiliations, I don't believe anything kind he does or says.
- Mom, Dad. Seriously, I... - I'm interrupted by my mother.
- Honey, you need to socialize with people your own age.
Scott watched everything attentively, alternating his glances between me and my mother. Arthur was almost asleep in my father's arms with his head in the crook of his neck. Good for him.
- Okay.- I give up once and for all before this conversation ends up going any further than it needs to. Because if it were up to my mother, we'd be arguing until tomorrow and in the end she'd come out on top anyway, so I brought the inevitable forward.
- Then let's go, honey. Have fun and socialize. - Mom says just for me to hear as she gives me a quick hug.
- Bye Julie and be careful not to faint on the Ferris wheel. - Dad makes fun of me and I give an ironic laugh. They say goodbye to Scott and I kiss Arthur on the forehead, who was already snoring softly, and they go and leave me alone, with my worst nightmare, actually two of my worst nightmares: Ferris wheels and Scott Wayans.
A laugh behind me wakes me from my thoughts. I walk past him knowing what is coming.
- So you're afraid of heights? - He asks as he follows me with his typical irritating smile on his face.
- No. Of course not. - I lie. Actually, I try to lie, because my voice comes out too fast and ends up giving me away.
- Admit your fears, Julie. The first step to getting rid of your fears is admitting them. - His voice came out like in those psychoanalysis sessions, where the psychoanalyst hypnotizes people and makes them live their deepest fears and traumas by going back to the moments in which these events happened.
Never. I would never admit that to him. Why? So he would have another reason to laugh at me? No. Thank you.
- I already said I'm not afraid.
- Okay. Then if you're not, you can go with me on the Ferris wheel. It's already decided. - He says.
- Why? - I ask.
- Because. - He answers simply and walks away, leaving me standing there with my blood boiling with anger and fear.
As if I would do something just because he decided.
- And my opinion doesn't count? - I ask, still in the same place.
- You're not coming? The best adventure of your life and with the best company awaits you. - Scott says seriously while ignoring my question and when he finishes he winks and a half smile forms on his lips.
And that's when I realize he's serious.
He wouldn't drag me and strap me to the Ferris wheel seat by force. Wouldn't he?
Of course he would. After all, who are we talking about? Oh, I remember! Scott, but known as my torment day after day.
- I have a headache. - I grimace in pain when I stop in front of him.
- Headache? Seriously? Didn't you have a more creative excuse to make? - His forehead is furrowed and one of his eyebrows is raised.
- Actually, I don't have any money to buy the ticket. - I'm lying because before I left home I got enough money.
- I'll pay for you. - He answers and starts walking again in short steps.
- I won't let you pay for anything for me. - I say, trying to sound serious and not trembling and dying of fear of what I thought a few minutes ago. Me being forced to go on that monstrous ride.
- Don't tell me you're one of those women who wants to be so independent that you won't even accept a piece of gum from a man.
- It's not like that either. But I can't and I don't want to accept it. - I say determinedly.
- For the love of God, Julie. It's just a ticket. - Scott was trying to look irritated but the amusement on his face was noticeable from miles away.
- Exactly. A ticket. For that evil ride. - I say without thinking and cover my mouth when I see that I gave Scott what he wanted. I admitted that I'm afraid to go on the Ferris wheel.
- At last, you admitted. I thought I was going to have to take you by force. - He says and I smile as I see the scene that had been torturing me for a few minutes disappear in my mind.
- But that doesn't mean I've discarded that idea. - My smile fades.
- Idiot!
- Thanks. Oops, that wasn't a compliment - He says and I walk past him, huffing as he laughs at my expense. Soon he's by my side.
- What's up Julie? If you go with me I'll leave you alone for... - He thinks, thinks, thinks and finally opens his mouth but when I think he's going to speak he puts his index finger on his chin and makes a thoughtful expression. - Five minutes.
- Five hours, five days, five years or maybe in five lifetimes? - I propose hopefully and he shakes his head in denial.
- Smartass. Trying to get rid of me. - He walks around me stopping behind me. - But know that you won't be able to. - He whispers in my ear and I feel the shock of his words and a small shiver take over my body.