The weekend arrived with the crisp promise of autumn in the air. The town fair buzzed with life—the laughter of children, the chatter of families, and the mouthwatering aroma of fried foods all blending into a symphony of excitement.
Arthur lingered at the edge of the fairgrounds, dressed in his usual understated style—a black hoodie and dark jeans. His crimson eyes scanned the vibrant scene as he adjusted his glasses.
"Arthur!"
Alishia's voice rang out above the hum of the crowd. Arthur turned to see her hurrying toward him, her cream sweater complementing the soft waves of her hair. She was radiant, her cheeks already flushed from the chill in the air.
"You actually came," she said, grinning up at him.
"You asked me to," Arthur replied simply, his gaze steady.
"Fair enough," Alishia said, linking her arm with his. "Come on, there's so much to see!"
Arthur blinked at the sudden contact but allowed himself to be led into the throng of people.
---
They wandered through the maze of stalls, pausing occasionally to admire the games and handmade crafts. Alishia managed to win a small stuffed fox at a ring toss game, declaring it her lucky charm.
Their lighthearted banter continued until they turned a corner and spotted a familiar face. Luke stood near a food stall, leaning casually against a post, a smirk plastered on his face. But what caught Arthur's attention was the girl standing next to him.
She had short, dark hair and wore a vibrant red scarf that stood out against her leather jacket. Her expressive brown eyes sparkled with amusement as Luke said something that made her laugh.
"Luke?" Alishia called out, waving.
Luke turned, his grin widening when he saw them. "Well, if it isn't the dynamic duo!"
"Fancy seeing you here," Arthur said dryly, his eyes flicking toward the girl.
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Surprised I have a life outside school, huh? Come on, let me introduce you." He gestured to the girl beside him. "This is Sophie. Sophie, meet Alishia and Arthur."
"Nice to meet you!" Sophie said, her voice warm and friendly. She extended a hand, shaking Alishia's first and then Arthur's.
Alishia's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "And how do you two know each other?"
"Oh, Luke didn't tell you?" Sophie teased, nudging him playfully. "He's my hero. Helped me out when my car broke down last month."
"Hero?" Alishia repeated, feigning surprise. "Are we talking about the same Luke?"
"Careful now," Luke said, narrowing his eyes but unable to hide his grin. "I do have a heroic side, you know."
Sophie laughed. "He was surprisingly helpful. And persistent. Kept asking if he could help even when I told him I had it under control."
"Sounds about right," Arthur murmured, earning a playful glare from Luke.
"So... is this a date?" Alishia asked, her voice lilting with teasing curiosity.
Sophie glanced at Luke, who looked momentarily flustered. "You could say that," Sophie answered with a sly smile.
"Luke, on a date?" Alishia pretended to gasp, her hand flying to her chest. "I didn't think I'd live to see the day."
"Alright, alright," Luke said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Tease all you want. Just remember, karma's watching."
Arthur smirked. "It's rare to see you on the receiving end."
"Don't get used to it, Virelith," Luke shot back, though his grin stayed firmly in place.
---
The four of them ended up exploring the fair together, the banter flowing freely. Sophie fit in seamlessly, her quick wit and easygoing nature making her an instant hit.
At the Ferris wheel, they split into pairs, with Luke and Sophie riding together while Alishia and Arthur took the next gondola. As they ascended, Alishia leaned back with a sigh, a content smile on her face.
"Sophie's really nice," she said.
Arthur nodded. "She is."
"Do you think Luke will finally settle down?" Alishia asked, half-joking.
Arthur smirked faintly. "If anyone could tame him, it might be her."
Alishia laughed, the sound soft and melodic. "I hope so. He deserves someone who makes him happy."
Arthur didn't reply, but the thought lingered in his mind as the Ferris wheel carried them higher, the town stretching out below like a sea of twinkling lights.
---
When they met up again, Luke couldn't resist a parting jab.
"Hope you two enjoyed your romantic ride," he teased, earning an eye-roll from Alishia.
"Not as much as you enjoyed yours," Arthur countered, his voice calm but cutting.
"Touché," Luke said, holding up an imaginary white flag.
As the fair wound down, the four of them stood at the edge of the grounds, the night air cool and refreshing. Sophie glanced at her watch. "I should probably head home."
"Want me to walk you?" Luke offered, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
"That'd be nice," Sophie replied with a smile.
Alishia nudged Arthur as they watched the two of them walk off. "Can you believe it? Luke, being sweet?"
"Stranger things have happened," Arthur replied, his tone dry but amused.
Alishia laughed, looping her arm through his again as they started toward their apartment building. "I think it's nice. Seeing him happy. Everyone deserves that, don't you think?"
Arthur glanced at her, her face glowing softly in the lamplight. "Yeah," he said quietly. "They do."
And for the first time, he let himself believe that maybe, just maybe, that included him too.