Page 146 of One More Kiss
“Okay,” I said, “I didn’t think to check my phone. It’s been on silent since school ended, I was preoccupied. Rain check then?”
Brey blew the short blonde strands from his right eye, “Yeah. We’re looking to get together next week. Vince said it was an emergency but didn’t elaborate. It seems we’re never gonna be able to practice, huh?”
I nodded. “Looks about right. Let me know when and I’ll try to be there. Thanks for the update.”
With a backward wave, I walked to my Bronco and then climbed inside. What a waste of time. I headed home to get ready for tonight, which was quickly approaching. I had stood on the porch speaking to Brey for a while. I put Tool back on the radio and blared the song as loud as the crappy speakers would allow, while heading home.
As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I felt a moment of excitement about going to the fair tonight. I now had about an hour before I was due to pick up Cory. I took that time to shower and dress into a pair of blue jeans. I threw on a graphic tee with the logo of Nirvana and sprayed a small amount of cologne on. Once I was done, I snatched my phone to dial Cory.
“Hey,” Cory answered, “What’s up?”
“Are you ready? I just finished and will be heading your way.” I enquired.
“Yep. See you in a few,” Cory replied.
It was a quick call and to the point. We always spoke that way unless there was some sort of drama that had to be dragged out. I grabbed my keys, yelled to let my parents know I was heading out and then got into the Bronco. Before backing out, I placed a CD into the player. The calming tunes of A Perfect Circle filled the car’s interior as I started to sing along with the singer.
About thirty minutes later, Cory and I were pulling onto the side of the road a long distance from the fair. It seemed everyone was out and enjoying the night. I hated having to walk such a long way, but it’s something that had to be done when there were no parking spots left. Slamming the door shut to the vehicle, Cory and I started the trek to the tents.
It was a single road that was closed off to traffic. The entire road was covered with both kiddie and adult rides as well as tents for games, music, and food. I didn’t know what band was supposed to play tonight and figured it was probably Zydeco. It’s what the state was known for, it’s Cajun music. Cory and I finally made it to the area where a large boat with a Pharoah head was zipping left and then right. The ride was filled with people screaming and laughing.
“Hey!” a voice called out from behind me.
I turned around and smiled. It was a girl I took to our school dance two years ago. Samantha was older than me and graduated that same year, so I haven’t seen her since. She was still tall, much taller than me by at least four inches. Her hair was still the same color and length, both brown and short.
“How’s it going?” I greeted. I reached out and gave her a tight hug, before settling back in my spot.
Cory repeated the same action since he knew Samantha as well.
“It looks like you two are still at it,” Samantha said, “How’s the crew without me? Y’all must be bored since I left the high school.”
She smirked as if thinking she was the only one that kept us all together. I let her have her little moment. Samantha was a unique person. I wasn’t ever truly into her or her looks, but I thought she was a great person to hang out with. Her taste for music was the same as mine, rock, and some metal. She enjoyed nerdy shows and liked doing some of the same stuff me and my crew did.
Samantha moved to the side slightly, and that’s when I noticed her. It was the same girl from the class with the broken computer. The same girl I tried recruiting for Arts Club and lost my moment to speak with because of Cory. The girl who had half her face covered by her own hair. Though, this time, her hair was still down and straight, but it didn’t cover her face. I was left speechless for a moment. She was utterly beautiful; even though she was slightly scrawny with acne. Her eyes lit up the as they connected with mine. The blue orbs seemed to rip my soul right from my body.
She wasn’t dressed in oversized uniforms like she wore in school. This girl was in a pair of tight blue jeans. She also wore a thick, striped blue and white shirt that ended right above her naval. She showed off a slight amount of creamy skin that made me lick my lips in eagerness.
“You know we…,” Cory started to respond to Samantha’s comment, but I cut him off. I needed to know this girl’s name.
“Samantha, why don’t you introduce us to your friend,” I said as I moved closer to the girl.
I didn’t realize it until she snatched her hand away, but I had reached out to grasp the long digits. I wanted to feel her skin on mine, just to see if she were truly real or a figment of my imagination.
Samantha grinned before turning back, and saying, “Tori, this is Phoenix. Phoenix, Tori. Now, you two have met. Let’s go ride some rides, shall we?”
Cory snapped his fingers in front of my eyes before saying, “Hey dude. I’m gonna go grab a bite to eat. Want some?”
“Nah. I’ll hang around Samantha and Tori for a bit,” I mumbled, still enthralled with this girl.
Her cheeks blushed when I told Cory no. I wondered if she wanted me to follow them. I didn’t care because I was asked by Samantha to ride the rides anyway.
“Suit yourself,” Cory replied, “I’ll find ya after I eat.”
“Okay,” I said, before turning to Tori and asking, “Want to ride a ride with me?”
I pointed to the large ride behind us. It was a long metal bar and perfectly spaced apart were cage-like seats where you would strap yourself in. Once the operator switched the ride on, the bar would rotate at the same time the cage-like seats would flip over consistently. When I looked back at Tori, she was shaking her head in a no movement. My chest deflated because I wanted to spend time with her, and possibly get to know the girl behind all that long, brown hair.
Just as she shut me down, Samantha had gripped Tori’s hand and pulled her to the same ride I pointed at. Tori looked at me guiltily but continued to stand in line with Samantha. I could tell Tori felt bad for telling me no because she seemed scared of the ride. Her irises were looking around wide and animalistic, and her cheeks were red. I wanted to step in and halt Samantha’s pushiness, but I wasn’t sure how close the two were. I vowed I would get in line and ride at the same time, so that I could wait for them when they were done. I needed to talk to Tori like I needed my next breath.
