9 PM...
At Sunfest Carnival...
After dinner, Fred decided to take Eleanor to a carnival, in she was both surprised and happy about. The two played various games, won some cute prizes, went shopping for souvenirs, and tried many carnival snacks such as caramel popcorn, cotton candy, and chocolate chip cookies.
"Oh look, a ferris wheel," Eleanor says as she continues to eat her pink cotton candy.
"Then let's go," Fred says as he drags Eleanor to ferris wheel, making her almost drop her cotton candy.
Meanwhile, at Joey's house...
Joey and Taylor are having chips and beer as the two continue to talk about Joey's dad. After his mom passed away, Joey's relationship with his dad had grew further apart, not to mention it only got worse with the two arguing more often. His dad doesn't go home often, which he didn't really mind since he would rather be alone than having to see his face.
"I'm sorry about that," Taylor says before she takes another chip from bag.
"Don't sweat it. He is literally the one with problems," Joey says before he drinks his beer again.
Taylor noticed that Joey had been looking depressed the whole night, which didn't really surprise her since he had looked this way since he found out about his dad'a affair, and it got worse when his mom passed away. Taylor could imagine just how broken he must feel right, and that it's like everything in the world is against him. Feeling the urge to comfort the young boy, Taylor moves herself on the couch to sit right next to Joey, who is in peace with a bottle of beer in hand. In an attempt to calm her best friend, she puts her head on his shoulder while her right arm is wrap around his left arm.
"We can't choose what's gonna happen in our life. But we can always prepare for whatever's gonna happen," Taylor says. The gentle tone of voice slowly gives Joey a calming feeling inside.
"Well, some things comes before we could even prepare," Joey says.
"You got a point," Taylor says. "Like falling in love."
Taylor's statement sealed Joey's lips for a moment. He is surprised to hear that coming out from Taylor's lips, since it's something he just realized after she stated it. Come to think of it, like pain, love really came before he was even prepared. When he fell in love with Taylor, he never even imagine that it would happen, by that he was never prepared for it before. Through out the years, Joey never really found interest getting himself involved in a romantic relationship. He was already comfortable with his group of friends, he didn't thought about having a relationship in high school. Besides, he found himself to have no interest with the girls in his school. So when he finally realized that he's falling in love with his childhood best friend, Taylor, he couldn't really understand how did it all happened so quickly.
"Yeah," Joey says. "It just happens."
While lying her head on his shoulder, Taylor's thought starts travelling to the times they spent together through out the years. Even herself was never aware of her feelings, until the school which changed everything, all because of one accidental kiss. She starts to wonder, if that kiss never happens, would her heart still fell for Joey? Or did she actually had hidden feelings for him this whole, but only realized after the kiss? Taylor didn't know which one of these thoughts are real, but one thing she knew for sure, is that her love for him is truly real.
"I want us to always be like this, Joe," Taylor says. "Together, just you and me. No one else."
Hearing this, Joey turns his head a bit, as he watches Taylor lying her head peacefully on his shoulder. She looked like she is ready to enter a sweet dream.
Taylor's POV...
In this moment, I don't want to change anything about it. Just enjoying each other's company, on a comfy couch with beer and chips seems beautiful enough as long as I am with him. I could feel my selfish side really coming out slowly the moment I fell in love with him. Other than not willing to share him with anyone else, I also felt more comfortable when the two of us are alone, without the presence of my sister. I'm not lying that I do love Eleanor, but for the three of us to be together like we usually do before I knew we both share mutual feelings for Joey was something not quite easy for me. I want Joey all for myself. I want us to always be together, through bitterness and sweetness. I want him to be my only one, and for me to be his only one. Besides, Eleanor is getting closer with Fred these days. A possible chance of blooming romance between them could be around the corner, so I'll just hope they eventually become a thing.
"Tay..."
I turn my head up to see Joey staring at me. His beautiful eyes sparkles as it tinkles my heart in the most gentle way, slowly awakening the butterflies that are dancing to the rythm of my heart.
"I honestly don't know about the future. My dad and I had been in worse terms these days, while I'm struggling to find a part time job," Joey says. "I thought I don't really want to go to college at this point."
"Why, Joe?" Taylor asks.
"It almost feels impossible that I could actually achieve my dreams at this point," Joey says.
Hearing that, I put both of my hands on Joey's cheeks, as I focus my vision on his eyes. His eyes are filled with a thousand hopes, but I could tell that there are doubts in them. He might have lose his confidence after all the chaos that happened in his life. It broke my heart to see him like this.
"Don't say that, Joe. You know I always believe in you," I say. "I know your life really sucks at this point, but trust me, you gotta have faith."
"I feel like I'm losing faith these days," Joey says.
"Joey, everything is gonna be fine," I say. "You still have me. I'm here and I'll help you achieve that dream."
Hearing that, we enter a moment of silence as we share eye contact with one another. Slowly, I feel his face getting closer to mine, as my hands slowly shifts to his shoulder. I have a feeling I knew where this is going, but in this moment, I just want to let myself get lost with him tonight. As the sparks starts bursting out in my heart when our lips touch, in this magical moment, everything felt perfect.
To be continue...