This chapter is dedicated to Des for being so awesome and shipping Carson and Melody so much! 

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Melody

After Alani, Emma, Noah and Harvey got over our very public display of affection, Carson and I told them to join us at the carnival. While it would have been a cute date, we thought that it would really fun to hang out with everyone.

We all walked through the entrance and looked around at what we might do first. Everyone shouted out various options in excitement while I was just happy to be out with a group of people who didn't want to make fun of me. I also realized that with Cora not being here, I felt more at ease.

"Okay, bumper cars, roller coasters, yes... but we have to go on the Ferris wheel," I stated, surprising myself. I wasn't usually someone who declared what a group would do.

"Fine, as long as we do the haunted house," Alani said with a grin. "After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year."

"You'll have to pardon her, she is one chicken nugget short of a Happy Meal," Emma smirked. Alani shoved her but was laughing almost as hard as the rest of us were.

***

When the light of the day began to fade, we decided to go on the Ferris wheel. We had gone on almost every ride in the fair that could possibly be thrilling and decided to relax. The man operating the slow-moving machinery informed us that it was two to four people per cart.

"Ooh! Let's let the new couple ride together in case they want to make out," Harvey teased, making my cheeks heat. Everyone laughed, as Carson shoved his friend playfully.

Everyone, however, did go into one cart, leaving Carson and I to go in to the next one. We sat down, and the guy moved the wheel so the next people could file in. As he filled the carts, I took a moment to admire the cotton candy skies. Blues, pinks and purples all blending into one, as the sun started to hide behind the horizon. Carson put his arm around me, and I allowed myself to snuggle into him.

"This has been a really great day," I told him. "I've never had anything like this before."

"What do you mean?" Carson asked.

"A group of people I could go out and do things with."

"That's what friends do," Carson smiled at me.

"Right, well it's been a while since I've had those."

Friends. That word was on its way to being extinct in relation to me. It was basically a foreign concept until I switched schools. Maybe these would be my friends, my people.

I pulled out my phone and took a picture of the view and then one of us. Looking at it, I smiled.

"We're a cute couple," I said. Carson laughed and kissed the side of my head.

"We are."

***

"Haunted house... haunted house! Haunted house!" Alani cheered as we walked towards the creepy looking structure. I gripped Carson's hand tightly as we began to go through the haunted maze. Cobwebs and ripped sheets hung from wooden walls. There was a haze throughout it, no doubt made by a fog machine, but it helped to add to the effect.

Suddenly, a clown popped out of a door. If anyone else was screaming I wasn't sure, as my own shriek downed everyone else out. When I managed to silence myself, I could hear Alani cackling.

"Not going to lie, I jumped... so I don't know why she's laughing," Carson whispered in my ear as we progressed down the dark hallway.

"Maybe it's a defense mechanism?" I suggested but wondered the same thing.

Before Carson could answer, the loud roar of a chainsaw ripped through the air and a zombie looking creature made its way towards us, wielding the weapon.

"I do not do zombies!" Emma squealed, latching on to the closest person, which happened to be Harvey. We ran further down the hallway and turned a corner, to be frightened by another monster. That pushed us into a room filled with bones and severed heads. When one of the heads spoke unexpectedly, our screams seemed to mesh together to make a symphony of horror. It made Alani laugh, which left a smile on my face despite the racing heart in my chest.

We were then chased into another hallway by a ghoulish looking creature before we escaped the haunted house and felt the night air engulf us. Everyone began laughing.

"That was horrible," Noah said. "I love how Emma still hasn't let go of Harvey."

Emma let go of Carson's best friend, color spreading across her cheeks. "There were zombies. You know I don't mess with the undead."

"The clown was the worst part though," Alani said.

"But you were laughing?" Harvey questioned.

"It's what I do," Alani shrugged.

We walked towards the exit, but Carson stopped suddenly at one of the game booths. It was one of those basketball ones with a bunch of stuffed animal prizes.

"I'm going to win you one of those," Carson pointed at the over-sized toys.

I smiled softly. "You don't have to."

"But I want to." Carson squeezed my hand and I'm sure I heard Emma and Noah 'aw' behind me.

"Okay, you have to get three shots in to win a prize," the girl working at the stand said. She rested three basketballs down on the table and Carson picked one up. "Good luck!" As if the star basketball player would miss any of his shots.

I went home that night with a large pink giraffe and a smile on my face. 

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Author's Note: YAY! Short chapter but cute and fun! I hope you all liked it! Comment and vote! :D <3