I ran outside and over to the bike, "Hey," I smiled at Alexander as he stepped off of the bike and took his helmet off. I admired his wavy black hair for a moment and how it could seem so perfectly tousled after having a bike helmet on.

"Hi, Olivia," he grinned over at me. It still amazed me how easily and genuinely he smiled at people. It just reminded me that Alexander was kind. Aaron had never really smiled out of kindness, his smiles were dazzling TV personality smiles - smiles with a purpose behind them. Alexander's were carefree and without ulterior motive.

"Ready?" He asked me extending a helmet to me. I went to take the helmet from him, but he held onto it with one hand and tugged me closer with the other before sliding it on over my head. "It's tradition at this point." He said with a twinkle in his eyes.

He climbed back onto his bike and helped me on after him. I was used to the pattern of clutching on for dear life and squeezing my eyes shut out of utter terror so that's what I did. I could feel the reverberation of Alexander's chuckle as I did so. It was a comforting sound to me.

We came to a slow stop and I unlatched my arms from Alexander and took in the sights around me.

"No. No, no, no, no." I repeated.

Alexander laughed, "Come on! It'll be fun."

"I'm not going on any roller coasters." I shook my head staring at the carnival in front of me. I could hear screaming all the way from the parking lot.

"There's other things to do at carnivals, you know," he said lightly as he led us forward. "And if you happen to change your mind in the middle of it, there will be an abundance of roller coasters all around, conveniently."

"I won't."

"We'll see."

"We won't."

We entered in the carnival grounds and passed through the check in. Alexander handed cash to the teenaged boy manning the check-in before I could even object.

"Are you ever going to let me pay?" I asked.

"Maybe one day," he replied cheekily. We walked in to the carnival, stringed lights hanging from every tree possible. There was music playing all around, with vendors set up all along the pathways. Each vendor was selling something different - candles, jams, trinkets, collectibles. "How was the rest of your day?"

"It was stressful," I replied honestly. "How was yours?"

"I missed seeing your face. Is that weird?" He paused cocking his head to the side and furrowing his brows.

I laughed mostly at how cute the stance made him look. "I don't think so. I missed seeing your face too," I admitted. "You make me feel braver, if that makes sense."

"It does. You make me feel happier. After Victoria, I was in a pretty dark place. You make me feel lighter." He replied as we walked forward. "Why was your day stressful?"

"Aaron came by my house wanting me to meet with his parents and explain our amicable breakup."

"What did you say?" Alexander asked, concern etched into his voice.

"Don't worry, doctor, I actually applied rules one and two." I laughed.

"This really is a celebration then." He said gleefully.

I supposed it was. I don't think I'd ever kicked someone out of my house before. I felt strong. Or at least stronger than I had a day ago. Alexander was a main part of that.

"Thank you," I said softly. "You've done a lot for me."

He nudged my shoulder gently, "Course isn't done yet." He winked at me. "And you should know, you've done a lot for me as well."

"What was your dark place like after Victoria passed away?" I asked hoping I wasn't overstepping my grounds here.

He paused for such a long moment that I didn't think he'd reply at all. Just when I was about to change the subject he said, "I'm not proud of it. It was a lot of drinking, some drugs. I left my parents to grieve on their own so they felt like they lost a daughter as well as a son. I met Bryan when his mom was going through chemo along with Victoria. We became roommates around that time, alternating hospital shifts so someone was there always. She passed away as well. He's been how you saw him the other day ever since."

"I'm sorry you're having to go through that, Alexander."

"Sorry enough to go on a roller coaster?" He turned to look at me, his eyes bright.

"Fine." I sighed, "But I get to choose."

He laughed, "No pressure."

We walked over to The Phantom. "This is the one." I said trying to sound confident. It seemed like the least amount of screaming was happening here. I tried not to look at the roller coaster too closely to make sure I didn't psyche myself out.

"Are you sure?" Alexander grinned happily at me. I could tell he was enjoying this. He was already a speed chaser.

"I'm hoping your bike has prepared me for this. If I vomit on you I'll have no regrets."

"Noted." He replied.

We stepped forward and into one of the seats in the back. It fit so snugly that our arms were touching and Alexander's knee was against mine. He did look a little comical sitting in a seat that was clearly much too small for him. I made a silent prayer that we came out of this alive.

There was a countdown and I squeezed my eyes shut preparing for death itself when I felt fingers brush against my own. I opened my hands and warm fingers interlaced with my own. I peeked slightly and saw Alexander gazing at me. I'm sure he was enjoying the pure fear evident on my face.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready." I replied feeling a little more confident.

Five minutes later, the world was spinning around me as I tried to walk off of the roller coaster. My legs were like noodles and my head was spinning. I recalled why I was so vehemently against roller coasters, but on the bright side there was no nausea.

Alexander placed his arm around my waist to support my boneless, wobbling limbs.

"I told you," I said speaking to one of his floating bodies. "I told you I can't do roller coasters."

"At least you didn't vo-" He began just as I bent over the garbage can next to us and began to gag. "-mit." He finished, holding my hair back as I tried to avoid anymore embarrassment.

I stood up straight and glared at him, "I hope you know I'll be returning that favour."

He laughed, "I'm sorry, truly."

"Yeah, you sound it." I said sarcastically.

"I'll get you a hot chocolate to show you I'm serious?" He asked giving me an innocent look.

"Sure!" I perked up.

Alexander walked us over to a vendor and ordered two hot chocolates, passing me the steaming cup full. I took a sip of the sugary drink.

"Thanks," I said already feeling a bit better.

We walked over to a nearby bench and sat down.

"Hey, Alexander! Didn't know you were open today!" A man in his thirties called over from a stand that looked like it sold books.

"Hey, Arthur. I'm not actually. Just enjoying the sights today." Alexander replied.

"Good day to miss. Anyway, enjoy your date there." He nodded his head at me. I opened my mouth to protest but closed it again.

"See you, Arthur." Alexander called.

"You sell your art pieces here?" I asked.

"Yeah, some odd weekends here and there." He responded.

"I want to buy one!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"Let me know what you'd like. I can make it for you." Alexander stated.

"No, I want to come here and buy one while you're selling them and then I'll talk really loudly about how amazing your art is and attract more customers."

He smiled at me, "you're kind of amazing, you know that?"

My cheeks blazed and I took another sip of hot chocolate.

Alexander sensed my discomfort and so changed the subject, "I sold them initially to help pay for Victoria's medical bills, but it ended up doing way better than I initially thought so I kept going."

"It's because they're incredible, Alexander."

He reached a hand out and squeezed mine that was currently on my lap. I felt knots take over my stomach.

I cleared my throat as he pulled his hand back, "So, is that what you want to do? Or is it architecture?"

He shrugged, "I haven't totally decided yet. At the moment I'm juggling both, but I know that I won't be able to do that for long. Victoria always encouraged my art, she thought it'd be my lifelong profession. What about you? Is teaching it for you?"

"It's either teaching or counselling for me. Both of which my mother hates."

"I think you'd be amazing at both. You have a magnetism about you that just..." he paused for a second with a smile that tugged at his lips, "draws people in. You get people to divulge their deepest secrets to you."

I laughed, "I assure you that isn't the case."

"Well, it is with me."