CHAPTER 26
The sun had just set across the bay. Pink and purple reflections cast from the sky across the water to where the water and sky seemed to blend together. Just after the sun finally dropped below the horizon Arlana, Karyn, and Luke decided to go on some more rides.
“What do you want to do next?” Luke asked Arlana.
“Well, we've already ridden most everything, maybe the bumper cars again? But this time I am not the target!”
“I say we go on the Ferris wheel, we haven't gone on that yet,” Karyn added excitedly.
“Sure, sounds good.”
They headed over to the line, which luckily wasn't too long. Karyn and Arlana both started to shiver a little bit, their jackets just weren't enough over their dresses with the evening chill and the sun gone.
Luke put his arm around Arlana, “You look cold, come here,” he pulled her close.
“I'm cold too, where's my love?” Karyn wedged in closer to Luke.
“Sorry, there's plenty of love to go around,” Luke pulled Karyn close in on his other side, both the girls heads below his shoulders leaning against him.
As they headed closer to the front it was almost their turn to go on. There was a younger girl in front of them; she looked about seven years old. The man who was working the ride measured her height to see if she could ride.
“I'm sorry honey, you can't go on without a chaperone, you're too small,” the man replied gruffly. “Next in line.”
The little girl started to cry, she looked up at Karyn who was right behind her, “Will you go on with me?”
Karyn hesitated, “Um, I don't know, where's your mom?”
“She's over there, with my baby brother. He started crying and she had to feed him.” The little girl pointed to a woman a small distance away.
“Um, I'm with my friends right now and,”
Karyn was interrupted by a new wave of sobs.
The man who was running the ride started to get frustrated and tried to shoo the girl out of the way.
“No, don't do that. It's ok, I'll go with her,” Karyn turned to the girl, “It's alright, calm down.”
Karyn glanced back at Luke, a look of disappointment in her eyes, “Sorry guys.” She turned back with a smile for the little girl and helped her onto the ride.
“Wow that was a side of Karyn I've never seen, tenderness with a child, I am amazed.”
Arlana smacked Luke on the back, “Be quiet, Karyn can be tender!”
“Like I said, a new side, I've just never seen it before.”
“Come on,” Arlana said pulling Luke behind her.
It was a full moon that night and the view from the top of the Ferris wheel was beautiful. The moons light made a trail across the water and they could see a lighthouse flashing in the distance.
“It's so beautiful and peaceful up here,” Arlana spoke softly.
“You're beautiful.”
“What?”
“You're beautiful Aria, there are things I've wanted to tell you but it seems like we never get the chance to be alone, just the two of us. Aria, you're not just beautiful outside but inside as well.” Luke spoke with urgency in his tone.
“Luke, I feel the same way about you, I always have.”
“You do, you did?”
“Of course, you're the best friend anyone could ask for, the way you look out for me, the way you stick to what you feel is right.”
“A great friend?” Luke sounded slightly disappointed; he looked down to their joined hands.
“Of course, the best, and you're even keeping my cold hands warm right now at the expense of me freezing your warm ones.”
Luke's lips quirked up at the side, “The pleasure's all mine.”
Arlana pulled her hand away from Luke abruptly.
“What's wrong?” Luke sounded flustered.
“Oh, it's nothing, it's just I feel this pressure from my ring, it, like, feels really warm, almost hot too.”
Luke touched it, “That's weird, it is hot, maybe you should take it off, I could put it in my jeans pocket, I promise I won’t lose it, scout’s honor.” he made the scout salute with his fingers.
“Like you were even a scout.”
“I was! I can't believe you would challenge my scoutliness,” Luke said with mock indignation.
“Thanks anyways scout man but I don't want to risk losing it, maybe I'll take it off when we get to our rooms.”
Luke looked like he wanted to say more but the ride came to a stop and they all unloaded. They met Karyn at the bottom of the ride.
“We missed you Karyn, that was so nice that you helped that little girl,” Arlana gushed.
“I missed you guys too.” Karyn said looking only at Luke.
Luke had his arm wrapped around Arlana. “Maybe we should check out one of the souvenir shops. I will buy you both a pair of official boardwalk sweats, my treat. Your legs look like popsicles.”
“Wow, thanks Luke!” Karyn wrapped her arms around him.
“There you guys are! I've been looking for you for hours! Aria, can I please talk to you?” Derek called out walking towards them. Unfortunately it was too late to hide, they had already been spotted.
“Just talk to him Aria, Luke and I will be right over there,” Karyn pointed towards a nearby store. “Meet us there in five, if you don't show up we'll come save you.”
“I don't think that's such a good idea,” Luke stood his ground without even a glance to where Karyn was pointing.
“No, its ok Luke, Karyn's right, I just need to deal with this and get it over with.” Arlana steeled herself as Derek approached her. Karyn looped her arm through Luke's and pulled him towards the shop.
Derek looked to Arlana, “Aria, I just wanted to tell you I miss you, it was all a mistake with Jillian, it didn't mean anything to me, you do!”
“Derek, that is just sad. It's over between us I thought that was clear. Even if it was a mistake, it is still over. I don't have feelings for you, I don't think I ever did. I don't like the way you're talking about Jillian either, I know that we're not best friends or anything, but she shouldn't be treated like that, if you didn't want to be with her you didn't have to.”
“How can you say that? Kissing you was like the most amazing thing ever. It was magic between us, come here babe, let me show you.”
Derek started pulling Arlana towards him. She tried to break free of his grasp. “Let go of me!” She shouted. He was trying to force a kiss to her lips and she smelled alcohol on his breath. She pushed back against his body trying to force him off of her but he was relentless, like hand cuffs pulling her closer with each attempt at escape.