#- soooooo

     They’ve been seeing each other quite often lately. Not at the clinic, nor at the train on the way home, or on the favorite stores they found they had in common. But on the weekends. And on Monday afternoons when they are both free from club practice. Even late at night when they both couldn’t sleep. It started off as casual hey what are you doing right now? sort of meetings, but more and more they started making actual plans.

She hasn’t been to an amusement park in years. His sister had apparently gotten free tickets, but her family was going on a trip and they wouldn’t be able to use them. It certainly takes the edge off it being her first time going alone with a boy, makes it feel less like a date and allows her to fully enjoy their silly little competition of who can get better results at the carnival games.

Time seems to fly by as they don’t really bother with the actual rides and simply explore the park instead. The mood between them calms into something sweeter and more intimate, yet when they finally stop and give into that draw bringing them closer, a gaggle of fans takes note of him. Suddenly he’s swarmed, being showered in compliments and requests for selfies.

Alice graciously gives them plenty of space to do so, swallowing that hint of bitterness she has no right to feel. They’re not dating. They’re just having fun. Taking a break from all of the stress that school and club hours put on them. Her bag is full of plushies he’s won for her, the cutest of which she’d been carrying in her arms: a big pink bunny with blushy cheeks that was quite difficult to win. 

Considering she’d gotten quite a number of prizes already, she suggested he give that one to his sister as a thank you for the tickets. But he promptly refused, even going so far as to holding the bunny in front of his face and asking her to take him home in a silly voice. The thought of it makes her smile and she brings the bunny closer, pressing a kiss to its forehead and taking a picture with it while she waits for him to finish talking to his fans.

     She was bored. Of this bar. Of its patrons. Of this entire day. But she had a stupid, nonsensical tradition to keep. She could have simply walked in, ordered the drink and walked back out, but to what end? Go back home and be bored there? So, she lingered. Shot down a range of conversation attempts that went from nice and casual to fullblown sleazebag. Her patience was wearing thin and she was about to get what she came for and be over with it when a familiar face walked into the joint.

A half smile opened across her lips and she fixed her gaze on the man that was the definition of tall, dark and handsome. Greeting him with a tilt of her head, her smile widened slightly when he came to meet her at the bar. “You’ve always been a sight for sore eyes, Zach. But now more than ever.” She told him, a tad more warmly than usual.