Dylan & Summer continued to take things slow & enjoyed each other’s company for the most part. In order to run you first must learn how to walk & that’s what they both were doing. Dylan’s never been in a relationship before. Before he met Summer, he’s only had sex once. Summer’s been in all kinds of relationships, so out of the two, she needed to be sure of her actions & Dylan’s intentions. Throughout the beginning of their actual friendship, Greg started texting Summer random texts & would try to call her every so often. She ignored the calls. She was still mad at him. She wanted to be at a good place where she could eventually talk to him again, but at this point she couldn’t.

Texts:

Greg: Summer, how are you? I miss you!

Greg: Hey Sum, thinking of you! I really miss you...

Greg: Not sure if you’ve been getting my texts or calls. Is this still your number? I’d really like to talk.

The texts were sent about a week apart. Summer looked at them one last time before deleting them. She had too much to think about since she had been planning & preparing a fundraiser carnival for the daycare. It was their daycare’s staff’s turn to host an event. All the local elementary schools & other daycare facilities were to attend the event. They would have a Ferris wheel, carnival games, themed booths, a funhouse & circus acts. She & Taylor worked closely on getting everything finished before the weekend. She needed some extra help, so she recruited her grandma, Brian & Dylan.

Dylan: Come on man, it’ll be fun!

Brian: Fun? The last time I juggled or did clown acts was back in high school.

Dylan: Brian, you graduated like 2 years ago.

Brian: It was 3 years ago & I think I’ve actually developed some type of anxiety over this.

Dylan: You’ll be fine. You have a few days to practice before then. And besides, the show will be in front of little kids. They’ll think anything is cool.

Brian: Ok, I’ll do it. What are you doing by the way?

Dylan: Well, with the help of my beautiful assistant, Summer, we’ll be woo-ing the crowd with magic tricks.

Brian: Oh how cute... Gag me!

Dylan rubbed Brian’s hair & laughed.

The day of the carnival had arrived, kids flooded the scene, parents following closely behind. The cotton candy & popcorn booth was a big hit. The kids seemed to enjoy the mini petting zoo in the corner. Summer & Taylor were at the frontline collecting tickets. Dylan snuck up behind Summer & grabbed her by the hips. When she realized it was him, she smiled real big & he kissed her on the cheek.

Taylor: I’ll leave you two alone, I’ll be right back Summer. I’m going to go check on my husband.

Summer: You mean your kids.

Taylor laughed.

Taylor: No, I mean my husband. He always freaks out when he’s by himself with the kids.

Dylan: You excited for our magic show later?

Summer: I’m a little nervous.

Dylan: Aww, you’re gonna be great.

Summer: Also, the outfit...

Dylan: What about?

Summer: Not sure if it’s kid friendly.

Dylan: Oh don’t worry, it’ll be dad friendly for sure.

Summer: Oh please...

Dylan: I’m kidding. It’s fine. It’s probably a PG-13. It’s nothing close to what you wore during our first...

Just then a group of kids were headed towards their table. Summer cleared her throat to cover up what Dylan was talking about.

Summer: Hey kids, you ready for some fun?

Kids: Yeah!!

Little Dylan: Hey Dylan!

Dylan: Hey there Dylan!

They give each other high fives.

Little Dylan: Did Miss Summer give you my drawing?

Dylan bent down to his level. Summer thought it was the most precious thing.

Dylan: She sure did & you wanna know where I put it?

Little Dylan: Where?

Dylan: On my refrigerator. I get to see it everyday.

Little Dylan: Awesome! Ok, bye I gotta go get cotton candy now.

Little Dylan runs off.

Summer: You really have a way with kids.

Dylan: Well, you really have a way with me.

Dylan winks at her & flashes a big smile.

Summer: You’re such a flirt!

Dylan: You know you like it.

Soon, it was time for the final show of the night. All the rides were shut down, the booths & petting zoo closed. It was time for the final show. First up was Grandma Harper. She was a gypsy fortune teller with a crystal ball who could tell the future. She read a couple of fortunes for the crowd & spread good luck across the kids. Next we’re a couple of volunteer parents, then came Brian with his clown act. Some kids hid under chairs or behind their parents in fear of him. And lastly was Dylan the Magnificent & his beautiful assistant, Summer. Dylan pulled a couple cards up his sleeve & did a few card tricks & his last act was he pulled a bouquet of flowers out of his hat for Summer. The sea of people clapped & cheered. Summer stood at the gate bidding everyone good bye. She & Taylor has a successful turn out hosting this event.

Everyone was gone, only a few carnival workers left shutting all the lights off & locking things up.

Dylan & Summer decided to walk through the carnival. They didn’t want to leave each other just yet. They walked hand in hand eating what was left of their cotton candy.

Dylan: I always had this random fantasy of walking through a carnival hand in hand with my girlfriend & we’d go through all the rides & end with the Ferris wheel... But that was back in high school. I know it sounds lame.

Summer: That’s not lame. Did your girlfriend not like carnivals?

Dylan: I never had a girlfriend.

Summer held onto Dylan’s hand & hugged his arm. Dylan looked at Summer & she was giving him the biggest smile.

Dylan: What? What are you smiling for?

Summer: I just got an idea. Wait here!

Dylan: Where are you...

Summer: I’ll be right back.

Dylan slipped his hands in his pocket as he waited.

Dylan: Am I being ditched? This is just like high school all over again.

Just then, the lights all turned on, the sounds of the carnival games were all turned on as well. Summer came back running. She grabbed Dylan’s hand.

Summer: Come on!