The Literary Misadventures of Juniper Rosewood

25- Tresspassing

The Ferris wheel stopped again while we were halfway down it. The cart rocked gently in the light evening breeze, and I sighed contentedly. My arms rested on the steel safety bar, the old red paint flaking off under my jacket. My view of the sunset was marred by the spokes of the Ferris wheel, but I didn't particularly mind. Dalton has his arm wrapped around me, and that was all I could really focus on.

"How are you enjoying the winter festival so far, Jamie?" I asked.

"I'm thinking it's on the right track to becoming the best one yet," He said, pulling me closer to him. He liked to do that, whenever he had his arms around me. He wanted to know that I was there, I think. Or perhaps he was just cold. I didn't mind though, and I snuggled further into him as the cart started moving again, letting us out at the bottom.

Dalton looked as though he wanted to say something, but he was cut off by Ingrid, who was clearly very excited about something, judging by the way she was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.

"Juni, look over there," She said, pointing to a collection of stalls a little way over. Hidden in the shadow of an awning, Preston and Abraham were kissing.

"Good for them," I said, with a small laugh, before adding, "You know you shouldn't tell anybody about this, Ingrid." Ingrid seemed disappointed, but she nodded. Then it was Dalton's turn to notice, and he went bright red with embarrassment.

"Oh!" He said, his eyes wide with surprise.

"You're so oblivious, honestly, Jamie," I said, grabbing his hand and pulling in away.

"He usually tells me everything," Dalton said glumly.

"Maybe he wanted to see where this was going before he told you. I'm sure he will soon enough," I said, and Dalton seemed mollified.

The others were waiting a little further down, and Dalton managed to regain his composure and turn his charisma back on effortlessly.

"Hey, guys, what's going on?" He asked.

"I broke up with J.B, on the Ferris wheel," Etta replied, and although she seemed a little sad, she was smiling, and her dark eyes shone with happiness.

"What? Why? Where is he?" Dalton asked, and suddenly his charisma was gone again. I let go of his hand so he could go up to her and hug her.

"I can't answer if you're crushing the air out of me, Dalton," Etta wheezed. Dalton let go.

"Sorry."

"I'm over trying to be popular just so I can be friends with you. J.B isn't a very nice guy anymore, and he isn't worth this feud with Stella," Etta explained. Dalton hugged her again.

"I'm so glad to hear you say that," He said, "You're my best friend. I'm glad you're doing something selfish, for once." She laughed and untangled herself from him.

"Needless to say, he isn't very happy. Even if it didn't seem like it, apparently he actually cared for me, and he's angry that I broke up with him before he could break up with me."

"That's so petty," Ingrid said. Etta nodded.

"He's blaming Juniper."

"What? Why?" I asked.

"You let me get away from him. You let me realise that I didn't need him. At least that's what it seemed like to him," Etta said. I laughed.

"Great."

"Sorry, Juni," Etta said.

"It's not a problem," I replied, "I think I can survive another person hating my guts." Circe placed a protective hand on my arm.