**Mid Afternoon, Sunday, June 14th**
"Tell ya nigga, he better shoot back."
Portia glanced up at the boy standing before her, a striking figure who appeared to be around her age. His nostrils flared with intensity, eyes sharp and unyielding, fists clenched at his sides. Confusion washed over her like a tide; she instinctively took a step back, feeling the palpable tension crackle between them. With a quick twist, she maneuvered around him, her heart racing as she murmured to herself, "Whatever that was."
Scanning the lively scene around her, she marveled at the unexpected scale of the fair. Brightly colored tents and playful decorations stretched as far as her eyes could see, making her wonder if its impressive size was a celebration of its inaugural run. She resolved to tackle the towering rides first, feeling the thrill of adventure bubbling inside her before moving on to the smaller attractions later.
Portia made her way through the ticket booth, where a cheerful attendant adorned with a wide smile fastened a free pass wristband around her wrist. The band shimmered, a versatile ticket to delights ranging from carnival food to games and exhilarating rides. As she walked further into the vibrant chaos, she wove between clusters of laughter and shouts, the scent of buttery popcorn and sweet cotton candy wafting through the air, heightening her anticipation.
Glancing back, she noticed him hanging at the edge of the crowd, his bravado fading when he saw her step into the line for the Ferris wheel. He preferred the grounded excitement of games, avoiding the heights she was so eager to embrace. As the massive wheel turned, she savored the view, the world below shrinking while she ascended.
When the ride finally brought her back down, the attendant's gentle assistance helped her step off, and his presence surged forward like an oncoming storm. Approaching her with a grin that seemed to challenge her, he sneered, "You said you want a thug, so don't be scared now!" He encroached into her space, but she instinctively recoiled, her heart racing faster than before.
"I never said that!" she replied playfully, forcing a laugh even as uncertainty flickered within her. She sidestepped him, attempting to distance herself as the line began to move again, but he was quick, pivoting to keep pace with her retreating form. He reached out, linking his arm with hers in a way that felt both bold and unwelcome, leading her away from the bustle.
After two rounds of games, where his attempts to impress fell flat, she had reluctantly learned his name—Ken. Meanwhile, she kept her own name wrapped in secrecy, knowing she had no interest in seeing him again. He spoke of himself theatrically in the third person, a self-proclaimed hustler failing to catch her attention. Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, and as she turned away, ready to escape his persistent chatter, he dashed ahead, blocking her path and halting her movements abruptly.
"Well, that's what you got," Ken whispered with a cocky smirk, his breath brushing against her face before he took a step back, leaving her in a swirl of mixed feelings.
