Pieces Of Love

♡ Chapter 16 ♡

"So it's basically a milkshake, but worse?" Aubreyanne asked scowling at the cold blue drink in her hand. 

Zaria took a sip from her red one with a shrug mixed with a nod. Aubreyanne hesitantly drew her lips to the straw and took a small sip, not that she would admit it but she found the cold and sweetness quite refreshing. 

"I take it you have a soft spot for cold things," She said taking another sip of her slushie.

Zaria chuckled. "I guess you could say that, but don't worry. This time we won't be going ice skating" 

Aubreyanne smirked slightly as she took another sip. "Still a sure loser I see?" She chuckled enjoying the slushie more than she expected. 

"For the record I let you win" Zaira scoffed. "But, today we're going somewhere else,"

"And where is that?" 

Again Aubreyanne didn't get her answer until they arrived. They got out of the car, and she scanned the busy parking lot littered with cars, and people all just having a good time. vendors loitered about trying to get people to buy their goods. The heat of the sun beat down on them, but it would set in a few hours anyway. Zaria stretched and took a breath of fresh air as she locked the car once Aubreyanne was out and looking around. 

"A festival?" Aubreyanne asked looking at all the signs and posters around them

Zaria nodded. "mhm. It just happens to be in town now out of the once every two months it comes around" 

As they began to make their way to the entrance a man approached them offering what he had to sell. Aubreyanne silently observed all the bracelets, keychains, flower crowns, and necklaces, all of them beautifully handmade.

Zaria was quick to purchase two flower crowns. One made out of yellow flowers, that matched her slightly oversized yellow shirt, that she had tucked into the front of her white shorts and sneakers with little sunflowers embroidered on the side, to match. She picked out another, made of violets. It was the closest she could get to Aubreyanne's all-black outfit except for the purple hem on her yoga pants.

Aubreyanne watched Zaria gently put on her crown, careful not to mess with the yellow ribbon in her hair and Aubreyanne had to admit the woman's resolve to always match her ribbon with her outfit was fascinating. 

Zaria motioned for Aubreyanne to come closer, and despite the latter only being close to an inch taller Zaria still tiptoed to gently put the crown on Aubreyanne's hair, and stepped back with a grin. Aubreyanne gently touched the crown and scoffed, but smiled so softly she looked indifferent from afar.

"It looks nice," Zaria said gently hitting Aubreyanne's arm as she began to walk to the entrance. "Now get in the festival spirit it's fun I promise," She said over her shoulder.

Aubreyanne just chuckled and followed her through the entrance. More stalls than she could count filled the area, neatly in rows that looked like they went over the horizon. The smell of all kinds of foods drifted in the air along with the chatter and laughter of people around them.

"Take your pick," Zaria said motioning to the stalls. Aubreyanne turned to her and a smirk grew on her face. it was almost childish in the sense it carried that curiosity and mischievous glint, then it was gone as Aubreyanne led to one of the stalls. 

She handed the money to the vendor, ignoring Zaria's protests to pay for herself. Aubreyanne picked up one of her balls. "Loser has to pay for food," She said turning to Zaria with a smile, then it quickly dropped. "No. The winner gets to pay" She said narrowing her eyes at Zaria. 

"Why do you even need me?" Zaria chuckled rolling her eyes. "Your inner child seems very much alive and well," She teased, getting a scoff from Aubreyanne who otherwise didn't comment and just tossed her ball hitting down three of the five bottles.