Rose's Rush Hour.

Chapter Thirteen.

The show, held in a large tent, was a combination of different performances which included skits, singing, dancing, magic tricks and ventriloquism.

My favourite performance was the fire dancers’. It was just amazing and dazzling how they jumped around in acrobatics whilst juggling torches of fire yet still managed to not cause a fire hazard. We were all wowed, and it was a little strange laughing along with Poppy for once, at the comedic skits. Of course they were all about history, but still enjoyable.

Levi also gave a beautiful performance. He sang a song he’d composed himself while strumming his guitar and got the girls fanning themselves, since it was a love song. The lyrics were divine and metaphorical and I could tell he had a talent for composing.

Forty-five minutes later, we left the tent along with the crowd, and I was hungry.

“We should eat,” I suggested to Callum, who nodded in agreement.

“Excellent idea!” Poppy chirped from behind me, and I grunted in silent disgruntlement.

But when I turned around, I forced a big smile on my face.

“The four of us should go get a table somewhere so we can talk more,” Poppy said smiling at me, then at Callum. “I really want to hear from you, Callum.”

Oh no.

“Alright,” Callum agreed, oblivious to her schemes. She was probably going to try and weasel the truth of our date out of him. And if she found out that I was bluffing to her all this while, she’d mock me for eternity.

No way in eternal life was I going to let that happen.

We walked alongside each other as Levi and Callum exchanged bits of conversation about themselves. Soon, Poppy fell into conversation with Levi, and Callum and I lagged behind them.

“Since you paid for the tickets, I’ll pay for our meal,” I said to him.

He looked at me in surprise. “What?”

I shrugged. “It’s only fair.”

“But I was going to pay for everything.”

“You don’t have to.”

His brows were furrowed in confusion. “Yes, I do.”

At that, I stopped walking, causing him to halt as well. The oblivious couple ahead of us kept moving.

I turned to face Callum as he did me.

“No, you don’t,” I told him. “It’s only imposed on you by the unwritten norm that defines gender roles. And if you haven’t noticed, I tend to twist those roles.” I grinned.

Callum’s face folded as he digested the information. Then he asked, innocently. “Would it make a difference if I wanted to pay?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Then I want to pay as well.”

Callum’s shoulders slumped as he sighed. “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”

I smirked. “Is that resignation I hear?”

He bit his bottom lip as he contemplated, and I contemplated how cute he looked trying to glare and be all rebellious.

“If it has come to this, then we’ll both pay,” He said. “I take three-quarters.”

“Half-half.” I countered.

He huffed. “Rose.”

“I’ll pay for my meal and you’ll pay for yours,” I stated with obstinance. He still glared at me, so I added, “I’m a member of the working class who prefers to spend the money she’s earned, so don’t take it the wrong way.”