Till the Star Blooms

Chapter 13 - Don't steal the lemon light

Something irritated me, like someone was watching. I opened one eye and saw Twinkles with his back against the tent. It really didn’t surprise me.

“Looking for something?” I asked. He turned and looked down at me with that horrible cocky grin stretched across his face. I slipped my hands into my pockets so it would make it harder for him to tie them up. He must have noticed the little movement and chuckled.

“Don’t worry me lady, I won’t restrain you from any of your affectionate advances,” he chuckled. I scoffed at the suggestion.

“Can you just leave, I’m really not in the mood for dealing with you today,” I turned away and looked over to where the crowd were oblivious to the lurking threat.

“And what are you going to do about it. The last few days for me have been very uneventful, stirring up trouble will surely suppress my boredom,” I could sense he was right behind me.

“I’d rather you didn’t. My friend has put a lot of effort into today and I don’t want you stealing her one moment in the spot light.” I thought about Mel, she really did deserve all the credit. “Wait here, I’ll be back in a minute,” I sighed getting up from my shady spot.

“Going to get reinforcements?” he joked but with a hint of seriousness. A little smile wiggled its way onto my face. I glanced over my shoulder at him.

“Well if I am, you better start running, Twinkle Toes,” I turned around and walked into the food tent. It was as crowded as before. I slipped to the back and got out one of my imperfect pies. I slipping it into a cake box I turned to Melissa.

“Mel, I’m just taking the burnt one,” she nodded and turned back to her company. I left the tent once more, gazing at all the kites flying around, before returning to my shady spot, behind the tent. To my surprise Star boy was still waiting for me sitting on some crates.

I walked up to him pushing the box into his hands. “Now go,” I pointed out to the empty open field. He looked at the box surprised by it.

“What is it? A present?” he asked. I rolled my eyes. No it’s a bomb, you douche.

“Call it whatever you want. It’s just one of my silently over burnt lemon meringue pies that we weren’t going to sell unless we ran out. It’s a little over burnt but otherwise fine, now go,” I pointed to the field again. He gave me a curious look but smiled.

“You cooked this?” he questioned. What, did he think I poisoned it? Honestly, he wasn’t doing very well with his side of the bet either. I sighed and nodded.

“Do what you like with it, just go,” I turned and walked away officially fed up with him.

“Till next time beautiful,” I glanced over my shoulder and he was gone, hopefully for good. I continued on and found Jami walking with a stuffed toy cat and Leroy trailing behind her. Aww.

“Hey Cameo! Look what Leroy won me,” she smiled holding up the cat.

“Very cute, was it hard to win?” I asked Leroy hoping he wouldn’t ignore me. He just shrugged, well sorry for asking. I let them go to find someone to talk to. Renata was busy winning junk and Lorrie was enjoying the company of the crowd of guys that had formed around her. And then I found Tyrone alone. As annoying as he was, I kind of felt sorry for him. I walked over and smiled “Hi. Alone?” I asked only realising that was a bad question, as his head drooped.

“Yeah, most people who come here are couples, so there aren’t really any girls to talk to,” he sighed. I noticed the bright blue kite near his feet.

“Is that your kite?” I asked. He looked down at it, a little embarrassed.

“Yeah, kind of childish right,” he laughed his face getting redder.

“Can I fly it?” I asked, I had genuinely wanted to fly a kite, but he wasn’t really in that plan. He looked at me in surprise, probably thinking about how he could get closer to me.

“Sure,” he showed me how to hold it and keep it in the air, and we talked…well he talked a lot about himself. You are only doing this for Mel; don’t slap that annoying selfish brat’s face, just smile. It’s for Mel. I had to keep reminding myself.

“And then I was like ‘whoa’ and he was like…” he continued, me not really paying attention. Sheesh this guy never shut up.

***

It was almost one in the morning when I got back. I flopped onto my bed exhausted from the whole day. I leaned over to turn off my lamp when I found a letter. I opened it up to find a message neatly written.

‘To my lady, Cameo, your cooking goes beyond the heavens. Next time I wish to be the one to fly a kite with you. P.S I didn’t steal anything, promise.’

I didn’t know why I smiled; he had broken in, and had been spying on me, but I just felt the need to smile. I slipped the letter into the draw before turning off my lamp.