The Island Of Freedom

Chapter Nineteen

Twelve minutes later Evi stood in front of a slightly rolling Ferris wheel. She tucked her palms into her shorts pockets hoping to decrease the sweetness in her palms. The coffee craving grew with the minutes she waited for Thomas. She looked around once more hoping to spot his wast smile but just a few people passed by her.

The festival concluded at that point, as people carried their luggage toward the parking lots, and there were no crowds anymore. Stacks of garbage covered the ground and volunteers picked the green cans, their orange vests capturing Evi's attention.

"I got you a chocolate latte," Thomas's gruff voice startled Evi.

Her heartbeats rose and she took a few moments before looking at him. His hair was held in a top knot hairdo, and darkish circles surrounded his brown eyes adding gloomyness to his appearance. He stretched out his hand, giving her a white paper cup, and sipping coffee from his mug. Evi reluctantly took it, her hands held shaky, as she looked at him. His gaze held on the Ferris wheel though.

"Should we take a ride?" he asked, disrupting the awkwardness.

"I thought we could take a walk," she replied, with a small cough, gripping the coffee cup.

"Ride would be better," he said, looking at her, adoring his face with a crooked smirk.

"I came here to talk, I will not run away," she said, glancing at the people climbing from the Ferris wheel.

"We don't have time to risk that," he replied, going toward the entrance.

Evi reluctantly followed him, she felt bittersweet, the same place they met would be the same place they would see each other for the last time. They climbed into the booth, and soon the Ferris wheel moved.

"So Aron is your ex," he said, as the Ferris wheel lifted them to the air. "The one who broke you," Evi nodded to his words. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it was relevant," she said, glancing at him. "And how do you know he is my ex?"

"After you ran, Noah and Selma talked while I was looking for you," He lifted his messy eyebrow.

"I am sorry, I just-"

"Hate confrontations," he finished her thought, and Evi nodded. "I know, but we have to talk about all of this. I want to know where we stand?"

"We are friends," she said in a questionable tone. "Why did you call me your girlfriend?"

"Because I thought we were moving toward that. You know I don't do casual hookups, so I assumed we are a couple," he said, observing the horizon and taking a sip from the paper cup.

"Don't assume stuff," She shrugged her shoulders. "And you know I don't do relationships," she lifted her damp eyebrow.

"And yet you are back with your ex,"

"I am not back with him,"

"Just having sex, right?"

"Yes,"

"So why didn't you tell me?"

"Because if this look you have right," she explained, looking at him. His eyebrows held in a sad furrow and he avoided eye contact with her.

"I just can't grasp the concept of hookups, I'm sorry but I was raised differently. For me, a kiss means that you are moving forward with a person toward a relationship, and you probably kissed me and Aron on the same day," He laughed nervously, looking to the side.

"No, I didn't, nothing happened between me and him this weekend," Evi assured him, gulping a sweet drink.

"I have no way of knowing that. You preached honesty to me and here you are, lying this entire time."