Never Too Late

Chapter Forty Two

Once they received their tickets and entered the fair, they were greeted by an explosion of string lights and music. People crowded each attraction, and children darted around, but the atmosphere was full of light-hearted fun. They went on the Carousel first because it had the shortest line, but Luke and Johan found it boring, although the girls loved it. They then went on the bumper cars and had a blast despite waiting in line for what seemed like forever.

After trying most of the rides they decided to take a break and walk around for a bit.

"That was fun!" Liz declared happily and Johan nodded. He was having the time of his life.

"It's a good thing Luke said we should wait before eating. I still feel nauseous." Ericka said, clutching her stomach.

"Do you want me to get you a bottle of water?" Luke asked, concerned, but she smiled reassuringly.

"I'll be fine," She laughed. "Let's visit some of the booths and win a few prizes!"

"Sure, but take it easy," Johan remarked before taking Liz's arm and heading over to the nearest booth. They played a game of ring toss and won a few tokens before going over to another booth that had stuffed animals on display.

"Do you want one?" Luke asked Ericka and she smiled excitedly before nodding. The game at this booth was played by throwing a ball and hitting a moving target. Luke paid the booth operator and got three balls, but ended up not hitting a single target.

"It's much harder than it seems," Liz noted and Ericka nodded in agreement.

"Let me try," Johan said, stepping up, and Luke shrugged.

"Sure, go ahead." He said making way for his brother. Johan bought three balls for himself and took aim but Liz stopped him.

"Wait, shouldn't you put your glasses on so you can aim better?" She suggested but he smiled confidently.

"Don't worry, I've got this!" he said before facing the targets again and closing his right eye. He took on a stance similar to when he was pitching during baseball and hit all three. Cheers erupted behind him, and the operator took down the biggest stuffed animal he had, a pink bear, and gave it to him.

"Great job, Johan!" Liz congratulated him and he beamed proudly.

"Here you go," He said, handing her the bear, but she refused it.

"I'm not a fan of stuffed animals," she said looking over at Ericka kindly. "I'm sure Ericka would love it."

Nodding, Johan gave it to her and he watched her face light up. It was typical of Liz to notice how others were feeling and she must've seen Ericka staring at the bear earlier, he thought.

"I'm getting hungry, I'm going to get us some food," Luke announced, while looking around for a food stall.

"Let me give you a hand," Liz remarked before going with him and leaving Ericka and Johan alone.

"Thanks for the bear," She said sheepishly clutching it close to her. It was half her size and made her seem smaller, but she seemed content with it.

"No problem," Johan said looking around at the crowd.

A moment passed by and neither of them spoke, but it wasn't awkward.

"Hey," Johan finally said.

"Yeah?" Ericka murmured, pulling her bear closer.

"Tonight was fun." He smiled.

"It was, I haven't been here in a while! You looked so cool when you were hitting those targets, it was just like you were playing baseball!" She noted and he nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, it kinda was like that," he laughed.

"Oh, and before I forget, I really like your haircut, it might be shorter than Luke's now, but it really suits you!" She beamed.

"Thanks," he said turning to her.

"I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn't get the chance to," Ericka confessed and Johan stared at her warmly.

"Ericka," he called softly.

"Yeah?"

"I know you like me," he admitted, gazing into her eyes, and she froze before looking away, shocked.

"No, no, that's not..." she stuttered before trailing off.

"I've known for a little while now," he continued. He could feel it in the way she looked at him, it was the same way she looked at Luke. When he first noticed he felt overjoyed until a haunting realization came to him. "It's only natural, since we're twins your feelings got confused."

Knowing that the way she was looking at him, even now, was just misguided emotions for Luke made it even worse than when she didn't like him. He couldn't bear the thought of that.

"Don't worry, I'll be gone soon so you won't have to feel confused anymore." He finished.

"Are you already leaving for college?" Ericka finally responded.

"No, I'm not going to college. I'm planning on moving around with Liz for a while." He stated, and she gazed at him with disbelief.

"What? Why!? Didn't you tell me you always wanted to go to college!?" She argued but he shook his head.

"It'll be okay." He remarked softly. "I'm leaving in two days and I just wanted to tell you."

"Johan, have you thought this through!?" Ericka pressed, alarmed and flustered.

"I have, and there's another reason why I can't stay. I like you, too," Johan confessed.

At this, Ericka stared at him with her mouth open and eyes wide.

"I liked you from the moment we met. I don't know if it's because I'm confused too but I can't stop thinking about you." Saying these words to her made Johan feel like a firework had gone off in his heart but he was glad he had said them. "I'm sorry if this is all too much right now, but I'll get out of Luke's and your way. All I want is for you both to be happy."

Was he wrong for doing this? Maybe, but he wanted to leave no stone unturned before starting his new life with Liz and closing this chapter. As Ericka stared at him wordlessly and still in shock, he leaned in and hugged her. Feeling the shape of her body against his drove him crazy but he contained himself and pulled away.

"I hope you have a wonderful time at college and with Luke ." His heart almost broke saying this but it seemed right. "I'll go find him and see what's taking so long."