Take a shot

Mascots and mascots

"Come! Come! Free lottery here! A wish for first prize!"

What a bluff!

That was what I thought as I walked around the carnival.

It comes around once a year on the 21st of September. My birthday.

Name's Marrielle. Complicated right? Maybe not.

"Is this free? "I asked the man in purple.

"Oh it sure is! Do you want to try, young lady?"

I simple just nodded as I spun the huge red and white wheel in front of me.

I got fifth. Better than nothing.

"Here's your prize. There's only one in the world. Our very own company mascot key chain. "

It was really just a key chain with a panda on it. He was so persuassive. I almost bought his whole collection of skin care. If that made any sense.

I stared at the keychain as I stood below the Ferris Wheel. I wanted to ride it so much but the queue was just so long.

I looked down at the mascot, then up when a shadow hovered over me. A really tall panda stood before me.

It placed a finger on its lips then ran away. I figured it wanted to follow me.

"Where are we? "I asked as I remembered mom told me not to follow strangers. Pandas included.

He took the head part of the mascot costume off and let out a sigh of relief. His back was facing me, though I could tell he was quite charming through his silhouette.

He turned around and I almost screamed. As cliche as it sounds like, it was Karry. God I'm such a fictional character.

"You got fifth place in the lottery thing right?"he reassured.

I nodded. I was at a lost for words.

"Good cause I need a girl to get fifth place."

"Why? "I asked.

"I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for the day. "

I kept quiet.

"Bye."

"Where are you going? "he asked, breathing heavily as he quickly grabbed my arm.

"This isn't funny. It's your birthday isn't it? I thought you would spend it with your family and friends. "

"I want to spend it with you. "

"I want you to spend time with your mom. Let her have a nice firm hold of her son for the day. "

"God your cute. "I heard him mutter under his breath as he took off his mascot costume and pulled me gently to the crowd.

"Sorry, it's just that a lot of girls want to spend the day with me but there's only one of me. I posted on Weibo a few minutes ago that the lucky one will be the one, and you're the one."

"This is a prank." I did not even look at where he dragged me off to but somehow, we ended up being in line to get on the Ferris Wheel.

"I'm going to go."I said and was about to walk away.

"You're not going to go anywhere without me."he said.

He pulled my into his arms and had his right arm around me to grab my right arm. He squeezed my shoulders and smiled.

"You're my girlfriend, you have to stay by my side."

I kept quiet and did not move an inch.