[ thirty ] down by the sea
Mrs. Carrigan hear the car go down the street before she turned to her sixteen year old daughter. With a tired sigh, she told her, "Prudence, you need to tell that boy the truth. He really seems to care about you."
Prudence shook her head, "He can't know. I'll hurt his feelings if I tell him I'm dying."
Lucy walked into the room, having heard their conversation. "I agree with mum, Pru. Ashton needs to know about your illness."
"He already treats me like I'm going to break. If I tell him, he will pity me. I told you countless times, I want him to be my friend because he cares, not because he feels bad for me." She explained, her blue-grey eyes pooling up with tears. "And I don't want to talk about this anymore. Please respect my decision." She turned around and ran up the stairs to her bedroom.
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She was already awake when the doorbell rang, but she expected it to be Ashton.
Her eyes were filled with surprise when she saw a pale skinned boy in a flannel shirt and dark skinny jeans. His blonde hair with the black streak down the middle was lightly touseled by the spring breeze.
"Hey Prudence." Michael smiled at her.
"Hello." She smiled back in response.
Rolling from the balls of his feet to his toes nervously, he told her, "I'm here to take you out somewhere."
"Uh..." She began, "Okay. I just need to let my mum know we'll be going out. Is Ashton coming?"
Michael's faace crinkled up at the mention of his mate, "No," He shook his head. "Ashton can't com because he...has a dentist appointment." He lied. He knew it was a terrible lie, but it was the best he could come up with in a matter of seconds.
"Oh," Prudence nodded, "I hope he's okay."
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He parked down by the sea, where a large amusement park sat atop a wooden pier.
Before stepping out of the car, Michael saw her pull a sheet of paper and pen from he pocket. She unfolded the note and crossed something out, smiling to herself.
57. Go to an amusement park or carnival.
"What are you doing?" He asked her, curiosity seeping through his words.
She folded the sheet of paper quickly an slipped it back inside her pocket, replying, "Its nothing. Just my shopping list."
"Right," He said, not actually convinced. "If its really your shopping list, then why did you cross something out right now? We're at Paradise Pier not the grocery store."
Prudence laughed nervously. "I just remembered I have tomatoes at home."
"If you say so." He shrugged, the two of them getting out of the car and he led her into the amusement park. The first thing Michael did was to buy each of them a day pass; that meant they could go on any ride as much as they wanted. The day passes were ten dollars each.
The two of them went on several rides together, and Michael even convinced her to ride the ferris wheel.
They were sat inside a box looking booth with metal bars on the inside to hang onto. He had chosen to get on the swinging seat, and Prudence felt as if her heart would jump out of her chest.
