Obsession

Chapter 36

The boys beside each one of us gave us confused looks, but we barely acknowledged them as we crossed the distance between us meeting halfway with a hug.

I didn't want to let go. I felt as though I couldn't. My heart was in my stomach ,in the moment I thought I'd be overwhelmed by all the emotions.

Finally she broke away from our hug as Ray cleared his throat.

"What just happened?" He said letting out an awkward laugh as his eyes darted around alternating between each one of us.

I couldn't find my voice but she sounded steady and strong as she answered him.

She was always stronger than me.

"Ray this is Joy, I mean Juliet my-my friend. Joy, my boyfriend Ray."

It only registered in my brain now that she was the one I'd seen in the warehouse weeks ago.
"Why do you call Juliet, Joy?" My brain jolted out of its nostalgic refuge.
I didn't know what to say, I wasn't ready to share the part of my past that had brought me the most pain. Especially with Ray who already blames me despite not knowing the full truth.

"Stupid nicknames we made as children. First feeling we'd feel when we saw our parents, starting with the first letter of our names."
I said quickly filling in the silence as I realized Daphne didn't know what to say.

"Sorry....um. Daphne this is Joe, Joe this is Daphne." He politely nodded.
"Why don't we get going and we can talk more in the car." We all agreed with Joe and got in the car.

"So why Dope?" Joe asked.
Daphne shrugged.
"To be honest I was positively high when we came up with those."

We all laughed.

Deep down my heart clenched, she wasn't high by choice.

"Why weren't you guys with your parents? Did you guys meet at a camp or something?" I looked at Daphne. I'm pretty sure I could read her look.

I ignored him.
"I hope whatever you have planned is going to blow me away because I'm ready for some fun." Daphne cheered in the seat behind me and every one just seemed to forget everything that just happened as we settled into new conversation.

Joe parked his car and we all got out.
We entered the carnival grounds and I was positively surprised.
"Okay, Joe I will admit that you were right. This looks awesome and I should've come here sooner."
He smiled smugly and I shoved him.
"Okay,where should we start?"
I shook my head. "Actually Ray I've got to wait for my bodyguard. He'll be here in a few minutes."
Ray laughed. "Seriously, last time I checked you were dying to get rid of those fools."

"Yeah. And how long ago was that." I said bitterly just as I saw Heath arrive.

I walked up to his car.
"Hey, I'm Juliet and these are my friends Ray, Daphne and Joe."
We shook hands. "I'm Heath nice to meet you."

"What about Calvin? Last time I checked he was full time unless you're at home?"
I nodded. "He is. It's actually his day off today."
"Day off, Calvin. Ha never thought I'd see the day." "Don't look so happy about it."

We started at one of the booths where we relentlessly tried to win a stuffed animal but despite our best efforts could not score a single one. I threw my last ring at the person running the booth.

"This shit is obviously rigged. Gimme my stuffed animal!" He rolled his eyes. "That's what all the losers say." I growled and tried to jump at him but Joe had already grabbed me and spun me in the other direction running with me a fair distance away.
I pouted. "Aww come on don't be mad." Daphne and Ray came jogging up to us they were laughing their asses off. "You are positively psycho. It is legendary."
We went on a few rides rollercoaster, tornado, even channeled our inner children with the tea cups.