Socially Awkward

I.

Large groups are the very antithesis of my life. The bane of my meek existence.

Since I agreed to go to the circus, I figure that I have no choice but to follow through. I've never been to one anyway, so I might as well get this out of the way and add it to the lard pile I call memories.

How does one act for a circus, or dress for one for that matter.

I don't want to draw any attention to myself so finding these things out are important.

If only I could ask around while being completely conspicuous about it. I can't have people know that I missed out on the basic childhood experience of going to the circus.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I dread taking it out to see who the text is from. I haven't had one silent day since last week with helping Bryan and getting dragged along with the dynamic duo.

Berlin *we're outside*

Dammit, I wasn't expecting them to be ready this quickly. I haven't picked out an outfit yet or brushed my teeth.

Crap. It is stuff like this that confirms that the only reason I leave my room to is to buy food. Well, unless the girls decide that I have much better things to do rather than studying like a civilized college student.

Me*Coming*

I brush my teeth while throwing on the first thing I find in my dresser. The shirt matches the sandals I put on and I bring along a jacket so just in case.

Maybe I should have invited Bryan. They were his tickets after all, but every time his name happens to run across my mind I get all jittery.

I try not to think of the prospect of having the slightest bit of an attraction to him. We only studied together after all. I think my brain just got happy because I was in such close proximity to a boy.

Things like this can wait until after I'm finished with school. Until then I'll just be here in my sweet innocence.

I trip down the last four steps and walk hastily towards the door. It's rude to have people waiting but considering who is waiting on the other side of the door, they'll completely look past it.

"You've finally come down." Alex thrums his finger on the glass. Surprise, I invited him too.

I roll my eyes and sneer playfully. "But who's driving though?"

"Don't play that card." Alex snorts and we begin to walk towards the parking lot.

Berlin still doesn't flirt with him even though he seems like the kind of guy she'd go after. McKenzie is too busy on her phone. She almost runs into a lamppost but Alex intervenes, sparing her the embarrassment.

Berlin tells stories of all the times she has been to the circus until we arrive at the address that Bryan had given me.

It's a huge tent with tons of vendors and game stands. The popcorn smells delicious and there are huge bags of cotton candy at almost every concession stand.

I just want to stuff it all down my gullet, but cavities hurt like a bitch.

We buy snacks before we head to one of the entrances of the striped circus tent, where the ticket guy asks us to present our tickets.

When I pull them out, he looks at me quizzically and motions for a security guard to come over and mutters something in his ear.

Holy snowballs, Bryan gave us fake tickets and we are all about to be arrested.