His blonde, her brunette, one beautiful mess

[26] More than friends

"I'm so sorry I can't make it to the carnival," I said into the phone. 

"Work?" Trin said with disappointment lacing her tone.

"No, we're going over to my parent's friends for dinner. Trust me, I wouldn't go unless my parents forced me. I even have to wear fancy clothes."

"When have you ever shied away from a dress?" Trin mocked.

"True that," I smiled. "But I'll see you at school on Monday?"

"Of course, where else would I be?"

"Love you, bye."

"Yeah, bye."

____________

This dinner had to be important since my mum had bought me a new dress for this. It was a nice black dress thigh-length dress with an open back. I'd curled my hair and put on a fair amount of makeup. 

Honestly, I felt good about myself when I walked through the fancy doors to the big house where the dinner was held. It turned out to be a bigger dinner party than I'd expected and it was pretty cramped. Also, there wasn't any actual food but only small bite-size snacks served on silver platters. 

I became quickly bored since there weren't any children my age. Even Sam wasn't there since he'd somehow managed to skip by saying he had a team meeting to go to early in the morning on Saturday. I think my mum knew he was going to a party, but she'd let him skip. I would have called out Sam's bluff if I'd known him skipping meant I absolutely could not go to the carnival but had to come and represent our family. 

When I was almost dozing off on a coutch my mum said it was fine if I went home early. I left but decided against going home. The carnival was only a walk away and there wasn't an entrance fee, so I might as well go and take a look at it. 

Rides had been set up and their lights filled the evening darkness. It was starting to get slightly warmer, so I didn't feel awfully cold in my dress. A bit overdressed maybe, but not cold.

I couldn't help but remember the last time I'd been at a carnival like this. My eyes drifted from the buzzling crowds to the ferris wheel that stood taller than anything else. 

That night everything had changed. My life had never been as complicated as it had been in the last couple of months. All thanks to that one night. I was filled with nostalgia as I walked through small booths. 

What if I Thomas hadn't reacted as badly to my rejection as he had? What if I'd called Sam to come pick me up instead of taking the bus? What if I hadn't talked to him? 

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I thought I saw a familiar face in the crowd. It sure did look like Trin in front of on of the booths further away. 

I hadn't know she'd decided to come here anyways, but at least now I didn't have to wander alone. I took a step toward her when I realized she wasn't alone. 

Something in my gut became colder than the evening air when I saw my auburn haired ex standing next to her. She lauged at something he said as he prepared to try and hit on of the cans with a beanbag. 

So what? She had went with another friend. Could I blame her for it? I had on purpose not tried to sever her connections to Zach, but something in me had still hoped that she wouldn't have stayed so close with him. 

I thought about just leaving them, not really wanting Zach to possibly ruin my good mood, but something kept bugging me. Trin looked nicer than usual, but that might be beacause she seemed to have curled her hair slightly. Was she even wearing makeup?