Her Saving Grace

A Day At The Fair

The following day, I did not see Carson at school. I hadn't seen him in the hallways or at any of the classes that we have together. I was starting to think that he wasn't at school.

I was now at my locker getting my books for my last class. My back was turn, so I didn't see when someone came up behind me.

"Hey." I heard a voice say and I turned around quickly, while my books fell to the floor. I looked up into the face of a smiling Carson.

"Carson, you moron. You scared me half to death." I scolded him. I bend to pick up my books off the floor, then looked back at his face, studying him. "Are you okay?" I finally asked.

"Yes I am." He answered waving away my concern. "I actually wanted to see you to tell you thanks for what you did last night." He scratched the back of his neck and grinned sheepishly. "I don't remember much, but I know enough based on the blurred parts from what I actually remember and also from what Michael told me."

"It was no problem." I replied, hugging the books to my chest. I searched his eyes again. "What happened Carson?" I asked quietly.

He looked down at the floor for a second before looking back at me. "I was home and my father was having his usual lectures. I couldn't take it anymore, so I left. I know what I did was stupid, but...I was hoping to drink and forget everything." He said.

I looked at Carson and I had the overwhelming urge to hug him. Hug him and let him know that everything was going to be okay, but I didn't. At that moment though, I couldn't help but hate his father. Hate him for what he is doing to Carson. I could see that all this was getting to him, no matter how he plays tough.

"Yes, it was foolish," I said finally, then smiled at him. "But I understand."

Carson returned my smile, with one of his own. A smile that lit up his whole face and made my heart do a back flip. "So, I didn't say or do anything embarrassing did I?" He asked.

"Hmm...maybe." I said with a teasing smile. Everything that he said yesterday came back to me and I couldn't help but smile at the memory. Drunk Carson was so adorable. I turned back to my locker to hide my smile as I finished gathering my books. I closed my locker and turned back around to him.

"That's all I'm going to get?" He asked still smiling. He was smiling quite a lot lately and I love when he does it.

"Yep." I replied.

"Okay, so I'll take that as a yes then." He said. I just shrugged my shoulders still smiling teasingly. I had no intention of giving any information away.

"Good-bye Carson. I have to get to class." I said, giving him a little shove to get out of my way.

"Okay, okay." He raised his hands in surrender and back away. However, before I could walk away, he stopped me. "Wait."

"What is it now?" I asked, placing my hand on my hip.

"Wait for me at my car after school." He replied.

I looked at him curiously. "Why?"

"I'm taking you somewhere. Think of it as a thank you for what you did last night. I could have gotten into serious trouble." He said.

"Okay." I said, before turning around and walked to my class.

******

"You brought me to the city fair?" I asked, looking around at Carson in the driver's seat.

"Yes." He replied, gauging my reaction.

"I love the fair!" I replied, smiling with excitement. "I haven't been here since I was nine years old."