Dear Jamie (on hold)

1 - corn dogs

October

This story begins on a crisp fall day. The day of the local autumn festival to be exact. Games, food, live music. To most people, I guess it would sound like fun.

Yeah, right.

I was dragged here against my will, but that's beside the point.

At the moment, I'm supposed to be standing in line for a corn dog. It's actually what I was bribed here with. And funnel cakes. Can't forget the funnel cakes…

Anyway, I'm sorry, where was I? You're going to have to bear with me. I tend to get off track quite a lot. It's a genetic trait; I'm almost as scatterbrained as my mother.

So, as I was saying. I would have been in line, but instead where am I? Hiding behind the hay cart trying to be persuaded to do something that I, quite honestly, do not have the guts to do.

The person trying to convince me to do this thing would be none other than my best -- and only, really-- friend, Nathan Walker.

"Look, just go up to her and introduce yourself. Be your … somewhat charming self and ask her out to dinner. Simple as that." Nathan happens to be more outgoing (and apparently charming) than I am so a task like this is "simple" to him.

Simple.

I'm such a wuss.

"Can't I just go get a corn dog?" I start. "Maybe it--"

"Enough with the corn dogs! She's right over there looking single as ever. Go. Now." A blonde piece of hair falls in front of his eyes and he brushes it away. Sometimes I wish this was as easy for me as it is for him.

I look over at the girl in question. Jamie Harris is sitting on top of an apple crate just a few feet away. I crouch down hoping not to be seen.

Her coppery red hair is pulled into a loose bun and she tucks a piece behind her ear as her eyes scan the vicinity.

Gosh, I feel like I'm spying on her… Well, in technicality, I guess I am.

Right.

I take a deep breath and in the same moment she notices my stare and we lock eyes.

Crap, well, there goes my career as a super-spy.

"Perfect timing! Now go over and talk to her," he demands, pushing me in her direction. I turn my head to narrow my eyes at him and he winks.

I need new friends.

Shit. What do I say? What do I--

"It's Isaac, right?" Jamie asks as I approach.

"Uh, yeah. I, uh." I smile awkwardly.

"Would you like to sit?" she offers.

I do so and settle myself next to her on the crate. I carefully place my hands (which happen to be unbelievably sweaty at the moment) on my knees to avoid touching the deteriorating wood.

"So, what's up?" She turns to me, a bemused smile playing on her lips. She has really nice lips by the way. "Is your friend okay?"

"Huh?"

She points to Nathan. "He's staring over in this general direction." She pauses. "Subtly, I might add."

I glance at Nathan and internally groan. Figures.

"He'll be fine. I think… Anyway, I, um, I wanted to ask you something."

Jamie's eyes widen in surprise. "And that is?"