01

"Come on, Joe! ...Please come with me tonight...' My best friend begged me. I laughed and he hugged me again. »I missed you so much, it's just boring here without you. You haven't been here for a whole fucking four months now and we're going out together tonight, there's no discussion at all! In two weeks school will start again and our senior year will start and not only that has to convince you... The others want to see you again tonight!« He really always made me laugh.

"It's okay Dwayne, I'll come with you!" He grinned his winner's smile and then finally left me alone.

I've known Dwayne for as long as I can remember. He lives diagonally opposite in a huge house. We've been through a lot together and I love him the way you love a best friend. I've really missed him the last few months, but I was able to go on summer vacation a month early and do a small internship with my uncle in Australia. So it wasn't really vacation time that I had there, but at least I got a small salary in the short time, if you can even call it that.

Actually, I wanted to sleep after the flight. My parents wanted to know so much about me and to see pictures of my stay at Uncle Carl's. I only showed you what I quickly found, that I had my peace and gave my mom all my laundry - which she now insisted on - only then did I really have my peace and a little time for myself. Alone. I thought. But then Dwayne was there and convinced me to go with him tonight. His dad and my dad are also best friends since college. Dwayne's dad owned several clubs and bars around town and this man really had it down, which was to our advantage because we were allowed into any club and under 21 years old.

In the early evening I got a text from Dwayne.

Half a hour!

meet us outside D

It was so typical of him. Why can't he just say where you go, what you do and with whom? Is that too much to ask of men? Probably.

Kirsten always knew what was going on in our little clique, so once again I had no choice but to call her.

»Joooooooey! You're actually back in town!« I was very happy to hear her again and had to laugh briefly.

"Yes, the months go by so quickly!" Then a deep sigh came out of her.

"...hmmm...Let me guess, Dwayne still doesn't have the skills to give you info?..." It was probably more than typical of him and we both had to laugh about it like Dwayne does every time managed to leave me haphazard. But I could count on Kirsten. Always.

»...It's »the summer festival« at the harbor again. There's a concert at the fair that's completely sold out. But thanks to Dan, we got tickets...' Dan's dad works for the city and used to get us free tickets to some event in town, or something like that summer festival by the docks. '...Jane and Steve are both driving and we'll meet at your place. So you don't have to worry, you will be picked up as always. Are you coming out then?' I agreed and finally knew what we were up to.

I was out at eight sharp and Steve was already in front of my house in his car. He was standing next to the driver's door and had another smoke when Jane drove up. Of course her boyfriend Dan and Kirsten were already in the car with her. They all hugged me warmly and were really happy to see me again. Inside I was totally exhausted and tired, but I was still looking forward to the evening together. Waiting for Dwayne excited me all the more. He was just always late. He didn't know punctuality. Never.

I joined Steve once he'd finished smoking and talked a bit about Australia while my tiredness slowly dissipated. Then the door at the back was thrown open. dwayne

“Why does Joey get to sit in the front? What the hell!” How did I miss his swearing and his manner. Dwayne always wanted to sit in the front for as long as I can remember when we were out together he always insisted on sitting in the front.

"Because unlike you, she's on time!" Steve laughed and Dwayne pouted at his response.

"Okay, you won!" I giggled at Dwayne and turned sideways so I could see them both. It was only now that I noticed Steve's three-day beard. It went really well with his jet black hair. It really made him so mature and so manly, it's hard to believe it's only been four months.

"So tell me boys, what's up tonight? I wasn't there last year either, so I have no idea what to expect. Am I underdressed with my top and cardigan?” Steve wore a sweatshirt jacket and Dwayne just a black long-sleeved shirt. They both looked at me briefly and laughed. Of course, I didn't get an answer to my clothes question, but that was already clear to me when I asked this question. How could I even ask two men in casual clothes if I was underdressed with my slightly smarter cardigan. I grinned to everyone and Steve started telling me about the bands that will all be performing.

»...They probably won't tell you anything if I keep listing the names, but I'd love to see TheHeartbreakers, although I think it's their turn right now. Maybe I'll be lucky and we'll catch a few more songs?!« Never heard it. I have no idea who this band is supposed to be.

'I was only gone a few months. Who the hell are they? Did I miss something?"

“This is a really hot band right now. They've gone from being a normal school band to being a number one band in the last three months!!!” Dwayne grinned at my ignorance, although he himself was more looking forward to the fair than the concert. Dwayne has always loved being on the gun range, roller coasters, ferris wheels and anything else that glows wildly and moves.

The guys were discussing about this band I didn't know. It was very entertaining and the discussion continued until we got to the fair.

"They're still playing!" Steve was happy and we stood at the back. I was too small to see anything at all. But the crowd went wild and the audience really showed everything from age groups. The slightly younger generation was of course most strongly represented in the front rows. Kirsten and I talked a lot and swapped lots of stories while this band played. So far the band sounded okay. The crowds sang, cheered, clapped and jumped along. Well, I had to give this band one thing... They really made a good mood!

At the shooting range it finally got action-packed again. Dwayne and I took turns. I was kinda miserable shooting like always, but it was fun and that was all that mattered. Every time it was my turn, Dwayne told the stallholder that he had better run for cover if he wanted to escape with his life. We had the most fun together and he always gave away these ugly plastic roses to the girls who passed by and who he thought were pretty. This guy just had so much humor that my stomach hurt from laughing like it hadn't in a long time.

I leaned on the corner of the booth while Dwayne gave away his roses and the others continued to shoot.

I looked around giggling when suddenly a young guy stood in front of me. He wasn't quite as tall as Dwayne and his face really wasn't visible under his black hooded sweatshirt. He had to look up and take his stubborn gaze off the ground, his face lit up in the shadow of the hood, in the multicolored light around us.

"What's wrong?" I snapped at him. I was more than irritated by him. He looked damn good, standing there and not moving. He had a very funny look and kept looking around. What does he have? His eyes pierced mine and I shrugged and looked at him questioningly. "Hi?..."

"Er...Hi..." He hesitated and looked around again. Then our eyes met again. He grinned slightly and gave me a quick look. "Do we know each other?" No. Definitely not. I certainly don't know such a handsome freak.

"Should I?" My voice, though calm, wasn't very kind. He laughed a little and then I had to grin too.

"Joey, we're moving on! Are you coming to the Ferris wheel?”

I turned to Dwayne and nodded. "Yes, of course." When I turned back to the handsome guy, he quickly ran away between the stalls. Nice acquaintance.

We walked around the corner to the Ferris wheel and got in line. There were only two-cars. Great. Dwayne swore he would ride with me and just talked me into waiting in line. In front of us were Dan and Jane, who were constantly making out. Kirsten and Steve were waiting for us at the exit. I should have waited too, it's a typical couples thing. But Dwayne always knew how to persuade me, and for his love, I joined in that he was having fun. In line I had to tell about the handsome guy and this strange encounter at the shooting range. None of you had even noticed him, but whatever, he was so inconspicuous and gone again so quickly.

“A LONELY LADY!! ...Is there any gentleman who would like to join this young beautiful lady on the ride?' I laughed at the ferris wheel operator. how embarrassing is that? I was lucky to have Dwayne before something like this happened to me.

Just as I was finishing my thoughts, he jumped in and sat down next to this cute girl. I was speechless and really mad at him. How can he just leave me like that for some girl? Are you crazy?

Dan interrupted my hateful thoughts. "Shall we get out of the queue with you?" He pointed to the exit. They were really paying attention, but I shook my head.

'No, it's okay. I can have fun without that idiot! I'll just drive alone before that guy over there wants to set me up with some strange ugly guy like a barker. Mega embarrassing!« The three of us laughed about it and it was the turn of the two to get in. Then it was my turn and when I sat down I said, "I'm going alone!" He screamed into the crowd like before and I looked for the hole to disappear.

"A volunteer for that young pretty girl?" I blushed and looked away before I could sense anyone actually sitting down next to me. Oh no. Please don't let it be a terrible guy!! Please! Please!

It started and I thought a few times whether I should really do this to myself and take a look at who had sat next to me.

My eyes got really big when I looked into those green-brown eyes.

“Duuu?” He still had his hood on, like he did at the shooting range. He had to grin and I really felt like I was being followed by a weirdo. A pretty weirdo "Say, are you following me?" He gave a very short laugh and I found a really cute dimple in the smile.

"Oh no,... if you knew... I'd rather be on the run from here..." He made me curious and only now did I notice how hard he was trying not to look down.

"Before who?" He took a deep breath as it went higher and higher.

"You don't know that!" He was really gasping for air and just trying to look up at the sky. I've never seen anyone so scared on the Ferris wheel.

"You okay?" He narrowed his eyes and just shook his head. Is he afraid of heights? Crap!

"Hey... look at me!" He tried but couldn't move. His hands gripped the safety bar so tightly that his knuckles went completely white. I grabbed his hand. "Come on, you can do this, just turn around to me! Then you won't automatically look down!' One hand remained firmly on the safety bar, but he took the other hand to the seat back and gripped it tightly. I had to laugh. "Sorry." And immediately apologized for it again. His eyes were wide and he stared at me in shock.

"Like... do you like it here?" I really had to stop myself from laughing. I felt sorry for him, no question about it, but I've never seen such a handsome guy about to collapse or whatever would happen to him when we reached the highest point. In any case, I was sure that he thought a little small talk was right to distract from the height.

'It's quite nice. Fair stop! But here at the harbor it's simply beautiful, the perfect place for a fair.« I grinned at him encouragingly and had the feeling that he was slowly relaxing. He tried to look behind him and spotted the water.

"I didn't really notice that up here!" I laughed at him.

"How about if you squint your eyes?" Now for the first time during this trip he had to laugh and joined in my laughter.

"What did you think of the bands?" I thought about what exactly stuck with me, but I can't even remember the band name Steve liked so much.

»One band was really cool, I didn't even notice anything else, let alone I don't even know a single band name or anything else from the concert! I just enjoy the summer night at the fair!....« I looked around casually, was completely relaxed when I noticed how hordes of wise girls were wandering everywhere. »...I don't understand all the fuss about bands like that ! Look how many girls are walking around here who were all at the concert! And how young they are!' I laughed and he just stared at me. Did I say something wrong?

»Well, you know there are bands that just have their fans. Those are the girls down there! ...They're waiting to find a band member somewhere by chance and that's why they're on the go and looking!" He didn't even look down, but he knew what I meant. He came closer to me and managed a smile. "And you... really don't know me?" I don't know if I should know him. I strained my brain and went through all sorts of things.

"No, do you know me?" He grinned, totally embarrassed but kind of warm.

"No, unfortunately not! But I think you're really cute!« Okay. That has sat. My heart pounded for a moment because he was so direct. I don't tell someone I've known for ten minutes how pretty I think they are . I didn't even notice that we were getting closer and closer. His arm went behind my back but didn't let go of the armrest. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, blowing it in front of my eye, and bit his bottom lip. Our eyes couldn't break away. What is wrong with me? How can someone have such charisma and captivate my gaze like that? Everything seemed so familiar to me. A small part of my brain is busy worrying about how sick this whole situation is. But the other part -which predominates- is totally captivated by this young man. From his green-brown eyes that beam at me so lovingly. Yes, they actually shone and I was intoxicated. Even if he didn't even manage to open it a few minutes ago, I'm glad I could see his warmth now. I really don't know what was happening inside me while he was looking at me like that. I was also completely speechless and completely thrown off track by its beauty.

He carefully leaned towards me and one would have thought his fear had vanished. "Tell me the truth: you sure don't know me? Are you sure?” I shook my head slightly and narrowed my eyes at him.

"You're a freak! ...You know that, don't you?” He grinned nonchalantly and only a few inches separated our eye contact. What the hell are those beautiful eyes he has? My breathing quickened like his had been all along.

"This is me. ...And you are... so beautiful! ' And before I could realize anything, he gently pressed his lips to mine. Time stopped. His hands loosened from his cramped grip on the safety bar and he gently placed them on my cheeks, lifting my head slightly. He really had tender hands and I was under his spell. I let it happen and he wasn't pushy either. Just a kiss on the lips but such a great feeling. "Nice" he called me. I tingled and my heart beat faster. Very slowly we broke our trance, our spell, the quick breaths and the sweet taste of this unique kiss. His eyes slowly met mine again. Then he pulled the hood even further over his eyes so that I couldn't even see them anymore. I decided to ask for his number as soon as I got off the train. And his name. What the fuck is his name? Did he introduce himself and I didn't catch it because I was so mesmerized and obsessed with him? "Crazy" really sums it up quite well. I've really never experienced anything so crazy. What a damn handsome guy!!!

The ride was over and he got out so fast I could barely keep up. My cell phone fell out of my cardigan pocket and when I picked it up, turned to look at him, he was already on the run again. He left so quickly that my stomach turned and this "crazy" situation of mine just seemed sick and completely stupid. I could curse myself for the last ten minutes!