The following morning, Boo works a quick half-shift at the hardware store before getting off early in the afternoon. She confirms with Harry about their meeting up before she decides to walk to the fairgrounds, determined to avoid paying twenty dollars for parking in a dirt lot. She takes the quickest path she knows-a narrow, rocky trail that cuts down the side of her street, down the cliff behind Martha's house, along the shores of Jack Creek Lake, and winds through a small field to the fairground entrances.

Not even five minutes into her walk, as she steps onto the rocky banks of the lake, she notices another figure is out on the beach. To her surprise, as she draws closer, she recognizes the profile of Calum Waters stood alongside the foggy water, his hands wrapped around the base of a fishing pole. A small white catch bucket rests at his feet. He glances up as she approaches, clued in by the sound of her shoes crunching against the gravel shore. Like every time before, a too-wide grin stretches across his face at the sight of her.

"Hey, Mel," he beams. "How are you?"

His voice makes her skin crawl with chills despite the stifling humidity. She stops short a few feet away from him and digs her hands into her pockets, wondering which deity she's pissed off to deserve running into Calum again. "What are you doing down here?"

His bright demeanor is unfazed by her cold reception. With a gentle flick of his wrist, he sends the fishing wire reeling out into the murky water. Boo watches the bright yellow bobber sink below the water's surface before turning her attention back to Calum.

"Just relaxing," he sighs happily. "Thought I'd take advantage of the weather. Hasn't been this nice out in a while."

Boo glances around them, acutely aware of the gentle whistle of the breeze and the way the waves lap up against the pebbly shore. She's also aware of how secluded this area of the beach is; another realization that sends her itching to get away from Calum.

"I didn't know you like to fish," she answers blankly. Not that I ever bothered to ask.

Calum shrugs. "Found some old gear in my granddad's garage and figured I'd give it a try. I haven't been in ages but it's pretty similar to riding a bike-once you learn, you know it for life." He slides her a wry grin. "Care to join me?"

Boo struggles to swallow her discomfort. "I can't. I'm meeting Harry at the fairgrounds."

His demeanor immediately stiffens at the mention of Harry's name. His grip around the rod tightens and he throws a shadowy glance Boo's way. "I see. Are you and him official yet then?"

His question catches her off guard; she starts a little before her expression falls into a thoughtful frown. "I-I don't know what we are," she answers honestly. "We're Boo and Harry. Why does it matter?"

"It doesn't," Calum answers tersely. "Not to me, at least. But you should be careful around him."

Funny, I've heard the same thing about you.

Boo swallows her pride. "You don't even know him."

Dark eyes flicker up to meet her gaze. "Do you?"

Her rabbit heart takes off in a blind sprint and her eyes narrow in frustration. "You seem to have an issue with Harry and I can't quite grasp why. You've never even met him."

Calum inhales deeply through his nose and begins methodically reeling in his line. Deep creases form in the water as the tension on the string tightens, signaling a successful throw. Boo crosses her arms and waits irately for an answer. Somewhere in the distance, the wind begins to whistle through the tree branches.

"I don't need to," is his eventual reply. One swift yank on the rod and he suddenly has a large bass on display, fighting and flopping to breathe. Bloody rivulets of lake water drip off the animal's scaly back as Calum unhooks the line from its mouth. His eyes are down in concentration but she can still feel the anger radiating from him. "The guy has a record. Did you know that?"

Boo feels her throat tighten but she won't give Calum the satisfaction of a reaction. "Plenty of people around here do, myself included. "That doesn't mean anything."

She pauses. Calum tosses the bass into the white bucket and gets to work rebaiting his hook. "How do you know that anyhow?"

He huffs dryly. "Sometimes Granddad has a bit too much and talks about things he isn't supposed to."

Something about his statement doesn't settle right with Boo but she chooses not to dissect his words too much. That's what Harry's best at; being a rational soundboard off which to bounce theories. The sooner she's away from Calum, the better. "I don't know why you care so much but-"

"I don't," Calum snaps, his attention immediately shifting so he can glare at her fully. "I'm just saying to be careful."

Her frustration reaches a head and Boo whirls away altogether, knowing she's dangerously close to saying something she'll regret. Martha's memory swims in the back of her mind, chiding her to bite her tongue.

"Wait, Mel," Calum says suddenly, any edge of acidity long gone from his voice. Boo halts and glares back at him, not entirely sure she wants to hear what he has to say.

"What?" she sneers. "Did you think of a new insult?"

"No, I-" he stops, searching for his words. "I actually wanted to apologize. I know I didn't treat you the best when we were kids and I know I'm not your favorite to be around, but I promise I mean you no harm. The military really straightened me out. It was good being away from home but it's better being back; in the middle of things, feeling like I really belong. And I've been trying to right some of my wrongs."

Boo is stunned into silence, already internally picking apart his words to try and find the red herring. "Where is this coming from?"

Calum shrugs. "I know it's gonna take a lot more than a piss-poor apology from me but-"

"You're right," Boo interrupts with a snarl. Calum's hopeful expression falls. "A lot more than that."

Before he can try to convince her otherwise, she stomps away in the directions of the fairgrounds. A ghost of a breeze flits by, agitating her loose curls so her vision becomes clouded. Chills pass over her skin once more, and Boo can suddenly feel the disappointment cocooning her like a blanket.

Martha.

"Not now, Nana," she grumbles, pushing her hair out of her face with an angry sigh. "I don't have to forgive anybody. Especially not him."

« • »

She finds Harry stood near the front entrance of the fairgrounds, patiently awaiting her arrival with an anticipatory smile. His face drops upon seeing her cross expression.

"What's on your mind, love?"

Her tongue sputters as she tries to collect herself. "Fucking Calum, got in my head again," she grumbles. "I can't stand that creep and yet I always seem to run into him at the worst times."

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Harry coos, gently grabbing her shoulders to keep her from turning away. "I'm here now and we're gonna have a great time, okay?"

Boo's frown remains. Harry casts her a boyish smile and slings his arm around her neck, leading her further into the glittering mass of carnival music and smiling crowds. "Come on, I'll win you something. Feel like a teddy bear?"

Resigning to the situation, Boo allows herself a small smile. Harry chatters on mindlessly in her ear as they walk, but Boo's attention is rapidly stolen by the flurry of random police officers scattered around the fairgrounds, standing sentient. Most people seem oblivious to them, whereas Boo can't relax enough to look away. Harry takes off for the cornhole boards just as they pass two officers caught in conversation, neither of which she recognizes.

"Hosk has had off all week, what the hell's up with that?" the first cop grumbles. "Captain had me cover tonight for him last minute. I'm missing my daughter's birthday party for this."

"You saw his face," the second cop laughs. "Kid got socked pretty good."

"What's the story again?"

"Barfight." The second cop shakes his head. "This is why you don't let probies drink."

The first cop chuckles in agreement. Feeling her cheeks flush red-hot, Boo turns away and scurries to catch up with Harry, wondering if she just accidentally overhead a huge piece of evidence. Whoever this Hosk character is, she's keen to see his face herself.

"Harry," she whispers urgently, trying to tear his attention from the game. "You'll never guess what I just overheard."

"What did you overhear?" he asks cheekily, flashing her a crooked smile over his shoulder.

"Two officers," she says, glancing around their surroundings quickly. "They we're talking about a coworker who's had off all week. Supposedly he was in a bar fight but I wonder-"

"-if he was the one you hit with a hammer?" he finishes for her. She nods, wide-eyed. "It's possible. Did you hear a name?"

"Hosk," she replies in a small voice. "No first name though."

Harry nods pensively. "Hosk. I don't recognize the name."

"I don't either."

He pauses a moment, gently flipping the bean bag in his hands. "Look, Boo, don't take this the wrong way but I think this evening I'd like to have one night where we aren't playing junior detective. I want to feel normal, even if it's just for a few hours, and I want to take a pretty girl that I like on a date. Is that alright with you?"

Boo's mouth runs dry, her mind running circles around her. "A date?"

A coy smile arises on Harry's face. "What, you'll sleep with me but a proper date is totally unforeseeable?"

Her cheeks begin to burn in embarrassment. "No, I just-I haven't been on a date in a long time, okay?"

She glances away, fully aware that he's still staring at her. "How long is a long time?"

Her gaze drops to her feet. "Ever," she says quietly.

"What?" Harry cries in disbelief. "No way, you're lying."

"I'm serious, Harry, I've never been on a date," Boo says firmly. "People avoid me like the plague, you really think someone would wanna take me out?"

His smile falls slightly. "I really have a hard time believing that but," he trails off for a moment, "I would be absolutely honored if I could be your first date."

Boo has to fight the impulse to smile. "Really?"

Harry inches closer, nudging her playfully with his shoulder. "Really, Lita."

"Okay," she whispers gleefully after a moment. "You can be my first date."

"Great," he beams, ducking in to kiss her before she can turn away. "I saw a Whack-A-Mole station. Bet you dinner that I can kick your ass."

« • »

Hours pass as Boo experiences what can safely be called the first "normal" night of her life in a long time-cotton candy kisses with Harry, gazing at the fairground lights from the top of the ferris wheel, and running through a maze of mirrors with Harry hot on her tail. The sun falls and brings with it a veil of stars to illuminate the fair as the music changes to something much calmer than before.

At sunset, Harry suddenly pulls Boo to the side and gestures for her to put her multiple carnival prizes to the side.

"What's going on?" she questions, gently setting her prizes down on the hay-covered ground. Above them, a speaker begins to play an old rock song that she barely recognizes. Harry holds his hands out to her, the grin on his face far too eager.

"I want to dance with you," he says softly. "Best part of any date."

Still a bit uncertain, Boo allows herself to be guided into a slow-dancing position with one hand cupped in his while the other rests on his shoulder. He nudges her feet into motion and she stumbles into movement, attempting to find the beat of the song.

"Harry, we look ridiculous," she laughs, feeling her face flush as she catches several people watching them in curiosity.

"Don't care," he beams, tugging her closer.

The music moves them like a boat amongst gentle waves. His hands press into her waist, firmly but tenderly guiding her movements so she sways in tune with him. Boo grips his shoulders tightly, trying and failing to fight the sinking feeling settling around her.

For all she knows, this could be their last safe space. The idea is both humbling and frightening; no longer can she avoid the realization that they are only in the eye of the hurricane and are one wrong move away from being catapulted into a full-blown storm.

Desperation leaks from the corners of her eyes. Before she can stop herself, exaggerated sobs begin to slip from her lips. Harry grips her tightly and kisses her temple, and the tears come more freely. She likes that he doesn't ask why she's crying and just holds her like he knows she needs to be held.

If she could stay in one moment forever, it would be this one-cradled in his arms, dancing out of time to a cheesy rock song older than she is. His hands fit her curves too perfectly; his heart thunders strongly against her chest, pumping in time with hers. Home has never felt so tantalizingly, teasingly close.

But as soon as she wants to hold on, the moment is gone.

oh my god i can't believe it's already halloween! i sincerely want to thank you all for writing or reading with me this spooky week, it's been so awesome this week to see everyone participating! thank you so so so much, wattpad is wonderful and so are you x

have a safe and warm halloween night!