"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

• • •

"Hurry up Keziah! You're always lagging behind!" Rolo yelled over his shoulder to me.

We've all decided to gather at the county fair that happens every year during summer time.  We've been here practically all day walking around and going on different rides. That's why I'm lagging behind; because I am tired but Rolo doesn't seem to get that.

"Stop whining! It's not even affecting you!" I exclaimed back.

Truthfully, I am naturally a slow walker but being tired doubles that so I can actually understand why he's annoyed. Although, I'm never going to admit that to him. Right now, all of them are walking in front of me as we head to another food stand yet again. We all ate like an hour ago yet all four guys are apparently 'starving'. Animals.

"This looks perfect." Raphael says as we stop in front of a food truck.

"It's literally like all the others we passed Raph." Ana states while rolling her eyes.

"Anastasia come on. It really isn't." He replies offhandedly as he practically salivates at the options.

I walk up to them and squeeze myself in between Rolo and Abel.

"Oh look who's finally joined us." Rolo nudges my shoulder.

"Ha. Ha." I respond blankly.

Abel pulls me towards him and places a chaste kiss against my temple before speaking. "Do you want anything Brown Eyes?"

"No I'm good thanks." I head over to the girls and wait for the guys to get their food.

"Keziah, I was just asking Rani about her family dilemma." Evelyn states.

I sit down on the table with them and push my hair out of my face. "Oh yeah? Any changes?"

Rani snorts and crosses her arms. "The day my parents change their extremely traditional and tunnel vision like views, will be the day I actually choose to go into a committed relationship."

"Very unlikely then." Says Ana. "We're always here for you though Ran. Whenever you need us."

As we continue to converse, the scent of freshly made popcorn wafts up my nose and I suddenly get the urge to eat an entire tub of it.

"I want popcorn." I blurt out.

They all stare at me as Evelyn sighs loudly. "Didn't Abel just ask if you wanted anything?"

"Yes.." I trail off.

"So? Why didn't you say then?"

"Listen Evelyn, the time gap between Abel asking that and now is long enough for me to have a sudden change of heart." I huff out.

Rani and Ana snort in laughter but don't answer.

I'm about to head back over there to get some popcorn when the rest of the gang walk up to us.

"For you Keziah." Abel passes me a large tub of salted popcorn which I promptly gasp at.

"How'd you know I wanted this?" I look up at him with awe evident in my eyes and smile.

Abel chuckles at me, "You do this all the time Brown Eyes. It'd be surprising if I wasn't used to it by now."

I dramatically drape my body against his and interlock my hands together around his neck. "My handsome knight." I giggle out.

As we make our way around the fair grounds, I keep eating popcorn in a somewhat animalistic manor that garners strange and worried glances from my friends. It seems like I really did want the popcorn.

"Can we go on the Ferris wheel before we leave?" Ana asks us. It's her favourite ride and normally she forces us to go on it multiple times with her but I guess having all the guys here makes it slightly different.

"Yeah of course." Raphael replies.

"Yay!" She squeals happily which makes Raph laugh.

I just barely hear him mumbling to her about how adorable she is and how much he loves her which of course, makes me awe inside.

On our way there, I spot the ballon and dart table and drag Abel along with me. Everyone else follows closely behind.

My eyes land on the cute stuffed teddy bear sitting on one of the shelves that i'm literally dying to win.

"Ugh this again?" Rolo complains. "You always bring us here but never actually succeed in winning anything!"

"Oh hey Keziah. Here to try again?" I look at the girl behind the stand who coincidentally is always working here every summer that we visit. And yes, she sadly knows me so well because of my repetitive failures which I am deeply ashamed of.

"Even the workers remember you!" Rolo Exclaims.

Everyone bursts into laughter at my expense while I sulk. "Just you watch people. This time, the darts will be in my favour."

"You got this Kez!" Ana shouts.

Ah Anastasia. So supportive even though we all know I'll fail.

I place my payment and take the darts being offered to me by the worker before making my attempts. There are at least twenty balloons along the wall so logically, I should be able to hit at least one..right?

I shake my shoulders and take a deep breathe. I've had loads of practice. Who cares if I've done it several times without winning. There's a chance for absolutely everything. You've got this Kez.

I line up my hand with the board and drew back. And with each shot, I somehow manage to miss every single balloon that I'm aiming for.

"This game is rigged!" I yell.

"No Keziah. I'm afraid you're just that bad." Rani gives me a pitying look.

"Baby, I don't want to say this. But that was pitiful." Abel rests his arms on my shoulders and looks me in the eye. "I'll win for you."

Abel copies my previous actions but unlike me, his three shots hit a ballon every time.

Abel turns to me and bows smugly.

"That's how you do it Keziah." Rolo points out.

Raphael and Israel pat Abel on the back and laugh in amusement.

Abel turns back to the stand and grabs the bear I was eyeing earlier.

"For you m'lady."

I hug the stuffed animal tightly to my chest and decide to name him.

"I'm calling him monkey." I say with a nod.

Everyone blinks strangely at me.

"You- you're what?" Evelyn starts.

"I said, I'm-"

"We all heard what you said Kez." Rolo interjects.

"You're naming a bear monkey?" Israel asks.

I nod calmly at them.

"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Rani adds.

"Don't hate on me just because you don't have a stuffed bear."

Rani scoffs at me and throws her hands up in defeat. "I give up."

Ignoring their comments I turn to Abel and wrap him in a bear hug. Get it? Because I actually have a bear in my hand.

"Thank you Abel." I whisper.

"Anything for you Brown Eyes."

"Now can we go on the Ferris wheel?" Ana asks in frustration.

Oops.

"I still don't understand your obsession with this ride Ana." Rani says.

Ana looks absolutely appalled. "Are you kidding me? It's like the most spectacular ride out there! You can see the whole town from the top; it's so beautiful."

Rani nods absentmindedly while we all make the trek to get there. We stand in the relatively short line since it's late and wait for our turn. As it starts to move forward, Ana bounces in anticipation conveying her excitement.

"I haven't been on one of these since I was little." Abel says wistfully.

"Really? How come?" I ask.

Abel shrugs his shoulders, "I guess I was never interested enough."

"Well I'm about to change your mind about it. But even if I don't, I'm sure Ana definitely will. Just look at her."

We both glance at Ana to find her talking animatedly to Raphael about Ferris Wheels and the different ones she's been on. Despite her non stop rambling; Raphael looks captivated by her; as if anything she says is the most important thing to exist.

Abel chuckles. "With you by my side, I'm sure it'll be fun."

The Ferris wheel attendant opens the gate to let us through and in pairs, we all head to our seat every time another cart comes down.

A loud voice reverberated through the speakers. "Please keep your hands and feet inside the carriage at all times. Refrain from shaking it about and wait until it comes to a complete stop before existing. Enjoy your ride." The voice says blandly. That was probably a rehearsed speech that has been repeated several times throughout the day. Can't say I blame him for sounding that way.

The ride suddenly jerked forward and starter to spin slowly allowing the wind to brush against my skin as we moved by.

The lights from the fair and the town below us glow brightly capturing both of our attentions.

"Isn't it beautiful?" I ask Abel as I continue looking down.

"One of the best sights I've ever seen."

I glance over at him to find him looking solely at me rather than everything beneath us. I smile shyly and lean closer to rest my forehead against his. "I love you."

"Gosh I will never get tired of hearing you say those words." He whispers back.

I smile at him and look into his deep blue eyes, so vivid they seemed to shimmer.

Abel slowly closes the gap between us and brushes his lip tentatively against mine once before pressing them together tightly.

I moan at the sudden contact and gasp when his tongue follows the seam of my lips allowing him to enter.

I nibble gently at his bottom lip and bring my hand to the nape of his neck to tug him impossibly closer to me. A deep guttural moan escapes Abel's throat as he kisses me even harder.

We eventually break part to get some air and I lean my head against Abel's shoulder while wrapping my arm against his.

"I will also never get tired of kissing you." He speaks out breathlessly.

I giggle slightly and lift my head up to press another kiss to his delectable lips.

Abel pulls me closer to him but I jerk away suddenly, "You're squishing Monkey!" I yell.

Abel gives me a blank stare, "Really?"

I nod furiously at him.

"I won you that bear so I can easily take it away Brown Eyes." He says smugly.

I gasp, "You wouldn't!"

Just in case, I remove Monkey from between us and place him on the other side of me while eyeing Abel carefully.

He chuckles joyfully at me and places a chaste kiss on my forehead.

Remembering that I'm supposed to be documenting this whole summer, I bring out my phone and start videoing us both. We pull silly faces at the camera and make funny comments with a few kisses sneaked in here and there.

But sitting here right now, with Abel by my side and the town in my view; I've never felt happier.

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