Eden’s POV:
I sighed.
“We’ll send you the details,” Lucas replied, stuffing his hands in his pockets. I glared at Lucas once more before grabbing Sterling’s sleeve, pulling him away forcefully. My brother was so embarrassing and stupid. If I stayed there any longer, I would have kill him.
“I apologize about Lucas,” I finally said to him after we were alone. “He’s stupid. Do not mind him.”
Sterling's POV:
Well that was unexpected… I was quite surprised to be pulled away from Lucas and Ashley. I would have thought she'd rather be with them than me.
"It's fine… Does– Does your brother not like me for some reason?" I asked, turning to Eden with a confused look.
Eden’s POV:
I sighed again.
“He’s being an idiot,” I repeated. “For no reason. He’s probably doing it just to watch you squirm. Anyway, I’ll be going to my class. I’ll see you after school.”
Sterling's POV:
I nodded slowly, unsure of how to respond to that.
"Anyway, I’ll be going to my class. I’ll see you after school," Eden said as she started to turn away.
"Oh, sure. Yeah, of course. I'll see you later, Eden," I said, grinning at her again. "Have fun in your classes."
Eden’s POV:
I wanted nothing more than to just lie on my bed, listening to music. Unfortunately, I really never get what I want most, because the next thing I know, Lucas is in my room and forcing me to get up and get ready.
“Come on, laziness, get up,” he sang, reaching out to grab my hand to force me to sit up. “We have to go. Like, right now.”
I sighed loudly.
“Why are you like this?” I finally asked, not moving from my place. Lucas raised his eyebrow. “With Sterling. Why are you like this with him?”
Lucas paused before shrugging.
“I’m your brother,” he said. I waited for him to elaborate but he didn’t. He simply pushed me off the bed. At least, he tried to.
“Fine,” I have a tired sign, throwing my feet on the floor and getting up, stretching to get rid of the drowsiness. “I’m up.”
Lucas grinned.
“Great, get ready in fifteen and wear something nice!”
Sterling's POV:
I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know what kind of place we were going to, so I didn't know whether or not I should dress up or just dress casually. This was why I rarely asked girls out on dates: there's too much pressure to be perfect. For Eden, though, it was worth it. I could endure this for her.
Finally, after about a half hour of looking for something to wear, I decided on some thing between fancy and casual. That way, I could fit in with either situation.
The outfit was basically the same as what is worn to my date with Eden. A white, button-down shirt with black jeans and a pair of nicer-looking shoes that I owned.
Eden’s POV:
I don’t bother with my clothes. Usually, I’d just throw on a shirt, a leather jacket, jeans and boots, but I didn’t want to do that this time. I wanted to look nicer this time, so I settled for something comfortable yet pleasing to look at. I wasn’t a leather jacket girl—they just look, so I wear them.
Anyway, we were now in Lucas’s car to pick up Ashley. She wanted to come in her jeep, but Lucas managed to convince her otherwise. Sterling, on the other hand, would meet us there at the amusement part.
“Lucas, did you inform Sterling where we would meet up?” I inquired curiously.
“Er… Ash was supposed to do it,” he answered a bit awkwardly. “I don’t have his number.”
I groaned. What if he didn’t know we were supposed to meet up at the park?
“Are you that eager to spend the day with him?” Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow. I frowned at him.
“Drive,” I ordered, looking away from him as my cheeks turned pink. He chuckled, but complied.
Ashley's POV:
As soon as Lucas and Eden pulled up, I realized that I'd forgotten to do something. What that was, I couldn't remember, but I just knew there was something I was forgetting…
"I forgot to do something, but I can't remember what," I declared as I climbed into the car with the twins. "What was it, guys?"
Eden’s POV:
Both Lucas and I fell silent until Lucas spoke up quietly.
“…did you text Sterling…?”
Ashley's POV:
My eyes widened as I whipped my phone out. "Nope. No, I did not. I should definitely do that," I said, already pulling up his contact.
ASHLEY: I'm sososo sorry! I totally forgot to do this!
We're meeting at the amusement park. Here's the address…
"Thanks guys," I sighed, my cheeks tinged pink in embarrassment.
STERLING: Oh, gosh… Lol. Thanks, Ashley.
ASHLEY: No problem! Sorry again!
STERLING: Don't worry about it. Lol. It's fine.
Eden’s POV:
I sighed, leaning back against my seat, eyes closed. Sometimes I wondered why my friend and brother were like this. Then I remembered I didn’t have Sterling’s number, either. I didn’t ask for his, and he didn’t ask for mine.
I didn’t complain. Outwardly.
I plugged my earphones in my ears and went through my playlist, thinking of what to play. I settled for I Prevail’s Scars. Maybe I should have sat at the back instead of at the front.
Sterling's POV:
I sighed as I pulled up to the address Ashley had given me. In all honesty, I was really excited to see Eden. And nervous. I had been prepared for one thing and had gotten another instead, though I definitely wasn't complaining about the amusement park. Actually, I was pretty glad that was where we were meeting because I got to change into more comfortable shoes.
Eden’s POV:
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, Lucas is shaking me awake.
I pulled out the earphones from my ears, rubbing my eyes sleepily. I wanted to sleep longer.
“Hey, he’s right there,” Lucas nudged me and I immediately sat up straight and grabbing the bottle in his car.
I got out, trying to blink sleep away but failing. I yawned into my hand, throwing my bag over my shoulders.
“You okay?” Lucas asked me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I nodded slowly but said nothing. I tried to find Sterling, but the crowd was too big. I wondered if Lucas said that to wake me up when I finally caught sight of him.
(Lol. I know. I saved it. ;P)
Sterling's POV:
My eyes roamed the crowded area, searching for Eden. When I finally saw her, she was looking around, too. I swear my heart literally skipped a beat or two as I wondered if she saw looking for me.
Her eyes met mine, and my heart nearly stopped when I saw the look on her face. Was she really looking for me? That would be too much to ask… Wouldn't it?
I hadn't even registered that my feet were moving until I was already right in front of her. Sticking my hands in my pockets, I gave her my infamous half-grin, though I didn't think she would actually swoon like the other girls did. It was more muscle memory than anything else.
"Hey. It's good to see you again. You look great," I greeted her gently.
Eden’s POV:
My heart nearly stopped when we made eye-contact. It was like he was looking for me, and it made me feel weak in the knees.
Slowly, he walked towards us, but it felt like he couldn’t even see the other two—it felt like it was only me that he saw. The thought made my nearly-frozen heart hammer wildly in my chest.
He looked simple, but graceful. When he finally reached us, he stopped right in front of me and pulled on a half-grin, his eyes twinkling. I realized I couldn’t see anyone but him.
“Hey. It’s nice to see you again,” he said gently, unaware of the turmoil he was making me go through. “You look great.”
I wasn’t one to get nervous. Not a lot, anyway, but at this moment, I was beyond nervous. My hands, I finally noticed, were gripping the hem of my shirt tightly, a little sweaty.
“Hi,” I greeted back quietly, unable to look away from him. “You look nice, too.”
Sterling's POV:
Gosh, I wanted to kiss her again… I wouldn't, though. She didn't need that embarrassment, and neither did I.
"Thanks," I said, my gaze flicking over her face, going anywhere but her lips. "Have you been here before?"
Eden’s POV:
I unconsciously bit my lower lip, pretending not to notice where his eyes kept wandering, nodding my head. We would have continued if not for Lucas.
“You know, we’re here, too,” he said sarcastically, but there was a smile on his face.
Sterling's POV:
I flushed slightly, clearing my throat as I tore my eyes away from Eden and looked up at the others. "Sorry… Hey, Ashley. Lucas. How're you two?"
Lucas’s POV:
I knew I was being a little too annoying. I didn’t regret it, though. I wanted to be a little more annoying, just until Eden confessed.
I also didn’t like anyone flirting with my sister, but that’s another story.
“I’m good,” I answered with a grin.
Sterling's POV:
"I'm great!" Ashley chirped, shifting closer to her boyfriend's side.
I grinned at them, nods in acknowledgment of their answers. "That's good… So, was there a plan for today?"
Lucas’s POV:
“There is,” I nodded. “Currently we have about an hour and a half to spend over here. Ash and I planned ahead and got tickets in advance, so you don’t have to do that this time.”
Eden raised an eyebrow at me, but didn’t say anything.
“Anyway, what do you guys want to do first? Haunted house? Ferris Wheel? Pirate Ship—“
“No,” Eden interjected, her hatred for the Pirate Ship obvious in her tone, but I continued anyway.
“—Roller Coaster?” I finished with a smile. It wasn’t that Eden was afraid (she totally is. I didn’t say anything), she just didn’t like them.
Sterling's POV:
I glanced at Eden when she denied the pirate ship ride, hearing the hatred in her tone. "The haunted house sounds good to me… And I can totally pay you back for my ticket. You didn't have to buy it for me."
Lucas’s POV:
“It’s all right,” I brushed it off, giving a small, sincere smile. “You don’t have to. I wouldn’t have bought yours if I wanted you to pay. Anyway, let’s go before the places gets crowded.”
Sterling's POV:
"All right… If you're sure," I murmured, nodding slowly. "And, yeah. We probably should hurry. Don't want to get trapped with a bunch of squealing college girls in the house, right?"
My joke earned a snort of laughter from Ashley, who coughed as she pretended not to have done it. I grinned at her, shooting her a wink before I glanced back at Eden.
Eden’s POV:
I sighed, running fingers through my hair. I wasn’t particularly fond of haunted houses, but I wasn’t going to voice it out loud. I wasn’t afraid. I just found them pointless. Pirate ships, on the other hand… those were annoying. I remember once an idiotic couple took a child on the ride and it threw up. Coincidentally, I was sitting on the row behind the kid. Let’s say the ride wasn’t fun. At all.
I walked at my own pace, looking around like I’d never seen the place before. I wish I had worn my jacket—I missed the pockets.
“Eden, whatever you do, don’t injure anyone again,” Lucas teased, turning his head around to give me a grin. What was it that made him so confident these days? I used to wish he gained some confidence, but now I wanted him to revert back to his old, nerdy self.
“I’ll watch out,” I answered back with a tight smile. “Please don’t bore them with your Wikipedia knowledge, either.”
Lucas frowned but said nothing. I smiled in satisfaction.