Page 32 of You Started It

Ben and Olivia walk by. Ben offers me a polite nod and smile before Olivia guides him past the fountains and farther into the amusement park.

“Um…well…we, um, maybe we could…it’s unseasonably warm tonight, right?” I ask, fanning my hand in front of me.

“They’re gone,” Axel says, his tone a bit dry. “You can act like yourself again.”

“Sorry.” I shake it off. “It’s just weird, you know? To see them outside of school as a couple doing couple things.”

“I’m sure Ben thought the same thing about seeing you with me. It’s why he looked back at us before Olivia yanked him away.”

“You think?” I ask, hearing the desperation in my voice.

“I know.” He smiles and my shoulders lower, just ever so slightly. “Should we discreetly follow them?”

“No,” I say assertively. “Let’s film one of your dances, eat, film another dance, play a couple games…”

“Wasn’t the plan to make Ben jealous?” Axel asks, his brows pinched.

“It is, but he’s already seen us here together. I think a little distance will make it less obvious. I also really don’t want to see them right now,” I admit, studying the interlocked paving stones.

“Fair enough. Are you hungry already? We could eat first.”

I look down at my left hand, which is unconsciously rubbing my stomach.

“No.” I blush. “Just nervous butterflies.” A group of people run past us, shouting about the newest roller coaster.

“Planning on riding any coasters while we’re here?”

“Doyouwant to?” I ask. My heart is thumping faster and faster as this awkward interaction with Axel grows even more awkward.

“Only if you’ll go with me.”

“Why would anyone want to ride a roller coaster with me?” I ask.

“Because you’re smart, fun, easy to trigger. Need I go on?”

“Fun?” I feel my face scrunch up at the accusation.

“In your own way,” he says with a smile that reaches his eyes. The shrill squeals of riders as the roller coaster above us passes causes a chill to trickle up and down my spine.

“Let’s go to the kid’s section first,” he says, clearly reading the fear on my face. Axel takes my hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll ease you in with the less intimidating rides. Work our way up.”

“That’s a very sensical plan, Mr. Dahini.”

“Mr. Amil Dahini is my father.” He shivers. “What’s your dad’s name?” he asks as we begin walking.

“Ethan…Foster.”

“What’s he like?”

I blow air out of my mouth as I try to think of a suitable response. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him, he’s almost become like a character in a book I read a long, long time ago. “You know how in every marriage there’s the fun parent and the serious parent? Dad was the fun parent.” I smile to myself. “He’s really into music. When he was in high school, he was in a band. He played guitar and was the lead singer. But he was also a really talented hockey player. And smart. And he gave the best hugs.”

“You speak pretty fondly of a guy who walked out three years ago and hasn’t visited since.”

My smile falls at Axel’s truth bomb.

“Sorry,” he says, probably sensing my discomfort. “I’m just surprised. I thought you’d be angrier.”

“I’m angry with my mother. She’s the reason he left.”

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