Page 101 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“How long have you two been dating?” asked the carny worker.

“Oh, we’re not—” Noah let me go, laughing nervously. “She’s my daughter.”

My cheeks suddenly flushed bright red.

“Oops, sorry! Well, you folks have a nice night!”

“Thanks.” Noah pleasantly smiled, hanging an arm around my shoulder. It happened so frequently, people confusing us for a couple. He just looked too young to be my dad.

We left the game stands and started walking toward the rides.

“Have you seen any of your friends here tonight?” Noah asked me.

“No.”

“It’s fine if you want to ditch me if you just so happen to see them. I know I forced you to come with us, but you’re young, and it’s a Friday night. I want you to have fun.”

“But Iamhaving fun.” I smiled.

Noah pulled me in closer to him and kissed the side of my head. “You’re so sweet.”

I wasn’t sweet. I was selfish, in more ways than one. He just didn’t know that yet.

After a while, we met up with Vienna and my stepmom.

“Let’s drop off our prizes at the car and go on the rides!” said Vienna.

She sounded more excited than I was.

****

I’m pretty sure we went on almost every thrill ride that night. Bumper cars were fun. I kept slamming into Vanessa’s car on purpose. It would’ve been hilarious if her silicone breasts had bust open from the impact. Okay, it probably would have been painful, but it sounded amusing in my head. I got to sit next to Noah on most of the rides, except for the ones that were two-seaters, that’s when my evil stepmom hogged him away because she was “too scared.”Gag.

Sitting next to Vienna was just as annoying because she screamed so damn loud. It was total rape of my eardrums. Plus I couldn’t help but feel this twinge of jealousy every time Vanessa held Noah’s hand. I knew that I had no right to be so possessive of him, but I wished so badly that it was only me and him at the festival together.

We went on a few roller coasters, surviving the rides with hurricane hair by the end of it.

“That was so much fun!” My stepmom laughed, hugging Noah’s waist. “Honey, I want to ride the Love Tunnel with you.”

Ugh, double gag.I hated how she was all over him, and I hated envying her even more.

“Do we have to?” he protested. “It seems like such a corny ride.”

Say no! Refuse to go with her!I attempted to manipulate his mind.

“Come on! Be a little romantic with your wife!” She pressed her lips against his cheek, kissing him over and over while my blood began to boil hotter and hotter. If I were a cartoon character, steam would’ve been blowing out of my ears.

Vienna asked me if I wanted to ride the Death Drop with her again, but I couldn’t answer fast enough—I was too busy monitoring interactions between Vanessa and Noah. My stepmom was whispering things in his ear and touching his chest, and I hadn’t even realized that I had balled my fists, digging my nails into my skin to the point where it left four visible dents upon release.

He’s mine! Not yours!I blasted in my head, imagining the sweet satisfaction of wrapping my hands around Vanessa’s throat and throwing her down in a chokehold.WWEmuch?

“Aria? Hello? Earth to Aria …” Vienna waved her hand in front of my eyes, and that’s when I snapped out of my violent dementia.

“Sorry, zoned out.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” She seemed to find my momentary catatonia really strange.

I was about to respond, when something, or should I saysomeone, caught my eye in the distance. Instinctively, I shouted his name and waved my arm in the air.

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