When Trouble Meets Trouble

[ C h a p t e r - T w e n t y - N i n e ]

“I totally won,” I stated as we exited the rink.

Jonah rolled his eyes and imitated an obnoxious girl. “Totally.” 

~~~

When we finished riding all of the rides in the carnival, Jonah and I made our way to the car. He attempted to win me a stuffed animal for nearly an hour but eventually I had to drag him away from the stand when he started saying that he was going to dip into his savings account. It was almost 6 o’clock and Jonah said that we were going to go eat; we just had to swing by his house for a minute.

I was complaining that I had to use the bathroom and Jonah told me as soon as we get to his house, I can go. “It’s only a thirty minute drive to my house.”

“Only 30 minutes? Gee, I’ve only been holding my pee for about an hour! What’s thirty more minutes?” I gave him a flat look and he frowned.

“You could’ve gone in a portable bathroom,” he stated and I scoffed.

“Do you realize how stupid that sentence sounded?” I asked him and he shrugged.

We slowed to a stop in front of his house and he tossed me the keys. I ran out of the car and to the house, hopping around as I unlocked the door. His aunt and uncle are at work; his sisters are at an after school club; Georgia is at work; Weston is at football practice, and his parents are currently house-searching. I put the keys on the table beside the door and ran to the nearest bathroom.

I heard the door closing downstairs as I rushed into the bathroom. After washing my hands, I exited the bathroom and went downstairs. I left the house to see Jonah leaning against his car. I locked the door and walked over to him, tossing him the keys. He opened the passenger side door for me.

“Where are we going?” I asked as he got into the driver’s seat. I noticed an old fashioned picnic basket in the backseat.

“The beach," he replied casually. I nodded my head, internally screaming. Isn’t the beach the place of romance? Or is that France? Same thing, right?

According to Mere, if a guy takes you to the beach, it means he likes you! I hope her statement was correct because if not, then I don’t know what I’ll do. My brother took her to the beach for their 4th date, where he asked her to be his girlfriend. Why can’t it be that easy for me and Jonah?

When we arrived at the beach, Jonah insisted on opening the door for me. I bet if he got hit by a car, he’d crawl to the door and open it before he allows me to open it myself.

He also opened the backdoor and took out the picnic basket. He took ahold of my hand with his free one and walked us to a nice spot on the beach, not too close to the water but close enough that it’s walking distance.

When I looked at him, he smiled at me. He opened the basket and took out a red and white striped beach blanket. He laid it out on the sand and tried to make it straight but eventually got frustrated and gave up on that. He motioned for me to sit down so I did.

He plopped down across from me and put the basket beside us. He dug his hand into the basket and pulled out boxes of sweets. He had a box of chocolate chip cookies, a pan brownies, and red velvet cupcakes. I stared at the food in delight before my gaze met his. I stared at him in amazement. Not even five minutes into the picnic and it’s already perfect. He then pulled out a 12 pack of cherry cola and then bags of various chips.

“I would light a candle but I’m afraid it’ll fall because of the lumpy sand and light everything on fire,” Jonah explained while I smiled at him. I opened the box of cookies and began eating them. He took my free hand and held it while we watched the sun slowly go down.