I searched my closet frantically looking for something cute to wear for the night. Anything I picked out I immediately threw it to the ground thinking it was not good enough and by now the floor was covered in a sea of clothes. I only had an hour left until Molly’s mom, Holly, would come pick me up. Eventually I reluctantly put on the most decent outfit I could find and walked downstairs to finish up last minute chores. As I folded the clothes my mind could only focus on one thing; him. The thought of him just makes my stomach turn into butterflies and my heart fill with happiness. He was the sweetest guy that ever tried talking to me and seemed genuine and sincere when I met him. He had helped me through a break up and was there for me every step of the way and never let me be sad. He had brought out the best in me and I was grateful for that because not many people could do that. Tonight was going to be our night. It was the first time we were going out somewhere to see each other and I couldn’t wait. Even though the night promised hope there was one thing standing in the way of a definite good night with him; my two best friends. At the time I was part of a clique of three, Molly, Brittany, and then me. We were thought to be inseparable at the time; we did everything together and tonight was no blue moon. We were all going to the South Florida Fair together as a group and even though they knew Dereck was going they did not favor the idea of me leaving them for some boy. In matter of fact they were beyond mad at the thought of it. I tried not to talk about it with too much and I just let them assume that I was going to stay with them but in the back of m mind I knew what I really wanted, which was to leave them so I can have my own special night for once.

Cars lined up by what seemed like by the thousands waiting to get into the fair. Our car would barely move an inch every minute and the anticipation to get to our destination was killing me. All the waiting kept on making me think of what the night had planned for me. Would I actually go over to him or would I be too nervous? Would my friends yell or be okay with it? I had none of the answers to those questions that were eating me alive as we waited in the never ending traffic.

After we were able to finally get into the fair and buy our tickets I was able to start loosening up a bit. But that was short lived because text after text I got from him, I got increasingly nervous as I read: Are you here yet? I just got off the Ferris wheel, where are you? Are you ready to meet up yet? That last text sent my stomach turning and my heart flying. I felt my hands start to shake as I tried texting him back that I was ready and that I was by the sky lift.

I tried to collect myself preparing for the moment I hadn’t stopped thinking about since the plan was made. This was it; this is what I had been waiting for. I just hoped the whole situation would somehow be okay with my two closest friends, but I was sadly mistaken.

Molly, Brittany, and I were in line waiting to go on my favorite ride when I felt someone tap my shoulder and as I slowly turned to face a tall light-skinned guy with small brown dreads. I could tell he was older than me but not that much older and I did not recognize him at all. He said to me that Dereck wanted me to come over and that he had sent him to come get me. It was like everything was in slow motion as I looked from this guys face to my friend’s faces that were filled with pure anger and defensiveness; it was their goal to not let me go over to him. Even if I did want to speak I didn’t know what to say, it was like every thought was ripped out of my mind and my mouth was zipped shut. All I could do was stand and stare at the three of them.

I started to panic and have a war between my heart and my mind. My heart fought for what I really wanted and my mind fought the logic of never leaving your girls especially for a boy. I knew what I wanted but yet something stopped me from immediately walking over to the only person I wanted to be with. Maybe it was the loyalty I had for my soul sisters or maybe it was because I was truly nervous about being with Dereck but the one thing I did know was that I still haven’t said a single word to anyone.

It was like I hadn’t spoken English in years and I had to try and remember it. I first tried making a humming sound to clear my throat, then I tested my vocal chords by speaking my first words slowly. I don’t remember what I said just that I had never been more nervous in my life.

Molly and Brittany argued and yelled at me for even considering leaving them. The more they yelled the madder I got. At the height of their anger I realized what I should do, not for the sake of them but for me. I was sick of following and wanted to do my own thing. I simply said for them to text me or I would text them and as I turned to walk away I said sorry under my breath.

I was proud of sticking up for something I truly wanted even though it may have not been the right decision to do but it was something I really wanted to do and after all its better to say remember when rather then what if.

I took each step with confidence as I made my over to Dereck and his friends who all happened to all be his cousins. Focusing too much on what I was going to say I suddenly realized that I didn’t even look at him yet. I carefully picked my head up and looked for him. He was not even standing 10 feet away from me when I fist was able to fully see him. Once again I was sent into a world of happiness and no regrets.

Ride after ride we went on and came off laughing and screaming. We rode until we were sick from the rides and couldn’t go on any longer. Even though we were in a group I felt comfortable being with him and not knowing anyone which is odd for me since I am generally really shy.

As we squeezed through the packed pathways we looked for something to eat. I could smell the mouth watering aroma of the sugar from all sorts of foods they fried and baked but my senses were driving me crazy because even though I could smell the delicious food I could not see where the smells were coming from due to the thousands of people in my way.

Finding the one stand without a mile long line we were able to satisfy ourselves. Searching for an open seat was like searching for Waldo; impossible. So we had to stand in order to eat our ice creams and funnel cakes.

Since everyone was done eating and riding rides we decided to start playing the games so we could try and win a prize. Dereck tried game after game to win me a prize but failed every time even after I told him the trick to win one of the games. He was finally able to win a little red and grey bear for me in a game where the higher the speed of the ball you threw the bigger your prize would be.

At some point in the night we left his friends and we spent the rest of the night together. I had not seen Molly or Brittany since I left them and I did not think about them at all. But after Dereck and I started to go back on rides after awhile we saw them getting on a ride we had just gotten off of. My wide smile immediately altered to an expressionless face as I saw the pure anger in their eyes. A wave of guilt swallowed me when I saw their faces and I hesitantly started to walk over to them to apologize but before I could get out of reach Dereck grabbed my arm and slowly turned me around and told me not to worry about them and that I was with my boyfriend. That one word stopped me cold and sent a shock down my spine as my mind was whipped in every direction as I tried to make sense of what he has said to me. Unable to speak I wrapped my arms around my boyfriend as we kissed and held each other for awhile. I never wanted that moment to end; I was at the peak of my happiness. I didn’t want it any other way. I wanted to stay right there in his arms but I knew that was wish that couldn’t be granted.

The rest of the night was a blur until midnight when Dereck said he had to go soon and I was abruptly snapped back into reality upon realizing that I had to face Molly and Brittany again.

I repeatedly thought of things to say to the girls that wanted to kill me 7 hours before as we searched the fair grounds for them. I was scared that they weren’t going to forgive me and that they were going to ignore me for the rest of the night and days to come.

As soon as Molly and Brittany were found my nerves struck an all time high as Dereck tried to calm me down by whispering to me saying everything would be okay. He gently kissed me on the lips and that was my signal that I had to be strong and go back to them.

I was not even 5 feet away before I could feel the energy field of hate in the air. They refused to talk or acknowledge me when I walked up.

Dereck had come back over once he found his cousins that were giving him a ride home. He said his last goodbye for the night and kissed me, which put shocked, speechless expressions on both Molly and Brittany’s faces.

After he and his cousins were out of sight Molly and Brittany drilled me with questions like nothing wrong had happened between us. I was more than happy to tell my story to them especially since they forgot about ever being mad at me for leaving them.

Soon enough it was time for us to leave the fair, but before we left we bought one last funnel cake and walked out. Just as my dad tried to start the car the battery died. It took Triple A a good hour to come and fix the problem so we went back into the fair. Riding our last rides and watching guys dance was the final ending to my imperfectly perfect night.