Emily Louise Martin sat there as she stared at the bill, two hundred thousand dollars was expected to be paid to keep the Carnival alive. Emily placed the bill on the desk and cupped her hands together and placed her head in them and started cry. How could she save her Carnival? She didn't have that kind of money. They were just evened up with everything. She took in a deep deep breath and picked up the phone to call her nephew who was a butler to a rich kid, and whom this butler hated the kid. She called and told him to be ready tonight, bring the kid.

A few hours later Emily freshened up and nodded right she would Kidnap Alexander Morgan the III how hard would this be? She said, the boy was alone and had no friends, a perfect target. She sucked in a long breath of air and let it out as she slipped on her Red jacket with yellow strap to snap on her left. She took her red top hat and smiled looking down at her red skirt and black nylons. She placed on Red lipstick and then opened the door to her camper and walked around the Carnival walked by the rides and petting zoo for the small kids. She had a ruteen she would do with one of the dancers and so the evening would continue.

"Elijah, I believe this carnival will be a good experience for you." Keegan explained to Elijah, one bud in his ear still blasting the screamo music into his ear. "Why today Keegan, Father is coming home today." Elijah muttered, not loud enough for his butler to hear the words. That's why Keegan agreed to his aunt's plan. Elijah was so damn annoying! He muttered just loud enough for people to know he was speaking. He opened the door for Elijah, the teen stepping out and messing with his chain necklace before walking into the carnival.

The freak show interested him, but not as much as the circus. Something about the ring master excited him like a small child going on his first roller coaster. Something about sitting in the colorful tent and watching people do amazing things. The clowns were annoying, sure, but the ring master and the acrobats, and definitely the animals, excited him so much. Maybe Kenny wanted to excite him because of bad news that Father was only staying for a while. Maybe Father was staying for longer than a week, and was trying to make Elijah more happy than he could ever imagine. That didn't happen often.

Alaina had been the the Carnival before, it was nothing new, but something about tonight just felt different. She saw a boy get out of a car, he seemed like the type of boy she would try to talk to simply because he needed less enemies. She walked past the boy observing his appearance, he was very cute. Then, she walked into the circus as well, hoping to get a thrill.
Blue eyes scanned the crowd, she was already to beginning the pick her victims. She knew what she was supposed to do, and she was scared. Tonight would be interesting.

Raine had managed to sneak away from her parents, and was hiding from them. But, as she wandered through the carnival, she didn't worry so much about finding a good hiding place. She was much too distracted by everything at the carnival. She didn't know where her parents were at the time, but that didn't bother her. She pretty much had a whole day to herself, to wander around and do whatever she wanted to. That was going to be fun enough for her. And, with the bit of extra money she had managed to talk out of her parents, she could keep herself entertained for the rest of the day.

She paused to smooth out her dress, much as the thing irritated her, simply to make sure she hadn't gotten it dirty. Her sister would be upset if she came home with dirt all over the brand new dress. She tightened her grip on her little purse, just in case, and glanced around before coming out of her hiding place to wander around on her own. Everything seemed interesting, and she couldn't take enough of it in at once. That was why she walked around slowly, so she could actually keep track of everything, and decide what she wanted to do.

Alexander walked around the Carnival, he loved carnivals. He hugged his butler and smiled "What a wonderful idea!" hugs came rare for Alexander, but he trusted his Butler with his own life, after all his father had hired him so it made since to trust a man his father highered. Alexander came in to the tent and saw people starting to take their places he grinned. "So exciting." he couldnt remember the last time it was that he had been to a Carnival he looked up at his Butler "Andy?"

"Yes sir?" Andy sighed it was so annoying sometimes to be a butler, he could have chosen a different path, god he hated kids but he hid it well.

"Can you get me a snow cone.. cherry flavored please?" Alexander handed the Butler a ten dollar bill "And loosen up, relax get yourself something cool to drink on this hotish day." Alexander took care of Andy like family, Andy was treated well, but somehow Alexander got the feeling Andy didn't like him much.

"Yes sir." Andy then muttered "If I were off duty I would drink, haven't had a solid drink in a long time." Andy was of course speaking of Alcholic. Alexander looked up at him and grinned gave him another ten and smiled.

"Go, go to the beer tent after you get me my snow cone only meet me here after the show ok?" Alexander could since when people needed a break. Andy rose an eyebrow.

"Your father would shoot me." Andy said.

"Not if he dosen't know... and between you and me who's going to tell him? A cat? Go have fun... don't be so uptight and worrysome, nothing is going to happen to me here... look at all these people? Most of them are good honest workers enjoying a day out with their own families. I highly doubt anyone has it in their minds to kidnap me or anyone else today.. not with my GPS system in tact Father put in... go relax.. have adult fun... that is an order... but bring me my cherry snow cone first." Andy smiled down at the boy.

"Your alright Kid. Thank you." Andy sighed and walked out side of the tent got a cherry snow cone and brought it back to Alexander, "Here you are Alex. I'll be back after the show." Alexander nodded not watching his butler leave and then come back and sit way up top so he wouldn't be seen. Alexander pulled out his DSL 3D and began to play Sims Midevil.

Elijah listened to the sounds and sights of the circus tent. He loved it. He let Keegan off until after the circus show, and saw a girl come into the circus as well. She reminded him of a rich man's daughter whose father was friends with his. He beckoned her over when he noticed a seat next to him. "Hey, I'm Elijah Class. But you can call me Eli." He greeted her, smiling. One of his earbuds was still blasting screamo music, but he couldn't take his eyes off this beautiful girl in front of him. She has pretty blonde hair, which he loved on girls. There was a family next to him, a big one. He loved children, but was very uncomfortable around parents, especially fathers. He returned his attentiont to the pretty blonde girl that was sitting next to him.

"You have pretty eyes."

Andy went out of the tent and began to search for his daughter Karina, he grabbed her from behind when he found her. "What do you think your up to?" he snapped "Keep your mind on your job and what you need to do. Here.." he shoved a ten dollar bill in her hands "Get something cool to drink no snow cones... or surgery stuff... or stuff with caffeine in it." He looked at his adopted daughter, he could tell he scared her so he knelt down. "Hey now..." he whispered softly and he pulled her into him for a hug. "Be brave today alright? The two kids will want to try to be your friends but you mustn't let them side track you. Do as I tell you." He stood up and gave a look of discuss he really hated children "If your mother hadn't died on you ..." it had been the reason he told her so many times... he had her since she was a small one of 3 years maybe or so. He walked off and got a snow cone and walked past his daughter who still hadn't moved. True he had not been this way always, but when people you love die in front of you it can grow a man's heart stone cold.

Alaina blinked At Elijah, was he talking to her? She wasn't used to people actually paying attention to her unless they wanted something. Did he want her to sit next to him? She wasn't entirely sure, but none the less she walked over to him.

"Hey, I'm Alaina...Alaina Lloyd. Do I know you from somewhere, you look awful familiar," even her voice had a certain something to it that gave away how sweet of a girl she was. She pushed her hair behind her ear, and looked down biting her lip slightly before asking, "Is it alright if I sit here." she pointed to the seat next to him.




Karina backed away from Andy, she hated when he scolded her. She heard herself apologizing about a million times, but she doubted he was listening. She didn't know why he was always so bitter, especially to her. She loved him, she really did, he was her adopted father after all, and her cared for her as no one else did.

She took the money from, thanking him with a small smile, but she was careful to not make eye contact. She never did, she was too scared of the consequences. Slowly she walked to one of the many consession stands and purchased an ice water. Trudging back to a bench outside of the tent and waiting for Andy quietly, as always.

Nikki careened around the corner, motor roaring. She laughed as the arms gripped tighter around her waist. Peter, while a great mechanic, hated riding on her Harley Davidson. The bike came to a shuddering stop at the curb, the machine humming under the two teens. Nikki turned off the bike and dismounted easily. She had to help her best friend off, who was muttering obscenities under his breath.

"I swear, that thing is possessed by a demon... Or maybe it's your driving that's out to kill me." Peter gave a half-smile. Nikki removed her helmet and grinned.

"Well if it wasn't for my bike, we'd have to walk here. There's barely any parking space to speak of!" She gestured to the street, packed with vehicles. Hooking her arm around his, Nikki walked Peter over towards the bustling carnival. She looked up at the large tents, marveling at the enormity of it all.

"Woah," she whispered, eyes fixed on the flags snapping in the wind. Peter laughed.

"You've never been to one of these before have you?" he asked. Nikki rolled her eyes.

"Nah, my lovely parents would find such gatherings to be far beneath their status." Nikki adopted a stuffy voice, like the nasal drone of her father's. Peter snorted.

"How do you think they'll react? The school has probably contacted them already. Once they learn that you've ditched another school-"

"Peter!" Nikki cut him off, turning to face him. She gripped his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "Relax, okay? I'm hiding out at Rebecca's. Her parents are going to be gone for the next month, off to support some green initiative in Oregon. She's home alone, and she's letting me crash there. Plus, if I can get a job at the shop-" she nudged Peter with her elbow suggestively, "then I can save up some money. I can create a new identity... and go to school with you guys. It'll all be fine." Nikki beamed. Peter bit his lip. He worried about his friend. She was too idealistic. But he wasn't one to crash her dreams.

"Sure... Hey, do you want to go see the main show? It's going to be starting soon." Peter pointed to a sign outside the main tent.

"Oh, Hell yeah!" Nikki began to pull her best friend into the tent. He managed to pry his hand out of her grip.

"Hold on! I'm going to go get some food. I'm starving- I couldn't bear eating, knowing I'd be riding on that death machine. Do you want anything?" Nikki shook her head.

"I'm fine. I guess I'll grab some seats, and you can find me when you come back. See ya in a bit!" She disappeared into the tent.

Raine sighed, and started wandering around. Now everythign was starting to get bored. Why hadn't she talked more money out of her parents? She didn't think what she had managed to get would last her long, the way she liked to spend it. She looked up, noticing a show that was supposed to be starting, and wandered inside, finding herself a seat, ih the front, in the first row. She didn't want to miss anything, after all. She ignored everyone around her, since they didn't appear to be talking much to her, in the first place. Besides, she wanted to pay more attention to the show itself. That was probably going to be a little more interesting than their conversations.

Nikki's eyes swept eagerly over the empty ring. The light inside the tent was much dimmer than the afternoon sun, but the walls glowed with a sense of expectation and excitement. Nikki immediately made a beeline towards the front row, not wanting to miss a second of the action once it started. She plopped down in one of the seats. She looked around the stadium-style seating, gaze drifting lazily over the other patrons.

Closest to her was a girl sitting a few feet away in the same row as Nikki. She had shoulder-length, natural red hair; much unlike Nikki's vivid scarlet waves. The amber strands fell softly about her sharp shoulders, frame as thin as a model. She was wearing an elegant dress; a bit inappropriate for a carnival, in Nikki's opinion. She looked down at her own clothes. A worn cotton tee-shirt displaying one of her favorite album titles (Put Up or Shut Up) and a pair of black, ripped skinny jeans hung off her slim body. The tee was a little big, and holes had worked through the soft cotton fabric. Nikki chuckled to herself. Throw in her baggy, navy blue sweatshirt and she seemed the farthest from a rich kid as was possible. Nikki had no doubt that the red-head to her left belonged to a wealthy family. It was in the clothes she wore, the ramrod-straight posture... she was a dead giveaway.

Usually, Nikki couldn't stand socializing with such people... but the girl didn't seem too bad. At least she wasn't texting neurotically, eyes glossed over, like a brain-dead monkey jacked up on caffeine. So, Nikki decided to make conversation. She slid over and smiled at the other girl.

"So, do you know what's in the show? I sort of rushed in without checking the sign. Never been to one of these thingamajigs before." Nikki gestured grandly to the tent around them, smirking slightly.

Andy a tall gentleman, with green blue eyes and dark black hair, nodded at his daughter once again finding her and gently touched her arm "Go inside and enjoy the show dear, your ticket has been paid for. It might look good if you place yourself with the others so they feel you are on their side. We can come up with a plan of communications later." Andy was firm and mean looking all the time, but his tall body added to the scary look about him. Any child would be afraid of him. He stood looking at his daughter for a few moments and sighed "Sit next to Alexander, he likes you." Andy finally said.

Inside Alexander looked up to see Nikki and allowed her to sit next to him, she was nice looking for a freak. Alexander went back to his gaming "Damn..." he said. He took his head and pulled out the sims game, "Dumb game." He pulled out Grand Auto Theft and began to play it like a pro. "Names Alexander." he introduced himself to Nikki but she seemed pre occupied so he stayed quite.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats, the show will begin in five minutes. All children present should sit in the first three rows as this show has a special surprise at the end for them." The ring masters voice came through, she tried to cover up the fact that she had been crying or upset but she just couldn't do it.

Raine looked up as she heard another girl talking...and to her, too. She wasn't used to talking to many others, really, when they weren't introduced to her by her parents. But this was probably a good thing; she couldn't just be friends with people her parents introduced to her, that would limit what she would be able to do when she went out, really. She smiled a little. "Honestly, I haven't been here before, either; it took forever to convince my parents to let me come. And I don't know much about what goes on here..." she trailed off as the ring leaders voice rang through, then shrugged. "Though I suppose that could be a bit of a hint...a surprise for the children...wonder what that could be..." She trailed off, thinking, before shaking ehr head, and turned back to Nikki.

"By the way, I'm Raine," she introduced herelf; it just seemed rude to her to talk to anyone, any more than a few words, she thought, without introducing themselves. She didn't want to be seen as rude. "And I guess we'll find out what goes on in a few minutes..."

"Honestly, I haven't been here before, either; it took forever to convince my parents to let me come. And I don't know much about what goes on here..." As if on cue, a voice rang out inside the tent, via speakers.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats, the show will begin in five minutes. All children present should sit in the first three rows as this show has a special surprise at the end for them."

"Though I suppose that could be a bit of a hint...a surprise for the children...wonder what that could be..." The girl shook her head slightly, before turning back to Nikki. "By the way, I'm Raine... And I guess we'll find out what goes on in a few minutes..."

"Nikki Blackwell at your service." Nikki grabbed Raine's hand and shook it. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said a tad goofily, lips quirking up at the corners.

She took back her hand and leaned back in the chair. Glancing to her right, Nikki caught a glance of the boy sitting next to her. He was lean and tall, with a shock of black hair atop his head. His eyes were focused in on a Nintendo DS, screen glowing slightly in the dimness of the tent. She had thought she had heard him talking earlier- but she had been caught up in her perusing of the tent. Alexander, was it?

"Hey, Alexander, right? I'm Nikki... What'cha playing? Grand Theft Auto? Personally, I'm more of an Xbox person. Nothing can beat back to back gaming of Assassin's Creed and Dead Space 2," Nikki talked aloud, not really caring if he was listening to her babble or not. To be quite honest, half the time she was talking to herself more than other people.

Nikki turned her head back to Raine.

"Raine? This is Alexander. Alexander, meet Raine." Nikki was beginning to feel a bit awkward. Raine seemed to be shy and Alexander seemed to be sucked into his game. Much different than the boisterous, slightly insane friends she was used to.

"Hey, Alexander, right? I'm Nikki... What'cha playing? Grand Theft Auto? Personally, I'm more of an Xbox person. Nothing can beat back to back gaming of Assassin's Creed and Dead Space 2," Nikki talked aloud, not really caring if he was listening to her babble or not. To be quite honest, half the time she was talking to herself more than other people.

Nikki turned her head back to Raine.

"Raine? This is Alexander. Alexander, meet Raine." Nikki was beginning to feel a bit awkward. Raine seemed to be shy and Alexander seemed to be sucked into his game. Much different than the boisterous, slightly insane friends she was used to.

Alexander looked up for a briefest of moments and smiled brightly "Dead Space 2? Wait til you see three come out!" Alexander slapped his forehead people weren't supposed to know about the third one yet. "Please keep your mouth shut on that... people aren't supposed to know about it yet.. ooh." Alexander groaned as he had been trying to keep it a secrete for a very long time. "Nikki I remember meeting you once before. At one of my Father's gatherings. Oh you like Xbox? What do you think of this?" Alexander pulled out a mini Xbox 460 and grinned "Try that on size I believe Assassin's Creed 2 is there as well as DS3. I wanted to say hi, but dad told me to stay away from the others. I thought that meant the children too, later he realized how he said it to me and told me from now on if he had a party with the kids invited I could talk to the ones around my own age."

Looking now Raine he smiled brightly, and nodded "Indeed good to meet you Raine." He couldn't believe his luck being surrounded by a bevy of beautiful women and oh how he was blushing furiously. He looked up to see his butler come in with a snow cone. He smiled, "Thanks Andy." He watched as Andy left and went back out side and sighed. "You know he's been acting odd today."

Alexander stopped and listened to the Ring masters voice "Oh boy a surprise!" He sounded fake with his enthusiasm. "Never been to the Carnival before Nikki, Raine, your in for a real treat then, gets old after coming year after year after year." Alexander rolled his eyes. He never figured out why the connection to this dreadful place.

Raine winced slightly as she shook her head; she hadn't been expecting it at all. But, she supposed, it was a friendly gesture, so she wouldn't complain much. She glanced away when they started talking about games; video games were never her favorite. She could watch other people play them, but would never play many of them herself, unless it was briefly to try them out. Often because some of her "friends" (people her parents introduced her to) that insisted she at least try them. After that, they didn't seem to care much.

She looked back when Nikki introduced her to the boy sitting near them. She nodded when he did speak to her. "It's good to meet the both of you, too." But she tilted her head to the side when he said he had been there year after year. Then why would he still be coming, if it was so boring to him? Or even better, if she was going to get bored of this, what was she going to do to entertain herself later on? She shook that thought off; she'd figure it out eventually. "Acting odd today? Hmm..." She glanced to where the butler had walked off, then shrugged. "Maybe he's just tired, or needs a vacation, or something..." She glanced back to Alexander and shrugged again. Then she looked between the two, unsure of what to say next. She didn't usually try to come up with conversation, so eventually she just turned to see the performing area in front of her, though kept her body twisted a little towards them to show that, if they did start talking, she was still listening.

Karina smiled at her father ,getting up. "I love you papa!" came from over her shoulder as she dashed into the tent. There were so many people, her eyes scanned the crowd for Andy, as she spotted him with the two other girls she frowned, and decided to find another seat. She made her way to the front, trying the best she could to hide away from the world and found a seat tucked in a corner in the second row.

"Perfect," she whispered, smiling to herself. She hated being alone, but hated sitting by strangers even more. She made her way to the seat, and sat down, curling up into a ball. She had never been to a circus before and excitement and curiosity pumped through her veins.

"Dead Space 2? Wait til you see three come out!" Alexander's excitement quickly disappeared as he realized his slip. He face-palmed, and Nikki had to suppress her laughter.

"Please keep your mouth shut on that... people aren't supposed to know about it yet... ooh." He groaned. Nikki snickered under her breath.

"Don't worry about it. I had heard some stray rumors in the gaming forums. I'd be surprised if they didn't come up with a third installment," Nikki reassured. Alexander looked up and seemed to study her face.

"Nikki I remember meeting you once before. At one of my Father's gatherings." Nikki froze. Had she been recognized so quickly? Damn. Alexander didn't seem to notice her falter, and continued on.

"Oh you like Xbox? What do you think of this?" Alexander withdrew what looked like... a miniature Xbox? He flashed a smile and handed it to Nikki. "Try that on for size. I believe Assassin's Creed 2 is there as well as DS3." Nikki marveled at the tiny machine in her hands... It even came with its own monitor. Alexander's family must have connections in the gaming community. Alexander changed the topic once again, steering the conversation into less desirable waters...

"I wanted to say hi, but dad told me to stay away from the others. I thought that meant the children too. Later he realized how he said it to me and told me from now on if he had a party with the kids invited I could talk to the ones around my own age." Nikki forced a mild smile, mind racing.

Was she so obvious? The last time she had been at one of her parent's soirées was about 4 months ago. Soon after, she had been shipped around the tri-state area- sent to any boarding school that would take her. At the time of Alexander's father's party, Nikki's hair would've been its natural brown... She had hoped it's new coloring would provide enough of a disguise. If she was so easily recognized, this could pose a serious problem... She chewed on her lip nervously.

Meanwhile, Alexander had begun to chat with Raine. A butler stopped by, delivering a snow cone to the dark-haired boy. Nikki tuned back in to the conversation.

"Never been to the Carnival before Nikki, Raine, your in for a real treat then, gets old after coming year after year after year." Alexander scoffed, eyes rolling. Nikki raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you come 'round every year then? Aiming to pick up chicks?" Nikki winked suggestively, before laughing loudly. She looked down at the tiny Xbox in her lap, and started to fiddle with it.

"I do love Assassin's Creed 2... Brotherhood was a nice followup too. Although, as great as Ezio is, he's not nearly as badass as Altaïr," Nikki muttered. She looked up at Raine, who looked to be caught up in her own thoughts.

"Not much of a gamer, are you? That's alright. Maybe you haven't been introduced to the right games. After all, most are geared to the young male community, going heavy on blood and gore. Maybe you'd be more interesting in the more puzzling games out there." Nikki shrugged, turning back to Alexander. "Here's your Xbox back... The show's going to start soon, and I don't want to lose this for you." She placed it in his lap, seeing as his hands were preoccupied with the DS.

She leaned back in her chair and sighed. She looked down at her leather boots, staring fixedly on the glinting buckles. Growing bored, Nikki took out her i-Pod and put in an earbud. She flipped through playlists, settling on the Mozart L'Opéra Rock. French rock... seemed fitting for a circ. She selected L'Assasymphonie and tapped her finger lightly on her knee.

Raine shrugged, glancing at Nikki, then back towards where she assumed the performance was supposed to take place. "No...I never have been much of a gamer...but I haven't tried the puzzle games..." she answered quietly. She hadn't been introduced to those games yet. "Hmm...maybe I should look into those when i get home..." she mumbled, mostly to herself, but still loud enough that the others might hear it. She wasn't all too concerned with it, really. It didn't matter whether or not they heard, as far as she was concerned, or even if she might be interested in those games.

She noted briefly that she had started listening to her i-pod, then looked away again, waiting for the show to start. Conversation didn't quite seem to be coming very well at the moment, and perhaps seeing the carnival would give them something more to talk about. So she became a little more impatient for the show to start; more out of boredom than anything.

Elijah nodded at the girl, letting her sit down next to him. In front of him were three kids engaged in a conversation which he was too interested in being involved in. He heard the announcement and the butterflies in his stomach flew around dangerously. He heard things about gaming, which he wasnt too interested in. His father was a newspaper businessmen, and he remembered being at one of the black-haired kid's parties. He didnt hear much, since his black dress shirt and mop of dark brown hair had covered his earbuds. He didn't necessarily enjoy his parent's own parties, the exclusive one his father had everytime he got home. It would consist of either listening to his music or pretending to be inerested in some girl his mother approved of. He stuck his head in between redhead and the black-haired rich kid.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm Eli."

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm Eli." The voice came out of nowhere. Nikki jumped a little bit, being absorbed in the music.

"Oh! No interruption at all. I'm Nikki." She paused her music, a took a look at the boy seated behind them. He was another tall one, with messy brown hair that fell just above his eyes. Nikki's eyes immediately caught the nose stud and chain necklace... She had a feeling she'd like him. She heard faint music coming from his direction... the wires of earbuds were barely visible. Ah, another music lover. Yes, she liked this fellow. Nikki decided to play the introducer once more.

"This here is Alexander. And this is Raine." She gestured to each teen as she said their name. She tilted her head to the side and tried to catch the music that Eli was listening to.

"What's that your listening to, if you don't mind me asking?" she inquired, resisting the urge to just snatch one earbud and stick it in her own ear. She had a feeling that such actions would not be appreciated in the present company. Judging by the way Raine flinched when she shook her hand, Nikki could guess that the kids in this neighborhood valued personal space. She didn't know about Eli, but hey, better safe than sorry.

"Myself, I've just discovered a new favorite band- The Downtown Fiction. Sort of a Boys Like Girls meets Cute Is What We Aim For thing going on there... Sorry, I'm more into the alternative rock and punk as opposed to hard rock. If I had to take a stab in the dark... Are you listening to Asking Alexandria?" Nikki had to work to stop her incessant talking, to let Eli respond. She had a tendency to talk a person's ear off. It all depended on her mood. At the moment, she was quite happy. The anticipation for the carnival was making her positively giddy.

Alaina sat down, and smiled slightly. The longer she looked at him the cuter he became, but she knew he wouldn't be interested in her. She gasped slightly, realizing she had forgot to acknowledge his earlier compliment to her eyes. "Oh..uhm, by the way, thanks for the compliment, I uhm..don't hear them much," she said, with a small giggle. She liked the music she could hear blasting from his earbuds, she wished she had remembered to bring her iPod.

She looked at her hand, notes were scrawled in magenta sharpie all over it. She pulled said marker out and wrote 'Don't forget iPod next time' on her arm. She began to pay attention to the stage, but only half-heartedly, she was too interested in all the people around her.

She looked at the two girls, not wanting to interrupt them to introduce herself but deciding to smile at both of them anyway.

Karina smiled at her father ,getting up. "I love you papa!" came from over her shoulder as she dashed into the tent.

Andy froze in place and screwed up his face, she loved him? He had never asked for that love. He looked around and saw others smiling at him as they walked by, they had heard Karina say "I love you." Yet he did not feel embarrassed he groaned and shook his head. He had disappeared and to find his Aunt Emily's dressing room. He found it and leaned in hearing her crying he sighed. He knew she scared about the Kidnapping but it was the only way to guarantee the safety of all in the Carnival and to guarantee job security. He knocked on the door.

"Myself, I've just discovered a new favorite band- The Downtown Fiction. Sort of a Boys Like Girls meets Cute Is What We Aim For thing going on there... Sorry, I'm more into the alternative rock and punk as opposed to hard rock. If I had to take a stab in the dark... Are you listening to Asking Alexandria?" Nikki had to work to stop her incessant talking, to let Eli respond. She had a tendency to talk a person's ear off. It all depended on her mood. At the moment, she was quite happy. The anticipation for the carnival was making her positively giddy.

Alexander looked up and blushed, he was so into his games and snow cone and then he looked up to see another boy Eli he nodded to the boy and smiled gently "Nice to meet you." Alexander didn't go after girls only because he figured they didn't really want him for him he sighed but then he never had the courage to ask a girl on a date. "Hey, uhm Nikki?" he asked looking her in the eyes and wondered if he would be slapped, but he saw inside Nikki a future beautiful woman. He never asked anyone out on a date before, the worse she'd say was no, and everyone would laugh at him. He took in a deep breath "I was wondering if... if... if we might go out on a date sometime?" Alex asked Nikki now.

Raine looked up as someone else introduced himself; he had another girl sitting with him. She allowed Nikki to introduce her again, not quite as botherede by it as when her parents did the same. "Hi..." she said quietly. This was more people her own age than she was used to hanging out with at one time. It was probably something she would have to get used to. That was better than trying to get used to all the friends her parents had had over, anyway. She glanced between them as they started talking about music, because that was one thing she did understand. Granted, it seemed to be a different type of music, but it was still music, right?

Still, she was soon lost again; bands she hadn't heard of, and that was all it took. She gave the other girl, who had yet to introduce herself, or be introduced, and then turned her attention forward again. She only barely caught Alexander asking Nikki out, then tuned them out for a little while. She didn't really want to listen to this; she hadn't heard it before, to herself or anyone else, and she didn't plan to.