Saturday

Rylan placed the city fair tickets he’d received from Anya on his kitchen table.

Why is that woman making us do this?

As part of Anya’s conditions, Maya, Rebecca and himself would attend the fair together as friends. They were required to snap photos of themselves having a good time, and show the photos to Anya on Monday as ‘proof of friendship.’ In return, Anya would release surplus club funds for Rylan’s play.

Whatever, I just need to be cool and find out what Anya really wants.

He pushed Anya out of his mind and focused on the fun he’d have today. In his yard a silver pickup truck pulled in and parked. Rylan walked outside and smiled as Evan exited the truck.

“Hey brother-man, what've you been up to?” said Rylan.

Evan, wearing a tan cowboy hat, grinned as they bro-hugged.

“I’m good dude! I just came to pick up the golden boy, Leif,” joked Evan.

“Yeah I know, you football jocks gonna take my baby sis to the rodeo in the fair?” teased Rylan.

Evan chuckled

“Aaaayup! You know I'm just a cowboy!” 

“Haha man you got that right with your pickup truck, your ‘village people’ costume and your high school football!” laughed Rylan pointing at his hat.

“Yeah I can't argue. But speaking of football, how come you don’t play no more, dude? The team could really use a receiver like you,” asked Evan.

Rylan smiled.

“Nah bro, I’m kind of a single parent these days with just me and Chloe here. But thanks for asking,” then he pumped his bicep and grinned, “And yes, I still got the arm!”

“Haha I hear you dude, but this guy Leif...I’ve never seen anyone move like him on the field. Are you guys related?” asked Evan.  

Rylan blinked.

“Uhh, no, Leif and his sister are exchange students from...another dimension.”

“Haha, yeah, he’s certainly different,” said Evan.

From behind Rylan Leif and Chloe raced to the front door, each shouting, “I won! No you didn’t, I won!”

Chloe dashed down the steps first with her eyes on Evan.

“Hi Evan!”

“Hi Chloe, you remember me?”

“Of course I do, I told Leif you were the quarterback on my brother’s team in junior high. I used to go to all your games!..Well, to watch my brother play~”

“Ha, that’s cool too!” he high fived her.

Leif gaped at Evan and smiled.

“Manager Evan? That’s a cool hat you’re wearing, and is this true? Were you a quarterback?” asked Leif.

“..Yeah I was a quarterback like a hundred years ago,” said Evan, turning away.

“Man, that was three years ago, I caught five of your touchdowns,” said Rylan.

“Five touchdowns? Wow, you both continue to amaze me. And Manager Evan...I shall study my football under you!” said a beaming Leif, locking eyes with Evan.

“That’s cool, I guess,” said Evan, blushing under his hat.  

Rylan sensed something between them, but let it go.

“Evan, Leif, text me after the rodeo, we’ll all meet up by the roller coasters or something.”

Rylan handed the trio their tickets and waved goodbye as they pulled out in the pickup truck. He felt more secure with Evan accompanying Leif and Chloe since he’d known Evan since elementary school and their years playing junior high football.  

Team Captain Evan, a responsible dude.  I’m glad you made friends with him Leif.

Blue Doll

Rylan stepped back in his kitchen and checked his watch.

“Hey Maya, are you ready? We’re supposed to meet Rebecca-”

“Did they leave?” she shouted from the back room, hiding herself.

Rylan smirked.

“Uh, you mean Leif and his boyfriend? Heh heh, yeah they’re gone, why?”

“Because I don’t want them to see me!” she yelled.

Rylan paused.

“See you what?-Oh my!”

Maya emerged from the shadows wearing a thigh high blue baby doll dress and tan cowgirl boots. She smiled but kept her classic ‘tsundere’ pout as she twirled for Rylan.

“W-Well..do I look like a New Mexico girl?” she asked, humbly.

Rylan sensed her vulnerability, and like an evil big brother, he frowned.

“Mmm..I don’t know, maybe you can pass for an Oklahoma girl-”

“What?” her face went full scowl. “Is that an in insult? Do the woman of Oklahoma not dress appropriately? I’m going to change!” she stormed to the back.

Rylan, barely holding his laughter, grabbed her wrist and spun her around.

“Maya, I’m kidding, you look fine,” he said with a smile.

“Eh? Fine? I don’t want to look fine, I want to be at the beauty standards of a proper New Mexico girl..like..like..”

“Like Rebecca Li?” he asked.

Maya averted her eyes.

“Uh...well, i-if she is the standard-”

“Maya, stop,” he said locking her gaze.

Emotion flooded Rylan as he stared in her eyes, but he composed himself with maturity.

“Maya, in the five days I’ve known you, you’ve gone from an arrogant and unfriendly bounty hunter to a normal highschool girl worried about how you look in front of your peers.” 

Maya’s eyes grew sad.

“You’re right, this is bad, I’m losing my way and-”

Rylan laughed.

“No, this is not bad,” he smiled, “Truthfully, I think you hanging out and making friends is adorable and normal, hahah!”

“Eh? Well...why are you laughing at me then?” she asked.

“I’m not laughing at you, I’m happy you’re taking an interest in things. Hell, until a day or two ago I wondered if you were even human,” he grasped both of her wrists, “And now I see that you are...a little-”

“Excuse me? A little?” she asked, confused by his statement.

Rylan squinted and grinned with evil.

“Heh heh, what I meant was you’re almost there. I’d give you another week before I can really call you human, and a month before I can call you ‘Ms. New Mexico,’ hahaha!”

Rylan patted her head, grinning like an idiot, while Maya’s eyes narrowed to thin slits.

“What did you just say to me?” she snarled with clenched teeth, and her hands balled into fists.

Rylan’s goofy smile turned to fear as he backed up.

“Oh Maya..uh..there’s no need to make fists and-”

Without another word he bolted out the front door.

Eeeep! I gotta ditch this chick!

He ran outside and jumped in the driver's seat of the car.

“Keys, keys, keys!” he muttered rummaging through his pockets.

As he fumbled for the keys, Maya strolled out of the house and calmly stood in front of the car. Staring at Rylan, she shifted her weight to one side of her leg, and with a cruel smile...dangled the car keys in front of him.

Jingle! Jingle! Jingle!

Rylan stopped moving and stared at Maya, in her new boots, and new dress, with her light brown hair down.

Maya?…Wow..

Adrift in her eyes, he forgot himself. Until she threw the keys at the windshield.

“Aah! You crazy girl, I take it back, you ain’t human!”

As she grinned and walked toward the driver’s side door, Rylan reached over and locked it, smiling in triumph.

“Haha, I’m too slick for you girl-”

She frowned, and unlocked the door.

“Oh no, I forgot she had the key! Eeeep!”

Shinobi

Leif, Chloe and Evan had a blast at the fair’s rodeo. With the show over, they had time to kill before meeting with Rylan and Maya. Chloe walked between Evan and Leif holding their arms and pulled them toward the carnival games.

“Evan, Lief, you guys are sports heroes, you can win me a big bear hee hee!”

“I’ll win you the biggest bear Chloe, and one for you too Evan!” said Leif.

“Ya, win won for Evan!” echoed Chloe.

Evan smirked red faced.

“Thank you, I appreciate it but-”

“But nothing, Manager Evan! Today is a day of glory and conquest!” said Leif staring at the carnival games and balling a fist, “I shall defeat these ‘carnies’ and win their precious bears for Chloe and you!”

Leif stared at Evan with the nice guy thumbs up and a smile. Evan shook his head and laughed.

“Dude, you’re so weird, heh heh!”

“I know, isn’t he great?” shouted Chloe.

Leif ignored their comments, “Come my friends, glorious battle awaits us!”

The trio wandered to the carnival area laughing and smiling. Chloe stopped them at one stand where vendors painted animal faces on customers.

“Ooh, I want to be a tiger!” she shouted.

“Indeed!” agreed Leif.

As the trio sat Chloe down for her face painting Leif spotted a carnival game with patrons throwing darts at balloons.

“Evan, they’re throwing shadow darts to destroy the balloons, and they are failing. Are they so weak?”

“Well, most of these games are kinda rigged so you have to be pretty deadly- ..hey Leif where you going?”

“I’m quite deadly Manager Evan,” said Leif in his most cool stride, walking five feet to the game.

Leif bought ten darts from the vendor and glanced back at Evan and Chloe.

“Yay, Leif! Win us a teddy bear!” said Chloe.

“Yeah dude, don't hurt yourself,” said Evan with a teasing fist pump.

Leif puffed his chest out, stepped up to the counter with five darts in each hand...crossed his arms..and tossed the darts ninja style.

A whipping wind sound struck all players as Leif chucked each dart like a frisbee from each hand, with blinding speed. Everyone around the game booth stopped and watched Leif miss nothing, striking all ten balloons.

“What the fuck?” muttered Evan, in disbelief.

Leif chucked the darts so hard each stuck in the wall behind the burst balloons. Afterward, Leif high fived some cheering onlookers and spoke with the vendor before turning to Evan.

“Manager Evan, the vendor says if I do it again he’ll give me his biggest teddy bear. Is that cool or what?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Evan smiled, his eyes bright.

“Yer a freaking shinobi, dude!”

Chloe, her face now a tiger, tapped Evan.

“He's not really a shinobi!” she said.

Evan grinned, staring at Leif.

“No, then what is he?” 

“He’s really a bounty hunter from another dimension,” whispered Chloe.

Evan double took at Chloe, and smirked when he saw her painted face.

“Is that what he is? Well, I guess that would explain a lot of things.”

“Yup!” agreed Chloe, with her thumbs up.

A moment later.

“Evan, Chloe, I did it again!” shouted Leif, surrounded by a clapping crowd.

Fall Behind

Rylan and Maya arrived at the city fair and wandered the grounds before meeting Rebecca. Mariachi bands singing, people laughing and the smell of food permeated the scene. 

“Wow! There are many different types of earthlings on your world,” said Maya marveling at the lively crowd.

“Oh yeah, we earthlings are certainly diverse,” said Rylan with a smirk.

A few minutes later he spotted Rebecca and two of her friends standing on line for the ‘WildCat’ roller coaster ride.

“Yo, Becca!” he shouted. 

Rebecca smiled and waved hello. She then dashed at Rylan and grabbed his arm, “Hi you guys, come on!” she shouted, pulling him away from Maya and toward the roller coaster line.

For a second Maya stood still as Rylan and Rebecca left her standing alone, a third wheel. But before Maya could move on her own…

“Hey don't fall behind” said Rylan, taking her hand and pulling her close to him.

“..I..ah..” said Maya. Her face bright red as she sandwiched Rylan between herself and Rebecca. 

As the friends all stood in line talking, Rebecca hugged Rylan’s right arm and dominated the conversation. On Rylan’s left stood a quiet Maya, having no need to hug Rylan’s left arm since Rylan still held her hand.

Maya lost herself in a daze, before.

“Maya, you ever been on a rollercoaster?” asked Rebecca.

“Eh?” she gazed at the full extension of the roller coaster track above her and scowled, “No, but if you’re implying I’d be afraid of some childish ride like this you're sadly mistaken!”

“No problem, I feel the same way sister!” said Rebecca,  smiling.

"Then I have allies indeed!" agreed Maya.  

"Haha, easy for you girls to say when you're safe in line, heh heh," teased Rylan.

"Hmph!" pouted both girls.

Rylan chuckled as Rebecca and Maya put up a united front of courage as they entered the gate for the WildCat roller coaster ride.

Five Minutes Later

“Aaaaaaaah!!” screamed a terrified Maya as the rollercoaster free falled down the first slope.

"Aaaah!..Omg, there's another hill nooooo!" screamed Rebecca, shutting her eyes. 

Rylan, seated in between Rebecca and Maya, laughed hysterically as each girl screamed their head off during the ups and downs of the ride.

A 'scream queen' competition is what this is, heh heh!

After the ride Rylan strolled from the coaster exit like a boss, as now both girls clung to each of his arms trembling with exhilaration from the ride. Of course Rylan had to tease them.

“Hello, I thought ya'll said that was a childish ride!” He poked each pouting girl.

“You be quiet Rylan, you know you were scared too!” said Rebecca, holding him tight but turning her face away.

“I was only momentarily startled by the steep drop, nothing more!” said Maya, also holding him tight, and trembling.

Rylan’s smug face said it all.

“Um hmm, ya’ll keep telling ya’ll selves that,” he laughed in a thick New Mexico cowboy drawl.  

For the rest of the day and into the evening Maya, Rylan and Rebecca, laughed, won teddy bears, rode more rides, and took pictures documenting it all for themselves, and Anya.  

End of The Fair

By the early evening of the fair Leif and Evan dropped Chloe by Maya and Rylan and went their own way. And as the sun set for the later evening Rebecca and her friends said their goodbyes.

"Rylan, Maya, I had such a good time with you guys!" beamed Rebecca standing in between them.

"Yes, we did too!" smiled Maya.

"But guys, don't forget we have to go shopping tomorrow for the princess dress before the game since Anya released the drama club funds on friday," said Rebecca, while kissing Rylan and Maya on the lips, "Mua! Call me tomorrow, we'll meet at my place before the game, bye guys!" 

With that Rebecca ran off with her other friends while Rylan and Maya both watched her vanish in the crowd. Chloe broke their silence. 

"Rylan, she kissed you and Maya on the lips!" 

"What?" he turned to Chloe, "Yeah she did, she's just friendly that way!" he said patting her head. 

The trio picked up the three stuffed animals Leif and Evan won for Chloe and left for home. 

Maya and Rylan 

Once at the house  Rylan carried four jumbo sized bears from the car into the kitchen. Three belonged to Chloe and one, the smallest, belonged to Maya.  While Maya tended to Chloe.

“Chloe honey, go ahead and start washing your face paint off,” said Maya.

"Ok!" said Chloe running to the back. 

Rylan sat the bears down on the table then presented Maya with the bear he won for her.  

“Hey, I'm sorry I didn’t win you won of those super big bears,” he said with a smile.

She also smiled and spoke.

“That’s ok! I really don’t want one that big!” she laughed but grew serious, “Rylan...I really had a good time today with you and Rebecca. And she's actually nice once you get to know her.”

“Yeah she is. But sometimes she has trouble expressing it, but she’s getting better...Like another person I know,” he said staring at her.

Maya turned away.

“Mm..I don’t like when you compare me to her, but during the fair she held onto your arm...and when we left..she kissed you on your lips...and she did that before in the auditorium,” said Maya.

Rylan evaded the implication.

“It’s no big deal. I’ve known Rebecca since junior-”

“Do you want her to be your girlfriend?” she asked, her eyes locked on his.

Rylan paused before answering.

“I mean, it’s not like I haven’t thought of it...but the way things are .. Why are you asking me this?”

“To hear your answer,” said Maya

They stood silent.

“Mayaaa! I can’t get all the paint off!” cried Chloe from the back bathroom.

“I’m coming!” shouted Maya.

Still staring at Rylan, she walked toward him and gently grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips.

“Eh? Why did you do that?” asked Rylan.

Before she answered, she kissed him again.

“...Hmm...Rebecca kissed you twice in front of me. And I just wanted those kisses back..that’s all.”

Rylan didn’t speak as Maya turned and walked to the back bathroom to take care of Chloe. A moment later Rylan’s phone vibrated, and when he checked the phone number he let it buzz a few times before answering.

Click, “.....Hello…”

The caller remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“Well aren’t you the happy playboy with your harem of girls competing for your heart, hm hm hm,” the voice snickered.

“...What do you want...Anya?” whispered Rylan.

“Me? Oh sweetie, I won’t keep you and make your wife jealous. I just missed you and wanted to remind you that you and I have an appointment tomorrow to go meet someone during the football game.”

“Yes..I’m aware,” he muttered, checking if Maya and Chloe were still in the bathroom, “..And I’m ready, so goodnight Anya-”

“Aww, hanging up on your mistress so soon? Well, let me give you some advice before you go. Those two little girls, Rebecca and Maya, don’t love you Rylan. They’re just competing over you because that’s what little girls do...and hence, they can never love you like I can, stud! Hee hee hee, mua!”

She blew a kiss threw the phone and hung up.

Damn..

Rylan stood in silence. After a wonderful day Anya reminded him that she was dangerous, and he needed to do things to prevent her from hurting anyone he cared for.

Evil woman.

And she also voiced out loud what Rylan suspected were Rebecca and Maya’s true motivations for behaving so affectionately toward him. 

"They’re just competing over you because that’s what little girls do." 

Yeah Anya..I kinda thought that too…

Leif and Evan

A few hours later Evan drove toward the house to drop Leif off. Leif suggested they stop a little ways up the road, and park on the side away from all traffic. 

Alone, in Evan's truck in the dark, the teen athletes caressed each other and kissed passionately.

“You will no longer resist me!” whispered Leif, removing Evan’s shirt.

“Yes I will, cause that's how I am!” said Evan, pulling Leif’s pants off.  

The alpha males ravaged each other and rocked the pickup truck on it's chassis. Astray and complete in the throes of young lust.

….

At Three Thousand words this is the longest chapter I've ever written. I hoped you liked it~ ^_^