The smell of underaged drinking, snacks of different varieties, and teenage boys roamed throughout the garage attic. The sound of conversations about girls, school, and the events of last night’s party crowded the air. A bet had been placed among the boys and a sister the night before, each expressing their thoughts on who was going to hook up with whom and who would be smart enough not to go behind closed doors.

Allen Chambers, who had put $500 into this bet expecting his win, was now sitting on the old couch shaking his head. He had  hoped that his sister wouldn’t be dumb enough to go behind one of those doors, especially with one of his closest friends.

He had bet against his friend and the girl he had had a crush on since she ran into him that one day after school freshman year. It was believed to be love at first sight to the 14 year old, but finding out the girl is your best friend’s little sister wasn’t part of the plan.

So here he was sitting in the attic watching the beautiful girl pull all the money towards herself. “Sorry boys, especially you Al, out 10k, wow that’s got to be the most money you’ve ever spent on your sister,” she said smiling from ear to ear. He would have laughed and smiled at the girl if it weren’t for the fact that she now held his money.

“Believe me, I’m never putting another cent towards her.” Allen glanced at Alyssa’s smiling face then pushed himself off the couch and walked to the ladder, “I’ll meet y’all later, have to have a talk with my sister.”

After an excruciating 15 minutes of Allen giving his sister a lecture on why she should keep her pants on, the doorbell rang. The familiar sound forced Allen to leave his comfortable place along the couch and walk up to the door feeling the chill from the metal as he turned the knob.

What wasn’t familiar was Alyssa being on the other side. “Hey Allen,’’ she said smiling up at the boy. “I couldn’t help but notice your disappointment when you lost your money and I’m here to make a deal with you so it can be won back.”

Allen thought for a moment what he was willing to do to win the money back. “What’s the deal?” At those words a bright smile spread across Alyssa’s face.” A date with me. One date at the carnival and the money’s yours. Do you agree?”

She started to chew on her bottom lip, a habit she had picked up from when she was young. Allen was taken back by what Alyssa had said. A date, she wanted to go on a date. A smile crossed Allen’s face. “Yes, I’d love to go on a date with you. Tonight, pick you up at six?” Alyssa smiled brightly at his answer. “Sure, sounds like a plan,” her eyes danced and her smile only grew as she said goodbye to the starstruck boy standing in the doorway. Allen waved back and shut the door behind him leaning his back against the wood smiling like a madman.

Allen had been right on time, dressed in a blue button up shirt tucked together a pair of blue jeans with a belt. Alyssa was wearing a black skirt and maroon shirt with maroon vans and her hair and makeup done to perfection. The carnival was interesting. A maze of rides and food stands with the smell of something unknown. They had stopped by a burger stand with a very strange hippie as the owner. Allen, being adventurous, picked the spicy mystery meat while Alyssa got a cheese burger. It had now been an hour of walking and talking between the two until Alyssa’s eyes landed upon the ferris wheel.

“Oh my gosh!” she said while pointing to the ferris wheel as Allen’s eyes followed her finger and eyes landed on the ride. An image of fear crossed his face but was then horribly covered up by a forced smile. “We have to ride the ferris wheel! It’s my absolute favorite!” Her eyes danced while her smile made wrinkles appear near her eyes. She looked as though she was five again, excitement rushed through her body and Allen loved it. “Let’s go,” he said grabbing her hand, forgetting his fear of heights, leading her to the wheel.

They sat down and as soon as the ride started Allen knew it was a mistake. His stomach started to churn and a light sweat came across his  forehead. Alyssa was too caught up in her childish joy to notice Allen lean over the side of the seat, and puked his mystery meat out of his stomach landing near the hippie. He turned back checking to see if the girl had noticed, which luckily she didn’t, popped a piece of gum into his mouth and went on with the night.

Alyssa dropped Allen off not forgetting the money and handed it to him. “Here, thanks for the date Al,” she said with a small smile. “Anytime, I’d love to do it again if that’s alright?” He said scratching the back of his head. “Yeah sure. We’ll have to talk about it tomorrow though I need to get home.” They exchanged goodbyes and Allen strolled up to his house unlocking the door and heading straight to his room. As the bedroom door closed behind him, Allen burst into tears.

The embarrassment of his small sickness had gotten to him. “Son, how was it?” said his father entering the room only to see his son in tears. “My God,” he said walking over to his son asking him of tonight’s events. Allen let the stream of words flow from his mouth presenting tonight and his embarrassment. All the father could do was stare, shake his head, and get up to leave the room. Before he left the room he looked at Allen and gave him a little advice. “Don’t be a wimp son,” was all he said exiting the room and leaving his son to wallow in self pity.