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As we get farther onto the pier, more and more people crowd around, looking at stands with different games. The crowd pulls in, and I separate from Oliver’s side.
No one else seems to mind but me. They just go about their days without a care in the world.
Oliver’s hand reaches backward and encases mine. A small amount of heat radiates from my face. I’ve never really thought about hand-holding before. Sure, I’ve gone out in public and held my sister’s and brother’s hands, but this is different.
Oliver is holding my hand like it’s the easiest thing in the world. This should feel easy, but I also feel dread overtake my nerves.
The heat continues to encase my hand with a clammy feeling.
What if people start staring, and it hurts him?
Should I let go?
Almost like he reads my thoughts, Oliver squeezes my hand. “Can’t let you get lost on your first outing in Alliance.”
He wouldn’t be doing this if he knew who you were.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asks, starting to let go of my hand, but I clasp down tighter. Please don’t let go.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just don’t do well in a crowd.” I don’t like crowds mostly because I think everyone is studying me, trying to figure out what I am.
He frowns slightly before turning around, scanning the crowd in front of us before his eyes light up, and like that, we are moving again. He weaves us through the people, stopping every few feet to let people pass but also keeping me close behind him. He’s making sure no one touches me as we make it out of the crowd and to an unoccupied bench. Oliver sits me down before winking and then walking over to the slushie stand.
I quickly follow after him, stepping back at his side. He turns to me with a raised eyebrow before turning back to the vendor.
“What would you like, miss?”
“Cotton candy, please.” I reach for my wallet but Oliver places his hand on mine, pushing it down.
“I’m gonna pay for you,” he says, staring intently.
“Do you really want to pay for me?” I can’t help but giggle.
His expression turns serious. “Of course I do. You deserve to be taken care of.” My pulse quickens at his tone. All I can do is nod, and he grins again, placing a hand on my lower back. “I’ll have the sea breeze.”
Oliver pays, we get our slushies, and the drink tastes like heaven. I don’t love sugar, but this is a deliciously gorgeous mix of blue and pink.
I let out a quiet moan, cooling down my body with the drink.
My eyes shoot open. Wait, did I just audibly moan?
“You okay?” Oliver cocks his head slightly, pretending he heard nothing, but from the grin on his face, he knows what just happened.
This is where I die. My face feels like the sun right now.
“What’s up?” he asks. I need him to stop acting like he has no idea what happens when he grins down at me.
“You will tell no one about what you just heard,” I say, taking another sip while he lets out a chuckle.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, princess.”
I narrow my eyes at him, which triggers his mock-confused expression to falter.
“For real this time,” he says warily, “what’s up? Did I say something wrong?”
I can’t tell him that kids at my school called me that as a way to make fun of me. Them calling me dude or bro stopped having the effect they wanted. They wanted to see me perk up from the name and then crush those hopes.
“No.” I let out a shaky breath. I hate lying to him so much, but I’m not ready. I’m not ready for this to end. “My brothers just call me that sarcastically. They say I’m high maintenance.”
