Chapter 3.2 Arlyn - Is this love?

In an attempt to forget about that trainwreck of a date, Arlyn invited a few friends over. The second she spotted Jen walking up the stairs, Arlyn ran over to her to tell her everything that had happened.

"I don't understand him!" she complained, "He asked me out then rejected me before we even started the date!" Arlyn may or may not have stamped her foot.
"Forget about him, Ar, he's not worth the trouble anyway. You're too good for him." Jen patted her best friend's arm. Jen didn't trust Jonas, he was too perfect, too good looking, to pay any attention to the freaks of the school. Arlyn had a gift, and Jen, well, Jen just didn't like to be told what to do.

"There are plenty of other fish in the sea, Arlyn! Who needs a goody two shoes anyway?" Jen laughed.

"Who's the goody two shoes?" a voice asked, Karl's.
"Jonas Ingberg, of course!"
"Oh that prick," he said, reaching the top of the stairs. Jen laughed.

"Hey Karl, thanks for coming." She shook his hand, they weren't really all that close, he was more Jen's friend than hers. Behind her, Arlyn heard a pop, a rushing noise, followed by cursing.

"Jen, what the hell!"

Arlyn wasn't sure where Jen had been hiding it, but she'd thrown a waterballoon at Loki.

"Haha, look at you, you're all wet now!"
"Why are you like this, Jen." Loki moaned, dripping water all over the carpet. Mom was going to be pissed.

"Did she get you again, Lo?" Ryan walked over to the group, chuckling. Jen was a little troublemaker, enjoying pranks almost as much as Loki did. You'd think they'd be the best of friends because of it, but they hated each other.

"He's just too easy! He falls for it every single time!" Loki scowled at Jen.
"If you keep this up, maybe he'll realize how his victims feel!" Ryan joined her in her laughter. Loki scowled harder.

Arlyn looked over at them. She kinda felt bad for Loki, well, almost. She didn't know him all that well despite knowing him for as long as she could remember. He and Ryan were best friends, but Loki didn't come over that often. In fact, she was surprised he was here now. He probably regretted it now.

Arlyn walked over to him, "Hey Loki, sorry about uh...Jen throwing water in your face." She really wanted to laugh but didn't want to rub it in his face any more than Jen had. "What brings you here, anyway?"
Loki looked at her, frowning. Huh. When did she get so hot? "I figured I'd stop by to see if Ryan wanted to hangout. I didn't know that he was grounded. Or that you were having a party."
"It's not really a party party, more like a...pity party. Actually...that's exactly what this is," she chuckled to herself. Yep, it was literally a pity party.
"For what?"
"I got asked out then dumped before the first date even started." she stopped laughing.
"Wow, that blows." Who would dump her? Man, that dude's loss.
"Yeah, at least the roller coasters were fun. Probably would have been more fun if, you know, my date didn't suck so bad."
"Did you go to the new park? How was it?"
"The park was great! I'll probably go back sometime, try to have some actual fun."
"I could go with you." Wow, smooth one, Loki.
"Yeah sure, lemme know when you're free. I kinda want to enter a hotdog eating contest."
Loki glanced down at her small frame and scoffed, "I'd crush you."
"Challenge accepted."

Ryan tried to ignore his parents as he entered the kitchen. Did his parents really have to make out so often?
"Jeeze, get a room, guys." He almost lost his appetite.
"You should be glad your parents still love each other!" Anthony said while coming up for air. Evelyn was still the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on.
"Gross."


Upstairs, Arlyn's phone chirped.

It was Loki! He was asking if she was free this weekend, to visit the theme park. She excitedly texted him back.
"heck yh, ur on!"
"theres no way u'll ever beat me lol"
"guess we'll find out this weekend!"
"its a date"

Arlyn's heart fluttered. He said date.

"Heya Arlyn, glad you came." Loki greeted her with a half hug.
"Why wouldn't I? I can't wait to eat some hot dogs!" She was a little nervous, but even more excited.
"Before I kick your ass at stuffing faces full of questionable meat, how about we ride a few rides, you know, so we don't puke all over the place." Man, Loki sure was cute, Arlyn thought. Definitely not as modelesque as Jonas, but very attractive in a strange sort of way.
"That's...probably a smart idea, I don't want to be banned from the only actual thing to do around here." Loki took Arlyn's arm and lead her over to one of the roller coasters, preferring to take the lead.

Even though she had just ridden this thing like two weeks ago, her stomach still found itself somewhere in the vicinity of her knees, but the glancing over at Loki, clearly he felt the same way. Arlyn relaxed a little, and let herself enjoy the ride.
That is, until she looked near the entrance.

Despite holding a snowcone, Jonas had a scowl on his face. For a brief moment, Arlyn felt a little disappointed, though she wasn't sure at what. Maybe she was worried Jonas being here would ruin her date with Loki? That was probably it. She didn't know what had been his deal, but she really did not appreciate mixed signals.
As the wind whipped at her face, Arlyn forced herself to look ahead, pushing Jonas out of her mind. If he wanted to be weird, he could be weird over there, by himself, away from her. Preferably at his own house.
The ride bounced her around, knocking her into Loki a few times. Neither of them minded.

Once the ride came to a stop, Loki hopped out and ran over to her side of the cart, offering his hand.
"Oh, such a gentleman!" she giggled.
"Anything for a beautiful lady." Arlyn's face went red, a deep blush burning her cheeks.
Loki sensed her sudden anxiety while they were on the coaster, and wanted to take her mind off whatever it was that was bothering her.
"Hey, let's go over here. The sun's going down." He grabbed her arm again and lead her over to a more secluded area of the park.

"It's beautiful tonight," she said, mostly to herself.
Loki looked at her, couldn't stop himself from thinking how beautiful she was, but didn't want to be a walking cliche. Instead, he looked at her, and took a chance.
"I like you, Arlyn." way to say it so bluntly, good job.
Arlyn looked at him, surprise written all over her face. He likes me? Me? What for?
"I...like you too, Loki.

"Really?"
"Yeah. I had a nice time tonight. I wouldn't exactly mind if we did it again." She looked at the ground, feeling more than a little awkward. She'd never really liked a boy before, let alone kissed one or anything. In fact, she was the last one out of all her friends that still hadn't kissed a boy.
"How about tomorrow? A real date, not some excuse to get you to come here with me." Loki took her hand.
"It's a date," she replied, smiling.

Loki pulled her in for a tight hug, neither of them caring that they were both soaking wet. When she pulled away from him, he didn't let go.
"I um.." he started, but couldn't get himself to finish.
So she finished for him.

She kissed him.
And he kissed her back.

For a few moments, Arlyn was in heaven, soaring through the clouds, and nothing could hurt her.
Well, at least until she heard a voice behind her.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. What could Jonas possibly want?

"I see you move on pretty fast, huh." he called out, with more than a little anger in his voice.
"Move on from what, Jonas? One bad date?" She really didn't want to deal with...whatever this was.
He scoffed, "Shows what you know."
"I don't know what you're talking about. You rejected me, after asking me out."
Lok just stepped back, not wanting to get involved.

"For someone who claims to see the future, you sure are blind to it!" Jonas yelled.
"What are you going on about? Seriously, what is your problem?!"

"Just look at this little weasel and his stupid, smug face!" Jonas, now shouting and drawing attention to their previously private spot.
"Have you lost your damn mind, Jonas? Leave us alone." Arlyn crossed her arms, refusing to look at him anymore.
"Enjoy the peace while it lasts, Arlyn. Hopefully you'll see what's coming before it's too late." He angrily stomped off, leaving one very confused Arlyn.
She didn't like to see her own future, she wanted to live life one day at a time. How would she ever learn who she was if she didn't experience life for herself?
Loki grabbed her by her waist and pulled her to him, giving her a long, deep kiss.
"Forget about him, Ar, he's clearly lost it." he mumbled against her lips.
"Forget who?"

Jonas walked off, berating himself. He'd wanted to say what he truly felt, but was too afraid to. If she wanted to be so stupid, then she could be. He didn't want anything to do with Arlyn Rivers.

Loki pulled a giggling Arlyn to the ground, "Let's look for meteors before we have to go home."

It didn't take long for Arlyn to actually forget all about Jonas. She liked being here with Loki, he was funny, kind, and really seemed to like her. Everything about this felt right somehow. She didn't need a vision to tell her she was supposed to be with him in this moment, her heart was telling her that.

Is this what love felt like?

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Author's notes: So none of this was actually planned, at all. I first saw Jonas after Arlyn and Ryan got out of school one day, and after tweaking some of his more unfortunate features, I thought he was pretty cute and would make some cute kids with Arlyn. I had her call him up and they went on a date at the boardwalk I had just placed in town. Everything was going great! She was in a good mood, he seemed to be in a good mood. So I directed her to have her 'first kiss' with him since they were Romantic Interests and at 100 %. He rejected her, the bastard. And even had the audacity to then label her a cheater! They amorously hugged ONE TIME! Jerk.

Since the kids are still teens, Evelyn is still on for 'Partier' but I've been having Arlyn throw them in an attempt to get her some teen friends (and to scope out future spouses), and Loki showed up to one. I altered his also unfortunate face and thought, well he's cute too! So off on a date they went, but he was much more willing.
But, rolls are rolls, and, well, I have plans for Loki.