Quack Quack | Mariela & Peyton
Carnival games weren't exactly Peyton's idea of a good time, but she knew she needed to catch up on her NHS hours and badly. She was lucky they hadn't kicked her out already, losing so many hours to doctor's visits and bed-rest (thanks to her pregnancy) last year. But she knew that she was up for a warning now, which meant she needed to get those 25 hours and quickly. A four hour shift at the duck pond seemed like an easy way to do it, and she had hopes that maybe she'd make a new friend or be able to reconnect with an old one. Last year had left her sort of isolated, between her breakup and well, her baby, she had sort of lost touch with what it meant to be a teenager.
Arriving at Winterfest about an hour before her shift, Peyton wandered around looking at all of the carnival booths. When she saw the basketball game set up again, she frowned, remembering how Beck had won her a teddy bear there last year. She wondered if he would even come to Winterfest this year, never one for big crowds, and probably way too focused on wrestling (as it was the season, after all). Declan was home with her mom, but only until 6:30, which was the time Peyton had agreed to take back responsibility. Her mom was going to meet her at the carnival with the stroller, so Pey could spend some time with Declan playing games, and just being outside. The duck pond would be something he would love, even if only for a little rubber duck (most of the prizes were still too old for him).
Munching on some cotton candy, Peyton found her way to the booth where she was supposed to meet Mariela and get the "rules rundown" by the staff. She had volunteered a few years ago, and knew them pretty well, but was never opposed to a refresher. So patiently she sat through the speech, all the while knowing she'd have to hear it again when her partner arrived.
