It's not like that. It isn't. It couldn't be.

Millie had never thought of Louise in an amorous way. The idea had been mulling around in her brain throughout the evening and into the morning. She and Louise had been great friends for seven years strong now, albeit with a little hair pulling in the beginning, but surely if there were any romantic feelings she harbored, they would have manifested themselves by now.

Sure, for a couple of years she might have been a tad obsessed—no, not obsessed— excited, yes, that was the word her therapist used— about being friends with Louise, but that's long over now! She had since handled herself and her excitement quite well, thank you very much. There's nothing to be assumed about a girl staring at her best friend while they sleep, or getting a little jealous of their friends. What friend doesn't get a little jealous? It's a healthy part of any relationship—any friendship. It shows how much one cares. It's not like she wanted to make out with Louise or anything for crying out loud.

Therapy was not completely useless, being a vile of sorts Millie could pour her secrets into, but this insinuation was out of line. Her doctor might have a PhD in clinical psychology, but she was no expert on hard-earned friendships like the one Millie shared with Louise. For all of the helpful insights she had, this one just felt disappointing and instead, had now marred Millie's belief in her doctor's capabilities. Sometimes therapy could feel like a real waste of time.

But never mind all of that. Millie didn't have the brain space to focus on the lies of her therapist. No, today was a special day. As she tiptoed through the halls at school, she looked down upon her masterpiece sitting in her mom's nine-by-twelve baking dish, wrapped in cellophane, gripped between her fingers. Twenty-four painstakingly decorated chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting, adorned with rainbow sprinkles, a pink heart with little bunny ears squeezed onto each cake, except the ones in the center. These cupcakes each had a letter to bare. Their message displayed the significance of today. A timeless message for a timeless gesture. They were absolutely perfect.

Millie crept up to her usual spot by locker three-five-nine. Silent as a cat. She waited for just the right moment to pounce.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"Millie, what did I say?" Louise shut her locker door, unstartled. "I told you, no flashy birthday surprises."

Millie's light eyes dilated at the sight of her friend. Not that her eyes needed help looking any bigger, something her bestie commented about on occasion. She couldn't help it, though, with Louise right in front of her, now a cool sixteen, still as extraordinary as ever. Hoop piercings in her signature bunny ears hat, more mauve than pink these days, covering her cute boy-short black hair. It was growing back, but it still looked good.

Louise stopped and eyed the contents of Millie's hands. "What are those?"

"Hop-cakes!" Louise's bubbly friend held the tin up to her face and smiled so big you could see her retainer, mouth wide open. There was a beat as Louise stared at these "hop-cakes", bemused. Millie continued, without drawing a breath, "get it? Like 'hot' cakes! Well, except they're actually cupcakes and they're not really hot anymore—anyway here, try one."

Without waiting for a response, Millie peeled back the cellophane, pinched one of the rabbit-eared cupcakes between her fingers and held it up to Louise, whose expression shifted from slightly annoyed to slightly pleased. She took the cupcake.

"Free dessert before lunch? Can't say 'no' to that."

Louise began to peel back the wrapping around the base of the cupcake. She held it up to her open lips, all the while, Millie watched with an ear to ear grin. Louise took notice. She stopped. Millie's grin drooped just barely. Louise looked at the cupcake, then at Millie.

"What's in these?"

"Flour, eggs, chocolate, sugar, you know, baking stuff."

Amused, Louise smirked, "Wow! You could start your own baking show with that recipe."

Millie sighed "Oh come on! I spent all night getting these right, the least you can do is try one. It's not like there's poison in them for god sakes."

"Alright, alright." Louise bit down on the chocolate cupcake, pink frosting now touching the tip of her nose. She began to chew.

"Or is there?" Millie's tone suddenly darkened.

Louise's eyes widened as she swallowed. "WHAT!?"

Millie began to cackle. "Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Louise started to cough and wheeze, her gagging becoming more and more exaggerated. "How could you do this to me! I trusted you! AARRRGGGHHUUUBleeghhhh!" Louise collapsed onto her locker, passed out, cupcake in hand.

Millie peered over her best friend. "My god... what have I done?"

"Yaahhh!"

Louise suddenly lunged forward and plunged her fist into Millie's stomach as if she were holding a dagger.

Millie sputtered, "Uugh! You... got me!" She fell to her knees and collapsed over Louise, who returned to her limp state. Other students passed by, undoubtedly wondering what the hell they were doing.

The two began to share a laugh, which lasted quite a few seconds. Their laughter petered out and Louise looked at Millie.

"Ah, that was fun. Now get off me."

As they rose, a gangly, tall, regular-sized, red-haired boy approached the duo. He had his usual one-quarter inch gauges in his ears, a plain grey T-shirt, and faded cargo shorts.

"Happy birthday, Louise." He gave a smile.

Louise seemed indifferent. "Thanks, Rudy."

Millie looked at her dear friend, almost offended. "You didn't say thank you to me."

"It was implied," Louise reassures her.

Rudy greeted Millie with a warm smile and a "hey," but Millie could see right through his sweet and innocent charade. He seemed nice, but deep down, he was no different than all the other boys. They all wanted the same thing. And no, it wasn't cupcakes.

"Hello, Rudy." Millie chirped through a forced smile.

Louise offered the boy a cupcake, but Millie quickly withdrew.

"Actually they're poisoned, so you probably don't want one."

Rudy gave an earnest look as his eyebrows raised. "Ohh, I don't think my mom will let me have poison. Also I'm probably allergic."

"Myeah," Millie replied, as she feigned an apologetic tone.

"They're not poisoned," Louise rolled her eyes at Millie, "But on second thought, they've got eggs in them, so maybe you shouldn't eat any."

Rudy retracted, "Good call."

DIIIIIIINNNNNNGG

The school bell chimed through the loud speaker, summoning the livestock back to their pens. Louise stood there silently contemplating, unaffected by the bell. Rudy cut through her thoughts.

"And on that note—I always wanted to say that— shall we head to class?"

Louise finally detonated, "Ugh, I should be out there in the world, enjoying what's left of my fading youth! Not wasting my birthday at school." If she had a book in her hands she would have thrown it to the ground. "Life's short, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Louise turned in the opposite direction of class. She looked back at her companions. "You guys down to ditch?"

Rudy gasped. Millie's eyes went wide, a cupcake now lodged in her cheek.

"Was that a quote from Ferris Bueller?" Rudy asked.

"Nah, I said that. Just now." Louise began to walk away.

"Oh, I thought Ferris Bueller said that." Rudy called out.

"Nope," Louise retorted.

Rudy anticipated for a moment. No doubt weighing the immorality of the activity he would inevitably cave in to committing. Rudy turned his unsure eyes over to a frosting-faced Millie. She stared back at him uncomfortably. Rudy breathed, then steeled himself, "We can't leave her alone on her birthday." He followed after Louise.

Millie stared, looking a bit perplexed. Her gaze sharpened as she realized the gravity of this possible setup. She'll be damned if she let Rudy spend a whole day alone with her best friend, playing hookie together. Who knows what might happen between them. She couldn't even bring herself to think about it. The thought made her stomach churn.

NO.

That was not going to happen.

She trailed behind after them. "So um... who's Ferris Bueller?"

A fine day this turned out to be. She wanted to celebrate her best friend's birthday, but all Millie could think about was keeping tabs on how many times Rudy and her managed to garner attention from the birthday girl. Things started off great at the movies, gaining some praise when she showed them her secret route to sneak into the theater, but let's be honest, it was nothing compared to seeing Louise close Rudy's eye for him during all the scary parts. Millie could have faked being scared, but she knew Louise would never buy it, being that Millie was basically the only one of Louise's friends who would watch horror movies with her.

She gained the upper hand again at the arcade when she managed to win Louise a huge stuffed Bakeneko by maintaining her perfect Die Dancing score. But after they left, they happened to walk past some smokers, which caused Rudy to have an asthma fit. A bit dramatic honestly, but Millie had never seen Louise so defensive, it almost made Millie wish she herself had asthma. Louise cursed at those smokers and only stopped when they asked why the three of them weren't in school.

Now, for some obscure reason, Louise let Millie and Rudy share a carousel, and she seemed quite content with herself about the decision, to be honest, choosing instead to sit next to Bakeneko.

Millie, however, was the exact opposite of content. She and Rudy were in the two-seater above Louise, settling into awkward silence once Millie finally conceded to her position. She had sat down first, thinking Louise would follow, but NO, she had to let Rudy on instead.

No. No, no, no, no, NO!

This was wrong! All wrong! It wasn't supposed to be like this. Millie was supposed to be sitting next to Louise on the Ferris wheel, not Rudy! She couldn't slow her breathing as she argued with the terrible angle at which she was sitting, not getting a decent view of her precious friend no matter how far she craned her neck. She wanted to protest, but with the ride being constantly in motion, all she could do was whine in silence.

Silence. Hopefully, this was how it would stay until the ride was over.

"I used to be afraid of these things, you know?"

No. I Guess not, Millie thought to herself as Rudy's voice broke through.

Rudy continued almost as if he was speaking to no one in particular, "yeah, being so high up for so long in this tiny bucket used to kind of scare me. But not anymore."

Millie smiled politely, pretending not to notice Rudy. They were only one quarter of the way up. This ride. Is so. Damn. Slooow.

"Nope," Rudy went on, "Rudy is wild and free. Skipping school and looking cool. Nothing can stop me now, baby!"

Something faltering in his voice that caught Millie's attention. Just then, a thought crossed her mind. You know what? This day had not gone the way she had hoped for one moment since Rudy approached them this morning. Enough moping. It was time for her to enjoy herself. It was time to have some fun.

Grinning, She turned her head towards Rudy, "Well, good for you! You know, not many people can say they've conquered their fears." Millie stared out over Wonder Wharf, the whole seaside, and all of Ocean Avenue, bathed in the afternoon sky spread out in front of them now, trying not to think of her own fears. Lucky for her, they didn't involve ferris wheels.

"I always kind of liked this ride," Millie explained, "It's so colorful, and calm… so peaceful," with both hands, she griped the bar locked in front of their waists, "and it's got these nice seats that rock you back and forth." The squeaks of rusty bolts pierced Rudy's ears as Millie swung her legs back and forth, gently rocking the seat.

Squeak… squeak.

Rudy griped the bar as well. "Ha... yeah. I guess it could be sort of calming."

Millie shifted her gaze back to Rudy. She looked him in the eyes as she swung her legs, with more force now, never blinking and ever smiling.

SQUEAK-EEK… SQUEAK-EEK.

"Isn't this fun?" Millie called out to Rudy, over the sounds of the aching bolts, as she laughed into the wind. The carousel was really tipping now. Sunken into his seat, Rudy grasped the bar for dear life.

The boy laughed nervously, "Um… Millie, do you think you could uh.. Not do that?"

"Do what? This?" Millie gave her biggest swing yet, rocking the carriage to an almost complete 180 degree swing. "Woooooo!"

"Ahhhh!" Rudy began to sob, "Yes! That! please don't do that!"

"Why not? It's so exciting! Look how high we are!" She gleefully exclaimed, "Could you imagine if this rust bucket broke right off while we're all the way up here? Wouldn't that be something?"

"Oh my god oh my god oh my god."

"Hey! You guys better not be having fun without me!" Louise's faint cry could barely be heard behind all of the creaking metal.

"Oh look! We're coming down." As they begin their slow descent, Millie stopped swinging the seat, excited to be getting off. Maybe next time Rudy would think twice before deciding to sit next to her on a ride. Millie leaned forward as she anticipated the exit. Their seat swooped down into the loading area, and glided past, taking them right back up again. What? How many times are we going to go around this thing?

Rudy, thankful that Millie stopped swinging the seat, sat back up to face her. "Hey Millie, can I ask you something?"

What now? Millie leaned back into her seat. She decided to humor him.

"Hm?"

Rudy readied himself, "How come… you don't like me?"

Well, well, well. It seemed this boy was not as dense she initially thought. Was this all Louise's intention? To trap her here with Rudy so that she could be interrogated atop this fun-wheel with no escape? She did not ask for this. Though, despite her predicament, she had to admit, this was certainly the way to do it. Well-played, Louise.

But Millie wasn't ready for this confrontation just yet. "Rudy, whatever are you talking about?"

"I mean, not everyone has to like me, obviously, it's just, I dunno. It seems like I must have done something to offend you. And I would like to know what that is, so we can maybe clear the air?"

She wasn't quite sure what to make of this. Was he serious? You're what's standing between me and my best friend, you nut-sack.

Millie remained silent, but Rudy kept pressing, "Is it something to do with Louise?"

SKREEK

The Ferris Wheel did it's routine stop, letting its passengers get a birds-eye view of the town. Millie flinched. She gazed blankly as the breeze nudged her curly blonde hair. She felt as though she should be panicking right now. But instead, she was more confused. Yes, it DID have something to do with Louise. It had everything to do with Louise. Why couldn't she just come out with it? Why was she afraid to tell him? Sure, she didn't want to look like a petty bitch, but that hadn't stopped her before. No, there were other assumptions she didn't want him to make.

Or perhaps she did.

Millie managed another deceptive smile, "What makes you think that?"

"It just seems that you get a bit defensive when I'm around Louise. That's all."

"That's all?"

"Yeah."

They sat quietly for a brief moment.

Rudy started, "It's okay. You guys are best friends, and you don't want anyone to steal her away from you. I get it. But don't worry-"

Before he could finish, Millie sharply turned to face him. Her gaze startled the poor boy. She abruptly laughed, and with the most sincerity she had probably ever given Rudy, she assured him, "Oh, Rudy," as her smile faded," you could never steal her from me."

The air felt frigid between them. Rudy didn't know how to respond, a bit unsure of what she meant.

Millie broke the tension. "You know, because she's her own person. You can't steal another person."

Rudy breathed a sigh of relief, "Right… exactly."

Just then, the ride clinked forward into its usual, leisurely pace, bringing them back to the ground.

Louise stepped out of her carousel, pulling Bakeneko with her."Sounded like you two had a fun ride, huh?"

"Yep!" Millie chirped, only slightly sarcastic.

"It was interesting, " Rudy considered. "I think I finally got over my fear of Ferris Wheels."

"I thought you were already over that," Louise corrected him.

"Me too..." His voice trails off. "But I definitely am now."

They notice the time. It was 2:46pm. School would be letting out soon.

"Speaking of fears," Louise gestured to her big blue friend, Bakeneko, "I gotta figure out how to sneak this guy into my house without anyone questioning me."

"Hey you tell your parents it's your choice who you choose to bring home to your bed," Rudy joked. A beat passed between them. "I'm just kidding, don't do that."

"You can leave him at my place for now," Millie suggested. "Let's see, it's Wednesday, so mom should be out grocery shopping right around this time, and you know my dad's never there."

"Perfect!" Louise cheered, "That sound good to you buddy?"

Rudy replied, "Yeah, sure, I don't care."

Louise raised an eyebrow, "No, Rudy, I was talking to Bakeneko."

Rudy nodded, "Ah, that makes more sense,"

"Yeah."

"Oh no!" Rudy gasped, "I forgot! My dad was supposed to pick me up from school today!" Rudy speeds away from his friends.

"Oh damn. Hurry! But don't hurry too much, take it easy on those lungs!" Louise called after him.

"I'll see you guys later, Happy Birthday again, Louise!"

"Byyyee." Millie watched him peel off, away from Wonder Wharf. Away from her and Louise.

Finally.