“Are you sure we won’t be cockblocking you?”  Teagan chuckles as we sit in the library for lunch. I roll my eyes while the other two laugh at her question.

“It wasn’t my idea, it was Caitlin’s,” I huff.  

“I mean, I don’t have anything to do on Friday. I'm up to go,” Leah chimes in. 

“Same here, though I don’t know if I want to third wheel the whole night,”  Teagan considers while picking at the lunch food. 

“Oh-oh! What if Leah pairs with Andy and I pair with Teagan?...Unless you have someone you’re interested in going with, Teagan?” Mateo proposes while looking at the girl. 

Teagan’s quick to shake her head, “Nope, I don’t…” She purses her lips. “To be exact, I don’t really feel any attraction for others. So there hasn’t ever been one.” She follows up by explaining she’s aro-ace. 

I learned about asexuality while on my journey with bisexuality, though I didn’t clearly understand it until now. It’s honestly amazing how Teagan’s casually able to confess proudly...I imagine her parents know and support her.

“But enough about me! I think Mateo’s idea is great, and we’d be able to split towards the end of the night so you and Caitlin can be all mushy alone,” she teases with a wink. I roll my eyes. 

We decided to go with Mateo’s idea. However, I don’t know if I want to see Anderson more than I already have to. 

We only meet up for two days for tutoring and he’s not as irritating, I’ll admit. But I think that’s because we want to quickly finish up with the lesson rather than constantly bicker. 

But outside of tutoring? I know he’s going to be an annoying asshole…

***

The blinding lights, bustling voices of joy, and aroma of popcorn felt surreal. I’ve often been to carnivals, but the feeling never gets old. 

“Did you tell everyone to meet near the entrance?” Mateo hums, snapping me back to reality. 

“Yeah, they said they are on their way,” I tell him as I look at my phone. “Hopefully this makes up for leaving Caitlin before,” I sigh.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine!” Mateo reassures me with an arm around my shoulder. “Plus, if she’s not having fun, you can just woo her in the Ferris Wheel! A classic move,” he chuckles. 

I roll my eyes, “What do you know about dating?”

He hits the back of my head. “Very funny. You’re not any more experienced in dating than me, dumbass,” he grumbles. 

“Is that so?” 

I dart my head to see Caitlin. “What? No-no, he’s just kidding…” Why am I like this? 

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Mateo laughs. “Anyway, it’s great to see you again, Caitlin…Sorry for leaving so abruptly last time. Had I known you guys were kicking it off so well, I would’ve stayed back.” 

Caitlin arches an eyebrow in confusion, “Didn’t something with your Abuelo come up—?” 

“–What he means is that he wished that it didn’t interrupt us!” I mumble quickly. Mateo, you dumbass! 

“Yeah, that’s what I meant!” Mateo agrees with a nervous chuckle. Caitlin doesn’t look convinced. What a great start…

“Anyway! We’re just waiting for my other friends. They should almost be here–” 

“Aww, wait! You’ve finally called Andy your friend!” Teagan shrieks. I flinch at her suddenly popping up on me. This is the second time in less than 5 minutes! 

“Fucking hell –No, I was talking about you two,” I click my tongue as I look up at the boy. He holds his usual apathetic stare. 

“You guys will get there one day,” Leah beams optimistically, being the polar opposite of him. 

I’ll die the day that happens. I roll my eyes, “I doubt it, but let me introduce you guys.” I look to see Caitlin wave timidly beside me. 

“Oh my god, you’re so pretty! My name’s Teagan!” She exclaims, “Oh, this is Leah, and he’s Andy! –Ahh, This is going to be so fun!”  She cheers in joy.

“Calm down, Tea. We haven’t even started the rides and you’re already so hyper, ” Mateo says in worry. 

“She’s been like this all day,” Leah jokes. 

“Boo, you guys are no fun!” Teagan frowns.

I glance over at Caitlin. “I…am so sorry,” I mumble to her as I rub my temple.

“About what? I’m also excited!” She hums. 

“See? She gets it! I like her already!” 

***

We finally entered the carnival and got our tickets. The nostalgia kept kicking in from when I used to go as a little kid, it felt amazing. 

“The lines are so long for the rides! We should hurry up–”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” I cut Leah off, “I got express since I knew there would be a rush.” 

Everyone, except Anderson, looks at me like I just rescued their newborn child.

“Oh my god, marry me,” Caitlin exclaims with a hand over her mouth. 

“W-What?” I fluster like an idiot.

“Express was like, $20 extra!” Leah gasps, “Why would you buy that for all of us!” 

“...I didn’t buy them, my Dad did. He said I should have fun,” I explain. “But enough of that, let's get going!” 

We look around and decide to go to the biggest ride first. We were all eager to get on, no one seemed scared…Except I was the scared one! I know, I know! Why did I agree to come here if I’m a huge wuss on height?... I don’t even know, I didn’t want to reject Caitlin’s idea!!

“So…what happened to your fear of height–” 

“Shhh–shush. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I cut Mateo off. The bastard knows my fear, he was the one who proposed the idea of going on this ride! He’s so lucky Caitlin is here. 

“You’re so dead when this is over,” I threaten the boy. 

Mateo raises his hands, pleading innocence, “This was all a part of my plan! You can have Caitlin hold your hands on the ride!” 

I rub my temple, “She’ll be turned off by that, dumbass!” 

“How do you know? Some girls like it,” He smirks cheekily, “Here, let me help out–” 

“Mateo, no–”

“Caitlin! Mind holding Kian’s hand during the rides? He’s got a huge fear,” Mateo blurts, embarrassing me to no end. 

Caitlin chuckles, “Oh my god, seriously? Why’d you agree to take the ride, then!” She laughs, holding my arm without hesitation. 

“I–well, I thought I could get over my fear…?” I explain with uncertainty. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll hold you close,” Caitlin teases as she leans against me. I look up to see Mateo flash me a wink, mouthing, “You’re welcome,” as Leah and Teagan giggle. God, I hate them…

***

No amount of holding from Caitlin helped whatsoever. She said I blacked out a few seconds into the ride…I put my head down at a table as everyone laughs.

“Oh god, that’s amazing,” Leah says as she wipes a tear, “You could’ve backed out if you were so scared!” 

“I instantly saw his head fall at the drop–Caitlin looked so worried,” Mateo laughs, holding his stomach as he tries to gasp for air.

“I hate you guys,” I mumble when I feel fingers intertwine hair. 

“You okay?” Caitlin hums with a little chuckle. I can’t believe I already ruined her first ride. I lift my head and look at the girl. 

“Mhm…sorry for that,” I apologize. She rests her hand on my nape,

“Stop, it’s okay! We can do the smaller rides if you want,” she proposes. 

“Should we part ways now and meet up later at the games?” Teagan asks.

“That works, everyone’s cool with that?” Mateo says, joining in after calming down from his laughing fit. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to go with them on the bigger rides?” I mutter to Caitlin. 

She shakes her head, “It’s fine…I want to be with you,” she mutters back. I feel my face flush a deep red. 

“Oookay, let's leave the lovebirds be,” Mateo says with a smirk. I glare at the boy as the rest usher away in giggles. I look over to see Caitlin flash me a smile as she gets up.

“Where to next?” She hums, extending her hand out. 

I don’t hesitate to grab her hand, “How about the ship? It’s a tradition for me to always go on one,” I chuckle. I like the feeling it leaves in your chest like your heart just dropped. I also hate it at the same time. 

“We better sit in the back, then,” she orders, “It’s no fun otherwise!” I nod as she continues to ramble. I can’t pay attention to what exactly she's saying, I just know she looks cute doing so…