Thankfully, the smaller rides were good for my heart. I didn’t have any more years shaved off from my life… 

We all met up again about an hour later at the carnival games. 

“Okay, but all the games are rigged in carnivals,” Leah mumbles in annoyance. 

“Perhaps you’re bad at them,” Anderson smirks. I completely forgot he was here. In my defense, he hasn’t said anything at all until now. Not that I’m complaining, I’d rather he stay quiet.

“Oh, shut up! You suck at video games, how are you good at carnival games?” She huffs with an eye roll. 

“I never said I was,” he says, holding his smirk. 

“You guys are dating, right?” Caitlin chimes in, “It’s cute.” I notice Anderson looking at Caitlin as she’s holding my arm. With a nod, he looks away.

“It’s been around 4 months, I think,” Leah adds to the question. 

“Seriously? I thought you guys just started dating!” I blurt, mouth agape. I had no idea they started dating over the summer! How is she still with him??

“Oh my god, enough of this relationship talk!" Mateo groans. 

“What he said. We get you guys are happily in love,” Teagan says with a chuckle, “Let’s waste some money on games, already!” 

Mateo and Teagan scurry to the ring toss like little kids. We follow them as I ask Caitlin if she also wants to play. 

“Yeah–Woah, I’m paying!” She snaps as I already have my wallet out. “You already paid for the tickets!” 

“It’s fine–”

“Kian, don’t test me,” She threatens, already handing the vendor $10 for both of us. I didn't test her at all…is it bad that I found that cute? 

The vendor eventually hands us all a small bucket of rings. It's obvious none of us are good at it, we miss every single shot. 

“I almost had that!” Teagan shouts….many times. We finish all the rings without a single one going into the bottle. How fun.

We spent the next hour playing more of the carnival games. I was able to win Caitlin a stuffed toy bear after many failed attempts. 

It wasn’t until we saw the strongman game. I look over to Mateo, who is already looking at me. 

“Are you ready to lose, again?” He smirks. 

“You didn’t win last time, dumbass,” I laugh as I take off my jacket. 

“I’ll win this one,” he scoffs. 

“Mateo, you better win me something!”  Teagan cheers. 

I look over to Caitlin, “You cheering for me?” She raises her eyebrows, her expression saying enough. I hold a hand up to my heart in shock, “Wow.” 

“I’m kidding! I’ll cheer for you,” she laughs. I can’t believe it. I know I’m not the strongest but weaker than that pipsqueak? I glare at Mateo.

He raises his hands in innocence, “Don’t look at me.” I roll my eyes as Mateo goes first. He hits and gets a 71. Not bad, not bad…

I head to the hammer when my nerves get to me. I can’t fuck this up in front of Caitlin! With a deep breath, I strike. I look up to see I got…a 71, also? I look to the vendor to see who gets a prize. 

“Let your friend have a try,” the vendor challenges, referring to Anderson. I watch Leah jump in excitement, pushing him to give it a try. 

I walk over to Mateo as he whispers, “He’s going to beat us.” 

“Oh, 100%,” I whisper back. As much as I dislike him, I can’t pretend like he isn’t fit. I think the only reason I haven’t ended up in the hospital after countless fights is because he goes easy on me…Man, I hate admitting it. 

And as expected, with a strike, he gets an 89. Leah cheers, yelling at Andy to get the squid plush. After they claim the prize, we decide to end the day at the Ferris Wheel before heading out to eat. 

“You sure you won’t be scared?” Caitlin chuckles as I gaze at the giant ride. 

“...I should be fine,” I mumble. With the express passes, we split into three carts since they could only fit two people. Caitlin sits beside me and rests her head on my shoulder.

“Did you have fun?” I ask her as I intertwine my fingers in hers. She hums. 

“So much fun! Your friends are great,” she grins. I let out a sigh of relief when she glances at me. “What? You didn’t think I would?” 

“…I was just a bit nervous,” I confess, “I’ve never done this before with so many others. It’s usually just Mateo and me.”

The girl stays quiet, I look over in confusion when she cups my face for a kiss. I jerk back in shock, Caitlin quickly pulling away.

“Sorry–” 

“No-no, it’s okay…you just took me by surprise,” I blush. Why am I an idiot?! I ruined it, didn’t I? Okay, Kian, put on your big boy pants and initiate the kiss back! 

I look over at the girl, holding her hand to get her attention. She looks up at me with her beautiful brown eyes. And without much thought, I kiss her. I feel her smile under the kiss as she runs her hands through my hair. I let go of her other hand and grabbed her waist, pulling her closer. I can’t even think properly –It feels like my heart is about to explode. 

“Oh my god, get a room!” Mateo shouts from the other cart. We quickly pull away, I hide my face in my hands. 

“Mateo, stop! They were having fun!” Teagan frowns. 

“No way!! I missed them kissing?” Leah exclaims. Please, make it stop! Caitlin doesn’t seem to mind, she laughs at their remarks, even adding to them. 

“You guys are making him red!” She chuckles, her hand on my lap. 

“Oh no, sweetie. You did that,” Teagan jokes as everyone erupts in laughter. I’ve never wanted to sink into the floor more than ever. 

“I didn’t need to see that…You two better not start kissing either,” Mateo cringes, I look up to see him pointing at Leah and Anderson. 

“Ugh, I hate you, Mateo,” Leah groans. Suddenly, Anderson kisses her cheek. I hear Teagan gasp loudly. 

“Awww, see? A little PDA never hurt anyone,” Caitlin hums. Leah looks shocked, quickly ruffling his hair with a nervous chuckle.

“Does this mean we have to kiss now? Teagan jokes, looking over at Mateo. 

“No, it does not.” 

*** 

Once the ride was over, we went to the nearest diner since we were all starving. 

“Oh, thank god we are here! It felt like my stomach was going to eat itself with how hungry I am,” Mateo exaggerates as he grabs a seat. We all scoot into the booth and look at the menu. Everyone is ready to order immediately. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for it to arrive. We spend the time chatting while dining away.

And I think it’s wrong to admit, but I had more fun at the diner with all of us chatting the night away than at the carnival. My cheeks hurt with how much stupid rambling we went on. Hell, I’m pretty sure the staff resent us for how loud we were being, but I’d happily do this all again. 

Once we are all stuffed, we head out. When suddenly, Teagan curses. "I think I left my phone inside,” she scowls, rummaging through her bag. She quickly runs back inside the diner, the others following to help her find her phone. I see Caitlin behind them as well, but I go to grab her arm. 

She’s taken back, turning to look back at me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to–” 

“No, it’s alright. I don’t mind,” she chuckles. I purse my lips, I can’t believe I’m about to ask her this. Will it be too forward? I don’t necessarily expect anything to happen –we aren’t even dating. But I still want to be with her…Shit, I sound like a lovesick idiot. 

“Kian? Are you alright?” Caitlin worries, slowly grabbing my hand. 

“Yeah –uh, I wanted to ask…if you’d want to stay tonight…for a movie or something –Obviously, nothing will happen but–”

“Woah, okay,” Caitlin chuckles, cutting me off from my rambling. Please, end me. This is mortifying. Caitlin, still holding my hand, answers with a hum. “I’d be happy to stay over for a movie…and I wouldn’t mind if–” 

She’s suddenly cut off by footsteps approaching, we both dart to see Anderson looking at us as well. Fuck, did he overhear us? I swiftly let go of Caitlin’s hand. Walking over, I ask, “Uh, did Teagan find her phone?” It was an impulse to act as if nothing happened, but holy shit. Am I really making “small talk” with Anderson right now? 

The boy holds a stern gaze, not uttering a single word when the rest come out from the diner…He overheard, didn’t he?

“Alright, let’s get going!” Leah exclaims, “I’m so ready to change out of these clothes.” The girl shivers as the nightly cool breeze passes by. Abruptly, Anderson wraps his jacket around her. 

“I told you it’d be cold,” he mumbles. Leah rolls her eyes, properly wearing the jacket he gave her as we head back to the carnival area. 

“You guys got a ride here, right? Teagan asks us. 

“Kian and I took the bus to get here,” Mateo groans. He’s not a fan of buses, especially at night. 

“What?? You should’ve told me, I drove here with my car!” Teagan exclaims, jingling her keys. 

“You can drive? I thought you needed an adult, at least.” Caitlin chimes in. 

“Uh, yeah! I’m practically a professional! And we can bend the rules a little bit. Who is going to snitch?” She boasts, opening her car as we walk over. 

“That’s short for, I have to drive responsibly while Anderson is in the car or he’d kill me,” Leah laughs. 

The three get into the car. I look at Teagan through her window, “You think we can all fit?”

She rolls her eyes, “Yeah! Just don’t stretch your legs out like an idiot,” she teases. 

“Or you can have Caitlin sit on your lap,” Mateo whispers, nudging my arm with a smirk. That most definitely won’t be happening for numerous reasons! I give Mateo a deadly glare as we scoot into the seats. With Anderson sitting in the front, not much space was taken up. Once we are all set, Teagan drives us home...