Diane rolled her eyes and went after her. She found her half inside her closet, scanning through outfits. “I can’t believe you, Nikki. I told you I’d be here in the next thirty minutes. Why didn’t you use that time to dress like the diva you want to go as to the carnival?” she griped, falling back on the comforter.
“I get it. You’re fine wearing a crumpled T-shirt and some knickers, looking like you’re from the countryside.” Nikki walked out of her closet holding an off-the-shoulder floral print blouse and cream-colored high-waisted skinny jeans. “But for me, coordination and fashion are my best friends. I can’t be seen in public in just anything. What if a model scout happens to be walking through the carnival?”
Diane pushed up on her elbows to look at her cousin. “First of all, I like what I’m wearing. It’s comfortable. Second, you look great in anything. You’re a natural beauty, and any modeling agency would be lucky to have you.”
She could see the uncertainty flash in her cousin’s blue eyes. “Then why am I still living at my parents' house instead of jetting around the world?”
Diane got up from the bed and stood beside her cousin. She threw her hand around her shoulders. She knew just how fragile her cousin was. She put on the mean girl persona to hide just how broken and unsure she was. Diane wished there was something she could say or do to let her cousin understand just how special she was. “Maybe it’s just not the right time. But you are meant for great things, Nikki. I believe with all my might that you will make it. Just be patient,” she coaxed. Nikki nodded and gave her a small, grateful smile.
After Nikki got dressed, the two left.
Diane breathed in the salty air as she drove down the highway to her destination. She could see birds over the ocean, their wings extended as the wind gave them buoyancy. She could also make out the Cascade Mountains in the distance, like a phantom apparition rising from the great deep. She liked living on Whidbey with all its beautiful sights. She liked how different yet similar the cultures of the small towns that made it up were. She also liked the fact that it was so close to Seattle.
Leaving the Pioneer Highway, she entered the small town of Stanwood and continued over the Camano Bridge and onto the island. She would be meeting the others at the carnival. She took the time to take in the breathtaking view before her. Even though the evening sun was still beating down on the pastures, they maintained their lush, verdant appearance. Evergreens and the big leaf maples and western hemlock lined most of the country road into town that was bustling with tourists visiting the local boutiques to purchase souvenirs from the shopkeepers. No doubt she was sure most of them were in town for the carnival like she was.
The sound of the carnival hit them before they made it to the site. It was cheerful and light, and Diane couldn’t wait to sample the unique foods and confections only found when the amusement park was in town. The red, blue, and white tents and the Ferris Wheel were the first tangible objects that greeted her as they rose high in the sky. When she finally made it through the large iron gates, she parked the car and got out.
“Where are we meeting the others?” Nikki asked, folding her arms across her chest.
Diane fished her phone out of her purse. “I’m gonna shoot Jules a text.” A minute after doing so, her cell pinged. “They’re by the ticketing booth,” she informed Nikki.
The pair left the parking lot behind them and entered the large throng of people who were milling about and having a good time. Cotton candy, caramelized french fries, doughnuts, toasted marshmallows, and spiced apples were some of the aromas that assaulted her senses as they walked farther onto the grounds. Her mouth watered in anticipation of sampling everything there.
They found the others waiting by the ticketing booth as they said they would.
“Hi guys,” she greeted.
“Hi, Diane,” they all greeted her cheerfully before turning apprehensive stares in Nikki’s direction.
“Hi, Nikki. How are you?” Cassidy greeted.
“Never been better,” Nikki responded in a high-pitched, upbeat fashion as her lips lifted in the facade of a smile.
“Why don’t we go check out these rides, huh?” Jules asked. “I bought tickets for everyone.” She held up the rectangular strips.
“Nice,” Diane approved.
Nikki took her ticket, and her face transformed into a scowl. “The Carousel? What are we five?”
“Come on, Nikki. It’ll be fun,” Diane encouraged, linking their arms. Nikki looked at her dubiously and opened her mouth to say something, but Diane pulled her along. “Let’s go, guys,” she called over her shoulder. The others looked hesitant again, but they, too, started walking toward the ride.
The group had to wait for a short while, but they finally made it up onto the rotating platform, where they took their places on the horses stationed as a perimeter guard. As they spun, music reminiscent of a circus started to play in the background. At the same time, the horses began to ascend and descend the platform slowly. After that, there was a slow but steady increase in the speed. Diane was getting a little light-headed as a result of all the moving around, but despite that, she was having a great time. She noticed that Nikki still had a scowl when she looked her way.
The group went on three more rides after that, all of which Nikki considered too tame. The sky was blanketed in a deep, dark hue, with a few stars dotting the night sky by then.
“I’m gonna go get some cotton candy and walk around for a bit. I’ll meet up with you guys later,” Nikki informed them.
“Okay, text me,” Diane told her before she walked off.
“So how are your plans for the wedding coming along?” Cassidy asked Diane as they sipped on the snow cones they’d gotten from a vendor.
“Um…it's going,” she replied. Her cousins all turned to her, waiting for an explanation. “Derek’s been busy with work. It threw our plans off a bit in terms of deciding on the overall theme, the food, and the DJ.” She listed the items on her fingers.
“Planning a wedding is hard work,” Rory gave out. “I remember when James and I were planning our wedding. It was a roller coaster that almost became a nightmare.”
“Yeah. We were there,” Sophia said.
Rory pursed her lips and nodded. “What I’m trying to say, Diane, is make sure that you’re both on the same page and don’t allow those on the outside to dictate what you should or should not do. This is a partnership of two, you and Derek.”
