you’re joking
LAYLA
not in the slightest
I’m glad for it though. It feels like I’m right there beside you
He went all out with his outfit too! How cute
BELLA
stop internet stalking me
LAYLA
never xxx
I’ve never felt positively overstimulated.
Something within me came alive as we pulled into the carnival. Something that has felt dead for over a year. I forgot to havefun. I forgot that life is meant to be enjoyable. I forgot that in between all the doctors’ appointments and rushed hospital trips and endless chemotherapy, I was meant to be making my mom’s lifefun.
I can ponder how to do that later, but for right now, despite Grayson letting me ramble about which way to go, I still feel overwhelmed.
I want to do it all.
I want to try all the food, to laugh, to play every game available. But there’s so much—so many lights, so many people, so many noises and smells.
Grayson steers me to the left, marking the beginning of the clockwise motion. Grinning down at me, I find the tension in my chest falling away as he takes the list of options away from me.
“Are you ready?”
“For what?”
“Twenty-one questions.”
I nearly stumble over my own feet. I completely forgot why we were here, completely forgot that this isn’t a real date. That the warm muscular arm around my shoulder is nothing but a friendly gesture as he steers me toward the first stall.
“You can go first,” I say, my nerves buzzing frantically.
“When was your last relationship?”
I whistle as we get in line for the first carnival game. “Jumping headfirst into the tough questions, I see.”
Grayson’s eyes rove the stall as he shrugs. “No point in wasting time.”
The line moves, and Grayson peels his gaze away and slides it toward me. Staring into his eyes is like diving into the middle of the ocean. It’s hypnotic, peaceful, and so surreal that you get turned around. The ocean swallows you whole, and suddenly, you don’t know which way is up or down.
“I haven’t had a serious relationship since college.”
“Why did it end?” he asks softly as we move forward.
Bumping his shoulder, I grin. “That’s two questions.”
“Humor me,” he drawls.
Sighing, I lower my voice. “He cheated on me with my roommate.” I wasn’t laughing when it happened, but I chuckle now. “He claimed it was dark and he fell into the wrong bed.”
Grayson’s eyes widen in horror. “No, he didn’t.”
