Grease • muke • part of the reality series•

Chapter Two : Michael

The click of roller coasters racing over looping tracks mixing with shrill screams of excitement and feigned terror filled the air. The chorus paring expertly with the cloud of sky blue cotton candy held in my hand.

The cloud like delicacy melting on my tongue, I let my eyes wander the crowded carnival from my perch on the curb.

The place was swarming with over dressed girls and under dressed teenage boys on awkward first date, crawling with unsupervised little kids, and filled with annoyed looking parents trying to keep up with their kids.

It was a prime location to people watch, making bets with yourself which girls would be hit on by Carnies (all of them) and which girls would try to get taken home by the much older, sun weathered men.

The whole place was dirty, disgusting and smelled vaguely of feet, however there was a sort of nostalgia that came with the caravan of vagabonds and their cheap rides, and year after year I found myself drawn to the strange little pop up amusement park.

The place was oddly captivating and so, I was distracted not noticing my group of friends approaching until they sat down beside me, Ashton on my left, Casey on my right and my younger sister Maya on Ashton's lap.

"You should have gone on the roller coaster with us Michael." Maya informed me, "It was awesome."

"I'll take your word for it."

"We're going again, you should come."

"Pass."

"Oh come on Mikey, live a little." Ashton taunted, nudging me in the ribs with his elbow.

"I'll take a rain check."

"You're lame." Ashton declared, ripping a large tuft of cotton candy and cramming it in his mouth, his hollow cheeks deflating immediately as the blue fuzz melted on his tongue.

"Intentionally making myself dizzy isn't my idea of a good time." I retorted, "You guys go ahead."

"Fine." Maya huffed, "We will."

Rising to her feet she took Ashton's hand and hauled him up behind her. The two waiting for Casey to slowly stretch in a cat like manner and begrudgingly stand up before the three of them disappeared into the crowd.

Cramming the last off the cotton candy into my mouth I wiped my sticky hands on the thighs of my jeans before removing a package of cigarettes from my pocket. Sliding one out of the box I lit it with the lighter in my other pocket, then placed the thing between my lips.

My racing heart slowing and the crowd around me seeming instantly less menacing. Taking a long drag of the thing I took in my surroundings, my eyes skimming the crowd before focusing in on a boy sat further down the curb.

It surprised me that he was sitting alone.

Who goes to a carnival just to sit alone and watch passersby live life as if they were character on the silver screen?

I mean I did.

But I didn't like people.

Tapping the ash from my cigarette, I stared hard at the boy. He looked to be about my age, maybe a little younger or perhaps he was just baby faced. His hair was completely hidden under a beanie, his hands were pulled into the sleeves of his sweatshirt, his shoulders balled up protectively near his ears, and his long, spider like legs were pulled up to his chest. Long story short, the guy looked like a turtle trying to retract into his shell.

Exhaling smoke, I squinted slightly, trying to make my eyes focus on the boy in the distance. It wouldn't have been hard if I'd worn my glasses, but I never wore my glasses.