Lights flickered and flashed everywhere. Laughter mixed with the sound of blasting music as it danced around the children who were eager to win games. The scent of the food carts could be smelt from blocks away; the typical cliché carnival. I stood alone next to a ball toss game. Both of my friends had ditched me. Probably to go see their boyfriends. I'm the only one without a boyfriend out of my group of friends, but I don't mind.
A gust of wind blew in my hair and tickled my cheek. The wind brought the sweet aroma of elephant ears . My stomach growled and I was suddenly craving one. I tapped at my back pocket to make sure I still had my wallet intact and decided to walk to a food stand close by. Only a few people were waiting in line including me. People lined up behind me scrambling to pull out their money; I did the same. It only cost $5, but my wallet only contained $4. Great.
"How way I help you?" a middle aged woman wearing a hair net asked.
"Uh, one elephant ear please," I managed to say.
The woman pulled the sugary dough onto a plate and placed it on the counter.
"That'll be five dollars please."
"I'm afraid I only have four dollars," I stammered as I placed the cash on the counter. She snarled at me until a hand from behind me slapped a dollar bill on the counter and brushed my shoulder as it retreated. I swiftly grabbed the plate and turned around to gaze upon a guy about my age.
"Thank you," I managed with a smile. The corners of his lips turned up.
"Oh, it was nothing," he replied, flashing his dimples my way.
We shuffled through crowds of people and decided to sit under a large oak tree.
"I'm Mark Corisca by the way," he chuckled.
"Torie Helinski," I replied, attempting to give him an attractive smile but failing miserably. I nodded towards the sugary elephant ear and crammed some into my mouth before speaking, "Want some?" I asked. Mark didn't seem to mind my manners, and only laughed.
"Sure. I mean that's why I was waiting in that line anyway," he beamed, reaching for the plate on my lap.
We talked about general things: age, school, family, and our career choices. It turns out he's 18, only one year older than me and plans on going into the medical field also.
"So, how about some real food?" Mark asked as he stood up. Dark shadows cascaded on his face, highlighting his jawline. Mark reached out and I took his hand in mine, using it to stand up.
"Alright. Where to? I used up everything I had in my wallet," I admitted.
"It's a surprise," he grinned.
Still holding hands, I tossed my plate in a nearby garbage can as he led us across the street. Up ahead was a McDonalds, and after we had walked into the parking lot, I knew this is where we were eating. How romantic. Although, understandable considering he was paying for it. Mark slipped his hand out from mine to open the door for me, smiling wide enough to show off his enticing dimples and perfectly aligned teeth. We were greeted by the sweet serenity of chocolate syrup and french fries. Regaining his grip on my hand, we walked up to the register.
"Hi, how may I help you today?" an older man asked cheerfully.
"Well I'll have a number six, grilled please with a sprite," Mark said.
"Will that be a large, sir?" the man asked. Robert was written on his nametag.
"Oh, yes please," Mark replied smiling. "And..." he trailed off, gesturing towards me.
"Um, I'll have a number four, medium, with a hi-c please," I said hugging mark from the side. "Thank you, again." He bent down to kiss my hair.
"It was no problem, anything for you."
Heat instantly rose to my cheeks while I squeezed closer into Mark so he couldn't see. He paid and we carried our trays to a booth next to the play scape.
After about ten minutes of eating, Mark darted out of the booth and stumbled into one of the tunnels in the play scape.
"First one to the top wins!" I heard Mark yell.
This should be easy I thought as I started up some stairs that led to a tunnel. I came across a two year old that needed help getting on top of a high obstacle. After I lifted the toddler up, I noticed the slide, but no Mark. I furrowed my eyebrows and checked inside the slide, but still no Mark.
"Umm, Torie," Mark called out.
I looked to my left and saw him stuck inside the tunnel, I attempted to use my hand to cover my mouth, but laughter kept pouring out.
"Can you come help me? I'm stuck," he laughed aimlessly. I nodded, crawling over to him.
"Ok grab my hands," I said, dragging him out. He landed on top of me, our lips mere inches away.
"Thanks," he smiled. His breath trickled down my neck. Biting at my lip to hold back a smile, he climbed off and headed towards the slide.
"After you, my lady," Mark smiled gesturing towards the slide. My lady. I have a chance.
I sat down about to go down the slide, then Mark sat behind me, latching his legs around mine until we reached the bottom laughing and smiling all the way down.
Walking back to our booth, we gathered all of our garbage. Mark took out a pen from his front pocket and started to scribble something onto a leftover napkin. I didn't question what he was writing because he would have told me if it was important. Shoving the pen and napkin back into his pocket, we threw away our trash and headed towards the door. It was only 6:45, and the sun created a pink glaze in the sky.
"So is there anything in mind that you wanted to do, Torie?"
"Actually, I have two free game passes for the laser tag place over there," I said pointing next door.
"Sounds fun to me, let's go," Mark said nudging my shoulder. He held my hand again until we got inside and had our vests on with the gun in our hands.
The inside of the laser tag course was dark with black lights everywhere, lighting up fluorescent paint on the walls. My white t-shirt and the laces on my converses started to glow, and I instantly regretted my choice of clothing. I could be easily spotted. An easy target.
I spent the first few minutes scoping for Mark, and occasionally shooting at anyone I crossed paths with. My vest flashed and vibrated. I'm hit. I could hear Mark's laughter and could make out his frame running up a ramp to my right. I headed left, knowing it all leads up to a shed in the middle. It only took me about three minutes of paranoia to find Mark and shoot him about seven times until the lights came on and a voice came over the speaker.
"Your playing time is over, please exit at the door to the left. Thank you, come again!"
I reached my hand out to entwine my fingers with Mark's as we tried to regain our breath. After we exited the course, we hung up our guns and vests. Mark and I bragged about how many people we shot as we walked out of the building hand in hand.
"I had a really great time today Mark,' I said, stopping just outside of Zap Zone. "I have to get going though; I promised my cousin I would go see a movie with her."
"I had an amazing day also. Best so far this summer," he winked. "That's ok, it was great spending time with you, Torie," he reassured as he pulled me in his arms for a hug. Mark pulled his head back just enough to adjust himself to kiss me. He lips pressed onto mine as I felt a pressure behind me while he shoved something into my back left pocket and letting his hand linger there before he pulled it back. Mark restrained back, looking into my eyes and gently rubbed his thumb against my cheek.
"See you around beautiful," Mark smiled before he shoved his hands into his pockets and started to walk across the street to his car.
Eager, I reached into my pocket and felt something soft. A napkin. Unable to hold back a smile, I read:
I had a lovely time today, Torie. I look forward to seeing you again, gorgeous.
Call me (734) 555-5555
xo
Mark Corisca