+ 4 songs that remind me of this chap
amusement park- baekhyun
sit down beside me- patrick watson
okinawa- 92914
it's hard to get around the wind- alex turner
on the pier, the gently setting sun casts long, cool shadows in tandem with the glowing orange afternoon rays. the sea lovingly sparkles in the diffused light, its waves appearing as thick brushstrokes on a painter's canvas.
the ocean breeze wafts a titillating aroma towards my direction. after his awkward departure, jensen comes back with a fresh funnel cake in hand, dripping in strawberry syrup and coated in a blizzard of powdered sugar.
taking out two forks, jensen very obviously turns away from me.
"here you go, taylor"
confused, i lean my head back to see what's going on
"is there another one-"
"get your own."
jensen sharply cuts me off with a huff, not even bothering to glance back at me
damn. did i do something wrong? is he really that salty about the bear thing?
just as i'm staring into space, honestly feeling so overwhelmed and emotional like my nightmares came true and my friends actually hate me, i hear a muffled giggle. jensen softly pleads "nooo stop this is so mean" and the giggle turns into uproarious laughter.
taylor is doubled over, cackling
"you're so predictable"
animatedly pointing in taylor's direction, jensen defends himself.
"it was all his idea! it wasn't even funny!"
"liar! you're laughing too!"
i kinda still don't get it but ok, i guess they are the jiri bullying club. i'm not even offended or anything, but it was so cute how jensen got all flustered when he was acting petty because it's so out of his character. that's a green flag.
he guides us to a free table in the busy boardwalk and pats the seat next to him, motioning me to sit. it's a rickety table that squeaks when you sit down, but it's faded colors and sun-bleached umbrella are charming nonetheless.
a small flutter arises in my chest as i sit beside him and i instinctively scoot away. however, he only moves closer so our shoulders brush together. a tingle of warmth spreads over my face. god, this is so embarrassing, literally am i that touch starved? the thought only makes my face grow redder in shame. i give up and bury my face in my arms atop the table
before long, jensen nudges my arm
"still hurt about that fork?"
he lightly jests
i just roll my eyes, trying to look annoyed at the mention of this epic betrayal, but i'm just awooga awoogaing at how much attention he's paying me.
"well don't be sad, of course i got a fork for you, and i also got napkins!"
we indulge in the still-warm treat, delicious but almost grotesque in its sweetness. i'm fighting the urge to tell jensen 'mmm it's almost as sweet as you, shawty bae' but i'll obviously control myself.
the sun settled beyond the horizon, soon to be replaced by a neon moon. a hazy blue sky frames the mountains in the distance, an airbrushed orange halo contouring its blackened silhouette. in this late sunset burgeoning on evening, the ferris wheel's fluorescent lights switch on. it shines almost as bright as the unbridled adolescent joy it fosters.
seeing the lights, i'm automatically reminded of what i came here for: that fucking ferris wheel. excitedly, i drag them by the arms to the crowded line. rows of restless bodies bubble next to each other in anticipation, but unlike the sweaty subway this is a welcome shared warmth cooled by soft sea spray. i can hardly contain my giddy childlike joy as the roller coasters rush past, so close it tousles my hair and its rumble shakes my bones. like a soccer mom taking family photos, taylor corrals us together to take a blurry selfie and document the moment.
finally it's our turn. i grip onto the sides with clammy fingers as i step onto the wobbling platform. taylor files in next, clumsily lumbering across the octagonal carriage. come time for jensen, he floats in gracefully so as to not shake it one bit. but, he unnecessarily shimmies over taylor so he can sit between us instead of on the edge. this throws the carrier off balance to the left and the worker orders taylor to sit on the opposite side.
jensen looks quite smug and pleased with this result, subtly resting his arm around the back of the seat, fingertips just brushing my shoulder. the ferris wheel starts its slow ascend, pausing every few seconds to allow others to board. a roller coaster roars past us from behind, screams trailing off into the wind and a deep rumble shakes me from within mirroring my hammering heart. simultaneously, we both instinctively turn to view it, bringing our faces closer together than ever. he looks me straight in the eye, gaze challenging me even when i avert my eyes to the floor. i gulp and take a deep breath just as the wheel takes up another step. we're nearing the top. a strong wind cools me down, thankfully whirling around my long black hair enough to hide my reddening face.
"whoa, it's so fucking pretty" taylor exclaims and i finally look up again. sure enough, a beautiful panoramic view of the coastline extends for miles. the last stragglers on the surf appear as nothing but specks and the great hotels along the water are mere children's toys opposed to the vast ocean's grandeur.
i think absent-mindedly, "damn, this looks like a romcom coming of age moment", unaware it was aloud until i feel my breath utter the words. taylor is completely absorbed in taking selfies against the glorious backdrop. jensen, however, takes notice and gazes up at me with sparkling eyes, wide with opportunity and longing.
"yeah? let's make it one."
he softly caresses my face, tucking a wind-whipped strand of hair behind my ear, inching closer and closer. giving me plenty of time to pull away, he leans in and i can't help but to shut my eyes. through the induced darkness i feel a touch, gentle and warm against my cheek. his lips; slightly parted and with the texture of velvet. a single peck that lingers just for one full second.
his breath tickles with every warm exhale, leaving a cold void in its absence. reluctantly, he slickly pulls himself out of my space like one exits water. every surface of my body tingles as if it's glowing. the beating of a thousand butterflies' wings pluck at the strings of a harp in my heart.
he meets my eyes again, suddenly making me aware that i've been holding in my breath. a gentle smile manifests itself. intimate, knowing. a look so soft with adoration and fascination, like he's observing the delicate brushwork of a master painting. how can someone gaze at my sullied features, tear-stained and sleepless, and somehow find beauty in it?
//
lol i literally started this chap the week before school started 🧍♀️ yet here we are. it took so long i literally fulfilled my dream of going on the ferris wheel on the boardwalk while i was writing this chap. also i've always struggled to place the setting of this story but i think i've settled on: basically semi-suburban la but with good public transport. hope u like the song recs too i'll do it for every chapter :))
