Ugh You again~

Carnival

I trudged home, my heart heavy with the weight of Sario's words. The basket I'd so carefully prepared now felt like a cruel reminder of my failed attempt to mend our friendship. As soon as I walked through the door, I headed straight to my room, hoping to find solace in the familiar surroundings.

I barely had time to process everything before my phone buzzed. It was Kuroo. I hesitated, staring at his name on the screen, but ultimately decided to answer.

"Hey, Blackfire," Kuroo's cheerful voice greeted me. "Kenma, Lily, and I are heading to the carnival tonight. Want to join us?"

For a moment, I considered saying no. I felt so drained and defeated. But then I thought about Sario's harsh words and realized I needed a distraction. "Sure," I replied, trying to muster some enthusiasm. "That sounds fun."

The carnival was a riot of lights and sounds, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions inside me. As soon as I met up with Kuroo, Kenma, and Lily, their infectious energy began to lift my spirits. We laughed and joked as we navigated through the bustling crowds, riding a few smaller rides and playing some games.

Eventually, we found ourselves standing in front of the carnival's biggest ride: a massive roller coaster that twisted and turned high above us. My stomach churned just looking at it.

"You guys go ahead," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not a big fan of roller coasters."

Kuroo noticed my hesitation and stepped closer. "Hey, don't worry. I'll sit with you. It's going to be fine, I promise."

I glanced at him, his reassuring smile easing some of my fear. Reluctantly, I agreed, and we climbed into the coaster car. As the safety bar clicked into place, my heart pounded in my chest. The ride began its slow ascent, the ground dropping away beneath us.

"Everything is going to be fine, I got you," Kuroo said, grabbing my hand. His grip was warm and steady, a lifeline amidst the chaos.

The coaster crested the first hill, and we plunged downward. Instead of the terror I expected, a rush of exhilaration filled me. I found myself laughing, the wind whipping through my hair as we sped through loops and twists. In that moment, all my worries faded away, replaced by pure joy.

As the ride slowed to a stop, I realized something had shifted inside me. The fear and sadness were still there, but they were overshadowed by the thrill of the ride and the comfort of Kuroo's presence. I glanced at him, his face flushed with excitement, and felt a flicker of something more.

"That was amazing," I said breathlessly as we climbed out of the car.

"I told you," Kuroo replied, grinning. "You just needed a little push."

We rejoined Kenma and Lily, who had also enjoyed the ride. The rest of the evening was a blur of fun and laughter, and for the first time in days, I felt genuinely happy.

As we left the carnival, I couldn't help but reflect on the night's events. Despite everything with Sario, I had friends who cared about me. And as for Kuroo... I wasn't sure what I felt, but I knew that something was changing.

For now, I was content to let things unfold and see where they led. Life was unpredictable, but maybe that was part of its beauty.