LOVELORN

50|Festivals & revelations

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EVERY SPRING, the city hosted a large festival. Food stands and various booths would be set up, artists would gather to perform, activities would be held, and screams could be heard from the amusement rides. It was decorated to match the vibe, the city center bursting with joyful people. It was all around a good time.

"Cotton candy!" Mai shrieked, rushing to a stand that sold sweet treats and popcorn. Mara followed her, looking equally excited at the prospect of spun sugar. Naturally, Silas went with her.

I wasn't as thrilled about cotton candy, but I wouldn't mind popcorn, so I joined them in line.

Nudging Zora, I asked, "Do you want to share a large popcorn?"

She beamed. "Fuck yeah, I do."

We ordered the popcorn and got it promptly. Mai and Mara were eating their pink cotton with wide smiles. Fittingly, the shade of pink nearly matched Mai's recently dyed hair. I glanced over my shoulder to see Caio standing a little behind the rest of us, texting on his phone. Giving Zora a quick excuse, I approached him.

"Hey, everything okay?"

"Hmm?" He hummed, looking up from his phone with a furrow between his brows. "Oh, yeah. Everything's fine."

Biggest lie ever.

"You sure?"

His shoulders dropped and he scratched the nape of his neck. "Okay, no, everything's not fine. Zahir's showing up."

"Oh, that's...good?" I trailed off quizzically, unsure whether he was happy about it or not.

"It is, yeah, of course." Though he still sounded hesitant. "He'll be joining us and gave me permission to introduce him...as my boyfriend."

My face lit up with a smile. I squealed, throwing my arms around him. "That's great, I'm so happy for you!" When I noticed he didn't match my excitement, I pulled back with a frown. "What's the problem, then?"

"I'm just nervous, honestly. What if they don't like him? What if Mai doesn't like him? What if-"

"Caio," I interrupted, sensing his panic. "Mai loves most people as long as they're not an idiot, treat you well, and aren't a total bore. He meets those criteria, right?" Caio nodded. "Then she's going to love him because he makes you happy and that's all she wants for you. As for the others, I'm sure they'll be over the moon for you too."

"What if he regrets it? He told me he trusted that they wouldn't tell others, but what if he ends up wishing he hadn't let me tell them?"

I put my hands on his shoulders. "That's out of your control, okay? And if he does, that's not on you. Do you think he'll ever want to come out?"

"His parents aren't exactly the accepting type, but he says he wants to in college. What if he gets tired of me before then? I really don't want that to happen. I love him, Naya, I honestly do."

"Have you told him you love him?"

Caio looked a little shy but nodded with a little smile.