Ella Sullivan is an 18-year-old high school senior with a sharp wit and a penchant for sarcasm. Her life revolves around her close-knit group of friends and the love for her dog. But her world is thrown into disarray when she encounters Ms. Catherin...
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———༺✵༻——— POV Ella ———༺✵༻———
The warm April sun is high in the sky as I walk with my friends toward the entrance of the Spring Festival. It's just past noon, and the air smells sweet, like freshly cut grass mixed with the faint tang of sunscreen. The light breeze carries the earthy scent of the nearby lake, which shimmers in the distance. I can hear faint music playing, though we're still far enough that it's just a suggestion, the bass thumping lazily in the distance.
Abby walks to my right, practically bouncing on her feet with excitement. Her messy blond hair falls over her face, but she doesn't seem to care as she chatters away, pointing ahead to the colorful banners strung between the trees at the festival entrance. The pastel flags flutter gently, leading us toward the promise of a day filled with games, food, and laughter.
To my left, Jess walks a little more calmly, her sunglasses pushed up into her dark curls as she squints at the bright sunlight. "It looks busier than last year," she says, glancing at me with a smile. "Did you see the lines on the way here?"
"Yeah," I nod, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "It'll probably get even crazier later. People love an excuse to get out for the first warm weekend."
Amori, with his shaggy black hair and a wide grin, chuckles from behind us. "That's because everyone's been cooped up all winter. Spring festivals are like, the first breath of freedom after months of being locked indoors."
Nick nudges him playfully with his elbow. "And the first chance to show off your terrible aim at the ring toss," he teases.
Amori pretends to be offended, but his eyes sparkle with mischief. "You'll eat those words when I win you that giant stuffed bear."
"Or you'll waste all your money trying," Nick fires back, laughing as we all fall into step together.
As we get closer to the festival entrance, the music grows louder, and the smell of fried food starts to mingle with the fresh air. There's a row of food stalls just visible now, with people crowding around them. The first thing I see is a bright red cart with a striped awning selling cotton candy in swirls of pink and blue. Further down, the aroma of sizzling burgers and fried dough makes my stomach rumble.
"God, I'm starving," Abby groans, rubbing her stomach. "First stop has to be food, right?"
Jess laughs. "We literally just got here."
"I know, but look at that funnel cake stand! How am I supposed to say no to that?" Abby gestures toward the stall, where powdered sugar billows in the air as the vendor shakes it over a freshly fried cake.
"You're hopeless," I say, shaking my head, but I can't help but smile. Abby's enthusiasm is infectious.
"Okay, food first," Amori declares. "Then we hit the games. I want to try the shooting gallery this year."
