Heart Eyes

Chapter 3 - The carnival

Caylee lays out 4 outfits for me on my bed. All consist of jeans and some crop tops. "Caylee, for God's sake, that one is tiny!!"

Caylee grins "You gotta look hot for Evvvviieee."

I cringe. "First of all, never call him that again. Second, you're going to be with us. Third... It's a carnival. I don't need to practically be naked"

Caylee has a stupid smile on her face. "Whatever. I like the one on the far right. Ooooh. If you wear it with your white Converse. You'll look hot girl."

I look at her "This isn't a date. But whatever."

4 minutes later, I come back in. I'm wearing the tight white spaghetti strap crop top. The baggy jeans are cute paired with the white Converse. Caylee whistles. I look in the mirror and smile a bit. I actually look decent for once in my life.

"I like this one. It's cute." I say softly

"Cute? Ains, you look hot." Caylee says to me.

I take a deep breath and adjust the straps of the crop top, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "Okay, fine. Hot it is," I joke, rolling my eyes at Caylee, but I can't suppress a smile.

"Trust me, Ainsley, you're going to turn heads tonight, and especially Everett's," she insists, practically bouncing on her feet.

There's an undeniable energy in the air, a buzz that makes me feel both anxious and exhilarated. Caylee helps me fix my hair into loose waves, and I can't help but admire how much effort she puts into her own outfit.

She's wearing a vibrant sundress that complements her sun-kissed skin perfectly.

"You're not looking too shabby yourself," I comment, and she twirls, her dress flaring out around her.

"Stop it, you're just saying that," she giggles, but she knows I mean it.

We grab our bags and head out, the warm evening breeze welcoming us as we step into the world outside.

******

The carnival lights twinkle in the distance, and I can hear the faint sound of laughter and music wafting over to us. The atmosphere feels electric as we walk hand in hand down the street, ready for a night filled with fun.

"Honestly, once we get there, I need you to play it cool around Everett," Caylee says, her voice lowering a bit.

I raise an eyebrow at her. "Cool? Have you met me? Playing it cool isn't exactly in my skill set."

She shrugs, her expression a mixture of determination and confidence. "Just remember: you're hot! Confidence is key. I want you to have fun, not just survive the night."

As we approach the carnival, the air thickens with the smells of popcorn and cotton candy. The lights are brighter than I anticipated, illuminating everything in a warm glow. My heart beats faster—maybe this won't be so bad after all.

We enter, and the sound overwhelms us: laughter, the whir of rides, and distant screams of excitement. I glance around, spotting colorful booths and rides in every direction.

"Wow." I breathe. "This is even better than I imagined. But also... overwhelming."

Caylee grabs my hand, pulling me toward the big Ferris wheel. "Let's start there! It's the best view!"

As we take our place in line, I can see Everett in the distance, flanked by a group of friends. He catches my eye and gives me a friendly wave.

My stomach flips over. "What if I trip or spill my drink on him or something?" I whisper to Caylee, suddenly feeling all the insecurities I tried to shake off.

"You won't! Just breathe, Ainsley. Remember: hot, confident, and fun!" She grins, and I can't help but laugh.

When we finally climb into one of the Ferris wheel cars, I try to focus on the view instead of my swirling thoughts. As we ascend, I feel the cool breeze on my skin, and I glance at Caylee beside me. She's radiating happiness, her laughter ringing out as we reach the top.

"Look at the view!" she exclaims, pointing out at the sprawling carnival below, lights sparkling like a million stars. I smile, taking in the breathtaking sight, feeling somewhat lighter.

"Okay, this is pretty amazing," I admit, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see a message from Everett.

Everett: "You look nice tonight, Ains. See you soon. Meet at the hotdog stand?"

My cheeks flush, and I can't help grinning widely. Caylee notices. "See? He thinks you're hot!"

Before I can respond, the Ferris wheel jolts to a stop, and the ride is over. I take a deep breath, feeling the exhilaration of the moment. "Okay, let's make tonight unforgettable," I whisper to myself, the spark of confidence igniting within.