In This Moment [ONE SHOT]

This is for my friend Destani and her husband Tyler Posey:

Destani perched on the wooden bench as she glared at a little girl, who sat atop of her father’s shoulders. Her tiny fingers grasped on to the fragile string that held the balloon from gliding in the atmosphere. She longed for being a child again. As a child, she always wanted to be a teenager but now she regrets those wishes. 

“Destani!” James raised his voice. “Is it becoming your hobby to ignore everything I say?” 

The muffled sounds of the carnival became more coherent to her hearing. Her surroundings became more clear as well. Three handsome men stood beside James and Shayla. She shook her head, “Sorry. I just zoned out for a second.” 

“Guys, this is Destani. Destani, this is Theo, Dylan, and Tyler,” James introduced the group to her. It was very unusual for James to speak to strangers in a crowded place, but she understood by observing their faultless looks. 

The boys simultaneously said, “Hi.”

“Hey,” Destani answered. She stood up from the bench and noticed one of them, staring at her with his almond colored eyes.  She notices the cute stubble across his jawline, his perfect tan skin and his thin, pink lips. He curves them into a smile when he perceives that she is looking back at him. Her eyes advert away from him as she feels her cheeks warm. 

“So you guys want to go on the ferris wheel?” She hears a low, masculine voice. It was the guy who James didn’t keep his eyes away from.

“Yeah, I’m up for it,” Shayla’s smile widens. Destani notices the other boy, Dylan, admiring her cute smile as he automatically reddens. 

“C-Can I go with you?” Dylan asks Shayla. She adverts towards him and nods.

Theo slips his arm around James’s waist and leads him towards the ferris wheel. They’ve just met and Theo had already felt comfortable enough to do that to her friend. Then Destani’s heart dropped when she realized that her own friends left her with a stranger. 

Tyler curled half of his lip, “Well, I guess that leaves us two.” His voice is soft, making Destani feel vulnerable, but affluent. 

Destani let out a giggle, “You’re good at math.”

“Ah, you seem attentive,” Tyler retorted, “Do you want to go on with me?” He seems nervous to ask, but it attracts Destani more.

“I would be honored to,” Destani answered.

•

“So is this your first time at the carnival this year?” Tyler asked. His muscles tensed as the seat moved up some to let another rider on.

“Yes. Why do you ask?” Destani inquired. She noted the way his fingers grasped tightly on the handle. Was he frightened? 

“I-I’ve been coming here every year. I pay close attention to my surroundings,” His voice shakes.

Destani tilts her head, “Are you okay, Tyler? You look like you might faint at any moment.” 

Tyler lets out a chuckle, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth. She payed attention to all his perfect features. “I’ve just never been a big fan of ferris wheels. Let alone heights.” 

“Tyler, if you didn’t want to go on then we didn’t have-” Destani started but was interrupted by Tyler. “No it’s fine! I most certainly didn’t want you to go on all by yourself.”

Destani gently gripped on Tyler’s wrist. His skin emitted warmth, sending chills up and down her body. “Then I’ll protect you.”

He laughed softly, “Thanks.” The ride moved up some more, and he clutched onto the bar even tighter. “Distract me.”