fireworks ➣ caspar lee

Carnival

"Are you ready to go?" Joe called down the stairs to me. I pulled on my shoes and stood up, checking myself in the mirror before hurrying up the stairs.

"Yeah, let's go," I said, not looking at him as I made my way to the door. We were taking the train to Newhaven for a carnival and we were running late.

"Not so fast, Marley. Caspar's still getting ready." Joe rolled his eyes and sighed, leaning against the banister while we waited. I grabbed my bag off the counter and slung it over my shoulder, letting it drop next to my hip. 

Finally, Caspar hurried upstairs, his red shoes untied and his backpack unzipped and hanging off one arm.

"Come on then!" Joe grabbed his vlogging camera and ushered us out the door and down to the Uber that was impatiently waiting outside for us.

As I climbed in I sighed in relief, handing the driver an extra £10 for waiting. Caspar sat at the far end, I was in the middle, and Joe was at the other end. Joe told the driver the station name and we pulled out into the street.

"Caspar, if we miss this train I will personally ruin you," Joe muttered playfully, but there was a hint of seriousness in his voice. 

Caspar chuckled and nodded, before moving his hand next to mine. His thumb brushed against the back of my hand and he looked down smiling. He wrapped his hand around mine. His touch sent chills up my spine and I bit my lip to hide my smile before distracting myself away with my phone.

Finally, we pulled into a lot of the station, and Joe paid the driver before stepping out of the cab. Caspar held out his hand out to help me out of the car. I paused for a moment before taking the offer, his warm hand enveloping mine for a few seconds before he let my hand go. 

I sighed and slung my bag back over my shoulder, following them to the train that had just pulled in. Joe scanned our tickets and we boarded just as the doors slammed shut. I sighed in relief.

"Thank God," Caspar muttered, sneaking a hesitant look at Joe before letting a playful smile creep across his face as his eyes met mine. 

I smiled back and brushed my hair behind my ear, letting Joe lead us to a set of seats. Joe sat across from Caspar and me, and I put my feet up on the extra chair across. 

It would be less than an hour until we got to the Newhaven station, so there wasn't time to relax much. I took my camera out of my bag and snapped a few pictures of the coast, but the glare of the train window messed up most of the pictures. 

I was acutely aware of Caspar's hand on my opposite shoulder, his fingers playing with a strand of my hair absentmindedly. I sighed and leaned my head on the window, watching the pebbles under the tracks fly past my eyes. 

We approached the train station and I raised my head and stretched. Caspar stood, offering me a hand up again and off we went. 

Joe started vlogging, taking videos here and there. His smile seemed to give the passerby's smiles as well, it was nice to watch. Caspar occasionally took my hand and looked at me for a moment. I was confused... Did he genuinely like me or was he just being playful?

We walked towards the entrance to the carnival and I smiled, the bright lights always enthuse me. Caspar saw me smiled and leaned over, wrapping his arm around me before planting a kiss on the side of my head.

I felt my cheeks grow warm and I fumbled over my words.

"Who- I mean what," I cast a pointed look at Joe, "Ride do you want to go on first?" I looked at the both of them and Joe suppressed a laugh. 

"Any ride is nice, really. We could go on the trolley first just to get that through with." He suggested, putting his camera back into his backpack.

I nodded and looked to Caspar for a conclusion.

"Trolley it is!" He smiled and took my hand, leading us to the trolley line. I leaned against the railing and watched it arrive at the landing area. I followed Joe onto the train and we took a spot at the back so we could get footage of the tracks. 

Caspar put his arm around me and leaned close, murmuring something in my ear.

"You're beautiful, Marley. Absolutely stunning, I couldn't believe my eyes this morning." I flushed pink and covered my smile with my hand. I looked at him and he pressed a slow kiss on my jawline.

"You also were adorable in Zoe's video, but mostly without the makeup." He chuckled, kissing my cheek again. I laughed and looked down, a shiver creeping up my spine at his closeness. 

"T-thank you," Was all I could manage. I grinned again and finally looked up, looking away from Caspar and out at the lights surrounding us. 

The trolley slowed to a stop and we all go off, following the ropes to the exit at the little station.

"That was enjoyable.. kind of," Joe smiled and adjusted the straps on his shoulders. "Where to now?" He glanced around, his eyes catching on a spinning ride with all sorts of lights glittering and flashing to get peoples' attention.

Spinning things did not do me well.

"If you want to go on that, you can. It's a no from me," I giggled softly, shifting my feet awkwardly. I didn't like saying no.

Caspar gave Joe a weak smile; he was obviously not too keen on revolving rides either. He took my hand and I stifled a grin.

"Yeah, I think I'll stick with Marley for this one. We gotta keep the pretty cousins safe right?" Caspar giggled and pressed a kiss behind my ear and I flushed scarlet.

Joe's eyes widened with pride (for Caspar?) and with amusement. He nodded and reached for a hug from me, which I returned.

"Don't let him get in your pants, Marley girl." I choked on my breath and pulled back, laughing with Joe. He fist-bumped Caspar and waved us off.

"Where do you want to go, babe?" Caspar's hand tightened around mine protectively.

"Babe?" I raised an eyebrow at him. The nerve... We weren't even dating.

"That's what you are," He shrugged. "Do you disagree?" A smirk crossed his face. 

I sighed as we walked. "Yes, but I also think you should actually ask me out if you're going to use a pet name for me," I said firmly, not lifting my eyes from the ground.

Caspar didn't say anything, he just put his arm around me.

After a long time, he finally spoke. 

"Will do, Marls," I blushed at his nickname for me and I realized we had arrived at a little wooden coaster. "Shall we?" He un-snaked his arm from around me and held out his hand, which I took hesitantly.

We got in the queue and I sat back against the separation bars, my feet up on the ones across. Caspar did the same, returning his arm around my back. The line moved quickly enough that we didn't sit in one spot long, and we got into the loading lines soon after.

"Can we please sit in the front seat?" I begged, leading him to the front line. He groaned.

"Fine, but I'm not gonna enjoy it." He chuckled and stood behind me, his hands moving from my arms to my waist, where they rested. 

Finally, the gates opened and we climbed into the seats, pulling the fittings down. Caspar's long legs were cramped into the roller car. He grasped my hand tightly, looking at me once before smiling at the tracks ahead. The conductor gave the all clear and the ride started moving quickly, going down a small slope before reaching the big hill before the drop.

I glanced around the carnival as we gained height, a smile spreading across my cheeks.

"Marley!" Caspar said loudly over the roar of the tracks. I looked at him, and in a split second, he was leaning towards me with his hand cupping my face.

Before I could answer him, his lips were on mine briefly, and he pulled away just as we reached the crest of the tracks and we shot down, Caspar screaming in delight and my cheeks hot and flushed, still looking at him. 

It really was real.