The Day we Watched the Fireworks

Chapter 4

"He what?!" Sonnet screamed through the phone, "He was the one to ask you out? You're supposed to go to the carnival today?"

"Don't be so loud...!" I cupped the phone near my mouth so I would make less noise, "You know the rule!"

"Yeah, yeah," I could just hear Sonnet's sarcasm through the phone, "No boys, that's the rule, but I mean they barely allow you to talk to girls."

I heaved a heavy sigh, "Just cooperate with me."

"Speaking of which," Sonnet changed the topic, "How will you get to the carnival today?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, they would barely let you go to the carnival, how will be able to go to the carnival with a boy?"

My parents thought overly crowded places were too dangerous for me to be in. They wouldn't even let me go to a carnival even if I was with a friend,

"I'll sneak out."

It took a while for Sonnet to respond, "Eleanor, the person who would rather watch blu-ray movies than go to a party with five people, wants to sneak out?"

I chuckled, "I have no other choice."

"But don't you think this is a little odd?" Sonnet suddenly grew quiet, "He was all starry eyed over Merrin one second, and the next he just asks you out?"

"Well Merrin is supposedly going with this guy named Stephen."

More of a pause from Sonnet, "Don't tell me he's using you to get back at Merrin."

My eyes burned, my gaze wavered, "Well, apparently Merrin is using Stephen to get back at Archer."

"Ugh," I could practically hear Sonnet rolling her eyes, "You're so quick to blame Merrin, but Archer is also-"

"I don't know Sonnet!" I was exasperated, I didn't know words could physically exhaust you, "I'm not sure what to think."

More pause from Sonnet, the only sound I could hear was the faint buzz of the telephone, had I been too harsh? "You're right. Test the waters, just don't get your heartbroken."

I smiled, "I won't, don't worry."

"I need to go now! But I'll talk to you later!" Sonnet hung up the phone, but I lingered, my ears focusing on the beeping noise, the sound slowly being drawn out into something I couldn't recognize anymore.

Finally dropping my line of the conversation, I took to my vanity. Who was that girl in the mirror? A girl so swayed by some fleeting love that she didn't have a personality anymore. I had answered my question myself, but I still yearned for another, my only drive was how will he love me?

I gingerly open up the drawer of my dresser, taking out the nicely decorated box full of makeups. Brushing my face up a little more than usual, Tying my hair in a more elaborate style, wearing even cuter clothes.

I check myself in the mirror once more before opening my window, carefully climbing down the tree next to it.

My shoes made distinct prints in the dirt, as I took the shortcut to the bus stop, the bus arriving almost immediately as I came to it.

"Take me to the Spring Carnival please," I asked. Pressing a quarter in the bus driver's palm, my eyes stayed glued to that advertisement until I reached my destination where I could spot Archer standing amongst the crowd.

I ran up to him, waving wildly, but he didn't seem too impressed by that.

"Hey El." He said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

I tried not to let my smile waver as we explored the carnival. Try to look pretty, try to look cute, try to look happy. He'll definitely love you then.