Dancing Away with the Player | Book #3

Epilogue Pt 1

James POV

It was a Saturday night, almost 11pm. I left the bed, trying not to awake Stella. She was out with Cynthia for majority of the day since she wanted Stella to meet her mother. She did mention to me that her mother was sick when we were close. I felt horrible for her. No one should be the situation of almost losing a loved one. It was a scary experience, at any moment they could be taken away from you.

However, one thing I never saw coming was Stella and Cynthia becoming friends, it was absurd and very unexpected. They went from not liking each other, physically fighting, then to close friends. Nevertheless, I didn't mind Stella being friends with her, whatever made Stella happy, made me happy. Cynthia wasn't a bad person, she just made bad choices, and I was proud of her for learning it now.

I grabbed my phone from off the nightstand. I walked out of the room and headed to the kitchen before sending a text to Stella. After a few minutes, the bedroom door opened, and Stella walked out. She slowly walked towards me while rubbing her eyes. She was dressed in a red cropped top and grey sweatpants. Her brown hair was all down just the way I liked it. She held up her phone, showing my text.

She yawned. "Why are you texting me that you have a surprise?"

"Well princess, we're going on a midnight of madness," I answered her.

"Midnight of Madness," she repeated with a smile on her face, remembering it.

I nodded,"Yes, now let's go, time awaits."

She pondered. "I don't really feel like going anywhere and especially not on this midnight of madness."

"A person needs a little bit of madness or they'd never dare to be free," I remembered quoting to her.

"Madness is somewhere in between chaos and having a dream," She quoted back.

"All great changes are proceeded by chaos."

She dramatically sighed. "Fine, lead the way."

Before we left, I grabbed Stella a black jacket to keep her warm from the cold outside. I grabbed her hand, intertwining our fingers, then left our apartment. We walked towards my car, and I opened the door for her like the gentleman I was. I started the car and we drove to the first destination. After a couple minutes, I stopped the car. Stella glanced at me and we both to got out of the car.

Instead of taking her to a concert like I did the last time, I took her to an abandoned theme park. We stopped in front of a black metal gate. Stella glanced at me and I began to climb over the gate. Once I was over it, I helped Stella climb her over it. I watched as she rubbed off the dirt from her hands then held her hand. We walked through the once amusement park.

"I thought we were going to a concert?" Stella thought out loud.

I looked down at her. "I wanted to change it up. Plus, I looked online and there wasn't any concerts playing tonight."

She frowned. "What a bummer. Where even are we?"

"Magic Fun World. It got shut down ten years ago and has been an abandoned theme park since then," I answered.

"You've been here before?" 

I nodded. "My family and I used to come up to New York and come here as a family trip. My favourite ride was the tea cup ride."

Stella's giggled. "The tea cups?"

"It's a fun ride! I wasn't into rollercoasters as a kid," I told her.

"It's a slow ride. Rollercoasters are the best. I love the rush of adrenaline after the drop!"

I looked my girlfriend weirdly. "You're a weird one princess."

"Whatever," she responded.

I stopped and pointed. "There it is. Come on, I think we can still make it work."

Stella and I walked towards the tea cup ride. The tea cup ride sat in between other rides, its once vibrant colourful designs were painted over with dust. I could still hear the echoes of cheerful music that no longer played. I could see the theme park reassemble itself in my mind, all the vibrant colours coming back to life. Stella let go of my hand and helped herself into the tea cup, taking a seat.

I made my way over to the tea cup that she was sitting in and gripped the edge. I put all my strength in to make it move and felt it slowly move in a circular motion. Stella lifted up her arms and yelled out a "wee" with a bright smile on her face. At times like this I wanted to take a picture of her, but it was good to live in the moment. In this moment, I couldn't be more happier to be with her. I spun the tea cup faster then let go. I jumped into the tea cup, joining Stella as it moved in circles.

"That was so much fun!" Stella beamed with a cute smile casted on her lips.

I smirked. "Remember princess, it's only the beginning."

She grinned. "Ah, how could I ever forget?"

I stepped out of the tea cup and held out my hand for her to grab. "You ready?"

She held my hand and stepped out of the tea cup. "With you? I'm always ready."