[Mandy's Diary Today]
It wasn't much different from when we came to the carnival a few years ago, only that this place was busier than it used to be and many rides were more modern. I looked around the place, saw a clown playing by throwing the ball, saw a small child clinging to his mother's hand, and others.
Justin touched my palm, made me turn to him, smiled a little. His fingers intertwined between mine, before gripping them tightly and pulling them deeper.
We walked hand in hand at a brisk pace. I clung to his arm, laughed at his jokes, and pointed at the places I wanted to visit. He led me to a small tent, where I had indicated earlier. A tent with a game of throwing darts where the winner would get attractive prizes.
"I got a small one for you once," he said as soon as we got to the tent. "This time I'll give you a bigger one." He pointed in a direction. There was a large teddy bear placed in a row with the smaller dolls.
"Okay." I showed a wide smile. "Let's see how fast you get the doll, Mr. Bedington."
"You challenged me, Mrs. Bedington?" One eyebrow dipped upwards.
I hid my smile, nodding many times. He snapped his fingers calling for the tent owner. The middle-aged male guard gave him three darts. Justin just picked up one and rejected the other two, then backed off in a row beside me. My hands folded in front of my chest watching him take a stance to shoot the darts in his hands towards the circular board in front of him.
The darts in his hands sped up at the speed of seconds, left my jaw hung low. My eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets as soon as I saw Justin's darts land right in the middle of the big circle board. I turned to the side, looked at him in amazement as he opened his mouth, while he replied to me with an indifferent shrug.
The owner of the darts tent took the largest doll that was on display on a nearby wooden board, then handed it to me. My lips were still open in amazement. I grabbed the big doll and held it to my chest, sinking my face so I had to lower the doll down so I could see.
"W-whoa," I mumbled.
"Still underestimating my abilities, Mrs. Bedington?" Justin asked haughtily.
I chuckled, shaking my head in response. He put his arm around my shoulders and led me on our way to visit the tents and other rides as well. We explored every ride. My favorite ride was the Ferris wheel. He took me near the Ferris wheel and up there to enjoy the beauty of the night in the fresh city of Long Beach.
It didn't take long until the Ferris wheel rose to the top in slow motion. I was shocked when the officers of this ride stopped the Ferris wheel from moving and the chair we were sitting on was right above. I gulped hard, looking at the people who had shrunk in my sight like ants.
"What if this thing falls?" I hissed worriedly, wrapping my arms around Justin's arm.
"No way, safety tested, Mandy," Justin replied, rolling his eyes upwards.
I shifted to the side, met with Justin's arms around my shoulders, holding me tighter to him. The night wind around me fluttered the strands of my hair that I tied in a headband, carrying the smell of sea salt close to the square.
From up here, I saw the ocean open at night, twinkling with different lights flashing along the line of the guardrail. The view of Long Beach from up here was so stunning and mesmerizing at night. Moreover, with the gentle breeze, the masculine scent beside me, and Justin's warm hand on my palm.
"Close your eyes. Give me your hand, Darling. Do you feel my heart beating? Do you understand? Do you feel the same? Or am I only dreaming? Is this burning? An eternal flame."
I looked up to hear Justin suddenly singing a Bangles song called Eternal Flame. The corners of my lips lifted to meet my face, remembering the song we used to remember.
"I believe it's meant to be, Darling. I watch you when you're sleeping. You belong with me. Do you feel the same? Or am I only dreaming?" I continued this song, then we sang together while enjoying the view of Long Beach below.
Haven't finished yet another one, the Ferris wheel is moving again, making me spontaneously scream in surprise. I stroked my chest, feeling my heart pounding that almost burst into my chest cavity. Justin laughed softly thinking it was funny. I didn't know why I laughed too as the Ferris wheel we were riding was spinning like a wheel, getting faster and faster, making the wind gust and swaying my hair back.
And the last ride that made my heart almost jump running away was the haunted house ride.
"I want to get out, I want to get the frick out of here!" still in this goddamn ride, I hug Justin tight by the neck, burying my face in his shoulder as the train we're in drives past the impudent figures that always surprise me. For the sake of Zeus' lightning rod, I'd rather meet She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for the rest of my life than linger in this damn place!
"Mandy, Mandy calm down, they're fake." Justin chuckled seeing me scared in his arms. He holds my hand, trying to break free from my grip on his neck. "Don't be scared, Babe. Come on."
I shook my head, tightened my hands as I sang loudly to chase away the scary voices around me.