AN: I've been thinking about working about this for a while. Key word: thinking. Yeah...that doesn't get you anywhere. So when I actually start it, it's hard for me to write...you know, constantly stopping and starting over again, but I'm not entirely sure if it's worth reading or continuing on that matter. Anyways, please read and review while you guys have the time, considering I almost never do...
Disclaimer-I don't own anything.
This entire story has been BASED off of a TRUE STORY. Thanks. Read and Review.
Tilt
A blur.
Of what seemed like millions of lights, clustered together into a rainbow of yellows and oranges, along with what was left of the fallen crisp autumn leaves. An array of colors glittering bellow the chilly weather, while few of the visible stars shone through the blanketed dark purple sky. A blended universal chorus erupted from below her feet; people laughed and shouted, and smiled. Sang. Cheered. Interacted. It was an overwhelming mixture of all five senses, where her fingers had numbed and her eyes were squinted, trying to make out her abandoned friends or a distraction from the falling temperature.
It only came once a year, every late fall, and the only thing she really did look forward to was the alignment of thirty six colored cars rotating and twirling around the significant atmosphere. Whether alone or with friends, she would only visit for the single pleasure.
Shivering, Gabriella Montez leaned backwards, relaxing in her seat and breathing rhythmically to the gentle tilting of her own red car. A frame of lights were blinking and flashing in pattern around her face, and a peaceful tinkling sound rang whenever colors alternated every three or so minutes. Her breath hitched after the ride had to stop once more, letting another group of people have a ride that night.
She sighed, waiting until the wheel went back into its predictable clockwise motion. Then, after the car rose up to the point where crowds of heads were only visible as dots, Gabriella let the car rock back and forth again, listening to the humming and soft squeaking of the old model, but with a feeling at the pit of her stomach and frost bite making its way up her arms, strangely, neither was as comforting as she expected it to be that night.
From her freshman year to her current senior year, Gabriella had accepted the tag of invisibility with open arms. She never found herself as the most friendly or warm hearted person, but being placed somewhere in one of the more lower placements on the scale from complete social retardation and lover of everything that moves, her high school career consisted of little to nothing interesting or special.
She had done nothing memorable nor remarkable in the past three years and by straying away from other people's personal lives, or even a regular extra curricular activity other than the academics team, she practically gave way whenever spoken to. The result was basically an antisocial instinct attached to her like a shadow, few close friends that she actually conversed and spent enough time with, and long talks with her mother on a daily basis about life and the importance of a good education.
Watching the sizes of people slowly reduce to the proportion of an ant for the umpteenth time, she rubbed her upper arms, through her thin jacket, in an attempt to keep herself warm. Then, rotating back closer to the ground, she glanced slowly at a group of teenagers close to her age. Two out of the five people were holding hands, another girl was giving her friend a piggy back ride while the rest of them plainly laughed with one another, stuffing large amounts of cotton candy in each other's mouths. Gabriella sighed longingly, that was probably the tenth time she saw a group of people living that same scenario that night.
Questionably, Gabriella never had major regretful thoughts before. However, she didn't remember a significant beginning to it either. She was able to talk to people-just not animatedly, she knew people-not personally or by their full names most of the time, and she did speak-only when spoken to, but she had been completely ok with that until a few months ago. And it just seemed unfair. She just knew that it was a new emotion to her, a new feeling full of unusual distracting qualities. But whatever reason, her comfort zone seemed to be shrinking this way along with her already limited confidence and self esteem.
Checking her watch, Gabriella groaned loudly. 11:12 PM. The fair would be closing at 11:45 that night and her mother would be expecting her home by that time.
"Hey Gabi!" a voice rang from below her feet.
Looking down, she gave a small smile, waving back, and rolling her eyes teasingly, "Hi Chad..." As her car began to slow down, faces of people began to be more prominent, along with the frenzied mass of curls, which somehow looked even bigger on her afro-ed friend. Chad Danforth was actually one of the few people-that was outside of her close relatives-she talked to on a daily basis. However, they had only met through their mother's former book clubs held at each other's houses. Nonetheless, that had come to an end when the two of them entered high school, but they stayed relatively close considering they lived less than two blocks away from each other.
This year however, her friend had volunteered to help work at the anticipated fall state fair that year along with his girlfriend, one of her other few close friends, Taylor Mckessie, and ironically, he was stationed to work the Ferris wheel that night, letting her have as many rides as she wished.
Chad gave Gabriella a friendly grin, proudly clenching the ride's single lever in his own frozen hands, "You okay up there?! You're looking pretty distant tonight!" he howled over the crowd of people waiting in line behind him, brushing people's complaints.
Nodding, Gabriella laughed, giving him an assuring thumbs up, "I'm fine Chad! You know how I love the Ferris wheel..."
Chad smirked, watching Gabriella slowly make her way towards the lowest point of the ride, "Hey again Gabs." Fiddling with the lever until the ride made a complete stop, he ignored the irritated couple behind him who were apparently next in line. "Last round for tonight, before going home?" Chad asked lightly, knowing the answer all too well. Watching her grin sheepishly then nod, he shook his head with his own smirk adorning his dark features. "I'll never get why you love this thing so much. I mean...you always know where it's going to end up..."
Sticking out her tongue, Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Whatever Chad...just let me have my fun."
Slowly opening the rusted iron gate, Chad let a group of teenagers, no different from the several Gabriella had spotted earlier that night, crowd their way into one car, while a couple, looking around their late twenties, joined each other in the last open car. His nameless coworker then stepped off the seating deck to check the safety and locks on the doors, occasionally muttering 'have fun' or 'enjoy yourselves' in between the process.
Gabriella stayed silent as the people around her made themselves comfortable. Patiently, she waited for the Ferris wheel to spin again, fiddling with her hands and fingers while staring at her lap.
"Hey... is it ok if I sit with you?"
Hesitantly lifting her head up, her face flushed a deep shade of red, ironically wishing the heat on her face away, unlike a few minutes ago, when she was creating as much friction with her palms as possible. Gabriella leaned to her left, trying to catch Chad's attention. He gave her a cheeky smile as his eyebrows raised teasingly. Gabriella watched her friend slowly let go of the wheel's lever, allowing him to motion a pushing movement with his hands, flicking his wrists forward.
Sighing, she stuttered something incoherent, twirling her hair between her middle and index finger and refusing to look whoever this stranger was in the eyes.
This was all too familiar for her. Her mother would complain about it when they attended parties, and she refused to leave the house without-the minimum-of a three inch thick book, her ipod, and a nonverbal "do not disturb" sign. Along with her parents, her teachers, who she knew always grew impatient whenever they had to make her speak up when answering a question in class, would constantly give the sickly sweet talk after class the consisted of a speech that praises her work before crushing her pride and pointing out the numerous flaws that had occurred during their lessons. It was simply a force of habit. A natural tendency.
After swallowing hard and biting her tongue from its brief spasm, despite her better judgment, she finally let a muttered "sure" stumble from her lips.
Mentally cursing herself, as Chad's partner for the night flashed her a smile and gave the thumbs up to start the ride again, Gabriella moved as close as possible to the other railing built at the far end of the car. Keeping her head down and fists clenched into her lap, she uncomfortably licked her lips between seconds to keep her tongue from drying out in the cold.
An awkward silence stood among the two people, while on of them was trying her best to resist the urge to look back up, remaining in a feeble attempt to stay clam and stare at her feet. Gabriella could feel her heart beat quicken, while she fought a losing battle. Swallowing harshly, she forced her eyes to look up, feeling her face turn a dark shade of crimson red and making herself nauseous.
The boy looked about seventeen, her own age, and even when sitting down, he seemed a foot taller than her, compared to how she was barely five feet tall. He gave her one of the most abnormal expressions she had ever received. His hair was a caramel brown color that fell over his forehead in soft strands, slightly curtaining his eyes: a strikingly notable blue pair of irises against the blinking lights of the ride that seemed to bore into her own. Counting the seconds that passed, it dawned to her that this boy was uniquely attractive.
Gabriella's face was beginning to slowly regain its original color when the other passenger to her car finally said a word.
Smiling, he spoke smoothly, tapping his fingers patiently on his knees, "Were you being sarcastic back there?"
Gabriella's face fell, her blush creeping back to her cheeks, "Um...excuse me?"
Raising his eyebrows, he repeated himself, "Were you being sarcastic?" After realizing there wouldn't be a reply once again, he smiled slightly, "Cause you don't seem to be very comfortable with me being here."
"Oh," she whispered, raking her numb fingers through her shoulder length dark hair. Rubbing her warm cheeks with the back of her hand, she mumbled a reply. "Um...no...-yes, ugh. I-I'm fine. It's just...I-I'm not used to, um, riding with anyone..." Gabriella answered softly, before adding in a low voice, "Especially with strangers..."
Waiting a few seconds, he grinned honestly. Then, replying in the same comfortable tone, "Eh...I guess I'm not used to it much either." Shrugging his shoulders he continued to smile softly, holding out a large hand in front of her. "I'm Troy."
Gabriella sat frozen to her seat, staring awkwardly at his lengthened hand. The term 'A handshake is one of the first nonverbal clues we get about a person's overall personality' came to mind, after hearing it so often in classes where they constantly reminded her about resumes or job applications, and by judging herself on her social life, she expected to forget whether you should shake a hand vertically or horizontally.
Letting Troy clasp his larger hand around her own, she mumbled feebly, "Gabriella."
His hand was warm to the touch, slightly calloused and rough, but oddly comforting. The angles of his face changed and the ends of his blue eyes crinkled into a cheeky expression. Her breath hitched a little afterwards, and she pursed her lips in embarrassment, wishing her freshly gained blush away. Shakily, Gabriella let go, shivering after the chill came back to replace the warmth in her palms and grew a bemused expression after she saw Troy chuckle to himself.
"What's so funny?" she asked, surprisingly calm.
"Nothing," Troy smiled, reassuringly waving a hand away, "It's just that..." He paused for a moment, wearing a thoughtful expression. Watching her lower her eyes at his gaze, her hair shading her face, he finally continued, "I see you a lot whenever I come to the fair every year."
Looking up, she blushed, "O-oh..."
"I see you a lot around this time of year," he repeated himself, looking directly at her, his lips pursed and he wore the same distant expression. "You spend most of your tickets on this ride."
Her stomach quivered, she didn't really know whether to be completely disgusted and creeped out, or flattered that out of all people, this total stranger took the time to notice her. Attempting to smile, she replied with the first thing that came to mind, "Well...er, I'm sorry. Uh, I can't really say the same about you...um...w-what was you're name again?"
She felt her face flush for what seemed like the twentieth time in the matter of ten minutes, but her cheeks relaxed when he chuckled, answering willingly, "Troy. My name's Troy."
"Troy." Gabriella repeated with a curt nod, storing the name into her head.
Looking over the small girl, Troy gave her a friendly smile. "Don't you go to East high?"
Twisting her face into a confused expression, she slowly nodded her head, "Yeah...um..." She bit her lip, "D-do I know you? Or is it the other way around, because, I-I'm pretty sure I haven't met you before."
"I was in most of your classes last year."
She felt her stomach drop and her hand propped up her chin, swinging her legs under the hard seat. "...I didn't expect that."
"I'm on the basketball team with Chad," he added lightly, "You know him right?"
Gabriella nodded, "That would explain it," she giggled, "I'm oblivious when it come to sports or athletics...or music...or art..."
At that moment, she felt totally lost. She was a normally shy and conscientious person. Whether you see it as a physical or personality trait. She didn't desperately need the superficialities of meaningless chitchat, gossip, or unworthy companionship, but at that instant she felt a warm feeling emerge from somewhere beneath her chest.
In the midst of her own thoughts, Gabriella had a question come to mind, "I just met you," she whispered.
"Is that a bad thing?" he raised an eyebrow.
She shrugged carefully, fixing her slouching posture, "I'm not very...talkative in the first place." Swallowing softly, she added, "And you're here without even knowing me."
His mouth was slightly ajar in thought, his forehead creased and his eyebrow raised, but she dismissed it wanting an answer,
"Why are you even here Troy?"
Watching her, he muttered, "I like the fun house...and the corn dogs aren't so bad here."
"No, like, here. Out of all places in this fair," she sighed.
Troy's eyebrows pulled together, "I don't know," he rested his feet on the bench opposite theirs, "You looked lonely...and I just thought that you might-". He paused quickly, taking a moment to notice something. Her jeans had a gaping hole around the left knee and her sweater was not nearly doing the correct job it was designed to do. When he found her looking back at him, Troy noticed her tremble slightly. Rubbing the back of his neck, he asked politely, "Um, are you cold?"
"Not real-" she began dryly before suddenly realizing the drop of temperature. She knew it was getting closer towards midnight but it didn't really occur to her how cold it had gotten.
Before letting her answer, Troy simply gave her his own sweater. Gabriella found herself in complete awe and reverence, and thanking whatever wonderful force that had placed him, this boy-this stranger, with her tonight.
Zipping the sweater, she felt her muscles relax and another blush creep onto her face. He no longer said anything, and his face wasn't very readable, but from her reaction, this was an even newer feeling to her. This was something that wasn't normally offered to her whenever she was content to show expression.
"Gabs! Hey Gabi!" The familiar voice rung in her ears, followed be a halting squeaking noise and a sudden loss of motion. Wincing, she nearly fell forward before Troy caught her balance. Waiting until the tilt of the Ferris wheel car lessened, she stood up awkwardly, hugging her torso,
"W-what was that Chad?"
Chad took her hand impatiently, and gently tugged her onto the ground, "Hurry up! You so owe me! I let you guys stay on there way longer than I really should have. The fair's closing in, like six, minutes!"
"What?!" Looking around, she realized she and Troy were probably one of the only few visiting people left in the park. How could more than half an hour pass in what seemed like so little amount of time?
Before she could answer her own question, Troy somehow made his way out of the Ferris wheel's car to appear in front of her, flashing her the same warm smile he had provided her throughout their entire conversation, "It was really nice meeting you Gabriella." Then quietly moving out of their way, in order for Chad to practically push his friend towards the parking lot, she unfroze from the spot as she watched his retreating figure.
But, for the tiniest instant, Gabriella felt her heart beat quake beneath her chest, she felt the quick pulse reverberate throughout her entire body for the shortest second, before she felt that something was missing, something seemed forever gone after that night. Smiling back at him, the two of them waved goodbye as her legs slowly regained ability to move again. But she swore to herself that this was all a dream. That is was just too illogical to be true. That it was totally surreal. Because, as she got made her way back home, a thought was stuck in her head and she felt the slightest flutter.
Right where her heart should have been.
AN: So, was the worth continuing? (Oi...haven't we all heard this type of desperation before?) PM if you have anything else to say to me and PLEASE review...I'll give out virtual hugs if you do.
-ImmaHatefulCritic