"Carnival"
"Hey Kat you ready to go?"
"Yup, let me just gave my purse," she said running back to her room.
Tanya couldn't believe how quickly the week had come and gone and it was now Sunday time for them to head off to the carnival.
"All ready," Kat as she stepped back inside her living room.
"Let's go!" Tanya said as she and Kat headed out the door to her car.
She hopped into the driver's side as Kat did the passenger side, and they were off on their way towards the beach club. They were heading there to pick up Emily and Jennifer. The warm breeze felt nice and cool as it zoomed through the drop top of her car...
They arrived at the outskirts of the beach club. "I'll go grab the girls," Kat said unbuckling her seat and hoping out of Tanya's car.
A couple of moments later Tanya heard what sounded like girlish laughter from behind her, she peered in her rear-view mirror and sure enough it was Kat, Jennifer, and Emily.
"Hey girl," Emily said leaning over giving Tanya a hug.
"Hey Emily."
"Hey Tanya, "Jennifer said.
"Hey Jenn."
"Guys hop in so we can get going." The girls nodded as they all hopped inside of Tanya's vehicle.
"Tanya, thanks so much for the ride," Jennifer said buckling up her seat belt.
"No, problem," she said shifting her car into gear and heading back towards the main highway...
"I think I see the carnival up head," Emily said.
Tanya peered ahead of the road, there seemed to be what looked like a pier up head, and it became more and more apparent the closer they drove to it. The girls arrived at massive semi-filled parking lot. Tanya guided them over to a one of the empty spaces a couple of feet away from the pier. Tanya parked and stepped out of her car, looking around.
"Ladies, it doesn't look like the guys have made it here yet," Emily said.
Tanya glanced around, and she too didn't see any signs of the guys.
"Emily, you didn't tell us that the carnival would be taking place at Angel Grove pier," Kat said.
"Kat, I honestly had no idea it was going to be out here myself."
"I really like the idea of having the carnival at the pier, it just something about the being out here surrounded by the ocean and breeze that makes it really nice," Jennifer said.
"I agree, there is something about being out here surrounded by the ocean, that makes this venture even more worthwhile," Tanya added.
She looked over at the pier grounds; she could clearly see what seemed to be at least three different roller coasters, one that had to be at least 50 or so feet tall. Over in the distance she saw what could be a funhouse, at the very end there looked to be a colorful Ferris wheel. She inhaled the air; it was ripe with the mixture of the salty sea and fresh popcorn and other sweet smells.
"Hey Tanya," said a very familiar voice.
"Hey Adam," she said wrapping herself in his arms.
"When did you guys get here?"
"Just now."
Tanya nodded.
"Something wrong?"
"Oh no, I guess I was just lost in my own thoughts or something," Adam chuckled.
"It's all good, this place looks like so much fun."
"I know doesn't it?"
"Hey are you guys coming?" Jason called.
"We better go catch up with the others," Adam said.
"Yeah don't want to get left behind," Tanya said as she and Adam ran up catching up with their friends…
The fresh, salty air greeted them as they approached the pier. "Angel Grove Historic Island Society" "Kids, Food, Fun" imprinted above them greeting them as they approached the entrance of the carnival.
"C'mon guys," Emily said gesturing for us all to come through the gate.
"Here you go," she said handing over all of their tickets.
"Welcome to Angel Grove Pleasure Pier, we hope you all have fun and enjoy yourselves!" said the jovial ticket attendant.
"Thanks!" Kat said.
"Thanks!" Emily said reaching for Jason's hands.
Popcorn, cotton candy, and every other smell permeated the air as they stepped inside the carnival. The air was filled with thunderous roars of ripping roller coasters, kids laughing, and playing, people were chatting, the waves of the ocean splashing against the pier.
"So guys what do you want to do first?" Emily said turning to everyone.
"I think I'm up for a good old roller coaster," Rocky said pointing over to 50 feet yellow and red coaster that was ripping up and down the tracks.
"Rocky, I don't know about that," Jennifer said gripping his arm.
"I'm totally down for some games," Tommy said.
"Games sounds fun," Kat replied.
"But, I really would like to ride those towering swings," Jason said gesturing towards the ride he was referring to.
"I had something more like bumper cars more in mind," Emily replied.
"What about you two, you have been awfully quiet," Jason said peering over at Tanya and Adam.
She glanced over at Adam, he shrugged his shoulders. "We're down for whatever," she said.
"Well, that's not helpful," Rocky chided.
Everyone stood around in silence for a while seemingly trying to ponder on what and where they wanted to do. Tanya felt herself growing impatient so she decided to break the silence with a suggestion of her own.
"Guys, how about we just each on go and do what we want and meet up for lunch."
They all looked over at her.
"Good idea Tanya!" Kat chimed.
"Yeah, that will work," Emily said.
"How about that guys?" Emily said.
"Okay, cool, so let's meet up at the food court around noon," Emily announced.
"Awesome, let's go!" Rocky said grabbing Jennifer's hands leading her over to the nearest coaster.
"Rocky…hold on," she called as he dragging her through a crowd of patrons.
"So Kat where too?"
"How about we check out the games."
"Awesome, after you," Tommy said reaching out for Kat's hands as they both headed off.
"So, how about that swings Em?"
"Alright," she crooned grabbing Jason's hand.
"They look like so much fun," Emily said as her and Jason headed off disappearing into the crowd.
"Then there were two," Adam said turning to Tanya.
She snickered shaking her head in agreement.
"Let's just walk around I'm sure we'll find something we like along the way," Adam suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Tanya said smiling wrapping her arm around Adam's...
The balmy air wrapped them in its embrace while they strode through the boardwalk of the carnival.
"Is there anything in particular that you wanted to do or see?" Adam asked.
"I don't know I didn't have anything in mind what I wanted to do but now that we're here I just down for whatever."
The truth be told she was just enjoying the alone time with Adam more than anything.
"How about we start off with a ride that's not a roller coaster?" said Adam.
"Alright, what you do have in mind?"
"How about this ride here?" he said pointing to the over to the spinning ride that resembled a carousel.
"The Gulf Glider, take a fun spin in the air, while overlooking the carnival and Angel Grove pier," Tanya said reading the white board sign next to the sign.
"Looks like fun," she said peering up at all the riders circling through air.
"Let's go," Adam said taking her hand leading her hand to the line...
"Would you two like the double-seater?"
"Sure," Adam said before Tanya could answer.
"Hop in!" the attendant said.
Tanya felt a small pang of fluttering inside her belly as the attendant strapped her inside the seat next to Adam.
"You ready?"
"I think so," she said without much reassurance.
After a moment of reviewing the cautions and safety tips, she felt her feet slowly being lifted from the ground. Those pangs grew the higher and quicker they started circling the air.
"Wow you can see everything from up here!" yelped Adam.
"Yeah…you can!" Tanya shouted. It took her and her stomach a moment to settle in, and once it did it she felt herself really enjoying not only the sights but the ride itself. The warm breeze felt nice and cool while whipped through her curly locks...
"Wow that was so much fun Adam!"
"I know wasn't it!"
"Where to next?" he asked.
Tanya looked around trying to spot their next thrill.
A bright flash of colors suddenly caught her attention. "Let's go check out that ride over that," she said pointing to the flashy ride...
"He ain't nothing but a hound dog!" lyrics blared from the flashy ride.
"Elvis," Tanya said.
"Rock and Roll," Adam said peering over at the attraction.
"What kind of ride is this?" Adam said.
"I'm not sure," she said peering over at it.
A set of old 50's styles cars were literally rocking back and forth in circles inside of the attraction.
"Tanya, I don't know about this ride…"
"Yeah, I don't understand the point of it," she said looking over at the ride.
"Well, the music is good," she added.
"Hey guys!" called a familiar airy voice.
"Kat!" Tanya said turning to her best friend.
"Where were you guys coming from?" asked Adam. '
"This ride right here," Kat said.
"Really? How was it?" Tanya asked.
"It was actually pretty fun," Tommy said.
"Really?" questioned Adam.
Tommy nodded. "Yeah, we were a bit…unsure about it at first too but you decided to try it out anyway…"
"It was really fun," Kat said finishing up his statement.
"You guys should try it," Tommy said gesturing towards the attraction.
"Sure, why not," Tanya said.
"Alright," Adam said in agreement.
"Have fun!" Kat said turning her attention back to Tommy.
"Thanks," Tanya replied. They both made their way over to the entrance of the rock and roll attraction.
"Welcome…come inside and enjoy the ride," said the attendant. Tanya and Adam glanced at one another and followed the attendant inside the attraction...
"This should be really interesting," Adam said tightening his safety beat.
Tanya nodded, she hadn't known what to expect from it either.
"Ready, set, here we go!" the attendant said.
A jolt rocked Tanya back against the seat of the ride.
"What the heck!" she called.
"I don't know," Adam said looking equally shocked as she was.
Some tunes filled their car, as the tunes went on so did the jolting of their car. A zip forward caused them to slam forward against the safety bar. As the song progressed the car continued jolting both forward and backward. Tanya finally figured that the jolting was following the tunes of the music…so as the song's tempo sped up so did their car...
"Woah…that was a little crazy," Adam said clutching his head.
"Yeah, but it fun right?" Tanya said peering at Adam.
He nodded.
Tanya could tell that he was trying to spare her feelings but regardless they would have never known how it was had they not had ridden the attraction…
They spent the next hour or so going around to different rides and other attractions and meeting up with some of their friends. They meant up with everyone at the food court, and ate some seafood at one of the local restaurants.
After lunch Adam and Tanya decided to check out some of the various games scattered throughout the carnival.
They ended up playing Whac-a-Mole, Big Shot Hoops, Nothin' But Net, and something called a Tub Toss.
"Hey Tanya let's play some good old ring toss," he said reaching for her hand leading her over to corner of the colored tent.
"That's it Adam you almost got it!" Tanya said watching as he tossed the ring over at the milk bottle on the back row.
"Score!" the attendant called.
"Yes!" Adam said.
"Here you go, you earned five more tosses," he said handing Adam more colored rings.
"Here you go," he said handing Tanya all the rings.
"Thanks," she said feeling surprised at his gesture.
She obliged, aiming for the middle row of bottles.
"Aww!" Tanya cried missing the bottle.
"It is okay you got four more turns," the attendant said trying to encourage her.
"Try aiming for the middle ones, they are usually easier to get the rings around," said Adam.
Tanya nodded; she took in his advice aiming for the middle bottles.
"Shoot!" Tanya cried missing them once again.
"It's all good, little lady still got three more turns."
She resided that she no longer wanted to embarrass herself with this game, so she handed the three remaining over to Adam.
"Why you giving these to me?"
"You are way better at this me, so you give it a go."
"You sure?"
She nodded.
"Thanks," he said.
"No problem…now get to it," she said. Adam lifted his hand taking aim, tossing the ring.
It landed perfectly around the neck of one of the bottles on the back row.
"Yes!"
"Good job young man!"
"One down two more to go," Tanya said.
He took aim, tossing the ring, and once it landed perfectly around the neck of another bottle.
"Great…one more to go!" the attendant called.
Adam got into position, aimed tossing the ring, once again making one last final perfect toss onto another bottle.
"Yeah!" Adam cheered.
"Good job!" Tanya said.
"Wow, you guys great job! Here's a little something for you," the attendant said turning disappearing behind the ring toss game.
"Here you go," he said handing Adam a large black and white striped stuffed tiger.
"Oh…wow thanks!" Adam said.
"No, problem thank you guys for playing!"
"Wow, Adam good job!" Tanya said nudging him.
"Hey we won this together," he said smiling over at her.
"That's why I want you to have it," he said handing the stuffed tiger over to Tanya.
"What? Are you serious?" she said feeling a bit taken back by his thoughtful gesture.
"I insist."
"Thanks…so much Adam," she said wrapping her arms around his slender muscular frame.
"You're welcome," he said with an endearing smile.
Tanya wrapped the stuffed tiger in her arms. "Shall we?" Adam asked. Tanya nodded wrapping her arm around his...
She and Adam strode arm and arm with one another through the crowds. He asked her what she had in mind to do next; she really didn't have anything in mind at this point. She couldn't take her mind off of the wonderful gesture of gratitude Adam did for her.
"How about we just take a detour this way," he suggested.
"Alright," she said...
"This is such a great view of the ocean," he said peering over the wooden railing.
"Yeah, it really is," she said leaning against the railing.
Her and Adam stood in silence quietly taking in their surroundings.
"This has been such a wonderful day…I cannot remember a time when I have felt this relaxed," she said turning to Adam.
"Same here, it has been a really nice day, I'm really enjoying myself with you," he said.
Tanya couldn't help but to smile at his thoughtful words. She leaned over laying her head against his shoulder. In that moment it felt as if everything and everyone else disappeared, leaving only the two of them.
The pair was shaken out of their self-isolation by what sounded like some loud obnoxious arguing nearby.
"I'm going to kill you!"
"Hey you said you wanted to ride it!"
"Is that…who I think is?" Tanya said recognizing the airy accented voice.
"I believe so," Adam said.
"Kat, first off why are you all wet? And what the heck are you guys fussing about?"
"Tommy, here thought it would be funny to push me once we got off that pirate water ride…" Kat said trailing off glaring at Tommy.
"Look, I told you I was sorry," he said in a small voice.
"He pushed you? Did you fall off the side or something?" Adam asked.
"No, he shoved me after we got off the ride, and I lost my balance and this is what happened!" she said gesturing at her soaked body.
"Tommy really?" Tanya said wrapping her arms around Kat.
"I…I'm sorry…that wasn't my intention…I promise."
"Whatever!" Kat cried.
"Girl, let's go get you cleaned up, boys we will catch up with you in a couple of moments."
"Alright," Adam said.
"C'mon girl," Tanya said guiding Kat over to the nearest restroom.
"Kat…I'm really sorry!" Tommy called.
"Whatever!" she said as she and Tanya continued making their way over to the nearest restroom...
"Here you go," Tanya said handing Kat a paper towel.
"Thanks Tanya," she said wiping her dripping face.
"I swear that Tommy!" she said leaning her dripping hair over the sink.
"What?" Tanya snickered.
"Just drives me up a wall sometimes."
"I know that Tommy can be quite the prankster, but do you think that he did it on purpose?"
Kat sighed. "No, I'm sure that he didn't…but that's not the point, he hadn't pushed me then I would have never fell in," Kat griped.
"That's true…he shouldn't have done that…but I think Tommy realizes how much he screwed up."
"Well, he'd better."
"I believe he has, besides Kat, don't let this ruin your time here, we may not have another to come back anytime soon."
Kat nodded at her words as she seemed to come to agreement. "Yeah, you're right, I'm not going to let this spoil my time here, and it's just a little water."
"Right, that's the spirit."
"Let's finish up so we can get back to carnival," Kat said heading over to the hand dryer…
"Hey ladies," Adam said.
"Kat, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am," Tommy said in a small voice.
Kat took in a deep breath. "I know I forgive you, better not let it happen again!"
"I promise I won't," Tommy cried throwing his hand in the air.
"Let's go meet the others at the carousel," Adam said.
"I'm assuming everything is ok with those two?"
"Yeah, Kat definitely put Tommy in place, as she should."
"That's good," Adam said laughing.
"There it is," Tanya said pointing over to the Merry-go-around.
Shouts of laughter and glee and themed music filled the air as they stood at the ride.
"Hey guys," Jason said as he Emily stepped over to them.
"What's up guys?" Rocky called as he and Jennifer approached.
"So, I don't know about you all but I cannot wait to get on," Jennifer said.
"Tanya, cute animal!" Emily said stoking the stuffed animal.
"Thanks it was a gift from Adam," Tanya said glancing over in his direction.
"Nice," Jason snickered.
"So is everyone ready to ride?" Tommy said.
Her and gang all headed over towards the end of the line.