The Last Moon

Chapter 13: The Carnival Rides & Bazaar

Halea's POV

"Mom, have you seen my Kaffee Tee, the one with tribal prints?"I asked my mom while going down the stairs

"I think it's in the laundry room, dear," her Mom responded

"Thanks, I'm going out with Adrienne, Amie and the boys from my class to visit the carnival and the bazaar this evening, I hope you don't mind," I said as I walked past her in the kitchen down the laundry room.

"As long as you'll be back before 9 pm no problem. Will Rahul be with you?"

"No, I was already with him this morning. That would be too much of him," I said rolling my eyes

I know how she likes Rahul so much. He even invited them to his birthday which would be good so I don't need to ask permission anymore since they said yes to it.

"Honey, would you like to have some snacks before you leave?"

"What do you have?"

"I made a 'Halo-halo' and I have ice cream which you can have as a topping, would you like me to make you one?"

"Oh, I love it. Please make me one,"

I love Halo-halo, especially the sweet mixed fruits and beans underneath those crushed iced with milk and topped with ice cream, sweet purple yam and cream caramel. I love its sweetness and its mixed textured flavour and how it melts inside your mouth, it's delectable. I put on my shirt and brown jeans and flat sandals while I tie my hair all up and put some powder and lip gloss. That should do it, I looked like a cowgirl with this hat but I wanted it simple so no hat for today.  I went down and indulged in the Halo-halo which my mom made while I waited for the guys. I still have 30 minutes to spare.

My phone vibrated while I ate, it's Rahul.

Rahul: Enjoy your outing with your friends today, we might see each other there. I'll be taking Veronica since she's been having tantrums for not spending time with her.

Me: That's good to know, that you're not all work. And Veronica would be thrilled to be with you for sure.

Rahul: I know right. So I'll see you there. Just remember Veronica is just like a sister.

Me: See you around Rahul

Why does he need to remind me of his relationship with Veronica? I am not even asking. I said while I eat my food, the ice has melted but the coolness is still there. Luna jumped on me on the table and tried kissing me. 

"I know you love me, Luna," I carried her and brought her down the table, I took her food in the cabinet and placed some in her bowl. I also give her some milk, I think that's what she smells in my food.

And there's the ever jealous Aspin, I got him his snack as well and milk and give it to him. During day time whenever I am out Elmo put Aspin on a leash so he won't attack people who comes-in to meet Dad. His bark alone can scare everyone who comes in.

After a few minutes, I heard the sound of a car honk outside the gate so I got up and yelled goodbye to my Mom.

"Mom, I'm leaving see you later," I said shouting 

She looked at the window from the second floor and speaks, "Take care, don't go home alone let your friends bring you home or call me to pick you up," she said

"Yes, Mom," then I waved goodbye

I saw a white van in front with its door open. Caleb, Matthew and Jason were already inside, as usual, this trio is always together.   

"Let's go fetch Addie and Amy," Jason said

Caleb closed the van after going in.

"Are you excited?"Matthew asked

"So, so," I said with a little head nudge. 

Caleb laughs, "most girls who would come with us would say they were excited but you, it's just so, so,"

"Because that's the truth," I said looking at him then I smirk

"Then it is our mission to make it exciting for you," Jason said

"I would like that, Jason. We should all have fun, "I said so they won't focus their attention on me. 

Going to school is just fast since we're riding the van. And Amy and Addie were waiting for us, the guys opened the door and they sat beside me while Caleb is next to the driver's seat and Mat and Jason at the back. Adrienne and Amy got some sandwiches which they shared with everyone. We were all eating in the van while the driver drove to the carnival.

"Adie, this is good, I like your tuna sandwich,"  Jason said while he finished his sandwich in like 3 full bites, "I can eat this forever, as long as it's from you," he said

"Here, I know you just want one more," Addie said

"You know? You're a good pair," I whispered Adrienne and I saw her blush for a second there and she smiles. I know that she sometimes acts as if she doesn't like Jason but it's the opposite.

We arrived at the local carnival fair and stood outside for a moment. It was fascinating, I felt like a kid again. The carnival was not the same as the one in the city but it looks fun with all the traditional rides and games. As we went inside we saw all the kiddy rides and game stalls, there are the rickety rides like roller coasters, caterpillar, octopus, and rocket to name a few. There are the all-time favourite funhouse mazes and horror houses and the variety of game houses and kids stuff like slides and circus acts.

They guys went to play the coin tossed games where you hope to have your coin to land in one of those squares to win something. Caleb got his money changed into coins and he gave us 5 each to try the game so we started tossing coins, Amy was the luckiest of all out of her 5 coins she got 3 in winning varieties of chips which is not bad at all. Then we tried to ride the Ferris Wheel, the four of them hurried to ride in one booth so I ended up with Caleb alone. I know they are trying to pair us up so I just played in. The ride was slow and the booth rocks somehow which gives you chill if you're afraid of heights. Good thing I love high places. The view from the top was amazing. I can see all the overall view of the place. I feel the tension in Caleb, that's when I realized he doesn't like how high we were.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked him

"Yeah, I'm just not comfortable with high places that don't have solid ground," he said

"It's okay, the ride will finish soon. We just need to stay still so that the booth will not sway so much," I said

"Yeah, don't worry about me. I can see that you are enjoying the view down below," he said smiling at me

"Yeah, I like how high we are and the view down there where I can see everything, " I said with a smile

The ride soon ended and I can hear the guys teasing Amelia who was holding Adrienne tight.

"Stop it, guys," Adrienne told the guys, "Hey, Amy we are on the ground now,"

"Hey what happened," I asked 

"The guys keep on rocking the booth which gives the ride creaking sound and scaring Amy here," Adrienne said.

I looked at Caleb who was still silent. The guys went to him and teases him and he was like 'Stop, nothing happened'

After that, we went into another fast ride which is called the octopus. Like its name, it has 8 arms and each arm has four carts attached to it and as the arm moves in one direction the carts rotate and change the direction and swirls which makes the whole ride dizzy. If you have a weak stomach you will throw-up for sure. But it is the kind of ride most teenagers like to ride.

The sun has already set and the night stars fill the sky, the carnival lights are all up which gives that joyful feeling. And because it's already dark, we all went to ride the horror train, and this time I held Amy so the three of us went in one booth while the boys sat in front of us. The ride was a bit fast and all I heard was screaming as we went to the dark tunnel, the props inside are created to startle you rather than spook you. The train ride went into 3 loops with different props like white lady, werewolves, Vampires and local monsters. The boys again just tried to scare us but we were just startled with all the screaming and jumping off objects. 

After the ride, I treat everyone with Cotton candies which were fun as the man tries to create it with different colours. We also grab some BBQ on a stick and eat at the food stalls, they also have some other food like the traditional duck embryo which is quite common in southeast Asia, noodles and burgers. After eating we all went to the game stalls.

Caleb grabbed my hand and we separated from the rest who were just on the stall behind us. We went into the basketball shoot like in the arcade and tried to shoot some balls. I wasn't comfortable to be far from the others so I kept on looking behind me when my eyes caught Rahul and Veronica who was playing roulette of fate. After the game, I followed the girls who were now throwing darts on the balloons, they were all giggling as they tried to hit and pop the balloons. Then Caleb tried the shooting game where you have a pellet gun and try to shoot the different targets which correspond to a prize. And since he seems so serious to win he went into several rounds and the boys have also tried it with him including Rahul who is now next to him trying to win the same thing he wanted.

Rahul seems to be more experienced on the shooting as he manages to go two rounds straight winning a small stuffed animal which he gave to Veronica. And while Caleb is trying his best, Rahul went into another round again this time aiming for something bigger he has a few missed but managed to get a bigger prize. Both Caleb and Rahul won the stuffed animal but Rahul got a bigger one and he immediately gave it to me. Just a few seconds faster than Caleb. So there I got two stuffed animals in my hands. I handed the stuffed toys to Addie and Amy and ran to the bow and arrow stall, the same rules as the game that Caleb and Rahul played. I saw how Veronica pulled Rahul to go to try the other ride. I just nodded at him.

The game somehow feels like it was pulling me so I ran to try it and the boys joined me. As I held the bow and stretched its string I suddenly felt the same emotions I have in one of my dreams when I was granting prayers and releasing a shooting star. As I charged the arrow I hit the target and the ladies cheered behind while the boys tried to hit the bullseye. I shot a couple of arrows and missed a few ones but all in all, I got a bigger prize than the two had. Jason also got Addie a stuffed animal as well as Matthew who gave him to Amelia. Now I got 3 stuffed toys and gave the one I won to Caleb as a sort of exchange to the one he got me.

"Here it's a remembrance," I handed him the dog stuff toy with white and grey hair. "It looks like you, "I said laughing.

He took it and carried it with him, while I hold the other two. After strolling in the carnival we decided to check the bazaar. The whole stretch was filled with different souvenir shops and retail stores, each one selling different items than the others. The girls and I got interested in those hair clips and earrings while the boys looked into the different blades which the opposite stall offers. 

After buying a few things we stumble upon a stall of a fortune teller. Amy was so eager to try it, so we all joined her and sat there while the boy's shop outside. We decided to meet at the car park after 30 minutes as our curfew to go home.

The fortune-teller asked Amy which one she prefers cards, the magic ball or cards and she went with cards. The lady asked her to draw her first card and she got a Jack of spade then the woman asked her again this time she got the queen of spade and then the lady started to speak her fortune as she set the cards on the table, she was counting and placing the card in a sort some sort of order. She then said you will meet this person and he will be your destiny, and there she lost me. This is what everybody wants to hear, how they will meet their destiny and the unimaginable difficulties and so on. So I was just there watching them giggle and I smile while both Amy and Addie had their fortune told. 

Then it was supposed to be my turn but I refused since I do not believe in it. But the lady insisted, she said she will give it to me for free since my two friends have paid her. And the girls wanted me to try so I said okay but I will pay. when she held my hand her eyes turned white and she spoke in a language which I do not understand, it was just a split second when she somehow woke up again and apologized. She said that sometimes happens but we are not to be scared. She read my palm and told me.

"This is your lifeline and it has two different paths which are still undecided, something will happen soon since it is this stage of your life and this will change your destiny. This hand shall suffer a great loss but you will somehow triumph.

I didn't understand what she said but I just stood and walked out when the ladies left her tent she grabbed me again and whispered. 

"The time is coming soon and you will meet your death and your life, choose wisely," she said and her eyes were white once again and she stood there, "We will meet again," she said. I was spooked by her but it changed when I was back with the girls.

We all went home after the fun night at the carnival and the Bazaar. Caleb brought me home first then the ladies. I waved goodbye when I reached inside our gate and off they go after seeing me inside. I had Rahul's stuffed dragon toy, I just realised now as I look into it while Caleb got me a teddy bear. I placed both stuffed toy on my bed and after showering I went to bed.