Playing Pretend

Chapter Twelve

Madeline’s POV

There’s so much happening at one time I can’t keep up. There are people left and right, it’s just so overwhelmingly crowded.  

I creep closer to Andrew who turns to me and, as if he read my mind, says, “Hey, if you want we can find a quiet place to eat after we’ve found food!” 

I nod and we walk around the carnival grounds in search of sustenance. There are many colorful trucks and stands littering the boardwalk, each eager to serve. The smell of sweet cotton candy and freshly popped kettle corn make my mouth water. 

We snack on cheap hotdogs loaded with ketchup and mustard whilst searching for more extravagant foods. Eventually, Andrew and I walk up to a pastel-colored stand selling delectable funnel cakes. He dives for his wallet, hurriedly assuring me that it’s his treat. We order a plate and search for a secluded place to eat our dessert. Behind all the plastic tables and lawn chairs we find a quiet space near the ocean and aloft the sand. 

The sound of waves accompanied by the aromatic fragrance of strawberries on powdered sugar puts me at ease. And of course, I don’t mind the pleasant company. Andrew grabs us each a plastic fork from those provided and we begin to tear apart the delicate braids. 

At the first bite, Andrew’s face breaks into a peaceful, content smile. He stares off at the crystal blue sky with longing. Instead, I glare at the small lattice-like piece in front of me. 

Do I even remember how funnel cake tastes?

I feel Andrew’s eyes lock onto mine as I sniff at the piece of food. 

“Maddie- Madeline, you love funnel cake, trust me.” 

I do trust him.

I take a small bite and a flood of flavors hit me like a car. The bread manages to be both soft and crunchy at the same time, as do the sweet and tangy strawberries. The whipped cream floats like seafoam on its surface, and to top it all off, the powder sugar adds extra elegance. 

I need more. 

 I may be full from the hotdog earlier, but that won’t stop me or my stomach. I take fork-full after fork-full and Andrew begins to laugh lightly.

His laugh is rich and deep like the ocean, mixed with the whistle of bluebirds or the chirping of crickets. His laugh is grounded and real, it’s human. 

It’s not like his. 

After my enthusiastic response to the first bites, Andrew graciously lets me eat the rest of the funnel cake. Throwing our discarded dishware in the trash, we continue down the beach and back to the boardwalk. 

Andrew spots an arcade and complex of various carnival games. He reaches to exchange his money for tokens, but before he can even reach down to his wallet, I insist on paying. 

“You already paid for our meal, let me treat you out this time!” I laugh and shove him out of the way to confirm the transaction. 

He looks just about ready to disagree, but eventually admits defeat, “Only this time Maddie,” then he adds, “and you’re probably going to be the one using the most tokens anyways.” 

Wh- does he think I’ll need more tokens for more tries to win?!!

Before I can even process the insult, he runs off to the water g*n games cackling like a small child. 

“Wha- HEY! I should’ve let you pay for this!” I run, calling after him jokingly. 

To any other outside eye, we’d look like a pair of reckless teenagers spending money on moments. Moments spent chasing after each other through a crowded carnival which suddenly becomes empty when your eyes are focused on one person alone. First glance at my smile and you wouldn’t have guessed where I was only a few months prior. 

Yes, just two teenagers spending their day without a care.

But isn’t that the best way to spend it? 

---

Andrew’s POV

The ocean breeze whips Madeline’s hair as we sit down to dissect our strawberry funnel cake. I bite into the familiar funnel cake flavor and glance around at the broad ocean surrounding us. After all, I never really got a good chance to watch its peaceful rhythm whilst on the rollercoaster. Its methodical overlapping waters slightly calm my insecurities. Slightly.  

The date has gone well so far and I find myself actually enjoying it.

Not that I thought I wouldn’t.

I suppose I just thought I’d have to be so much more to be qualified. Qualified to be part of her life. 

The delicious taste of funnel cake reminds me so vividly of our countless nights spent at this same carnival. This same magical place.

She loved the taste of strawberries and whipped cream. 

She loved the ocean’s salty breeze and crystal blue sky. 

She loved me.

I think. 

My eyes scan the sky and land on something even more breathtaking. I lock my eyes with the crystal clear blue eyes belonging to Madeline. Eyes that are more worthy of my attention. Eyes bluer than any sapphire sky. Eyes that the ocean itself is jealous of.

She sniffs at her piece of funnel cake suspiciously.  

“Maddie- Madeline, you love funnel cake,” Then, without thinking, I add, “ trust me.” 

“Trust me.” Why did I say that? She obviously doesn’t, I mean, we met only a few months ago. Why would she trust me of all people?

And there are the insecurities back to torment me. 

Despite what my unwanted thoughts whisper into my ears, Madeline reaches forwards and takes a tiny bite of funnel cake. And just like that, her eyes light up like fireworks on New Year’s eve. They expand like vibrant bursts of light sprinkled across the sky. And they shine like the sparks that they are. 

Then, as if the entire universe underestimated her capacity to eat, she starts stuffing more pieces into her mouth. I notice how she sticks to her side of the cake politely, so I allow her to finish the rest. 

I’d gladly buy as many more funnel cakes as she demands if that means I get to see her child-like expression. I suppose the carnival brings out the younger sides of all of us. 

And Madeline hasn’t changed much. 

She’s still the Madeline I grew to love and had the audacity to break. Hopefully, she’s still the Madeline who had even more audacity to fall in love with me. 

We walk back to the boardwalk and I take notice of eye-catching carnival games complete with an arcade. An arcade that I know we’d both enjoy due to our equally competitive nature. 

We walk up to the token exchange and Madeline rushes to pay. 

“You already paid for our meal, let me treat you out this time!” I reach forward to block her hand, but she shoves me lightly.  

I can’t believe I just let the lady pay. What kind of gentleman am I?

You know what? Fine. Two can play at this "carnival" game. 

“Only this time Maddie, and you’re probably going to be the one using the most tokens anyways.” 

I laugh as she gasps in offense after a few moments. I sprint towards the water g*n games, Madeline close behind me.  

“Wha- HEY! I should’ve let you pay for this!” Her threat is accompanied by bouts of laughter.

Laughter that tinkles like bells on Christmas day or snow that falls to the ground lightly. Laughter that makes my heart pound out of my jean jacket and is enough to convince me to run even faster.