Page 16 of Something Tangled Something True
“Jesus Cristo, let’s go.” I trudged toward the ATVs parked beside the old barn, counting my stars that they wouldn’t run out of gas before we got home.
“Wait, what about Logan?” Ryder asked, never one to leave his best friend behind.
“I called the house, and his mom answered, so I hung up. I’m sorry, Ry. I did all I could do,” I told him. I liked Logan. He had always been sweet to me, but he didn’t live on the ranch with us, so I didn’t have any way to clue him in on this plan, save for a carrier pigeon.
“It’s alright, Lols. You tried,” he said with a resigned shrug.
Ryder climbed on one of the ATVs, Zeke on the other, a silent understanding passing between the four of us when Mayte hopped on Zeke’s and I straddled the seat behind Ryder. The thrill of what we were doing buzzed in my veins, though there was also the edge of nervousness.
The cool night air hit my face, my heart racing not just from the ride but from the thrill of sneaking out to the fair. We were supposed to be asleep, tucked away in our beds, but there we were, barreling toward freedom. The thought made my stomach flutter, and a grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. It wasn’t more than a half-hour ride before the faint glow of neon lights began to flicker through the trees, signaling the fairground was just ahead.
The sounds of the fair hit us even before we pulled in: the distant whirr of carnival rides, the low hum of voices blending with the screams of people flying through the air, the intoxicating smell of funnel cake and fried Oreos swirling in the night breeze.
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Mayte called over the roar of our engines, urgency creeping into her voice. “So let’s make a plan. How about we each pick a ride and knock those out first in case the lines are long?”
Ryder, Zeke, and I nodded, agreeing with a sense ofshared excitement, the kind that you only got from being young, when everything felt a little more dangerous. We decided on the Gravitron, Swing Ride, Scrambler, and Ferris wheel. It was the perfect lineup.
By the time we’d ridden the first three, my stomach was filled with a sticky, sweet mess of fried dough and lemonade, my cheeks aching from the smile stretching my lips.
“Glad we saved the Ferris wheel for last,” Ryder said with a laugh, pressing a warm hand to the small of my back as he steered me toward the ride. “The Gravitron would have me puking by now.”
“As usual,” Mayte joked, rolling her eyes, “I’ll skip this one. No need to get the whole town’s view while I’m losing my lunch.”
“I’ll stay with you,” Zeke added with a casual shrug, drawing an exaggerated sigh from Mayte.
Ryder and I stood in line for the Ferris wheel, the crowd around us sprawling in every direction. The air was thick with the hum of excitement, the buzz of voices too loud to make out. Clowns weaved in and out of the crowd, handing out cloud-like cotton candy, their painted faces as familiar to me as my own. I watched them, my eyes flicking over to the entertainers who threw glowing toys into the air. The toys flashed in the dimming light, bright against the dark sky as they tried to catch the attention of all the children.
“You want cotton candy?” Ryder asked, his grin playful, though his lips were still stained a pale blue from the slushie he had just finished.
I shook my head, pressing my hand to my belly, already full from the sweet overload. “Nah, I’m stuffed.”
“Oh, come on, Lols. You can’t break tradition.” His voice was teasing, but there was a warmth to it that made it impossible to resist. He knew I’d never say no when he had that look on his face.
“Fine,” I groaned, pretending to reluctantly give in. “I wouldn’t want to jinx us by not getting cotton candy for the Ferris wheel.”
“That’s my girl,” he joked, and even though I knew that’s exactly what it was—a joke—my tummy still tingled with warmth. “Two blue cotton candies, comin’ right up.”
He left me to hold our place in line, my eyes glued to his every movement as he chatted with the clown, the same guy who handed outcotton candy every year. Without warning, my shoulder was shoved, sending me tumbling forward into the dirt. My knees hit first, sharp and hard, the ground cold and sticky beneath me as I crashed into the mud. My palms burned from the impact, embarrassment spreading like fire as I looked up to find Ryder already running toward me.
The shrill, too-high voice of Lemmon Meringue, my bully for as long as I could remember, filled my ears. “Oh, Lola Lima! I am so sorry! I must not’ve seen you when I was walkin’ by. Here, let me help you up,” she said with a thick Southern accent, extending her hand for me to take.
I pushed her hand away, frustration and humiliation twisting inside me. “No, I’ve got it,” I snapped, wiping the dirt off my hands and scowling.
“Lols, you okay?” Ryder asked, his strong hands steadying me as he pulled me to my feet.
“I’m fine,” I grumbled, wiping my palms on my denim shorts.
I turned my attention to Lemmon, who greeted me with her version of a bashful smile. “I’m so sorry, Lola. Will you ever forgive me?” she asked, the faux sweetness lacing her voice sickening.
I didn’t have a chance to respond before Mayte was at my side, pinning Lemmon with a look that could freeze water. “You did that on purpose. I saw you!” Mayte roared, coming to my defense as usual.
“Oh, sweet Mayte, it’s really so noble of you to come to your friend's aid, but I promise, I did no such thing,” Lemmon said, fanning her face as if to repress tears.
Mayte opened her mouth, about to say something, but Ryder stepped in. “She said she’s sorry. Let’s leave it at that and enjoy what’s left of our night, yeah?” Ryder asked, diffusing the situation before Mayte could start pulling hair and throwing punches. She might come across as shy at first, but she’s a warrior for the people she cares about.
“Fine. Let’s just go,” I grunted, allowing Ryder to tug me through the moving line, pulling me into a bucket seat and swinging the door closed. He set his eyes on my face, seeing right through the mask of indifference I tried so hardto wear.
“Are you okay, Lols?” he asked, those baby blues never leaving my face as he reached over my lap for the seat belt, clipping me in.
