Misty snorts at Kane. “Funny, because you’re the biggest kid here.”
He rolls his eyes. “What about the sledgehammer or big dipper roller coaster?”
Both being thrill rides, I’m not surprised he chose them.
“No. Fair is fair. Bumper cars for all of us and then the carousel because it’s Zara’s birthday. Better watch yourself on the bumper cars, Kane,” she taunts.
Kane flashes her a roguish smile. “Bring it on.”
We climb into our bumper cars. My gaze cuts to the others and I grin at them in excitement. I grip the steering wheel as I focus in front of me. When the green light flashes, Misty and Kane ram each other. Misty cackles.
As I’m watching them, I see Knox aiming for me. I turn and go as fast as I can to get away from him while a woman and child in one car bump into him, which turns him away from me. I smile back at him in victory.
After our time finishes, we get out of the bumper cars. Knox takes my hand, and we take the steps down to the ground, where we make our way past the small kids’ roller coaster and the spinning teacups.
The next is the carousel, with its gold crest and range of horses and carts. Kane and Knox wait outside as Misty and I show our VIP pass to the man operating the ride. We step up to the platform and weave between the seats until she finds a horse rearing up on its back legs. I get onto one that looks as though it’s galloping. Misty swings her leg over and hops on. She holds on with one hand, peers over her shoulder, and smiles at me.
Soon after we finish the ride, we walk to the large event. We show our tickets to the ticket collector. Once inside, the noise is earsplitting.
“I want to get up to the front,” Misty calls out. Kane nods, grabs her hand, and pushes through the crowd. Misty clutches my wrist and pulls me along, while Knox steps to my side and helps me get through the bustle.
As we get closer, my heartbeat speeds up.
“Hello, everyone,” DJ Mesah says into the microphone.
People cheer, and we keep shuffling. We cannot stop bumping into the mountains of people crammed inside, though there’s a genuinely happy vibe in the crowd.
“I’d like to thank all of you for coming, and I hope you enjoy the set.”
Misty and I cheer. We end up in the center about five people back from the barricade near the stage.
The music starts, and people lift their phones, videoing. The intro of the song starts slowly as the lights around the stage flash. When the beat kicks in, green lasers flicker through the crowd. The atmosphere of joy and excitement sends a chill down my spine.
The tempo increases, and then the beat drops. The chorus makes the crowd erupt in yells and cheers. Misty and I jump to the beat, our arms up. The guys are flush against us, protecting us from the rowdy people.
Half an hour in, Misty freezes. When I look at her, her hands are covering her mouth and she has paled significantly.
“Do you want to go?” I yell over the music.
Her eyes stretch wide and she frantically nods.
I turn to the guys and tap them on the arms. “We need to go now. Misty looks sick,” I say loudly over the music.
Knox’s and Kane’s eyes flash with understanding. Knox walks ahead, creating room for us to move through the crowd. Once we make it through, Misty runs to the bathroom stalls.
My eyes flicker between Knox and Kane. “Can one of you call the limousine to pick us up? We’d better go home so Misty can get some rest before tonight.”
My heart racesas I look in the mirror. I hate being the center of attention. I wipe my sweaty hands on my dress.
“Zara. Marie. Pratt,” Mom says. “For the love of all that is holy, do not wipe anything on that dress.”
I flinch, then straighten my back. “Sorry, Mom.”
When I saw this dress, I wanted it, but now I feel a sliver of guilt that it might have cost too much. I was so giddy when I saw it that I didn’t even look at the price tag. It’s a gold floor-length gown with a sweetheart neckline and sequins around the top half. I went with natural makeup and kept my hair simple by straightening it.
Misty steps into my bedroom and wolf whistles.
I stifle a laugh and swat at her. “You look pretty too.”
