Beautiful Thing

My life has always been filled with work, papers, and most importantly, tea. Tea kept me sane. Typically for work-a-holics like me, we rely on coffee, but I cannot stomach the bitter taste of it. But now forgetting about work, I couldn't help but be secretly excited as Harry and I continued to drive south. Where would that take us? Who knows? I had to admit that I was feeling very adventurous compared to my typical lifestyle. I couldn't help but wonder if I lived my life like this every day, would I feel the same?

I looked at Harry and begin to think about him. His life is much busier than mine, but I can only assume that his was more enjoyable. He gets to travel the world and experience what most people don't. I couldn't imagine anything any better. Feeling the way that I do now is exhilarating.

"What are you thinking about?" my thoughts were interrupted by a questioning grin. Everything about this man was attractive. I still cannot believe that I am behaving this way over a boy I had only met last night.

"Nothing important right now," I hesitantly spoke the truth.

Harry opened his mouth to comment on what I had just said but quickly gasped when he saw a colorful sign on our right that read, "Summer Carnival: Games, Rides, and Food!". I got Harry's idea when I saw his signal lights indicating we were pulling in right.

"See! Like I said, you never know what you're going to find. I hope you like carnival rides because this is going to be so much fun." He spoke beaming with excitement. I hope he was right.

When we entered the carnival, Harry bought our tickets for the rides and games. He turned to me with a wide grin plastered on his face. "So... whats first?" he asked excitedly.

I remember going to carnivals all the time during the summers back home. I think it was my most anticipated event every year. Undoubtedly, my favorite part was the rides but oddly enough I told Harry I wanted to start off with the carnival games.

We started off with the easier games like ring toss and dart throwing. I had gotten a small prize at the ring toss station and Harry managed to win us more tickets at dart throwing. Thirty minutes later, we had gotten to the final game which was the one where you had to use a water gun to fill up the balloon in front of you. I took notice of a cute brown bear that was in the prize corner. If I won, that would be the prize I would choose but, I had the worst aim so I knew I had no luck in winning.

I turn to Harry feeling a little competitive, "Good luck, you'll need it."

He smirked back at me, "Oh I don't need luck. Save it for yourself," He replied with humor in his voice.

When the bell rang, the game had started. Surprisingly, I had aimed perfectly at the target. My balloon started filling up with water pretty quickly. When I glanced over at Harry's balloon I discovered that he was doing just as good as me. I had lost my aim when my vision was back at my target. I gasped in shock when I heard a "pop" and got splashed by water from Harry's balloon.

"We have a winner over here to the man with curly locks. Tell me, son, what do you choose as your prize." The booth runner asked Harry.

Harry placed his fingers on his bottom lip as he looked through the prizes. "I think I'm going to choose the brown bear that's in the corner," Harry said pointing to the bear I was checking out earlier. When the man handed Harry the bear he thanked him. Harry then turned to me, "I saw you looking at it so I guess this is for you," he said while holding the brown bear out for me to take.

My mouth hung open in an 'O' shape. It was such a cliche move yet very sweet. I felt like I was on one of those carnival dates that you only see in movies or read in books. I grabbed the soft bear from Harry's hands and held it tightly in my arms. "Thank you, Harry," I spoke softly.

"So..." Harry spoke.

"So?" I questioned. What could he be implying?

"What are you going to name the bear, silly?" He looked curiously at me with his jade eyes.
It didn't take me long to come up with a cute name for the stuffed animal. "I think... I'm going to name him Barry. A combination of bear and Harry. Just a reminder of who gave it to me." I flashed him a shy smile.

"Well Miss Taylor, I'd be honored to share half of Barry's name." He spoke in a funny posh voice. I couldn't help but laugh at him.

Five minutes later, Harry and I had ventured to start the rides. We began with the fast ones first to give us an instant rush. Harry always managed to poke fun at how messy my hair looked after the rides but, I didn't give him much room to talk because his hair was also in a curly mess.

I couldn't help but think of the exciting rush I have been all day. There was never a dull moment without Harry. Without him, I am simply put, boring. Today, I had never felt so alive in my life. I never want this rush to leave.

After the rides, we had grown hungry. Harry had gotten us some cotton candy to share. Next to the carnival was a community park that people were gathered in. It seemed like a festival was happening next door.

"Why don't we go there?" Harry asked pointing towards the park. I smiled and nodded my head in agreement.

Approaching the park I took notice of all the decorations. Fairy lights were strung everywhere that eyes could see, beautiful flower baskets, and hanging lanterns. It was the simplicity of it all that drew me in. The park was absolutely beautiful. We could hear faint music as we walked through the park entrance. Following the music, we found a group of people dancing on a wooden dance floor. They all seemed like they were enjoying themselves.

As I was observing the lively sight in front of me, Harry spoke words that I absolutely dreaded hearing, "Let's go dance."

I halted and shook my head violently. "I don't dance Harry." This was very true. I wasn't a good dancer, and when I even attempted to dance, it wouldn't look like I was dancing. Plus, I don't think Harry would appreciate me stepping on his suede shoes.

Harry chuckled at me once again for what felt like the millionth time today. "Live Tess; breathe. C'mon, it can't be that bad. I'll even let you get away stepping on my toes."

I sighed and followed him towards the dance floor. Just as we got there, "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran began to play. I adored this song and Ed Sheeran but, I felt so nervous knowing that this was a slower song. I've never danced with anyone this way besides with my father at family gatherings. Even then I managed to scuff his polished shoes. He didn't mind though.
When we stepped on the floor fear crept into my body. Harry reassuringly grabbed my hand and took lead. His touch sent an unfamiliar field of electricity running through my veins. I shook slightly at the feel. Then Harry used his opposite arm to reach around my waist to pull me in close to him. I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave him a questioning look to ask if I was doing it right; he gave me a nod.

Slowly, we began swaying to the music. "See? You're dancing." Harry spoke happily.

I smiled and blushed, "Yeah. I guess I am." I kept avoiding eye contact with Harry because I was afraid if I looked up and met with his jade eyes, I would melt in his arms. I shook my head. I really shouldn't be thinking this way, Harry seemed to notice.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked me.

"Nothing important," I replied to him.

"Now that's something I do not believe." he hummed slowly.

I looked up and met his eyes, and yup, you guessed right. I melted on spot. Just as I opened my mouth to reply, he let go of my waist and spun me away from him and spun me back to land me closer to his chest, like the way you see in movies. I gasped; what a rush!

"Wow, that was crazy!" I managed to gasp out.

"It's all about the rush Tess," Harry said while moving a piece of hair away from my face.
I don't know if he could tell, my heart was beating right out of my chest. I couldn't help but feel this way about the handsome man in front of me. Sure I still don't know much about him, but there was one thing I knew for sure.

I wanted to keep him around for a long time.

Notes