love or host - tommyinnit

chapter 29- running from security

tommy continues to hold my hand even as we enter the restaurant, ignoring the smirk wilbur is throwing his way.

"hi guys," i say as i sit down in a chair next to niki. tommy sits on my other side, next to me and toby.

"we ordered drinks," toby says. "i got you pepsi, val, i remember you said you liked it."

"aww, you know me so well," i respond.

"what about me, big man?" tommy asks.

"what do you THINK i got you?" toby responds. everyone laughs.

"TOO TRUE, TOO TRUE." the two boys fist bump and i smile.

eventually, we order our food, and i end up getting chocolate chip pancakes for dinner since i didn't have any time to look at the menu. when our food comes, i practically inhale the pancakes because they taste so good.

"what's got you two so smiley?" wilbur asks, pointing at me and tommy. we look over at each other with wide eyes. i hadn't even realized i was smiling.

i say "nothing" at the same time tommy says "everything."

niki and wilbur give each other a knowing look.

"you guys are acting suspicious," toby says, narrowing his eyes.

"we aren't," i say with a mouthful of pancakes.

"you're gonna choke," wilbur says to me.

"nice."

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚.˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

"time?" i ask as soon as we pay for our food.

"7:45," niki says.

"what time do the lights turn on?"

"8:00."

"i'm so excited to see the lights..." i practically mutter to myself. tommy smiles.

we all decide to spend the rest of our time together, and maybe meet up with the rest of the crew later. we go on a few roller coasters (and tommy only holds my hand once, which slightly disappoints me for some reason?) and play a few games, as if tommy and i needed any more prizes. eventually, the clock ticks to 7:58 and we all run to an open spot to see the lights turn on.

and once they do, it's just about the most beautiful thing i've ever seen.

the lights are an assortment of colors, all glowing against the night sky. the ferris wheel is perfectly outlined in purple, white, red, and blue lights, and you can't make out any of the ride except the glowing parts. all the rides have lights around them, and the games are decorated in lights as well. i release a breath i didn't realize i was holding.

"oh my god," is all i can mutter. i turn my head towards tommy, who's also admiring the lights. i can see the shining colors reflect in his blue eyes, and his smile continues to grow wider. he catches me staring and looks at me, gently smiling and taking my hand.

we start to walk around again, our hands still interlocked. i hear giggling behind me, and suddenly the sound of a picture being taken. i groan and turn around, to see toby standing guiltily with his phone in his hands and wilbur and niki laughing hysterically.

"toby?" i ask, raising an eyebrow.

"it would make your twitter feed really aesthetic..." toby mutters, showing me the picture. my eyes widen in surprise and i nod.

"send that to me," i whisper in his ear.

after a few hours of messing around, it's midnight. the carnival is practically empty, and toby, wilbur, and niki all left to find everyone else.