CAROUSEL

𝒞𝐻𝒜𝒫𝒯𝐸𝑅 𝒪𝒩𝐸

CHAPTER 1

"END OF THE LINE"

     "I'm breaking up with you. . .It's over and there's nothing you can do about it!" Atlas shouted before slamming the door in my face as he left the house.

     I hear his footsteps on the front porch, the sound of his keys in his hands as he starts his car, the engine turning on. I don't know how many seconds or maybe even minutes had passed before I realized he had already driven away.

     Once the realization hit me, I let it all pour out. I sobbed for what felt like hours. I cried so much that in the end there were no tears left.

     I am now in a puddle of my tears. I forced myself to get up and walk to my bedroom to continue my pity party.

     Once I arrived at the doorway of my bedroom, I stared at my bed before sprinting towards it, grabbing my teddy bear along with me, and cuddling it.

***

     I stare at the ceiling for a long time. It's getting dark outside but I don't have the energy to do anything. I may not have the energy but I need to. I need to do something productive rather than moping around.

     I got up from my bed, grabbed my keys, and sprinted out the door. I entered my car and drove to the fair.

     Once I arrived, I paid for my ticket and looked around. As I walked through the gates of the fair, I felt a sense of trepidation. To be fair, I had just gone through a difficult breakup, and the last thing I wanted to do was to be surrounded by happy couples and families.

    Despite my reservations, I found myself drawn to the bright lights and sounds of the fair. As I walked through the crowds, I couldn't help but feel the pangs of loneliness. But as I wandered past the food stalls and game booths, the sounds of laughter and the smells of fried dough and sugar began to lift my spirits only for it to be brought down again.

     It was as I approached the carousel that I realized the extent of my sadness. Seeing the couples and families riding together, I felt a sting of longing for the connection I had just lost. Against my better judgment, I climbed onto one of the carousel horses, hoping to drown out my pain with the sound of music and the motion of the ride.

     As I began to ride around in circles, I found myself thinking about the past, about the things I had lost, and the things I still wanted. It felt like I was going in circles, unable to move on from my breakup. But as I rode around and around, I began to feel a sense of perspective. I realized that the carousel was a metaphor for life and that the only way to move forward was to accept my pain and keep riding, one step at a time.

     As I rode around and around on my carousel horse, I couldn't help but notice a boy sitting on the horse next to me. He had bright green eyes, soft light brown hair, and a gentle voice that was like music to my ears. His looks were breathtakingly handsome and when he smiled, he lit up the whole carousel.

    Despite my efforts to ignore him, I found myself drawn to him like a magnet. I wanted to reach out and strike up a conversation, but I was held back by my fears and insecurities.

    Not wanting to draw attention to myself I averted my gaze elsewhere. It was only then that I realized that I was frowning when someone brought me back from my thoughts.

   "Are you alright?" someone says.

    I look up to see that same guy giving me a soft smile and my heart flutters.