I planned to meet a friend at the amusement park but ended up being stood up. Frustrated, I twisted my ankle. Surrounded by couples, I cursed my friend inwardly for many times. Just then, a message from Jordan popped up: "Why didn't you come?"
The Rivers family had just won a bid and was hosting a business celebration that evening. Whenever Jordan, Logan, and Connor were together, the conversation was full of barbs. Expecting all three to be there tonight, I imagined the scene would be unbearable, prompting me to flee... No, I mean, strategic withdrawal.
Now, given my current predicament... I hesitated at the keyboard, typing and then deleting. What should I say? Admit I was stood up? It's too embarrassing.
Mention that I was not only stood up but also sprained my ankle, and now I was sitting alone on a park bench watching others have fun? It's even more embarrassing.
I didn't answer the message for a long time. Jordan messaged: "Why did you read but not replied?" Without a word, I sent my location.
After a pause, he sent a voice message. Amid the noisy background, his voice was clear and slightly lazy, "Sorry, I forgot a princess needs a carriage. Wait for me." Typical of him, always sarcastic. Yet, his voice was quite magnetic, actually pleasant to hear. I played it again.
Wait a second.Was he mocking or flirting me?
My phone's battery was low, leaving me idly counting the people in the amusement park. I sat on a bench near the entrance, and soon, a figure walked in. Tall, well-built, with a distinctive demeanor—it was unmistakably Jordan, quite conspicuous. He strode over.
I maintained a blank expression as we locked eyes. Jordan raised an eyebrow, "Stood up?" He guessed so accurately? I remained silent, and his look seemed to say, 'Just as I thought.
I still didn't move. He stared at me for a while, his voice lazy and trailing off, "I can't drive the car in here.Do you need me to carry you to it?" He was clearly mocking me.
I scoffed and spread my arms to him. That stopped him. Jordan never expected I'd play along. If it weren't for my sprained ankle, I wouldn't have done that. I smirked, "Aren't you going to carry me? What, can't handle it?"
He pursed his lips, then bent down. One arm wrapped around my waist, the other under my legs, he effortlessly lifted me. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He remained silent, unusual for him. His ears turned red. Was Jordan blushing?
I'm surprised. Jordan's ears turned red too. Is he shy?
The atmosphere turned oddly quiet, the park's bustle out of sync with our silence. The entrance was only for entry, with the exit on the other side of the park.
As he carried me toward the exit, we drew many stares, which was somewhat embarrassing. We even encountered some acquaintances whose shocked expressions looked like their jaws might drop. They probably didn't expect to see me and Jordan together. Even more awkward...
Passing the carousel, he asked, "Want a ride?" I glanced over; it was filled with children and couples. I dryly refused, "No, thanks."
There was an empty seat. He walked over and placed me on a white horse. I tugged at the corner of my mouth, "It's shameful to sneak in without a ticket."
Jordan's eyes twinkled, "Already paid." I was puzzled. The bell rang, he stood to the side, smiling casually, and took out his phone, camera aimed at me. Many parents stood by Jordan, smiling and taking photos of their kids, shouting, "Honey, look at the camera!"
I covered my face. Why was this so embarrassing... As the ride ended, I looked up, not expecting Jordan's camera still aimed at me. Just as I was about to duck again, he said my name. I looked to him, then he captured the moment on camera.
I was infuriated. After the carousel, my chat application exploded with notifications. Opening it, I found Jordan had posted a photo of me on the carousel to our group chat. The barrage of messages that followed was mostly from Connor, after Logan's initial question mark.
Rubbing my temples, I switched my phone to airplane mode. Then, I hopped on one leg to Jordan, "Let's go."
He glanced at my foot, "Sprained your ankle?" I rolled my eyes, "Why else would I let you carry me?"
A visible cloud of gloom seemed to envelop Jordan. I was puzzled. What was wrong with him? "Forget it," he said.
I hesitated. He seemed upset but appeared to have consoled himself. He bent down again and lifted me in a princess carry. I pondered for a moment, then asked, "What did you say earlier?" Those two words.
"Ba……," he replied.
I was confused.
"You just blew a bubble with your nose."
I gritted my teeth, "I don't have a cold, stop joking... You must be mistaken, right?"
He didn't respond. I glanced at his still-red ears, "Why is your ears red?"
He murmured:"you are noisy"
I didn't stop talking, "Look at the sunset, it's beautiful, very red, just like your ears."
Jordan: "..."
Just when I thought he wouldn't respond, he murmured, "Yes." I thought I misheard, "What?"
"The sunset is beautiful."
"You look even better," he added.
