Carnival Lights & Sweaty Palms

The carnival lights blurred against my sweat-sticky palms. I'd been standing next to Maya for twenty minutes and hadn't said a single cool thing. Not one.

"Nice goldfish," I finally managed, gesturing to the plastic bag she was holding. Inside, a tiny orange fish darted around in panic.

Maya laughed, and I felt my face catch fire. "Thanks! Tyler won it for me. He's so good at these games."

Of course. Tyler. The guy whose hair somehow looked perfect even in July humidity. I tugged at my collar, which suddenly felt three sizes too small.

A group of our friends gathered around the ring toss booth. Tyler stood there, arm wrapped around some random carnival prize he'd probably give to Maya later because that's how Tyler's world worked — everything fell into his lap like gravity was his personal assistant.

"Yo Marcus, you gonna try or just stand there looking like a constipated statue?" That was Jayden, living proof that some people's mouths moved faster than their brains.

The carnie running the booth caught my eye. He had that look of someone who'd seen every awkward teenage moment ever and none of them impressed him. "Step right up. Three bucks for three rings. Land one on a bottle, win whatever prize your heart desires."

I pulled a crumpled five from my pocket. My heart hammered against my ribs like it was trying to escape my chest and find someone cooler to live inside.

The first ring bounced off the rim and rolled under the booth.

"Oooooh," the group chorused. Thanks, guys. Really helpful.

Second ring. Way too hard. It sailed past the entire setup and almost nailed some poor kid's funnel cake.

Maya's goldfish bag swished as she shifted closer. "You've got this, Marcus."

Something about the way she said it — like she actually believed I could do anything besides embarrass myself — made my hands steady. The third ring left my fingers and dropped perfectly over the middle bottle.

"YEAHHH!" Jayden shouted. "Marcus went beast mode!"

The carnie raised an eyebrow. "Not bad, kid. Pick your prize."

I scanned the wall of stuffed animals, neon toys, useless trinkets. Then I saw it — a massive stuffed bull wearing sunglasses and holding a tiny surfboard.

"That one," I said, pointing.

Maya's goldfish swam in tiny circles as the carnie handed me the bull. It was ridiculous and ugly and perfect. I gave it to her.

"For your fish," I said. "Bodyguard duty."

She smiled, and for the first time all night, I didn't feel like I was failing at being a teenager. "Thanks, Marcus. That's actually really sweet."

Tyler could keep his perfect hair and his ring-toss skills. I had something better — I'd made her smile. And honestly? That was worth way more than being cool.