30. Sienna
thirty
Sienna
“And now class, I’d like everyone to think deeper. What does Impressionism mean to you?” Professor Hewin’s monotone voice travels across the lecture hall.
My head lulls as I try to think back to our course on Impressionism, only for my thoughts to stray back to Jace.
Last week after getting tattoos and almost trying shibari—which ended in us realizing rope play is not for us—he’d helped me study for midterms. And for the first time since I started this course, I learned something.
I don’t know if it’s because a hot guy was teaching me or because Jace is just that good at explaining things, but I learned so much more in our hours of studying than I have in the nearly two months that I’ve been in this course.
Sighing, I bite the end of my pen as my mind wanders back to Jace. He’s been busier lately with the start of the hockey season quickly approaching, and I want nothing more than to see him play the sport that he loves. The last time I’d seen him play was four years ago, and he—
My phone’s buzzing halts my thoughts. With a small frown, I pull it out only to chuckle at who the sender is.
Heart
Juliette, where art thou?
Speak of the devil…
Me
Up your ass.
What's up?
Heart
Kinky
I like it
Anyways…come outside. I’m in lot B
When I reread his texts for the third time, his words still don’t comprehend in my mind.
What does he mean, “come outside”? Like outside of my class , outside?
Me
What's in it for me?
Heart
Wow.
Is my beautiful face not enough?
Me
Nope.
Heart
Move your cute little ass, Sienna
Time is ticking and we’re late
My mind wars with the decision. Do I stay in this boring class?
Or do I go? I haven’t seen Jace all week, but I also know that I need to pass this class more than anything.
Then again…I could also learn way more from Jace.
He did help me retain information better.
Buuuuuutt then again, I have perfect attendance—I can’t just leave… or can I ?
Girl, you’re in college. You can leave whenever, the devil on my shoulder chimes in.
Fuck it.
Making my decision, I gather my things.
Oh my gosh, am I doing this? Like truly doing this? My mind races, palms sweating as I approach the lecture hall exit.
Why does it feel like I’m about to fuck up my life catastrophically? I can see it now…The dean of Summerfield University plastering my name everywhere after I walk out of my lecture into “no man’s land” with Jace Heart…
Am I overthinking this? Maybe . But you would be, too! I’ve never skipped a class before. Could I get suspended for skipping? Can you get suspended in college?
“Don’t do that—Ouch!” Jace yelps, holding his shoulder as I clutch my frightened heart.
“Why would you sneak up on me?!” I shriek as he scoffs, clearly offended by me softly punching his arm.
“You were standing two steps away!”
Touché…
Jace doesn’t give me the time to respond to his retort, and instead grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him. The exposed skin on my waist tingles as his large hands slide firmly against it, he softly squeezes me, smiling boyishly. My cheeks heat and goosebumps litter my skin from the look.
He kisses me soft and quickly, startling me momentarily before he pulls away. “We’re going to have so much fun…Get in!”
That’s how I find myself standing in front of Wishland, the 304 acre theme park an hour and a half away from my History of Modern Art lecture hall.
I’ve never actually been to a real amusement park before, only carnivals and fairs. My parents were always busy on the road and I’ve never wanted to go to one alone, but I don’t think that Jace knows this.
Instead, the guy is standing next to me like a kid in a candy store, grinning from ear to ear at the park's entrance.
Without a word, I allow him to drag me through the park's metal detectors and into the world of Wishland.
Iconic Wishland characters like Princess North and Princess Lyra decorate posters at the very front of the park, but what steals my breath away is the iconic Wishland “Luna Blue” star at the very middle of the park.
“What do you want to do first? I’m thinking we try Gemini Jumpstart and then—”
“Can we get Staries? I’ve never had them before…” I trail off, my eyes locked on the girl just a few feet away from us, giggling with her friends, dawning the esteemed Wishland stars on her head.
“Whatever you want, angel… Always.”
After getting my Staries and forcing Jace to get his own in a different color, the two of us set off for the Zodiac's Quad section of the theme park.
Since Wishland is a theme park based off of the solar system. Everything in the park and company is named after different constellations, including the characters.
When we get to Gemini Jumpstart, I halt in my steps at the sight of the ride.
It’s a massive roller coaster with purple and pink coloring.
The ride is full of loops and turns with two carts running at the same time to seem as if they are twins.
My jaw drops when the ride goes upside down and fire—Yes, FIRE —shoots into the air just a few feet away from the carts.
“What the hell…” I breathe, but Jace clearly doesn’t hear the hesitation in my voice because instead of stopping to think about getting on the ride, he drags me towards it.
What happened to the guy who was scared of rides at Fall Fest? Where did this stranger who doesn’t care about life come from?
“Come on, babe. I want to get a good seat at the front!” he exclaims, marching us to the rides line.
When we get settled in the line and my heart returns back to my chest, I turn to him.
“What happened to the boy who was scared of carnival rides not even a month ago? ”
Jace scoffs, a hint of a chuckle in his tone as he looks down at me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I settle into his touch, grinning as he rolls his eyes dramatically.
“If you think that I’m about to willingly ride something that can be put up and taken down in less than twenty-four hours, you’re severely mistaken, angel.” He shrugs as the line moves forward.
I frown. “What’s so good about real roller coasters, anyways? They’re just rides…”
Jace’s eyes nearly bug out of his head as he looks at me, shock and amusement dancing in his irises.
“Have you never ridden a real roller coaster before? Your parents are celebrities…” he says, completely baffled as I shrug.
“They also were never home for me to hang out with them, besides I’ve ridden rides before…Just not a rollercoaster at real amusement park since I’ve never been to one…” I trail off, my eyes darting to the carts in front of me instead of the man beside me.
Jace does a double take, looking down at me with a whole new perspective as we move closer to the front of the line, just a few feet away from the ride.
“You’ve never been to Wishland before? WishWorld? Wishtis? None of the Wish brand theme parks? They’re the biggest company in the world…I could’ve sworn you went with us as kids.” He gapes, chuckling in his confusion.
“No.”
“Well then, today’s your lucky day, angel. We’re going to make your wish come true.”
And that he does.
Jace and I ride every ride under the sun, starting at Zodiac’s Quad and ending at Dipper lane where the main food halls and stationary games are.
Somewhere along the way, Jace won me a giant Luna Blue plushie, warming my childhood heart.
I grin down at the large blue and white smiling star as we step forward in line to order at The Carina Cafe .
“What can I do for you today?” the worker behind the counter asks as we take a step forward in line. Taking in the worker’s attire, I smile at her miniature pirate hat and corseted dress, completely on brand for the constellation Carina.
“Can I get a deluxe funnel cake and lemon—” Jace steps in closer to me, his arms tightening around my waist as he shakes his head.
“Wait babe…What are you doing?”
“Huh? What do you mean?” I ask, titling my head to look at him as his brows furrow.
“You can’t eat that…”
I can’t eat that? Who does he think he is to tell me what I can or cannot eat? I am a grown woman and can make my own damn decis—
“It’s littered with strawberries and strawberry preserves,” he says, looking pointedly at the menu where it clearly states the food and its ingredients.
Oh…
“Are you trying to send yourself to an early grave or what, woman?” he asks jokingly, squeezing my hip before turning to the worker. “She’ll have a regular funnel cake with all the bells and whistles of a deluxe, minus the strawberry—she’s allergic.”
I look at Jace with a newfound interest as he continues ordering for us and pays. No one, not even my family, is that thoughtful of my allergy, especially since it’s so rare.
Hell, Cleo eats strawberry donuts all the time.
But Jace? He remembered my allergy and made sure that I didn’t consume any part of it, even though I would have been the one to order without fully checking the menu.
“I love you Sienna, but shit, don’t scare me like that. You almost killed yourself.” He laughs as we place our food on the table.
Did he just…?
We both pause in our tracks and I jump up from my spot, hovering over the table to stare at him. Jace Heart just told me that he loves me, in the middle of The Carina Cafe at Wishland .
Jace’s cheeks are redder than a tomato, his eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights as he gapes at me, processing his own words.
What do I say? Do I say it back? Did he mean it as a friend way or something more?
Jace Heart loves me.
Jace Heart loves me ?
Jace Heart loves me.
Jace fucking Heart loves me!
Oh my…My jaw drops as he schools his expression and shoots finger guns my way, slowly sliding back away from me.
“Wait—”
He doesn’t hear me because he’s turning on his heels and running back up to the register. I mean full on track star running to the register…
He just told me he loves me and then ran away like a school girl!
When Jace gets back to the table, two cups of water in hand, he makes a point to look everywhere but at me. It’s kind of cute the way that he avoids eye contact nervously, but it’s also confusing. Did he really just say that he loves me and ran away?
“Uh…Jace?” I poke, and when he doesn't respond, I keep trying. “Want to go on one last ride?”
Instead of responding, he nods, leaving us in complete and utter silence. Awkwardness builds between us, turning a day full of happiness and exhilaration into one of tension.
When we finish eating, I begin to lead Jace to the two towers located just behind the Wishland star. When we step in the path of Ursa Major, the largest drop tower in the state of Maryland, and Ursa Minor, the second, Jace halts in his steps.
“Is this really the last ride that you want to get on today? A drop tower?” he asks skeptically as I grin.
“Yep! ”
The queue for the line is short and quick with only four other people in line, making it our quickest wait time of the day. And in no time, we’re being strapped to the constellation themed ride.
Jace squeezes my hand, holding me tightly the entire way up, still completely silent as we climb to the top. My skin dances with nerves and the anticipation of the peak, scared shitless of the drop.
When I turn my head, I realize that I can’t see Jace, but I know that he’s there beside me. He always is.
“Hey, Jace?” I call out, more like shouting, as we climb up the ride, reaching the top in just mere seconds.
Now's the time, Sienna…don’t dick out , I tell myself, my heart thrumming hard against my chest.
“Yeah?!” he calls back, his hand squeezing mine.
My heart skips a beat as we pause momentarily at the peak of the ride, the entire theme park surrounding us in glittering lights as sunset begins to fall.
A feeling of peace and happiness washes through me as I smile and say, “I love you, too!”
And then, we drop.