Celestia POV

Today was Friday and Florence was at the house. She was kind enough to show me how to buy things online, which she says is crucial for a teenager to know. We were alone upstairs, while everyone was busy doing their own thing. Dad was at work with Mateo, while Isabella was home today and had nothing to do. I still didn't know what she did for a living except to arrange different charity events and help with the preparations. Weston was at soccer practice again, while Ash was running errands for Grandma Gia. She and her husband, who I still hadn't talked to much, were helping Antonio manage an emergency at one of the businesses his dad owned in the States. 

"It's so boring here..." Florence's exaggerated sigh was apparent, while she dramatically fell on the bed in my room with her hands spread out. I didn't want her to be bored while hanging out with me, but I wasn't sure what we could do. "I KNOW! We need to plan a date for my cousin and your brother!"

She didn't wait for me to talk before speaking again. "We can't just tell them to go on a date, because both are still under the illusion that the other one doesn't have the same feelings. But it's obvious they like each other more than "just" friends. Tell me you've seen it too."

Her cousin Stella and my oldest brother Mateo were best friends. I heard both of them use that term for their relationship in conversations. I hadn't seen much of Stella, but I was sure that my brother felt something more for her. Whenever she would walk into a room Mateo would find her with his eyes and his feelings told me everything I needed to know. He felt so much love, like a soulmate would, but also sadness.

After one of the hospital check-ups he took me to after I got hit by a car, I asked him why he declined Stella's invitation even though he obviously wanted to be with her. He answered that there was no room for Stella in the future he was carving for himself and that she would be safer if she was far away. The doctor was coming and we couldn't finish the conversation. I still wondered why he said that. My brother's job wasn't dangerous, he worked in Dad's law firm in an office.

"Mateo definitely has romantic feelings, but I'm not sure about Stella."

"Oh, please! She is always dressing up whenever she goes to hang out with him. She's always ón about what Mateo said did that, she practically worships the ground he stands on! I've seen it ever since I moved to their house. She is hopelessly in love with him but doesn't have the balls to admit it to his face. Have I told you what happened on their senior prom?"

I shook my head and went to lie on the bed next to her because it was more comfortable. "She had a prom date already for months before the dance. But she didn't want to tell Mateo about it, so I did. Do you know what happened next? Her date, who was an exchange student suddenly had to leave the country and go home a day before prom, even though they had talked about the dance earlier in the week and didn't mention anything about traveling before. I think Mateo got jealous after I spilled that she had a date and threatened him or something. They ended up going together as "friends" and the exchange student's phone number mysteriously disappeared from Stella's phone. She thinks it's a glitch or something because a few other numbers disappeared as well, like the cab company she used, the pizza place near the school that delivered, and a few other unimportant ones.

"You think he got jealous and did something to make the exchange student leave?" I asked

"I know he did, you should have seen his face when I mentioned that they had arranged the date months before. She only accepted the exchange student's proposal because she felt bad anyway not because she liked him. He told her he didn't have many American friends and guilted her into accepting."

"What can we do if they don't want to cross that line? There is a popular saying about leading a horse to water or something like that, right?"

Florence turned to me and smiled "We make them drink the water without knowing they're drinking it, of course!"

I narrowed my eyes at her, "I don't understand what you mean."

Patting my head before standing up Florence answered, "Don't worry your pretty little innocent head about it. I'm going to get reinforcements and we will find a way!" It wasn't long before she came back with Isabella. I mostly listened to them brainstorming how to get them on a date. I had no idea what dates looked like, but I was curious. They settled on a plan after fifteen minutes of discussing it. Even I had a part to play, which made things exciting and I loved that Isabella thought of something I could to do help, too.

I was going to ask Mateo to come with me and Florence to an amusement park in town that was very popular. Isabella said Mateo would be suspicious if she or Dad told him to go. I didn't see how he couldn't say no to me, which were her exact words. Of course, he could decline to go with us. Mateo has a job and probably doesn't want to hang out at an amusement park. I was excited we were going, to be honest, because I'd never been before. Isabella was going to talk to Dad and the family plus Stella's parents and Mr. and Mrs. Arnold will ask Stella to chaperone us. When we get there, we will explore the rides, while Mateo and Stella are alone on an amusement park date.

Florence left to go home before dinner and I was helping Grandma Gia and Isabella serve the food. We heard the front door open and the familiar voices of the King men flooded the quiet home. Not much later they all came downstairs and sat down. It was my turn, but I was still a bit shy about starting conversations during dinner. While I thought about when would be the perfect moment for me to ask, Isabella had already done her part and given Weston and Asher tasks for tomorrow, so they wouldn't interfere with our plan.

I cleared my throat and all small talk on the table seized. Looking up at Mateo, I swallowed my food and asked "Mateo, are you free tomorrow?" Everyone was silently waiting for his response and was giving me curious glances.

"Of course, little sister. Do you want to do something?"

"Today, Florence mentioned this amusement park that everyone in town goes to. I was wondering if you would take us there tomorrow?"

His gaze was curious "I will do anything for you Aurora. Maybe we can go as a family..."

Looking down, I remembered something Isabella advised me to say and hurriedly added it. "She said everyone's been there and I've never been to such a place before. Ash and Wes are busy, but I thought you could take us?" His feelings told me all I needed to know. He was pitying me and I hated it, but it worked for the plan.

"I want to go to an amusement park, too not load boxes of donations at the church again," Weston complained loudly, but Isabella was quick to take the lead.

"You boys promised to help me with delivering the donations last week. Mateo can take Florence and Aurora tomorrow morning and once you guys are done at the church, you can drive to the amusement park, too." Wes and Ash huffed but agreed. She was like a general - firm and respected with authority and confidence in her voice. I think she would be able to command any room she entered even without being related to the people there. I wish I had Isabella's confidence.

That night I used the new shower Dad had installed in my room. It sprayed water from multiple sides, so it felt like I was outside in the rain. The main shower head was on top and was wide, while there were three smaller heads inside the wall on each side. A total of seven shower heads could spray at the same time. It was magnificent and whoever invented it should be worshipped. It hadn't rained these days, so I was missing the feeling. Even though it didn't smell like the rain and it wasn't the same as being outside, it was close.

The next day I got up early and got ready. We were leaving to pick up Florence at seven in the morning. Mateo was wearing a simple white t-shirt and grey sweatpants, while I opted for jean shorts, a loose pink floral tank top and sandals. When we got there I think he was surprised because Stella came outside with Florence and Isabella didn't tell him she would be coming.

"Stella? I didn't know you were coming with us." I got out of the front seat and climbed in the back with Florence so that Stella and Mateo could be next to each other. That was also part of the plan.

"I didn't know about the trip until late last night. My parents said they couldn't make it to chaperone and you know how my little cousin is when she sets her mind on something.

Florence didn't miss the chance to comment "I'm your only cousin! Plus, I'm almost as tall as you, cousin, and you have an eight-year advantage over me. If anyone is little, it's Aurora, she's the shortest of the King/Arnold clans at only five feet two."

Mateo used the moment to interrupt their banter "She is perfect the way she is Florence!"

"Certainly, boys are going to flock around her when the fall semester starts. We will be the full package with my devilish attitude and your angelic look and personality." I saw my brother rolling his eyes while muttering "Whatever." in the driver's seat. Stella and Florence were laughing and I had the urge to laugh, as well.

We got to the amusement park or carnival as Grandma Gia called it and I was amazed at how many people there were. After getting tickets, Mateo pulled us aside and warned "Stay together, always, and don't wander too away from us. If you want to do something specific, and we aren't close, text us, so we know where you are."

I felt a surge of protectiveness from him and Stella. They will be good parents one day. Maybe it was lame, but I loved feeling that from him. It didn't take long for Florence to pull me away and we started exploring. I mean me because she has already been here before. "I'm going to take you to all the cool rides and we can even visit the fortune teller, that would be cool, right? Any fears I should know about?"

I shrugged "I guess we'll find out." I had nothing to fear in Heaven, so I was dreading to find out what I was afraid of.

"I like the way you think, we'll be jumping into the deep end first!"

First, we went in line to wait for the Ferris wheel. It was this big circle that spun around in place. After getting on, I was glad it went slow, so I could adjust. It was a beautiful sight taking in everything from above, but also a familiar one, which threatened to open the door to memories I was trying to avoid right now. Whether I like it or not, my life in Heaven was over.

Next, we tried the roller coaster, which was like a train track but in the air. It went a little faster than the Ferris wheel, but at least it was fun and didn't stir any unwanted nostalgic memories. Sometimes at the edges between the high and low parts of the ride, I felt like I was flying. It was wonderful and exhilarating.

We stopped by the various booths and shot balloons full of water for prizes or used small machines to grab toys and pull them up. There were different games for various people and even some adult games, like shooting an arrow at a tree or throwing knives at a target.

We stopped by the picnic area and got hot dogs and milkshakes for lunch. Mateo and Stella were at a table near us but they were in their own little world. I even saw that Stella had a violet stuffed bear. I wonder if my brother won it for her. Florence thought our plan was going well. We giggled at how in love they looked while talking to each other. I wasn't sure though, I bet even after today, they would still hide their feelings for each other. Florence was hopeful that there would be a wedding this year and that our matchmaking skills were the best, but focusing on their feelings, I knew it didn't work. They would always love each other and be comfortable together, but both still had lingering fears to deal with before confessing their feelings. One carnival date wasn't going to cut it.

After lunch, we headed to explore some of the smaller tents in the carnival. Florence insisted on going to see the fortune teller. The lady looked in her 40s. She had a lot of makeup on and what looked like a fake mole near her smile lines. Her head was wrapped in a silk turban-style wrap with only a few strands falling from the top down to frame her face. Those curly strands were decorated with colorful gemstones or what looked like rubber bands.

"Come closer, your fate beckons!" Florence giggled at her enthusiasm and exclaimed something that sounded like "so cool" under her breath. My friend sat in the chair first and the woman asked what kind of reading she wanted. There were apparently tea, coffee, palm, and tarot readings and each was a different price. She chose palm reading and they talked, while I looked around the small tent. I saw a lot of trinkets and herbs on shelves. There was even a crystal ball, which was cool to see in real life.

"Aurora! It's your turn. I'll check out the trinkets, are these for sale by the way?"

The woman answered immediately "Depending on how much you're willing to part with for the trinket. A deal might be struck even if they aren't for sale."

Florence smiled wide and answered her "I like you, I'll look around and tell you if something catches my eye." 

While they were talking I sat on the chair in front of the small circular table. Maybe I'll choose a palm reading, too, but the tarot cards looked enchanting. I wanted to see what they looked like, so I decided on a card reading.

When we began, the woman told me to shuffle the cards however I wanted. I was done in less than ten seconds and returned them to her. She turned over the first card and put it on the table - it looked like a juggling clown. "The Fool Upright" she declared. "You're walking on a new path in life. An innocent free spirit, but some may take advantage of that."

The second card she turned over resembled a Ferris wheel "The Wheel of Fortune Upright. Change is coming and your fate is inevitable, wherever it may lead." I guess that could be true for everyone. She continued with the third card "Strength Upright. You will face these new challenges with bravery, compassion, and inner strength."

The fourth card was "Death Upright. You will change during the trials waiting for you and shed your old skin like a snake." The fifth and last card she drew was "The Empress Upright." She hesitated tilting her head and looked me in the eye "Fertility awaits in your future if you can beat the challenges in your path."

That reading was creepy and I did not understand one bit. As we exited the tent and started heading to the other attractions Florence teased me "I guess you will have a lot of babies in the future and you know what that means! A lot of s-e-x." I blushed and didn't acknowledge her. The fortune teller shouted back at us. Florence had forgotten her purse in the tent after she bought one of the figurines, so we rushed back to get it. 

The woman took my hand and turned my palm over while Florence was busy inside looking for her purse. "Your life is enthralling indeed. Almost unnatural. Your friend's path is one that many others have taken before and will take again, but yours is unique. What are you, little girl?" My eyes widened and I yanked my hand back with force.

"Got it! Let's head to the bumper cars track and race each other!" Pulling my hand in that direction, we started running. I was glad because this fortune teller knew a lot. Was she some kind of supernatural or did she know about it from her experience? I needed to keep a low profile here, so I was glad we left.

What mischief will Florence and Aurora get into at the carnival in the afternoon?

Is their mission to bring Mateo and Stella together going to succeed?

Question of the day: Have you ever been to a carnival and what rides did you go on?