The carnival lights illuminated the night sky, painting the dark horizon. The scent of stale popcorn and greasy fried food drowned the hoards of teens that stuck to each other like magnets. Controlled chaos embodied the crowds. The older man’s arm was wrapped around the young girl’s waist; she could feel his beard tickle her cheek. His wedding ring burned a hole in his pocket.
“How old are you?” She asked, leaning against him.
“Nineteen,” The words swept through his lips, automatically as if it was rehearsed, “How old are you, little lady?”
“Eighteen.” She choked on the number as he ran his hands down her side.
The breeze swept gently between the two, funneling them closer together. In the middle of the booming carnival, the two were surrounded in silence, a shadow that whispered between their mouths.
“Where are you from?” He asked her.
“Around here.” She looked around at her friends that gave her sideway stares with judgmental smirks. He saw her looking around, second guessing herself and he gave her a small squeeze of reassurance.
“Me too. I actually go to John Carroll.” He whispered into her ear, “I love your hair, you know.” He touched one of her black curls, twisting it around his finger. She smiled at him in delight.
“Oh, yeah thanks.” She answered turning her head so their faces were only a few inches away.
“Give me a kiss.” He muttered and maybe it was the flashing lights and maybe it was the laughter of the kids that made her feel drunk, but she obliged. Her red lipstick stained his chapped lips. No one saw and no one needed to. It wasn’t quick, but it was over. He tried to pull her in closer. The steel of his wedding ring seared into his thigh.
“We could get out of here.” He said.
“I suppose we could, but I shouldn’t.” She answered back.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m very good at these things.” He gave her a small kiss on her cheek.
“No. I don’t think I should.” The girl felt a chill run down her spine as he gripped tightly onto her waist.
“I need this.” He spoke roughly into her ear.
“I said no.” The girl cleared her throat and took a step back, but he wouldn’t let go. His nails bore into her flesh.
“It won’t hurt.” He promised.
“Nothing ever does.” She rolled her eyes and pushed him off.
Walking away, she felt a tug of regret pull at her, but she ignored it and kept going. Although it was her lipstick that stained his lips, she felt as if his touch stained her as well. He frowned as she left, twisting his ring back onto his finger, disappointed. She walked into the night feeling dirty, deciding she wouldn’t give him another thought. It was peculiar that these two strangers walked away and decided they wouldn’t ever think of the other seeing how one of them was wrong.