MAX Lillie Olliver, 2021 “There’s no way.” Natalia looks at her reedy boyfriend and back at the dart board, her eyes narrowed in disbelief. He snorts. “Are you challenging me, madam?” he says with an offended air to his voice, even though she knows he’s joking. She scoffs. “I- what are you, a neckbeard?” “I feel as if you are challenging my excellent coordination and athletic prowess.” “No, I’m challenging your seemingly deluded belief that you are a master over space, time, and all the little things that would have to come together to overcome your lack of excellent coordination and athletic prowess.” “Why, madam.” “You’re so gro ss.” “If I make this shot, I’m going to demand something in return, you must know,” he says with a wiggle of his eyebrows in her direction. “Oh really?” “Oh, absolutely.” “And what would you ask for?” “A kiss, madam.” She chokes on her water and glares at him, wiping a stray drop from her chin. “We’re in public.” “I meant later, obviously.” “...Fine. Shoot your shot, Sir White Knight.” Matthias lays down a dollar and picks up a dart- much to the bored dart-stand
attendant’s approval- and stands up a little straighter from the slightly slouched stance he’d held prior to the challenge. Natalia rests her weight on one hip with her arms crossed, a small, amused smile written across her lips. Her boyfriend raises the dart up in his line of vision, one eye closed as he focuses on his target. He lets the dart fly, and it goes terribly off-course. Natalia stifles a laugh with the back of her hand and Matthias turns back to her with a sour expression, which only serves to make her laugh harder. “Don’t worry, don’t worry,” she chuckles. “You can still be my white knight in shining armor.” They stroll away from the stand and rejoin the masses of people attending the carnival, the sweet aroma of cotton candy and salted pretzels floating by with the soft evening breeze. She inhales sharply; allows it to bring a warmth to her chest. “This was a good idea,” Matthias says, tilting his head down a little towards her to speak so she can hear him above all the ruckus. “We should definitely come here again next year.” “Yeah,” she agrees wholeheartedly. She turns her face up to look at him and smiles. “I think so too.” And maybe it’s because it’s something they’ve done so many times in the casual environment of their home. Maybe it’s because of the moment, the emotions- maybe it’s all too overwhelming. And despite the countless
