Ariana's pov
The sun was starting to dip low, soft orange light spilling over the fairground as Zack and I walked out of the arcade section, still laughing over his ridiculous attempt to win me a stuffed panda.
"You cheated," I said between breaths, clutching my sides.
He looked genuinely offended. "How can you cheat at throwing rings? My aim is just that bad."
"Then maybe you should've aimed with your eyes open."
He gave me a playful nudge. "You're lucky you're cute when you're mean."
That made me roll my eyes—mostly to hide the way my stomach fluttered when he said things like that. I opened my mouth to fire back, but the world tilted slightly beneath my feet. The laughter in my throat died as the bright lights around us blurred for a moment.
I blinked hard. Once. Twice.
Zack noticed immediately. "Hey—whoa. You okay?"
"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a small smile. "Just… a little dizzy, that's all."
He frowned, stepping closer. "You look pale. Do you need to sit down?"
"No," I insisted, even though the edges of my vision felt fuzzy. I took a deep breath, the smell of fried dough and popcorn suddenly too strong. "It's just the heat. I didn't eat much earlier."
He didn't look convinced. "You barely ate anything, Ariana. And you were running around all day. Come on, let's get you some water."
I wanted to argue, but my stomach turned sharply again. It hit me—sharp, fast, too familiar. My hand instinctively pressed against my abdomen.
Oh no.
Not this again.
The same twisting unease I'd felt weeks ago, right before everything changed. The night I'd taken that test in secret, staring at the faint pink line that had destroyed and remade my world in one breath.
Zack was saying something, but his voice sounded distant. I blinked back to focus, forcing a small nod. "Yeah. Maybe… maybe we should go."
His expression softened. "Alright. Let's get you home."
He guided me through the crowd with surprising gentleness, one hand hovering near my back—not touching, but close enough that I could feel the warmth of it. Each step made me more aware of the strange heaviness in my body, like my pulse was humming in every bone.
The car was cool when we got in, but my chest still felt tight. Zack started the engine, glancing at me every few seconds.
"You sure it's not something serious?" he asked, voice quieter now.
I managed a shaky smile. "You worry too much."
"Someone has to. You almost passed out back there."
"I didn't almost pass out."
"You swayed," he said flatly.
"I tripped," I countered.
He gave me a look that said he didn't believe a word I was saying. "If you faint, I'm taking you to the hospital."
I sighed. "I'm fine, Zack. Really. Just tired."
He didn't argue again, but his jaw tightened like he wanted to. The rest of the drive was quiet, filled only with the hum of the engine and the soft sound of the city outside.
When we reached my house, I thanked him quickly and got out before he could offer to walk me in. My legs felt like jelly as I climbed the steps.
The moment my bedroom door shut behind me, I ran straight for the bathroom.
And then it happened.
I barely made it to the sink before I threw up. The bitter taste, the spinning room, the sudden wave of cold sweat—it was all too familiar. My stomach clenched until I had nothing left.
When it finally stopped, I leaned against the counter, trembling.
It's happening again.
The same nausea, the same weakness. I'd told myself it was gone, that I was fine. But my body was betraying me again, whispering the same truth I'd been too afraid to face.
I splashed water on my face and stared at my reflection. My cheeks were pale, my lips trembling.
"Get it together, Ariana," I whispered.
The phone on my nightstand buzzed. Harper. Of course.
I wiped my face, forced a shaky breath, and picked it up.
"Hey," I said, trying to sound normal.
"Hey?" Harper's voice was sharp. "Do you realize what time it is? You were supposed to be here, like, three hours ago. I even made popcorn. Popcorn, Ariana."
Guilt hit me immediately. "I know, I know. I'm so sorry. I just—today was a lot. I'm exhausted."
"Exhausted?" she repeated dramatically. "What were you doing, running a marathon?"
I hesitated. "Uh… not exactly. I went out."
"With who?"
There was a pause. Then a suspicious tone. "Wait. Ariana Vale went out? With a human being?"
I laughed weakly. "Yes, Harper. With a human being."
"Name. Now."
"Zack," I said before I could stop myself.
Silence. Then a slow, delighted gasp. "Zack? As in Mr. Billionaire Engagement Candidate Zack? You went out with him?"
"It wasn't like that," I said quickly. "It was just—"
"A date."
"Not a date!"
Harper was laughing now, completely ignoring me. "Oh my god. You ditched me for the future son-in-law. This is betrayal at the highest level."
I groaned. "It wasn't planned. He just showed up, and my parents basically threw me out the door."
"Uh-huh. And then what happened? Don't skip the juicy parts."
I tried to sound bored, but the memory made me smile despite everything. "He dragged me to a fair. We played games. He cheated. He was annoying."
"And?" Harper pressed, grinning in her voice. "Did he at least win you a teddy bear?"
"He tried," I said, laughing. "It was tragic. I think the poor panda felt sorry for him."
She snorted. "Wow. A romantic comedy in real life. I'm proud of you, Ari. Next thing I know, you'll be holding hands under fireworks."
I rolled my eyes. "You're impossible."
"I'm just saying," Harper teased. "You sound happy. When was the last time you laughed this much?"
That question hit harder than I expected. I stared at the floor, twisting the bedsheet between my fingers. "I don't know. It's been… a while."
She softened. "Hey. You deserve that, you know? To laugh. Even if it's just for a day."
My throat tightened. "Thanks, Harper."
She sighed dramatically again. "Fine, I forgive you for ditching me. But next time, at least send me a picture of this Zack person so I can approve."
"Sure," I said, smiling faintly. "When I stop looking like I fought gravity and lost."
"You always look perfect, don't lie."
I snorted. "Yeah, sure. If pale and sweaty is your definition of perfect."
That made her laugh even harder. "Go rest, drama queen. I'll let you off the hook this time."
"Thank you. I owe you popcorn."
"You owe me an entire movie night. And details. Don't think you're escaping that."
We said our goodbyes, and I hung up, staring at the dark screen.
The laughter faded from my lips as quickly as it came.
The nausea had calmed, but the unease in my chest hadn't. I looked at myself again in the mirror, my hand slowly pressing against my stomach.
The same feeling. The same signs. They never really went away