The carnival grounds were alive with noise, lights, and the sweet, sticky scent of cotton candy. The air buzzed with laughter and the distant hum of carnival music, but none of it held a candle to the sight of her.

Giggles perched on the edge of a brightly painted wagon, legs swinging lazily, her oversized jester hat flopping with every exaggerated motion. She wasn’t paying attention to the crowd, the carnival games, or even the ringmaster's bellowing voice. No, her focus was locked on one person—a woman wandering the grounds, all casual confidence, with an air that sent Giggles' heart flipping like a trapeze artist mid-flight.

It started innocently enough. Giggles had been doing her thing, tossing jokes at passersby and throwing mock pies at unsuspecting kids, when she’d spotted her. The way she moved, the way the carnival lights played across her face—it was like a spotlight had followed her into Giggles’ world, and suddenly, everything else faded into the background.

“Oh, she’s perfect,” Giggles muttered under her breath, clutching her jester hat dramatically. “Look at her—so cool, so unbothered. She probably doesn’t even know she’s got me wrapped around her little finger. How does she do that?” She didn’t bother hiding her grin as her eyes followed her target. The woman was weaving through the food stands, glancing at the games with casual interest, completely unaware that a lovesick clown was planning her grand entrance.

With a quick hop off the wagon, Giggles straightened her leotard, adjusted her frilly collar, and gave herself a pep talk. “Alright, Giggles, don’t mess this up. You’re funny, you’re charming, you’ve got a killer smile—literally painted on. You’ve got this.” She took a deep breath, twirled once for good measure, and bounded over with the kind of energy only a clown could manage.