Tangled in your love

They say not to expect much from a kiss—but as I stepped onto the Ferris wheel, I couldn’t help but wonder. The sun was setting in a blaze of a perfect orange sunset, and the sounds of the cheering crowd faded beneath us. I caught a glimpse of my friend smiling face before we rose higher and higher, until it felt like the world had stopped . Just the two of us, suspended with nothing but soft, electric nerves humming in the space between.

“Are you dumb, Sierra? The one time we stayed at the fair for the sunset mash-up, and you want to leave?”

The mash-up is a big moment everyone talked about on social media where people get coupled . Just another made-up moment for people to post about. But standing there, thinking about it now... maybe it wasn’t so stupid after all.

“Fine,” I hissed, spinning back toward her. “We’ll stay. But you definitely owe me a funnel cake when we’re done with this.”

Addie just grinned like she’d already won. “Oh, come on, drama queen,” she said in a sing-song voice, looping her arm through mine. “You won’t forget it—you’ll thank me later.”

The fair buzzed around us, full of life and motion, as people shuffled toward the Ferris wheel. It felt like time had slowed down—the cheers of kids winning prizes echoed through the air, and the soft glow of midnight lights flickered on one by one. The scent of kettle corn drifted past as sticky-handed kids brushed by, laughing with their mouths full.

Somehow, in all that noise and light, something quiet bloomed inside me. Maybe this whole sunset kiss mash-up wasn’t going to be so bad after all. I didn’t know just how magical the night would become,grinning Addie—was pulling me straight into the heart of it.

Addie scanned the crowd, her eyes focused . “Over here, Sierra! We’ll be able to see the action better,” she said, tugging my hand and pulling me forward.

“Bro, hurry! The mash-up’s about to start,” Ethan said, practically skipping excitement on his face

“I’m telling you,” he continued, turning to the rest of the group, “one of you has to get picked. There is eighth spot on the Ferris wheel —Damon, Elijah, Malik—don’t get shy if they point you out. Just go!”

He grinned like he already knew how it would go. “The fair people usually pick pretty girls to ride with the guys. So, if they choose you, don’t even think—just say yes.”

“Were probably already late whats the rush” Damon blurted, I see the farris wheel moving

Both groups finally pushed their way to the front, landing on opposite sides of the roped-off section near the Ferris wheel. The view wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. From where we stood, we could see the glowing wheel spinning.

A fair employee stepped forward, raising a mic. “ONE MORE COUPLE!” he shouted, his voice booming through the speakers. “Who will it be?”

The crowd exploded—cheers, laughter, people waving their arms and calling out names. Couples squeezed each other, singles jumped up and down like they were at a concert. The energy was wild, electric.

Then I heard it.

“Hello, sweetheart,” a woman in a fair uniform said, her voice gentle but direct. She was looking right at me. “Would you like to be part of the mash-up?”

I froze. My mind went completely blank. I thought about it—I swear I did—but I guess I wasn’t thinking fast enough.

“YES!” Addie yelled before I could open my mouth. “She’ll do it!”

And just like that, I was heading toward the Ferris wheel, heart thudding like it was trying to escape my chest. I barely had time to glance back at Addie before the worker guided me toward one of the glowing carts.

What I didn’t realize was that, across the ride, another employee had asked that same question—but to someone else.

I turned my head, curious… and that’s when I saw him.

“And that’s it, ladies and gentlemen—we have our last couple!” the man with the mic announced, his voice full of energy.

Just then, a fair worker in uniform guided someone toward my cart.

“Alright, folks,” the woman said as she closed the cart door. “The Ferris wheel will spin five times. Enjoy, be safe, and remember—have fun!”

I sat across from her, stealing a glance while she looked down at something or someone. Her knotless braids fell across her face, hiding her expression, but even with her head turned, I thought—she’s pretty. I didn’t think too hard about it. Just a quiet thought in the back of my mind.

This was going to be a long ride… or at least that’s what I figured.

Embarrassed, she turned to face me,shy but not sorry for throwing up her middle finger . “Sorry—that was for my friend. She dragged me here and—”

“Don’t be,” I cut in, still smiling. “It’s alright. I get it. We’re both on the same page—got dragged into this whole thing.”

There was a pause, not awkward, just easy.

“Wanna pass the time with a game?” I asked. “Truth or dare?”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Truth or dare? With a stranger?”

I shrugged. “What better time than to be stuck in the sky with someone you’ll probably never see again?”

She looked back at me, grinning now. “Sure. Why not.”

I glanced at him—leaned back, totally relaxed. He was cute, and I liked his whole comfy streetwear vibe. Effortless. Confident.

“What’s your name?” I asked, trying not to sound too eager.

He smirked. “Why should I tell you?” he said mockingly.

“Fine,” I teased, leaning back with a smirk of my own. “Since you won’t tell me your name, I won’t say mine either.”

“I wasn’t asking for it,” he shot back, his grin widening. “Truth or da—”

“Truth,” I cut in quickly, almost too quickly.

He thought for a second, “Alright,” he said. “What’s the most embarrassing thing your friend could expose you for?”

“Damn!” I laughed. “That’s a good one—there’s so many! But definitely when I had my first kiss... I kissed some random guy and, for some reason, held my friend’s hand during it. Ugh, it was so cringe.” I groaned, covering my face.

He burst out laughing, eyes crinkling. “That’s crazy. What a first kiss to remember. Poor guy—and poor friend!”

“Truth or dare?” I shot back, eager to flip the spotlight.

“Tru—DARE,” he decided, grinning like he knew he might regret it.

“I dare you to give me a compliment,” I said, folding my arms. “Without making it sound fake.”

He leaned back, that easy smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth like he already knew exactly what to say. “Bet your lips taste like a mix of shea butter and cocoa butter,” he said, giving me a half smile.

I blinked, caught somewhere between flattered and flustered. “How did you know I squealed?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He looked at me, amused. “I was right.”

“Nope,” I said, grinning as I pointed to my lips. “Mango lip gloss.”

After going back and forth for what felt like forever—trading truths and dares, laughing more than I expected—we finally just sat there in silence, smiling and catching our breath. The Ferris wheel creaked gently as we turned, the sky full with stars

Then, over the speakers, the announcer’s voice cut through the still air:

“two more laps!”

The crowd below roared in excitement. I could hear clapping, laughing, someone yelling something unintelligible through a mouthful of funnel cake.

And then—just like that—his voice again, low and familiar, teasing

“Truth or dare?”

I wasn’t even really paying attention, still staring out at the skyline when I answered, distracted.

“Truth.”

I glanced down for a second, watching the blur of lights and faces. Then I heard him again, that same voice I was beginning to know too well.

Turning back “let’s switch it up a new game say it or stare for 5 seconds ”

“New game not bad” he added “you go first”

Nodding and saying “If you could kiss anyone on this ride right now, who would it be?”

His grin growing “that’s the best you came up with”sarcastically “you scared to answer” I say delighted”Not really” dropping his gaze to my eyes and staring 1..2..3..4..5

It felt like forever, his eyes locked on mine like he was looking straight through all the noise and movement around us. Down below, the crowd was getting louder—music blasting, laughter rising. Then the announcer’s voice cracked over the speakers:

“ONE more lap, folks! Make it count, couples!”

I leaned back, heart ticking faster. He was still smiling.

“My turn,” he said, eyes glinting with mischief. “Would you let a stranger kiss you at the top of a Ferris wheel... if it felt like the right moment?”

I answered without thinking. “Maybe. Who’s that supposed to be?”

He shifted slightly, spreading his legs a little into the space between us like he was claiming it. Then he held out a hand, palm open, eyes dancing.

“Come find out,” he said, joking—but not really.

Should I take it? I wasn’t sure. But before I could talk myself out of it, I reached for his hand.

And just like that, I was on his side of the cart.

I landed beside him, a little clumsy.

“Wow,” I muttered, trying to keep my balance as I adjusted in the narrow seat. The cart swayed slightly beneath us, and I laughed under my breath, nervous but not pulling away.

When I turned to my left, he was already looking at me.

Our eyes met.

His gaze flicked from my eyes... down to my lips... and back again.

Something tightened in my chest.

“Is this okay?” he asked, his voice quiet, barely above the music echoing below.

He moved slowly, placing his arm around my shoulder, then gently trailing his hand until it rested near the curve of my neck. My breath hitched.

“Can I?” he asked, his voice softer now, like he already knew the answer but wanted me to say it.

I looked at him, heart pounding, and said it just as softly—

“Yes. You can.”

I didn’t feel butterflies.

What I felt was excitement—bright and pulsing, like something new had just cracked open inside me.

We kissed, both of us grinning and half-smiling through it, like we couldn’t believe it was actually happening. It wasn’t rushed or awkward. It felt real. Like something worth remembering.

Feeling bold—maybe reckless—I shifted closer, moving so one leg stayed planted on the floor of the cart while the other draped slightly over his.

Then—

“Are you guys done?”

A voice cut through the moment, painfully human and way too familiar.

Screams and laughter from below grew louder. One of them, I knew for sure, came from Addie’s mouth.

I tried to pull away, flustered, the heat rushing to my face—

—but he stopped me.

His hand slid to my back, holding me there gently, just for a second longer. Not rushing. Not clinging. Just... not quite ready to let go.

Finally, a staff member’s voice called out:

“Alright, folks! Time to hop off!”

And like that, the moment broke.

We let go. Smiling, breathless, maybe a little stunned.

I helped her down from the cart, steadying her hand in mine.

“Definitely mango,” I said with a smirk, the taste still lingering in my mind.

She looked up at me, wide-eyed, and I leaned in, just enough to bring my mouth close to her ear.

“You weren’t lying about that,” I murmured, voice low and teasing.

Then softer—closer—towards her ear

“My name is Damon.”