chapter thirteen

Today is the county fair. Isaac and Lee wanted me go with them.

We were walking around when we stopped at the bull riding machine. It looked wild, the mechanical bull jerking slightly as it ran through a test spin.

I couldn't resist. I pointed at it excitedly. "Hey! Me next!"

Isaac froze, eyes wide. "Stop! Don't go— you can hurt yourself!"

Lee laughed, elbowing him lightly. "Ooooh, Isaac cares for you!"

Isaac groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I do not care! I just... don't want you to get hurt!"

I grinned, ignoring his protests. "Relax, I'm fine! Besides, it looks fun!"

Lee clapped his hands, clearly entertained. "Alright, let's see what you've got!"

Isaac shook his head, muttering under his breath as I climbed onto the machine, holding on tight. "This is a terrible idea..."

I gripped the bull tightly as it bucked and jerked. For a few seconds, I thought I had it, but then I slipped and fell straight onto the mat below with a loud thud.

"Are you okay?!" Isaac called, rushing over.

I nodded, laughing nervously. "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine!"

He offered his hand to help me up. I grabbed it, trying to steady myself, but in my flustered state, I tripped again.

Before I could fall, Isaac caught me, and I stumbled right into his arms. My face heated instantly as I realized how close we were, his chest against mine and his arms holding me steady.

"You're hopeless," he said softly, though there was amusement in his voice.

I mumbled, embarrassed, trying to regain my balance. "I... I'm fine, really!"

Lee, watching from nearby, snorted. "Smooth move, huh? You just fell right into his arms!"

We spent the rest of the day at the fair laughing, playing games, and eating far too much cotton candy. By the time I got home, I was exhausted but happy. I changed into my pajamas and got ready for bed, the events of the day still making me smile.

Just as I was about to crawl under the covers, there was a soft knock at my door.

I frowned, sitting up. "Who could that be now?" I muttered, walking over and opening it.

There stood Isaac, looking a little hesitant but with that familiar teasing glint in his eyes. "Hey... can I come in?" he asked softly.

I blinked, surprised. "Uh... yeah, sure," I said, stepping aside to let him in.

He stepped into my room, shutting the door quietly behind him. "I just... wanted to say thanks," he said, his voice a little unsure. "For today. It was... really fun."

I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Yeah... it was."

He leaned casually against the doorframe, eyes on me. "And... I wanted to make sure you are okay. You tripped hard at the bull, so..."

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Thanks for catching me..."

Isaac's smirk turned into a small, genuine smile. "Anytime," he murmured.

"Mind if I... sit?" he asked softly, nodding toward the edge of my bed.

I swallowed hard but nodded. "Sure."

He eased onto the bed beside me, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his arm. For a long moment, we just sat there, neither of us speaking, our hands brushing occasionally.

"I've been wanting to tell you something," he murmured, his voice low, almost hesitant. "About how I feel..."

I turned to look at him, heart thudding. "And... what is that?" I whispered.

Isaac's gaze softened. "I like you. More than friends. I can't stop thinking about you, and... I needed you to know."

I felt my chest tighten, caught between excitement and hesitation. He leaned in slightly, eyes soft, lips close, but I stepped back subtly, shaking my head.

"I... I can't," I said firmly, though my voice wavered.

"I'll go now," Isaac said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, still sitting on the edge of my bed, watching him stand.

I hugged my pillow tightly, whispering to myself, "Why does this feel so hard

Today we were back at the carnival, the sun bright and the air buzzing with excitement. Later, we planned to go to the concert, but Isaac barely spoke to me, keeping his distance, which made my chest tighten.

Lee noticed immediately, nudging me with an amused grin. "Looks like someone's giving you the silent treatment," he whispered.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Maybe he's just tired... or annoyed. I don't know."

We made our way to the Ferris wheel, thinking it would be a nice break before the concert. I assumed I'd sit next to Lee, laughing as usual, but just as I reached the car, Isaac slid in beside me, taking the spot I had expected for Lee.

I froze, blinking at him. "Oh... uh..."

Lee groaned from the other side. "Seriously? You're going to sit with her?"

Isaac didn't say a word, just gave me a look that made my stomach twist. I shuffled slightly, trying to find a comfortable spot, my heart pounding.

The ride started to move, the Ferris wheel lifting us high above the carnival.

"About yesterday..." Isaac started, his voice quiet and hesitant.

I shook my head, cutting him off before he could continue. "Isaac, look... you know Marcus confessed to me, right? But all I could think about at that moment... was you. I hoped it would be you who confessed, but it wasn't."

I took a deep breath, my hands gripping the edge of the Ferris wheel seat. "When you confessed to me yesterday, I was confused. I didn't know what to feel. But now... I know. I love you, Isaac. More than you can imagine."

Isaac's hand lingered near mine, and for a moment, the air between us felt electric. He leaned closer, his eyes searching mine for permission. My heart pounded so hard I thought he might hear it.

Slowly, he closed the distance, and our lips met in a soft, tentative kiss. At first, it was gentle, testing the waters, but as I relaxed into it, it deepened slightly, warm and full of all the feelings neither of us had been able to say aloud.

I wrapped my arms around his neck instinctively, and he held me close, as if letting go wasn't an option. The lights of the carnival blurred beneath us, the sounds of the rides fading into the background. In that moment, it was just us.

When we finally pulled back slightly, foreheads resting together, both of us breathing a little heavier, Isaac whispered, "I've wanted that for so long."

I smiled, my heart still racing. "Me too."

And for the first time in a long while, everything felt right.