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HARPER
CHICAGO. ILLINOIS
The seat rocked slowly, and although I was slightly scared of heights, I was in Gabriel Blake’s arms so I knew no harm would come. “Don’t look down,” he told me when I was nervously peering down at the ground below.
The Ferris wheel continued to climb higher, and with each rattle of the metallic seat, I tried to think of anything other than how high off the ground we were. “I’m trying, but—”
“Look at me,” he interjected, and I turned my head to the side and glanced up at him. “There’s nothing to fear when in my arms. I’ll never let you get hurt.”
He cupped the side of my face and lowered his mouth to mine. I was close to accomplishing my goal until the ride came to a jarring stop. The seat swung even more, and I was about to pull away to see what happened, but Gabriel used my shock and thrust his tongue into my mouth.
And just like that, the world stopped moving. I had no fear or anything, even turning my body so I didn’t have to angle my head as much. His arms came around me as mine did to him, and it didn’t matter that we were at the top of the Ferris wheel and not moving.
This man was not only my hero, but he was also my soul mate. And even recently, he became my lover, too. It was after our homecoming dance a month earlier, and as I thought about that night, I remembered something from earlier that day.
It was an article I had read in one of those girly fashion magazines. There’d been a summer bucket list, and while it was autumn in Chicago, it fit perfectly and a part of me wondered if it hadn’t been by design.
One of the things on that list had been to be kissed at the top of the Ferris wheel, and I was sure I’d mentioned it to him, especially a few weeks ago when we started planning this school carnival.
We were literally suspended in air and as he distracted me with his kiss, I remembered something about teddy bears and cotton candy which had me feeling for the large stuffed animal beside me on the seat. I smiled against his lips just as the seat started to move again.
As with all special moments, none of them lasted forever, but it didn’t bother me. While nights like this would fade over time, the love the two of us had for one another never would.
We continued to kiss until the ride came to a stop. “I’m sure you had something to do with this,” I told him, and he simply winked at me. Gabriel helped me out of my seat, then carried my stuffed bear in one hand, and held my hand with his other as we walked toward one of the vendors. It sold cotton candy. “I know you don’t like sugary stuff like this so what gives?”
He grinned. “I love you, so maybe I should just taste it another way.”
A few minutes later, he was kissing me once again, and this time, it was after I had eaten a few bites of the spun treat. We rode a few more rides before he gave me a certain look.
“Do you want to go back to my place and order a pizza? Maybe even watch a movie?” he asked as we walked hand in hand again.
“Sure.” I would do anything as long as it included him.
That was our cue to leave, and after saying goodbye to a few of our friends, we began walking back to his house which wasn’t far from Rushton Academy where we attended school.
As we walked down the city street, autumn was in full effect around us, the dry, brown leaves crunching beneath our feet. It was like something out of one of those holiday movies. I didn’t need a magical moment, though. I was with Gabriel, the boy I had loved my entire life.
I looked over at him and smiled, unable to remember a single moment when I didn’t feel this way about him. From kindergarten through middle and now high school, my feelings for him had never lessened. Our love was destined. He was my soul mate, as I was his, and that would never change.
“Are you sure you’re not cold?” I asked him as the gusty breeze intensified around us. Around this time of year, the wind coming off of Lake Michigan could be strong, especially when we were expecting thunderstorms overnight.
He shook his head and flashed his pearly whites before answering. “I don’t need my jacket. Besides, it looks a hell of a lot better on you.”
I was wearing the Letterman’s jacket he’d gotten back in our sophomore year, the varsity lettering coming from his achievements in basketball and football. Gabriel was very talented in both sports, his tall height allowing him to play both guard on the hardwood and wide receiver on the field.
Rushton Academy had won state last year, and I knew he had a lot to do with it. College scouts often flocked to his games, and scholarships offers were already pouring in even though he still had another year of high school left.
“Gabriel Blake is the most polished and productive wide receiver on the Rushton Academy offense. Paired with another top 100 player, quarterback, Noah Capshaw, the duo have proven to be an unstoppable force in Illinois high school football.”
It was what the news had previously reported just the night before after he announced new offers from Oregon, Alabama, and Ohio State on social media. They were now added to his growing list which at last count of mine had to have contained over a dozen other ones. He seemed very nonchalant about it all. I was probably a lot more excited about them than he was.
“It’s one of the things I think I love most about you,” I murmured.
“What is?” he asked, coming to a stop.
I smiled. “You never get too high or low about anything. You’re so even keeled.”
A predatory look filled his eyes, and I briefly wondered if I would regret saying that. His next words confirmed I would. “Are you saying I lack passion, Harper?”
