ALMOST MY FIRST KISS

Chapter Two – The Carnival Lights

The smell of popcorn drifted through the open window before I even heard the conversation downstairs.

“Carnival tonight,” Jake announced as it was the most important event of the year. “We’re going with the guys. You in?”

Ethan’s laugh followed. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

I froze mid-scroll on my phone. The annual summer carnival—bright lights, rides, games, and the best funnel cakes in town. I hadn’t been in years. Not since middle school, when cotton candy still counted as a fashion accessory, because I always managed to spill half of it down my shirt.

I tried not to care. Really. But my heart beat faster at the thought of Ethan under carnival lights, winning prizes, laughing in that way that made everyone else laugh too.

“You should bring Lila,” Mom’s voice chimed in.

Of course, she would.

A groan from Jake. “Mom, no. This is guys’ night.”

“Guys’ night at a carnival?” she teased. “Come on. Take your sister. She deserves a little fun, too.”

By the time I walked into the kitchen, Jake was sulking but defeated, Ethan was leaning against the counter with that half-smile of his, and Mom was looking far too pleased with herself.

Jake turned to me, exasperated. “Congratulations. You’re coming.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Wow, thanks for the warm invitation.”

Ethan chuckled, tossing me a wink. “Guess it’s a family affair now.”

And just like that, I was in.

Carnival Arrival

The parking lot was packed, strings of twinkling lights stretching toward the sky. Music, laughter, and the metallic grind of rides filled the air.

Jake and his friends immediately charged toward the bumper cars, leaving me trailing a little behind. I tugged at the hem of my sundress, suddenly self-conscious. Did I look too much like I was trying?

Then Ethan fell into step beside me. “Haven’t seen you at this carnival in forever,” he said.

I shrugged. “Middle school, for me, wasn’t exactly carnival chic.”

He smirked. “Middle school you were… cotton-candy girl, right?”

I groaned. “Do not bring that up.”

He laughed, the sound warm and familiar. “Relax. It was cute.”

I looked at him then, really looked, and the world tilted a little. He wasn’t teasing me like a kid anymore. It felt…different.

Small Sparks

We weaved through game stalls, the air thick with fried food and sugar. Jake and the guys were somewhere ahead, yelling at each other over a shooting game.

“Want some?” Ethan asked, holding out a stick of cotton candy.

I blinked. “When did you—?”

“Guy sold me two for five bucks.” He tore off a piece and popped it in his mouth. “Too much sugar for me. You’re up.”

I pinched off a tuft, trying not to smile too much. The candy melted instantly on my tongue.

“Still good?” he asked.

“Better than good,” I admitted.

He grinned like he’d just won something, and my stomach did a summersault.

Later, as we walked toward the rides, the crowd thickened. Someone jostled me, and I tripped on the uneven pavement. Before I could fall, Ethan’s hand shot out, steadying me by the elbow.

“Are you okay?” His voice was low, concerned.

“Yeah,” I breathed, way too aware of the warmth of his hand.

He let go slowly, eyes searching mine for a beat longer than necessary. My cheeks burned, but I couldn’t look away.

And then Jake’s voice cut through the crowd, dragging us back to reality.

The Ferris Wheel

By some miracle, when we reached the Ferris wheel line, Jake and his friends decided to go in pairs. Before I could panic, Ethan nodded toward the last car.

“Ride with me?” he asked.

I swallowed hard. “Sure.”

The car swayed slightly as we climbed in. The ride creaked to life, lifting us above the carnival. Lights stretched out in every direction, pink, gold, blue, painting the night sky like a dream.

For a while, we just sat there, watching the tiny figures below.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Ethan said quietly. “Every year, same carnival, same rides, but it never feels the same.”

“Maybe it’s not the carnival that changes,” I said. “Maybe it’s us.”

He looked at me then, really looked. His eyes searched for mine, seriously in a way that made my breath catch. The car paused at the very top, and suddenly the world felt still.

His shoulder brushed mine, close enough to send sparks racing through me. And then he leaned in—slow, careful, like he was testing the air between us.

My heart pounded. This was it. My first kiss.

Almost.

“Lila! Ethan!” Jake’s voice bellowed from below, shattering the moment.

Ethan pulled back instantly, running a hand through his hair with a nervous laugh. The ride jolted forward again, and the spell was gone.

I turned toward the lights, blinking hard, pretending I wasn’t seconds away from crying or screaming.

Almost. Always almost.

Aftermath

When the ride ended, Jake clapped Ethan on the back, oblivious. “Come on, next ride!”

Ethan smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He stayed quiet, walking beside me but not saying a word.

Back home that night, I sat on my bed with my journal open, pen poised. The words poured out before I could stop them:

Twice in one week. The kitchen. The Ferris wheel. How many “almosts” before it finally happens?

I closed the notebook, hugging it to my chest. Downstairs, I could hear Jake and Ethan laughing at some dumb inside joke.

But all I could think about was the look in Ethan’s eyes at the top of the Ferris wheel.

It wasn’t, nothing.

And maybe, just maybe it wasn’t almost forever.

✨ End of Chapter Two ✨