As we wait in line, Damien sticks close to my side. The day turns to twilight, and the temperature drops. I shove my hands in my pockets to keep my fingers warm, bouncing on my heels. Eventually, it’s our turn to board, and I regret my decision as soon as I step into the rickety cart, grabbing the railing for balance. It swings beneath my weight, and my heart hammers in my chest.

Damien sits next to me, and we slowly ascend, the twinkling lights of Pender Falls visible from the top. In the distance, I can see the outline of mountains and the first stars that poke holes in the darkness. The air is cooler up here, and my breath comes out in a swirl of fog, dissipating into the atmosphere.

I take it all in, tucking my palms under my legs, feeling content.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe.

“It is,” Damien echoes, staring at me. A groan tries to escape my throat, and I have to work to suppress it.

He slides closer, and I pray for the ride to move faster. Distantly, I hear screaming coming from the livelier rides, but our gondola feels secluded.

“This will be over soon, right?” I ask.

“Why? Scared of heights?” he teases, leaning into my side.

I peer down at the ground far below us, my stomach dipping. It feels a lot farther than the last time I looked. “Maybe.”

“Don’t worry, we’re totally safe.” He stretches his arm out behind me.

I take a deep breath as we come to a stop at the highest point of the wheel.

“You know, I’ll be honest,” Damien begins. “There’s a part of me that’s jealous of you.”

“Why would you be jealous?”

His gaze is on the festival below before it flickers back to me. Light and shadow dance across his face, sober once more, as the gondola sways. He plays with my hair, and I’m stiff as a board. “I have a few things I would kill to forget.”

It all begins to feel like too much: the lights, the shouting, the height. Damien. I close my eyes as my head starts spinning, fire exploding in my temple. A cool sheen of sweat forms on my forehead, and my hair sticks to my skin. Despite the temperature, my jacket feels too hot, making me squirm in my seat.

“Allie?”

I peek at him.

“Are you okay?”

Swallowing, I shake my head. “I think I need to get off.”

He watches me for a few beats, as if trying to decide if I’m being sincere, before nodding. “It’s almost done. We can get off soon.”