Falling

ten

serendipity: 
n. finding something good without looking for it

*****

We came into the carnival with a light heart, my vocal chords releasing random bursts of childish laughter as we danced around the frivolous booths. A carnival clown had handed me a cloud of cotton, completely free of charge. She claims it was because him and I, we were simply the most unique couple she had encountered. Of course, I could only accept the present with mute lips and a duck of my head. He laughed hauntingly at my reaction and had led me into a nearby photo booth.

"For the memories I hope you'll never forget."

That simple sentence made rounds inside my head, causing a dumbstruck expression to become frozen onto my face just long enough for the pictures to be taken.

Him, with a silly face, tongue out, eyes crossed. Me with my frozen expression.

Him, with a sly smirk as he made bunny ears behind my awkwardly shocked face.

Him, with his arms around my stiff shoulders and a casual grin.

One of the two photo strips were tucked carefully in my jacket while he kept the other one.

But, as the night came to an end, reality caught up. I'd have to return to my personal hell with a definite appointment of impromptu painting. The shift caused a drastic mood change. And that's when the Ferris wheel's siren call penetrated my dulled ears.

I didn't know what it was about it that was attracting me so much. There was this unexplainable pull towards it that befuddled me, like a magnetic connection.

Perhaps it was the gentle, swaying motions each cart made as it moved upwards, high into the skies.

There was something about heights that enthralled me.

Just one step and the ground below will be decorated with splashes of colorful human remains.

I entertained the thought while climbing into the bowl shaped open cage. It's so simple, so tempting, to just end everything.

Being deep in my internal battle, I hadn't realized my body has acted in accordance to my thoughts and leaned over the edge. It was the firm arm that snaked around my waist that snapped me out of the trance.

I could've flown.

Slowly, dreading what would meet my eyes, I glanced upwards. Just as I'd feared, his previous ecstatic smile was gone and his eyes held that unidentifiable glaze, again. I could only choke back a cry as the realization of his ruined night due my actions clouded my already stormy mind.

I flinched involuntarily as he lifted his hand, half expecting a hit that never came. Instead, he gently swiped the corner of my mouth. Lifting the finger he used to his mouth, he licked the tips and shot me a smug grin.

"You taste sweeter than the cotton candy."

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

And a fire spread across my face, an inferno that didn't seem to have any hope of dousing. And the open air suddenly became painfully suffocating.

The end of the ride couldn't seem to come fast enough, and I almost tripped over the workers in my haste to get out.

His deep, throaty chuckle did nothing but add fuel to the fire.

I walked quickly towards the exit, painfully aware of his intense stare right behind me.

I avoided his gaze, even as we climbed into the car. My hands fiddled with themselves as I struggled to find my voice.

Taking a deep breath, I silently stuttered,

"thank you, for everything."

The only hint that he heard it was the quirk of his lips I barely caught through my peripheral vision.

When he dropped me off my doorsteps, my entire being had begged me to make him stay, and take me as far away from this haunted house as he can. My arms shot out against my better judgement, grasping his flannel sleeve. His brows had risen questionably, waiting patiently for my thoughts to be spoken.

Don't leave me alone. 

Don't leave me behind.  

Don't leave me with them. 

Of course, instead of telling him that, I gave him a sad smile and bid him a quiet farewell, painfully releasing his sleeve from my trembling grasp. 

I could only watch helplessly as he drove away, unknowingly, taking my heart with him as well.

*****

A/N: 

Okay. What. The. Hell. Why are the chapters getting longer and longer? I didn't sign up for this. LOL. Well, anyways, in your opinion, are the shorter chapters better, or the longer ones? 

Oh, and, I'll need you guys to do me a big favor and pick a number 1-6. [Closed, since, well, the story is complete]

Keep in mind that the most popular number will become the ending of Falling. Each number corresponds to a different scenario and I will write the story accordingly.

Choose wisely, and may the odds be ever in the your favor. 

(No hints)