i'll take you to mars | riarkle oneshots

ferris wheel

"Why don't you ask Maya to go with you?" My mom asks.

"She's going with Lucas, and I really don't feel like third wheeling tonight." I say.

"Honey, you can't go to a fair alone. Why don't you take Auggie?"

"I'm not going with my little brother. That will just scream I have no friends."

"Missy Bradford?"

"Missy and I haven't talked in years. Mom, I'm fine! I want to go to the fair and I don't care if I go alone."

"Fine." My mom pulls me into a hug. "If you need anything you call me, ok?"

"Of course." She gives me a kiss on the forehead and I walk out the door.

I walk around the fair alone. I play some of the games, eat some cotton candy, people watch. I avoid all rides that require having a partner since I don't have one.

Except for one.

The Ferris wheel.

It's my favorite ride. It's so relaxing yet thrilling and you get the greatest view.

I keep a close eye on it, waiting for the right time to go to where I won't get stuck riding with a stranger.

I finally see my chance and make my way over. The ride is about to start, when some kid comes running over.

"Wait! Please! Wait!" He runs to the gate, out of breath. "I have been waiting for this ride all night. Please?"

The guy running ride takes a deep breath but then nods his head.

I mentally start shaking my head frantically. I'm the only person who doesn't have a partner.

The guy opens the door to the bucket and sits down next to me.

"Make sure your strapped in." The guy running the ride says.

The guy sitting next to me straps himself in and then turns to me.

"Hi." He says, excitedly.

"Hey." I say back, basically monotone.

"I just love this ride, don't you?" He asks me just as the ride starts.

"Yeah. I love it even more when I'm by myself." I reply.

"Oh." He looks at me guiltily. "Oh no. You're one of those people?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "Yeah. I'm one of those people if that's how you wanna put it."

"Crap." He slaps his forehead. "I messed up again. Ok, I didn't mean it like that, I swear."

"Oh yeah? And in what way did you mean it, then?" I ask.

"I just meant, I thought you were a pretty girl who had been ditched by some douche and were riding the Ferris wheel alone. I came to be company."

I'm so dumbfounded, I can't even speak.

"But you're actually someone who came on the Ferris wheel alone because this is one of the most perfect places to just clear your head. It's the perfect mix of relaxing and thrill. Right?"

"Yeah. Right."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to ruin this for you. Oh gosh, I'm so stupid."

All of a sudden the rides stops. Except not when it's supposed to, I can tell.

It stops so abruptly, our bucket swings back and forth violently.