Patience

Nine

"Alright, Duff and I are going to get some churros," Steven said, and the two of them walked away from us.

"And I guess we're headed to the next ride with the shortest line," Slash said as he and Izzy left.

"Ferris wheel, then, lovely Lucy?" Axl asked me, holding out his arm for me to grab it. I giggled.

"Ferris wheel it is," I nodded, taking his arm. I felt like a little girl again, all happy and giggly with a boy. It's been a long time since anyone has made me feel this way. Darren used to make me feel this way, but his drinking got in the way of our relationship. Being with Axl makes me forget about all of the harsh times with my ex, though. Axl is starting to become my new safe space.

We made our way to the ferris wheel that had Mickey Mouse's face on the front of it. If I'm being honest, this old ferris wheel scares me, because I fear that it will fall apart with us on it. I know it won't, but older rides just get to me in that sort of way. Surprisingly enough, the line wasn't long at all, and we were able to get on the ride quite quickly.

The teenager operating the ride opened the door of the car, and Axl let me climb inside first. Axl followed. Once Axl was in, the boy closed the door and we started to go up.

"We should get a pretty nice view of the park from the top of this," Axl said, looking around as we were slowly making our way up. Then the Ferris wheel stopped with a slight jolt so other people could get on.

"Hey, look!" I said pointing near the teacups.

"What is it?" He asked, looking around.

"It's Mickey! He's by the teacups!" I exclaimed. Axl laughed at my excitement, but stopped and looked alarmed when the ferris wheel jerked and started moving again. Like I said, older rides are a bit scary.

"You want to go there next and get a picture with Mickey? I have a small camera on me. It's in my jacket pocket," Axl said, patting his jacket.

"Yeah, then we can ride the teacups," I said with a smile. I liked this feeling. I feel safe with Axl, and like I'm able to just be myself around him. I can't remember the last time I've been able to do that with anyone. Not my parents, not Darren, not even Molly...

"Wow, Lucy, are you trying to make me throw up?" He asked, snapping me out of my deep train of thought, and we both laughed.

Axl and I made small talk and cracked some jokes during the ride. Soon it was the last round, which is what the boy operating it yelled after every few cars as began to go back up again. We were slowly approaching the very top of the wheel, when it stopped to let people out. Axl and I were both looking out at the park, then we looked at each other.

"Pretty, isn't it?" He asked and I nodded.

"It is a nice view," I responded. I admired his side profile, and the way his skin almost shined in the moonlight. There was that warm feeling again, the same one I got just a couple nights before, when he saved my life.

"You know, when you're stuck on the top of a ferris wheel, you're supposed to kiss," Axl said, smirking at me.

Wow, that was straight forward, I thought. But I fell for it.

The next thing I knew, we both leaned in and we were kissing. It lasted a few seconds and then the wheel began to move again, which is when we pulled apart.

"Woah," I whispered. I felt shocked. What had I done? That was probably a mistake.

There was a minute or two of awkward silence as we both looked down and away from each other, avoiding eye contact.

"I-I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have done that," Axl said, smoothing out his hair.

I bit my lip and looked down and then back at him. He was staring at me until I noticed, and he quickly looked away. I brushed my hair out of my face. Okay, time to admit it. I liked it.

"No, it's okay," I said with a small smile, "I kind of liked it."

"You did?" Axl asked as we were almost at the bottom. I nodded. Then the wheel stopped and we were let out. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the huge grin spread across his face.

"To the teacups?" Axl asked me, smiling down at me. I smiled back.

"To the teacups!" I exclaimed enthusiastically.

I grabbed Axl's hand and the two of us ran through the park, pushing past people and ignoring the rude comments and dirty looks. Everything felt perfect in that moment. It was like the whole world revolved around Axl and I. I was so happy. Happier than I've been in a very long time.

At the teacups, we spotted a small line of people waiting to get a picture with Mickey Mouse. Axl and I walked over to Mickey and got in line. When it was our turn, one of the people working there took Axl's camera and took a picture of Mickey, Axl, and I. We laughed when we got the camera back and looked at the picture.

"Look how stupid I look!" I pointed out. My eyes were only halfway open, and I didn't like the way I was smiling.

"You don't look stupid, Lucy. You look beautiful," Axl said, smiling at the picture.

"Come on, let's go get on the teacups! The line is dying down," I said. I grabbed Axl's hand and led him to the start of the line.

"Just so you know, I will probably get sick on this," Axl warned me with a smile.

"It's alright, I probably will, too," I told him.

"Good, then we can be sick together," He said.

"Sick together!" I repeated enthusiastically, which got me a small chuckle from Axl.

We were soon on and off the teacups, thankfully no one vomited, however, Axl was looking a little sick.

"Hey, are you alright?" I asked Axl after we got off.

"Yeah, my stomach is just a little upset. I just need to get something to drink," He said.

"That sounds good, I'll buy it," I offered quickly, but Axl shook his head.

"Now, now, little girl, I know you don't have much money so I'll pay," He said and he went and bought us both bottles of coke.

After we had opened up our drinks, Izzy and Slash came walking over to us.

"There you guys are!" Izzy exclaimed.

"How was the ferris wheel?" Slash asked.

Axl and I exchanged glances, the both of us smirking. We took a drink of our cokes at the same time and both replied in unison, "It was good."

"It was a nice ride," Axl quickly added, "Good view." He then looked down at me and winked, causing me to blush a little.

"The rollercoasters were good, too," Izzy said.

"Where's Duff and Popcorn at?" Axl asked.

"Popcorn?" I asked, a little confused.

"It's what we call Steven, 'cause, you know," Axl replied, motioning to his head.

"Ohh, the hair. I get it," I laughed.

"I'm not sure. We haven't seen them," Slash replied.

"Let's go and find them and then get out of here so we can go enjoy a night out on the town," Axl said.

"Sounds good to me," Slash said.