Ways To Win A Girl's Heart (Discontinued)

Chapter 1

We met at the annual fair.

Not exactly the most romantic spot to meet the love of your life. Sure, in the movies it's the cute first date the couple goes on or whatever, but it's definitely no roses and candles. Screaming kids running around, hands sticky with cotton candy. The cheap food that would make you want to throw up. And then later, after a crazy ride, you just throw up anyway.

So romantic.

But sitting at the top of the ferris wheel, with the sun sinking below the treetops, and the loud crowd far below you. The most perfect stranger in the world sitting right next to you. Because of some stupid rule that there had to be two people per cart. And when you both turn towards each other after watching the sunset in silence, and look into each other's eyes, and you just know.

It wasn't like I was thinking, "Hey! Random stranger! I'm in love with you, even though we've just met a few seconds ago, you feel the same? Oh, who am I kidding, of course you do!" But it was definitely the closest thing to love at first sight, that's for sure.

Damien, the love of my life.

He was, if not next to, perfect for me. I wasn’t exactly what you call pretty, and my brown hair hung limply below my shoulders. I was medium height, skinny but not attractively curvy, and definitely was not an eye catcher for the boys at my school. Until Damien. We both loved to read and wasn’t very interested in the parties that other students held, we both aspired to be a great success one day and worked hard on our studies. We supported each other through everything when other students would make fun of us for being such nerds, geeks and dorks. We were there for each other. Damien never pushed me out of my comfort zone or try to make me somebody who I’m not.

He accepted me for who I was. And loved me for it.

He was my forever.

                      *                       *

It was our anniversary. Exactly one year ago, Damien and I met at this fair, at the top of a ferris wheel. It being our first anniversary, it was only fitting that we came here to celebrate.

The sun was beginning to set, the lights on the rides flashing, and the warm smell of the crappy food filled the air. The night was perfect, and as the crowd opened a little to reveal Damien, his head held high as he searched for someone, most likely me, my heart swelled with pride. Proud to be chosen by this wonderful man.

Looking over at Damien, it wasn't hard for me to remember why I was so attracted to him that first time on the Farris wheel. His mop of golden-brown hair hung just below his eyes, and his handsomely-shaped face fit perfectly with his muscled body and bright brown eyes. He definitely seemed like a tough, total high school quarterback guy, but really, he rarely spoke unless I was around and he was very shy.

Finally spotting me, Damien grinned and made his way through the thick throng of frantic parents as they chased down their children, or slow couples that think they’re tourists at the Grand Canyon as they stop to stare up and admire the rides instead of actually going on them. I smile back up at him when he finally arrives and he loops his arm around my waist, placing a soft peck on my forehead.

“Hey there,” He says, then immediately begins to lead me out of the slow crowd. Once were out, he grabs my hand and we start walking, falling into our easy and familiar small-talk as we stop to try some games or go on rides. As we make our way from one end of the fair to the other, getting closer to the ferris wheel, Damien announces that he’s hungry and we search for food stands, which is surprisingly difficult.