𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The fair was already in full swing—bright lights flashing, music blaring from different booths, the scent of fried food hanging in the air.

People bustled around us, some stopping to take pictures when they recognized Madelyn and her friends, but for the most part, we were left alone to just enjoy the night.

I stood near the funnel cake stand, waiting for my order while the rest of our group debated over what to do first. Madelyn stood next to me, her arms crossed as she scanned the crowd, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

I smirked. "You plotting something?" She turned to me, eyebrows raised. "What?"

"You look like you're up to something." I grabbed the paper tray from the counter, breaking off a piece of funnel cake and popping it into my mouth. "And knowing you, it's either something dramatic or something mildly dangerous."

She scoffed. "First of all, I am not dramatic." I stared at her. "Madz."

She sighed, eyes flickering to the side. "Okay, maybe a little dramatic."

I smirked, offering her a piece of my funnel cake. "Here, take this. Sugar helps when you're overthinking." She eyed me before plucking the piece from my hand and taking a bite. "I wasn't overthinking."

I hummed. "Mmm, sure." She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Before she could say anything else, JD and Caleb walked over, deep in conversation.

"I'm just saying," JD said, holding up his hands. "You can't not go on the rides. That's, like, the whole point of a fair."

Caleb scoffed. "I'm not about to die in some janky-ass ride that was probably put together overnight."

Madison appeared beside them, nodding in agreement. "Honestly? I kinda get that. The Ferris wheel? Fine. But those rides that spin you at Mach speed? No thanks."

I chuckled. "Caleb, since when are you scared of a little adrenaline rush?"

"I'm not scared, I just have common sense," he shot back. "Unlike some people."

Drew walked up just in time, draping an arm over Caleb's shoulders. "Aw, buddy, you can just say you're scared." Caleb groaned, pushing him off. "You people are insufferable."

Carlacia and Lili laughed, looking over at Madelyn and me. "What about you guys? Ride or no ride?"

Madelyn tilted her head, lips pursed. "Depends on which one." JD grinned. "Oh, we're definitely doing the drop tower."

Madelyn's face paled slightly. "Oh." I smirked, nudging her. "Scared?"

She straightened up immediately. "No." I raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

She narrowed her eyes at me. "I hate you." I grinned. "Uh huh, sure, Cline."

Madison clapped her hands together. "Alright, let's just start with something safe. Maybe some games first?"

Carlacia nodded. "Yeah, let's see if Y/n can actually back up all that talk."

I scoffed, grabbing my drink from the stand. "First of all, I'm the one who wins bets."

JD smirked. "Oh? Is that a challenge?"

I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "If the shoe fits."

Madelyn suddenly perked up. "Oh, we should bet on something."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?" She hummed, tapping a finger against her lips. "Winner of the ring toss gets to make the loser do whatever they want."

Caleb groaned. "Oh, this is rigged. Y/n's gonna win." I smirked. "Mmm. I do have good aim."

Madelyn crossed her arms, challenging. "Yeah, well, so do I." We locked eyes, the tension sparking just a little. Lili grinned. "Ohhh, this is getting good."

Carlacia elbowed Madison. "I bet you ten bucks Madelyn loses and has to kiss Y/n."

Madelyn gasped dramatically. "Excuse me? Who says I'm losing?"

JD grinned. "Oh, this just got interesting."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Alright, Cline. Let's see what you've got."

She lifted her chin. "Hope you're ready to lose, Calloway." I smirked. "Not a chance."

The group erupted into laughter and cheers as we made our way to the ring toss booth, the energy high and the stakes even higher. This was going to be fun.

.  .  .

We stood in front of the ring toss booth, the neon lights from the fair reflecting off the glossy plastic rings stacked on the counter. The air was thick with challenge—Madelyn eyeing me like she had something to prove, me smirking because I already knew how this was going to go.

JD leaned against the booth, arms crossed. "Alright, let's get some official terms in here. Loser does whatever the winner wants, the kiss, right?"

Madelyn nodded confidently. "Exactly." I tilted my head, smirking. "You sure you wanna do this, Cline? Not too late to back out."

She scoffed. "Please. If anyone's backing out, it's you."

Lili, ever the instigator, whistled. "Damn, she's bold." Caleb patted my back. "You have to win now. For the dignity at this point, bro."

I chuckled, shaking my head before turning back to the booth attendant. "Give us ten rings."

The guy running the game—a middle-aged man with a lollipop stuck in his mouth—grinned. "High stakes, huh?"

I nodded. "You have no idea."

He handed over the rings, and Madelyn and I each took five. We moved in front of the game, the table littered with glass bottles, a giant stuffed bear hanging above as a prize. Madison grinned, clapping her hands. "Alright, best of five. Let's see who chokes first."

Madelyn rolled her shoulders, shaking out her hands. "Ladies first."

I smirked. "Glad you know your place."

She gasped, eyes wide, before shaking her head. "Oh, you are going down."

I motioned toward the bottles. "Then prove it."

The first ring she tossed bounced right off the rim of a bottle. The group let out a collective ooooh. Madelyn huffed, rolling her eyes. "Just warming up."

She tossed another. This one landed—barely. The ring teetered on the edge before settling into place. Drew let out an exaggerated gasp. "Ohhh, she might actually be in the game!"

Madelyn shot him a look before tossing her third ring—another miss. Her fourth—also a miss. I smirked. "Damn. This is looking real bad for you."

She exhaled, rolling her shoulders again before focusing hard on the last ring in her hand. "Shut up, Calloway."

She tossed it, and it landed. Barely. Lili clapped. "Okay! Two out of five. Not bad."

JD snickered. "Not great either." Madelyn ignored them, crossing her arms. "Your turn."

I exhaled, rolling my neck before picking up my first ring. Lined up the shot.

Tossed. Landed. Madelyn's lips parted slightly, her arms tightening over her chest.

"Next," I said smoothly, grabbing the second ring. Tossed. Landed.

"Oh, she's not playing with you," Madison laughed. Madelyn's jaw clenched. "You're really annoying, you know that?" I smirked. "You'll learn to love it."

I picked up my third ring, giving her a small wink before tossing it. Landed. Lili let out a loud oooooh. "She just swept you," Caleb cackled. Madelyn's mouth dropped open. "Wait, wait, wait—hold on—" I tossed another. Landed. And just for fun, I threw the last one without even really looking.

Landed. The group erupted into laughter and cheers, JD doubling over with howling laughter. Madelyn groaned. "That is not fair!"

I turned to her, arms crossing. "Oh? Not fair? What happened to 'hope you're ready to lose, Calloway'?"

Her cheeks were red now, lips pursed. Carlacia clapped her hands. "Soooo, what's the verdict? What does Y/n get to make her do?"

Lili snickered. "I still vote for a kiss." Madelyn turned her head so fast I thought she'd get whiplash. "I—"

I hummed, tapping my chin, pretending to think. "Mmm. I could take the easy win and just make you kiss me, but..." Madelyn swallowed hard. I smirked. "Where's the fun in that?" The group groaned in disappointment. "BOOO," Drew called. "C'mon, you had the perfect setup!"

I chuckled, tilting my head at Madelyn. "I'll save my favor for later. Make it interesting."

Her shoulders sagged slightly, like she was both relieved and frustrated at the same time. JD laughed. "Ohhh, that means you're definitely in trouble later."

Madelyn exhaled, putting her hands on her hips. "This game is rigged." I grinned. "Or maybe you just suck."

She gasped dramatically. "I do not suck."

I leaned in slightly, voice dropping just enough. "Mmm. Debatable."

Madelyn's breath caught. Lili covered her mouth, shaking her head. "Ohhh, she's flustered."

Madelyn blinked, forcing herself to snap out of it. "Whatever. Just—just enjoy your stupid victory."

I smirked. "Oh, I will." As the group continued laughing and talking, I turned toward the booth attendant, nodding toward the stuffed bear. "How much to just buy it?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You wanna buy the prize?"

I nodded. "Yeah. How much?"

He shrugged. "Thirty bucks."

I pulled out my wallet and handed him the cash before reaching up and yanking the bear from its hook. I turned, holding it out to Madelyn. She blinked. "What...?"

I shrugged, tossing it into her arms. "It's yours." Madelyn stared at me, then down at the bear, then back at me. "You—you won. You don't have to—" I smirked. "Consider it a consolation prize."

Her lips parted slightly. Madelyn finally let out a breath, hugging the bear. "You're so annoying."

I grinned. "Enjoy your stuffed animal, you'd been eyeing it anyway."

She exhaled, shaking her head, but I saw the smile tugging at her lips. Caleb clapped his hands. "Alright! Let's get moving. We've got plenty more fair to see."

The group started moving toward the next set of booths, but Madelyn lingered for just a second, looking at the bear, then at me. I smirked. "You're welcome, Cline." She rolled her eyes but hugged the bear tighter.

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The plush bear Y/n had just handed me was clutched tightly in my arms, the warmth of her fingers still lingering where they had brushed against mine.

My heart was hammering against my ribs, but I did my best to play it off—hugging the stuffed animal to my chest as if it could shield me from the knowing looks our friends were throwing my way.

"Alright! Let's get moving. We've got plenty more fair to see," Caleb announced, clapping his hands together.

The group started shifting toward the next set of booths, JD already talking about trying to win something absurdly large that he had no chance of carrying home.

But I wasn't ready to move just yet.

I glanced at Y/n, who was still smirking like she knew exactly what she was doing. The neon glow of the fair lights bathed her in flickering blues and reds, making her look effortlessly cool—hands in her pockets, stance relaxed, that damn knowing look in her eyes.

And before I could stop myself, I reached out, wrapping my fingers around her wrist.

"Hey," I said quietly.

She turned, brow raised. "Yeah?"

I hesitated. For half a second, I almost backed out, almost laughed it off and followed the others without another word. But I didn't want to.

I still felt the remnants of our last conversation, the weight of it hanging between us like an unspoken thing neither of us wanted to acknowledge.

And maybe it was the lingering adrenaline from the game, or maybe it was the way she had looked at me when she handed me the bear—like she had known exactly what she was doing to me.

I bit my lip. "Walk with me for a second?"

Y/n tilted her head slightly, eyes flickering with curiosity, but she nodded. "Sure."

We stepped away from the bright chaos of the fair, weaving through a few booths until we found a quieter spot just past the rides—a small, tucked-away area near an empty picnic table.

The carnival lights still cast a dim glow over us, but we were away from the crowd, away from watchful eyes.

Y/n leaned against the edge of the table, sliding down a bit, watching me with that damn smirk again. "What's up, Cline? You dragging me out here to make me admit you let me win?"

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "Please. You barely won."

She chuckled. "Uh-huh. So what's this about, then?"

I swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of how quiet it was. How close we were.

I could still hear the distant hum of the fair—the laughter, the music, the occasional ding of someone winning a game. But it felt like background noise, like the world had momentarily dimmed until it was just us.

I hesitated, then inhaled sharply. "I still owe you a bet."

Y/n raised a brow, her smirk deepening. "Oh yeah?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

She tilted her head.

I shrugged, shifting my weight on my feet. "I don't like being in debt."

Her gaze flickered over my face. "So what are you saying?"

I exhaled slowly, my stomach tightening as I took a small step forward. "I'm saying..." My voice dropped slightly, a nervous edge creeping in. "...if I'm gonna kiss you, I'd rather do it here than in front of an audience."

Y/n stilled. For a second, she didn't say anything. Just looked at me, her expression unreadable. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, could feel the way my hands trembled slightly as I clutched the bear against me like it might ground me.

Then, finally, she smirked. "Oh. So you're gonna kiss me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't make me regret this, Calloway."

She chuckled, shifting off the picnic table, stepping in just close enough that I felt the warmth radiating from her. "Wouldn't dream of it."

I hesitated for only a moment longer. Then I tilted my head up, leaned in—

And kissed her. It was soft at first, hesitant, like testing the waters. But the second our lips met, something in me cracked open.

Y/n was warm, steady, and she tasted like something sweet—faint traces of whatever she had been drinking earlier mixed with something unmistakably her. The feeling sent a spark rushing down my spine, pooling heat in my stomach.

I lingered for a second, letting the sensation settle in. Then, without thinking, I deepened it. Just a little. Just enough to feel the way her lips parted slightly in surprise, making her sharply inhale through her nose.

Enough to make my entire body hum. Y/n didn't pull away, didn't stiffen or hesitate. She let me take the lead, let me press just a little closer, let me breathe her in like I had been starving for this without even realizing it.

But then reality caught up with me. I pulled away softly, my heart hammering in my chest. Y/n's eyes were still closed for half a second before she blinked them open, her expression unreadable. "That's how you're gonna settle the bet?"

I swallowed, forcing a smirk. "You won. You got what you wanted, didn't you?"

Y/n's lips twitched, but she didn't argue. I took a small step back, exhaling like I wasn't on the verge of spiraling. "We should get back before Lili starts making up stories about what we're doing."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, she's definitely already doing that." I let out a breath of laughter, my heart still pounding in my chest as I turned on my heel and started walking back toward the fair.

I didn't look back. Didn't let myself think about the fact that I had just kissed her. Didn't let myself acknowledge that it hadn't felt like a game. Because if I did...

I might have to admit that I wanted to do it again.

.  .  .

The rest of the night was a blur of bright lights, loud laughter, and the kind of effortless fun I hadn't had in a long time.

Madison and Mariah were doubled over laughing at something ridiculous JD had said. Carlacia was still gloating about winning a stupid oversized banana plush from the dart game.

Caleb and Lili were locked in a heated argument about whether or not deep-fried Oreos were an elite fair food or just an overrated scam.

And Y/n? She fit in with my friends like she had always been part of the group.

She and Madison had hit it off immediately, both cracking jokes at JD's expense while Mariah egged them on. Carlacia had taken an instant liking to her too, throwing an arm over her shoulder at one point and declaring, "Oh yeah, you're one of us now."

And I? I had been watching Y/n all night. Not intentionally—at least, that's what I kept telling myself.

But my brain kept replaying what had happened just minutes ago, when I had pulled her away from the group, when I had kissed her, when for just a few seconds, I let myself have something I hadn't even realized I'd wanted so badly.

And she? She was completely unphased. Not weird, not tense, not acting any different at all. Just effortlessly cool, like always.

Meanwhile, I was standing here clutching this stupid stuffed bear like it held all the answers to the universe.

It wasn't fair. I exhaled, shaking the thoughts away.

The air had gotten colder as the night wore on, the autumn chill settling in. I tugged my sleeves down over my hands, but apparently, I wasn't subtle enough because Y/n nudged me with her elbow.

"You cold?"

I huffed, feigning indifference. "I'm fine." She scoffed. "Mmmhmm." Then, before I could protest, she was tugging off her hoodie and shoving it into my hands.

I blinked. "Y/n—"

"Just put it on, Cline," she smirked. "You've already taken my dignity tonight, might as well take my hoodie too."

I rolled my eyes but didn't fight it. I tugged the hoodie over my head, immediately sinking into the warmth of it. It smelled like her—like something crisp and fresh, laced with a hint of whatever perfume she used.

I looked up, catching Y/n watching me with a lazy smirk. I tilted my head. "What?"

She shrugged. "Nothing. Just looks good on you."

I tried to play it off, but my face was definitely warm. "Great," I muttered. "Now I smell like a firefighter."

Y/n chuckled. "You're welcome."

I rolled my eyes but smiled, tugging the hoodie tighter around me. Before I could think too much about it, JD clapped his hands. "Alright, Photo Booth time! Let's go!"

We all moved toward the small Photo Booth tucked near the edge of the fairgrounds, its neon sign flickering slightly. Y/n and I ended up at the front of the line, JD pushing us forward. "You two first!"

I hesitated for only a second before stepping in. The space was small, just barely enough for two people. I sat down first, and Y/n slid in beside me, her thigh pressing against mine.

The screen lit up. "Four pictures, ready?" Y/n smirked. "Hope you're photogenic, Cline."

I huffed. "Please, I was literally built for this."

The first flash went off, catching me mid-smirk. The second, I leaned my head against Y/n's shoulder, grinning as she rolled her eyes but let me stay there. The third, Y/n made a dumb face, and I smacked her arm, laughing.

The fourth— The curtain ripped open, and suddenly the entire group was shoving their way inside.

"Crash!" JD shouted as he and Carlacia practically threw themselves into the frame.

Madison squeezed in from the other side, Mariah right behind her, Lili and Caleb cackling as they crammed into the small space. Somehow I ended up on Y/n's lap but, I wasn't upset about it.

The camera flashed wildly as everyone yelled over each other. By the time we all tumbled out, breathless and laughing, the strip of pictures slid from the machine. Y/n pressed the button to make multiple copies.

JD grabbed it first. "Oh, these are perfect."

I peered over his shoulder, my eyes immediately locking on the last frame—the one that had been just me and Y/n, right