"What's next?" Declan asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Photo Booth!" I smiled, wiggling my eyebrows.

One of my long-time dreams was to take pictures in a photo booth with my crush like they do in those romantic movies. Sue me! I would treasure those photos forever if Declan agreed to go along with me. They would be locked right next to my collections of pictures of Declan with his unicorn stuffed animal.

Ambrose instantly agreed with my idea; one of his favorite things at the carnival was going to the photo booth. We already had multiple copies of pictures together, though I had lost most of them in the fire. The only one still breathing was from freshman year, when Ambrose awkwardly confessed his feelings for me in the booth. The photos kept getting stiffer as the sequence continued.

"Right here." I pointed at the red-curtain booth.

Luckily, no one seemed to have an interest in the booth, leaving it vacant. Still, I cautiously pushed back the crimson red curtain and saw nobody inside. After double-checking, I wasn't stealing the booth from anyone I claimed it for us. Once with Meadow, I barged into the photo booth, not noticing a random man making out with another. It was top ten one of my embarrassing moments.

"Declan, do you wan-,"

"Me first!" Ambrose declared, thrusting us into the booth.

Pulling five dollars from my wallet, Ambrose placed it by the money eater and slowly the screen changed. First, we made funny faces, mine was a fishy impersonation, and Ambrose's face was scrunched up to create a whiny babyface. Next was more simple, we just placed our peace signs in the air with a smile.

Lastly, my eyes widened as I felt Ambrose's wet lips on my cheek, sending jitters down my spine. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of Declan catching a glimpse of this moment between us. Ambrose was always friendly, yet he never passed the kissing line between us until now. Why does he suddenly feel the need to?

I jolted from my spot and rushed over to the printer, but froze when I saw Declan glaring down at it.

"Ambrose surprised me... I wasn't expecting it," I explained, even though I didn't have to justify myself, but I wanted to.

He just nodded his head while his eyes lingered on the photo for a few moments longer. My heart was racing as I regretted suggesting the freaking booth, to begin with. My face burned hot in embarrassment.

"Want to take a photo?" I blurted, trying to lighten the mood.

Declan stared at me emotionlessly for a few seconds before he rolled his eyes. "Sure, why not," he said simply.

"Give me our pictures!" Ambrose demanded, snatching the photos from Declan's grasp. "Aren't we the cutest couple? These will definitely be our wedding pictures," he declared.

"Two idiots together. Match made in heaven," Declan slyly commented.

Declan entered the booth after me, I wiped off any dirt particles on his side for him to sit comfortably. My heart was beating irregularly, all my ideas completely wiped from my brain because of his presence.

In our first photo, we simply smiled, or at least I smiled. I glanced from the corner of my eye to see Declan's normal scowl glued to his lips during the picture. For our second photo, I made myself a flower by placing my hands upwards by my cheeks. The camera flashed, stimulating my nervousness.

"Lana," he spoke.

"Huh?"

"You have bread crumbs on your face," he blurted.

Instantly, I freaked out, wiping whatever crumbs on my lips using my hands. Goddamit, of course, I would ruin the pictures with my messiness. The flash went off while I was cleaning myself, so I basically wrecked everything. Slouching, I went by the printer to collect our picture to find something shocking.

Declan was smiling as I freaked out like a crackhead; it was the only one he grinned in. My heart exploded with delight and I placed the photo right by my chest. I'm never going to lose this photo, ever! Ambrose handed me the extra copy of our sequence photos, and when I turned to grab Declan's and mine's extra one-- it was gone.

Mmm... How odd.

"How are you guys able to go on rollercoasters after devouring the entire dessert booth?" Declan asked, munching on his bucket of popcorn.

"I have a strong belly," I joked, stealing a handful of popcorn into my mouth.

After the photo booth, we went on a few rides together before I got distracted by the dessert booth, especially when fried oreo scent wafted into my nose. My stomach growled, sending a discomforting message up to my brain-- I need food. Declan brought Ambrose and me cotton candy, fried Oreos, and ice cream.

Literally, five seconds after Ambrose and I rode on the biggest rollercoaster in the parking lot at least three times. Declan didn't want to join us since he expected us to barf afterward, but we clearly proved him wrong. Still, as I sat next to Ambrose deep down in my heart, I wished Declan came up there with me.

Our whole relationship shifted when he kissed me, and we both acted like nothing happened between us. Should I mention it when we're alone? Or should I ignore it too? Good questions, Lana. Now if only the universe would send me a sign.

"What's next?" Ambrose asked, yawning.

"We should hit the Ferris Wheel before it closes," I advised, admiring the circular spinning object decorated with multicolor lights all the way from here.

"Great idea," Ambrose added, picking up the pace.

Once reaching the platform, I noticed my two best friends standing, waiting in line with the boys. Meadow kept yanking on Nate's arm, probably pulling it out from its socket because of her forceful grip. Jayden started attacking Catalina with his hands by aggressively tickling her, causing her to flail her arms around in the air. When Cata looked over her shoulder, she made eye contact with me, instantly smiling.

"Lana!" she yelled.

Thankfully, they had just joined the line so we could wait together instead of being separated by strangers.

"Great minds think alike." Cata grinned. "Have you had any time alone with Declan?"

I scoffed. "Only in the photo booth, Ambrose kept stealing me away."

"Don't worry, I can fix that." Catalina winked, swatting her curly black hair behind her shoulders, exposing her bare shoulders.

Catalina sent the guys to go into a cart with each other, which if they weren't playing mobile games on their phones, it would be awkward. When the ride operator waved for Catalina to enter her cart, she jumped into the seat and pulled Ambrose down next to her. He didn't look happy about it, but Ambrose isn't the type to make others feel lousy.

Now, it was only us.

"Do you want to go on with me?" I asked, ignoring the hard thumping in my chest and the scorching heat spreading across my cheeks.

"Hurry up, guys, you're holding up the line," the ride operator stated, as politely as possible.

Staring down at the floor in defeat, I stumbled into the cart, taking the seat inside, not expecting to have Declan join me. A split second later the weight shifted on the cart, tilting to the right when I lifted my eyes to see Declan sitting next to me. The operator secured us inside and gave us a gentle tap before we ascended upward.

Here my friends were the spot where I almost died on sight. Again.

For once in my life, I had no idea what to say. I nervously played thumb war with myself in my lap as I tried to ignore the unavoidable silence. Lana, wake up this was your chance to show Declan what an amazing person you are! I can't let his reserved personality control everything.

"I'm sorry for stealing you away from Nate." I broke the quiet drift between us.

"No need. He's probably having a better time with Meadow than with me," he replied, staring out at the sparking fluorescent lights located around the whole parking lot.

"Are you having a good time?" I asked, my heart thumping in my ears.

"It's been okay," he answered.

"School starts up again in a week... Aren't you excited? We're finally going to be college students." I smiled.

"What's so exciting? It's just college," Declan said, propelling his elbow onto the side of our cart and placing his chin into his palm.

"Yeah... Just college," I nervously laughed, tucking a loose strand from my hair behind my ear.

"College is a way to bring you closer to your mother, right? How hard is it to be without her?" he asked, his head tilting in my direction. His chocolate eyes weren't emotionless, except they were swarming in remorse. "Is it hard to talk about?"

"No, I mean... She died when I was six, so our memories together were pretty limited. That doesn't mean I don't miss her, but it's hard missing someone who seems like a ghost to you. I barely remember how she looked like... all our photos were burned in the fire. Pretty sure, Dad is sad about that; he always liked looking over the scrapbook before bed." I exhaled, softly laughing at myself.

"How did she pass?" he asked, his tone softer than usual.

"Ummm... I can't remember the freaking name, but it had to do something with her heart. She had a disease since she was born, so it was only a matter of time. My parents were worried I would inherit it, but so far I'm healthy." I smiled, a sigh of relief exiting from my nose.

"Life is unfair, taking away the good people from the world to leave us with the bad," Declan remarked, his tongue snakes out and moisturizes his lips.

"It wouldn't be life if it wasn't stocked with mysteries." I laughed, nibbling on my bottom lip. "Why ask me about this, anyway?"

"Tragic things tend to follow you yet, you always seem to look on the bright side of things. I admire that," he explained, as his gaze was locked on his lap.

Tragic things... Is that supposed to compliment or insult?

"Thanks." I giggled.

Something about this conversation seemed so... effortless like I could tell Declan my whole life story without a second thought. Everything felt so comfortable when we were with each other; it's like the stars were aligned when I was with him.

Our cart finally reached the top of the wheel, stopping and allowing us to enjoy the best view longer. I almost leaped from the basket to admire the lights gleaming in the distance, impersonating the multi-colors I've at parties.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" My fascinating eyes admired before they fell on Declan.

"It's definitely something," he agreed.

I admired his profile as he glanced down at the little baby ants underneath us. My brain took a snapshot, tucking this precious moment in my mind forever. I'm sure, I owe a debt to Catalina but anything is worth a second alone with the boy I'm in love with.

"Thank you for coming on the ride with me." I smiled, an awkward lopsided one.

"Couldn't leave you hanging especially since it's your favorite ride," he replied, his chocolate eyes shone with delight.

Right after the ride reality came back to us. Declan returned to Nate and Ambrose claimed me until the end of the night. Cata, Meadow, and I achieved our yearly tradition of ending the night with funnel Cakes and gossip. For most of the duration, we investigated Meadow's new interest in the tall blond boy-- Nate leaving no room to mention my little moment with Declan months ago.

When I wrapped myself in the blankets, I held tightly onto my unicorn pretending Declan was the one keeping me warm. In my heart, I knew one day Declan would be here beside me. Whether it took months or years, I'll be here waiting for him.

Goddamit, Lana you're pretty pathetic.

I guess that's a symptom of being in love.

Hehehe!!! I'm so excited for the next chapter ;)!!! Honestly, I get so excited every time I uploaded and can read your comments!!

Did everyone else enjoy the conversation between the two? :)

Love you guys