The sun was beginning to set over Long Beach, leaving an orange tint to the sky. After a full day of rides, games, and countless corn dogs, we were all tired out and just wished to sleep. Cody had left a while ago due to his piano recital, and so I was left to wander the park myself, not wanting to return home just yet.

After about three hours I was ready to finally leave. As I began to head home, I noticed the ferris wheel. It was beginning to light up with magnificent shades of red and blue that contrasted beautifully against the night sky. Just seeing it made me want to go on it one final time, so I began to walk towards it.

After impatiently waiting for 20 minutes, I was finally able to get into one of the gondolas. I scooted to the outside, hoping not to have to sit next to anyone. At this point, I just wanted to silently enjoy the ride with my own thoughts. However, fate had a different plan in mind.

I felt the gondola shake as someone got in. “Just great” I thought, annoyed. Avoiding eye contact with them, I hoped to not have to talk with them. As the ride started to move, I felt them shift in their seat nervously. “Are they afraid of heights?” I wondered, curiously. We finally made it to the top and I gasped at the beautiful sunset. For that brief moment, I forgot all of my worries and sorrows.

Suddenly, the ride stopped moving.

“Oh god…” I heard a familiar voice say. I turned to look and there she was: the exact same girl that I saw at the bumper cars. My face began to grow slightly pink at the memory of what happened. Instead, I shook the memory away.

“Are you ok?” I asked, genuinely worried.

“Ya...No I’m not. We’re stuck up here...and I can’t STAND heights.” she replied, still looking down

I smiled slightly. “Then why’d you get on this ride?”

“My brother dared me to...screw him” she responded, laughing.

Finally, she looked up at me. She gasped, her eyes wide. “It’s you!” she laughed.

I laughed “Ha yup..what are the odds…”

She moved her hand through her hair subconsciously and said, “Sorry about earlier..”

I shrugged “It's fine. It was just a small bump.”

“Good,” she smiled at me guiltily, “I was really worried.”

Just as I was about to say something else, she threw her head down into her hands. “God we’re stuck here…” Not knowing what to do, I gently took her hand and squeezed it.

“It’ll be ok,” I reassured her, “we’ll be safe”.

She looked up, fear in her eyes. “Are..you sure?”

“Yes,” I smiled. “Very sure.”

She smiled then sighed. Suddenly, I wish that this ride would be stuck forever.