The fairground was alive with chatter, laughter, and the hum of carnival rides, but the real magic hadn’t quite set in—the sun still clung to the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over everything.

“Should we have ice cream before the rides?” he asked, already leading the way.

I nodded eagerly, watching as he handed over the money and took his cone. And just like before, the universe granted me a small, delightful gift—a smudge of cream on the tip of his nose.

I giggled. “Guess that’s a usual occurrence.”

“Usual what?” His brows furrowed as he tilted his head.

I hesitated, debating whether to admit I’d seen him at the ice cream truck that day. What if he thought I was stalking him? Instead, I blurted out, “Past life me told me.”

A terrible joke. One that should’ve been ignored. But instead of brushing it off, he paused, his head tilting ever so slightly. “Huh?”

Oh god. That wasn’t funny. That wasn’t funny at all.

I suddenly found my ice cream the most fascinating thing in the world, stuffing my face as if it could save me from this mortifying moment. Abort. Abort. My love story is about to end before it even begins.

But then he leaned in closer, voice dropping. “You’re the girl from the ice cream stall, aren’t you?”

I froze. Oh. He noticed me?

Before I could come up with an excuse, he grinned, the kind that reached his eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you at the library.” His chuckle—soft, warm—made my stomach flip. “So, little stalker, what’s your name?”

I huffed, crossing my arms. “I’m not a stalker. And my name?” I smirked, ruffling his hair as I walked past him. “That’s for you to figure out.”

The Ferris wheel loomed ahead, and as soon as we sat inside the cabin, I regretted all my life choices.

“Are you afraid of heights?” He asked, watching me clutch the safety bar.

“I’m not scared, exactly.” I swallowed. “Just… looking down makes me feel nauseous.”

“Then don’t look down,” he said simply. “Just look at me.”

And I did.

The glow of carnival lights reflected in his glasses, his brown eyes shifting between shades of amber and deep chestnut. I studied everything—the faint crease between his brows, the way his lips curled when he was amused, the dimple that only showed when he smiled.And without thinking, my gaze dropped to his lips.

I swear I wasn’t being a creep. My eyes just… went there.

His chuckle—low and knowing—made my stomach plummet harder than the ride ever could.

Oh god. Did he notice? Do I look weird? What if my breath stinks? Should’ve taken a mint- 

Before I could spiral, he leaned in, gently cupping my face. Warm lips pressed against my cheek.

My heart stopped. My entire existence froze.

This is it. I am dead. I have ascended.

I slapped my hands over my face, my brain short-circuiting.

“Hey, are you okay?” He sounded… nervous? “I’m sorry! I thought you’d be okay with it. Please, Sofia, don’t cry!”

Wait.

My hands dropped from my face, and I turned to glare at him. “Wait… how do you know my name?”

He scratched the back of his head, sheepish. “It was on the notebook you bought at the library earlier.”

“Oh… that’s not fair” I slightly raised my voice in a sulking manner

He smirked, then took my hand again. This time, he traced letters on my palm with his finger.

E.W.A.N

“Ewan?”

He nodded.

And then—the Ferris wheel came to a stop.

And the clock started moving backward.