Page 239 of Collided

“Look out,” he says.

I stare down and my heart dives into my stomach.

We’re so high up that everything looks small. I take in the sky and the stars. In the distance, the hills stand tall and hidden in darkness. It’s all so beautiful from up here. I can’t believe it.

When our cabin goes down, gravity lurches for my heart. I quickly grab Heath.

“Did you feel the fall?” I ask.

When he doesn't reply I find him staring at me with a dark look that has my insides melting into liquid.

He looks bewitched by me. As if he looks away from me he won’t be able to breathe.

No guy has ever looked at me like he’s looking at me right now.

I don’t want there to be another guy. I want it to be him. Always and only him.

The ride ends and we’re the first to get out.

On the sidelines, we wait for Marie and Sebastian who are the last ones.

Sebastian hunches over a trash can while Marie rubs his back.

“Are you okay? Here, drink water.” She holds the bottle to his mouth, all the while rubbing his back.

He washes his mouth before saying, “Fuck! I hate it. Why do they have to spin me like that?”

“Come here, babe.” Marie wraps him in her arms. Tucking his head in her hair he relaxes.

“The fireworks are about to start. Let’s all sit somewhere,” Marie suggests.

Every bench is occupied by families or groups of friends. So instead, we settle on the ground, away from the eyes of our classmates.

I yawn and try to find something to lean against but there’s nothing.

“Come here,” Heath whispers against my temple.

Opening his legs, he helps me sit between them. I lean against him. My head is over his shoulder and my back is against his hard chest.

I sigh in relief and close my eyes. “I get it now.”

“What?”

“Why people come here. I never had so much fun.” I yawn and try to hide it, but my arms are noodles.

“Sleep, Rose.”

“I don’t want to kiss the fireworks.”

“You can’t kiss the fireworks.”

“I meant miss. I don’t want tomissthe fireworks.”

“You can barely keep your eyes open.”

“Is that a challenge?”

He chuckles. “I’m getting convinced you have a split personality when you’re tired and sleepy.”

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