^^Ferris Wheel

I sat still, shocked, as the Ferris wheel carriage came to a stop. First, it disappointed me he didn't want to kiss me, and now when he admitted he wants but was only stopping so he didn't want to scare me away made my heart explode.

Every girl dreams of having their first kiss on a unique occasion with a special person.

Do I want my first kiss to be with a guy I like sitting on the top of the Ferris wheel?

Yes.

But how do I you say that to the guy without feeling embarrassed?

"What if uh..." I trailed off, playing with my trembling fingers when I couldn't form the words.

"What if?" His voice perked up.

"What if I don't think of it like that?" I murmured, ducking my head so my hair would cover my red face.

What am I thinking?!

I focused on my fingers on my lap as I impatiently waited for Andrew to say something, anything, but he remained quiet. The carriage moved a little but stopped again as people got out of it.

Andrew's finger came into my vision, and he put it under my chin. Moving my head up, he scooted a little closer to me. I squeezed my legs as he got his on either side of mine.

"Look at me." He whispered.

I deliberately moved my eyes up to his. His electric blue eyes were darker than before and he looked intensely into mine.

"Say that again."

"I..." I opened my mouth, but it suddenly felt dry. Clearing my throat, I sat straight, but he kept his finger under my chin. "I don't think that you're playing with me."

"Do you trust me?" The carriage moved again.

"Yes," I answered without hesitation, and the carriage halted.

Gazing into my eyes, he moved his hand to my left cheek and tucked my hair behind my ear. I gulped when he bent his face closer till our noses touched. He rested his hand on my cheek and my eyes fluttered closed as I leaned to his touch.

My heart drummed in my ear when his breath came over my lips. Ever so slowly, I felt something soft touch it and my eyes wide opened.

We... We are kissing!

Andrew's eyes were closed as he pressed his lips to mine. My eyes flickered shut again, and it surprised me at how soft his lips were. After a few seconds, he pulled away from me a little but didn't move.

His breath fanned my lips, which were throbbing for the touch again. I felt Andrew's gaze at me, but I kept my eyes shut. Gulping, I leaned my head this time and pressed my lips to his again.

He sucked a quick breath and moved his hand from my cheek into my hair and pulled my head towards him. Putting my hands on his shoulders to keep myself steady, I tilted my head, and a shiver went down my spine when he tugged my lower up.

"Eh ehem."

We jolted back from each other as something burned us when we heard someone coughing. Panting, we stared at each other in shock. We were so engrossed that we didn't notice the carriage stopped.

"If you're both done, can you get out?" I turned my head towards the guy who was holding the door of the carriage with a smug look. "I don't mind the show, but we need to keep this thing running."

"Sorry," I mumbled and got out, with Andrew trailing behind me.

The people standing in the line who saw us had smirks on their faces and some guys wolf-whistled, making my face burn with embarrassment as we walked out.

"Let's go." Andrew plopped his arm around my shoulder and that's when the crowd began hooting. "Hope you guys enjoy the show!" He plastered a smile on his face.

My mind was still blank with what happened, but my heart kept drumming in my chest and it took me a second to realize I was grinning like a fool.

I had my first kiss.

On Ferris wheel.

With Andrew Pierce!

"There they are!" I flinched out of my thoughts at Nate's voice and looked up to see the entire group coming toward us.

"Where have you guys been?" Madeleine frowned, looking between us.

"We've been looking everywhere for you, Lilly!" Louis whined and pouted. "We thought we lost you in the mirror maze and you vanished inside it like Alice in the mirror."

"Uh..." I trailed off.

"He's just messing with you." Chloe giggled. "We saw Andrew taking you out of there in the mirror."

"Can we stop talking about that place?" Madeleine visibly shivered. "Just thinking about that gives me goosebumps."

"You were the one who wanted excitement." David mocked her.

"I'll break your face if you mention it again!" Madeleine kissed her fist and David put his hands in surrender.

"Are you alright?" I asked, remembering her condition.

"I'm as perfect as I look." She smiled, which looked a little forced.

"If you are done, can we find Ben and Toby? They're still missing." Brittany tapped her feet.

"We saw them at a stall earlier," Andrew told them.

"They've been MIA since the mirror maze." Nate scowled.

"Call them again so we can go home." Jordan stretched his limbs. "I'm tired now."

"How about we'll just go and they'll come on their own," I suggested out of the blue and they all stared at me like I grew another head.

"That's a smart idea." Brittany raised her perfectly sculptured brow.

"But then we'll only have two cars and..." Nate looked around us and counted. "... Yeah, we're ten. We can go easily."

"Let's go then." Tiana yawned. "I'm sleepy now."

We walked towards the parking lot and this time it was less crowded than before. Andrew and I didn't say a word since we got out, but the whole time I felt his gaze burning in the back of my head.

Jordan sat in the driver's seat of his car with Brittany, Madeleine, Tiana, and David while I sat in the back of Nate's car with Chloe in the middle, Louis to her left, and Andrew in the passenger seat.

The drive back to the beach house was quiet except for the radio in the background. Louis was sleeping with his head on Chloe's shoulder while Chloe was running her fingers through his hair as she looked at the pictures on her phone. Nate and Andrew would occasionally talk about something which I couldn't concentrate on, as my mind was still on the Ferris wheel.

Glancing outside the window, I placed my finger on the lips and thought about the kiss. I've read a lot of books to know what a kiss is supposed to keep like, but I never imagined it to be this good. It was like I could still feel Andrew's warm lips over mine and a smile took over my face.

I got my first kiss.

And it was amazing!

I licked my lips and turned my head in front when it caught Andrew's gaze from the rare view mirror. My eyes widened, and I wondered how long he was watching me.

Heat crawled up my neck as I held his gaze, and it made me curious.

Did he like it?

I know he's an expert and has kissed a lot of girls before me.

How did he feel about it with me?

The car came to an abrupt halt when Nate parked it in the driveway of the beach house. I averted my gaze from Andrew's and got out of the car with everyone else.

Jordan's car was already parked, and I heard voices coming from inside.

"Louis, wake up." Nate shrugged him but he remained unfazed.

"Louis..." Chloe patted him, but he just grumbled.

"Chloe, you go inside with Lillian. Drew and I will get him." Nate grumbled and shook him again, but Louis was sleeping like a baby.

"Alright. Good night, guys." Chloe yawned.

"Goodnight," I murmured and followed Chloe.

Before I stepped inside, I glanced back at Andrew, who was rolling his eyes at something Nate said. His eyes caught mine, and I smiled a little and waved at him. His face split into a huge grin and waved back.

Guess everything is normal?

"Come on, girl, wake up." Madeleine bounced beside me. "It's three in the afternoon."

"Just a minute more," I grumbled and covered my face with the duvet.

"You said that an hour ago!" She exclaimed.

Well, it's not my fault I couldn't sleep last night. It's Andrew's fault. The complete night I tossed and turned on the bed, sleepless, as I kept repeating my first date and Andrew. His eyes, contagious smile, laugh, and soft warm lips-

"Lilly, wake up already." Madeleine huffed. "It's our last day here and I will not let you ruin it by sleeping all day. Even the idiots are energetic today."

"Fine..." I sighed and gave in. "I'm up." I sat rubbing my eyes and glanced at Madeleine, who was now grinning.

"Good. Now freshen up and go downstairs to eat something. Tonight we're doing a bonfire." She beamed.

"Alright..." I yawned and slipped out of the bed.

After finishing my business in the bathroom, I got out and saw Madeleine laying on the bed.

"I'm going to take a shower and I'll meet you downstairs." I nodded and picked up my glasses.

Wearing it, I walked into the kitchen and saw Tiana, Chloe, and Brittany.

"And morning to you." Chloe chuckled when she saw me.

"Someone didn't get proper sleep," Tiana murmured, giving me a once-over.

"Yeah..." I cleared my throat and sat at the table, looking around. "Where is everyone else?"

"They are out preparing for the bonfire," Tiana smirked. "In case you're wondering about Andrew, he is with them."

"I wasn't asking about him..." I mumbled, adjusting my glasses.

"Liar." Chloe giggled.

Brittany placed a plate in front of me which had an egg and bread, and then she placed a bowl of fruits, sandwiches, and orange juice. I blinked my eyes and watched her, astonished.

Did Brittany just serve me breakfast slash lunch or am I dreaming?

"Eat," she said, sitting in front of me. "Then you have a lot to tell."

"What?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"You don't think we've let you off the hook," Tiana smirked, sitting on my right and Chloe on my left.

"We need to hear about your date." Chloe beamed. "In detail."

My face heated, and I stuffed my mouth with sandwiches, and they burst out laughing. They were true to their words and didn't let me go. They began questioning me about everything and I told them... Even about the kiss.

"You kissed?!" Chloe shrieked and hugged me. "OMG! I can't believe you finally had your first kiss! Mama is so proud of you!"

"Seriously?" Brittany raised her brows.

"What? She's my baby." Chloe kissed the side of my head and she held me in her arms.

Brittany shook her head and then looked at me intensely. "Just remember my warning."

"Take a chill pill, B." Tiana sighed. "You're acting like Maddie."

"Am not." Brittany huffed.

"By the way... Where is Maddie?" Chloe asked, looking around. "She wanted to hear the story, too."

"She's taking a shower," I answered, and they nodded.

"Let's decide on the menu now." Brittany grabbed a notebook and a pen and wrote things they wanted to order for tonight. They began discussing while I excused myself.

"I forgot my phone in the room." They nodded.

I ascend the stairs to my room and wondered if I should tell my mom about my date right now or when I'll get home. I was in my thoughts when I opened the door and a little scream left my lips when I saw Madeleine in a towel, searching in her suitcase.

"Oh shit, you scared me!" Madeleine shrieked.

"I'm sorry!" I covered my eyes and Madeleine scoffed.

"Girl, you're acting like I'm a naked guy."

"Sorry. I just wanted my phone."

"And I want my underwear which I can't find in this mess!" She growled.

"I'll take my phone and leave."

With my hands over my eyes and I stepped around the bed and rushed to get my phone so I'll be out, but my foot slipped on the mat and crashed on the floor on my butt.

"Ouch!" I yelped.

"Lilly?! Are you okay?" Madeleine came beside me as I rubbed my elbow.

"I'm alright-" I halted when my eyes went to her upper arm and widened. "Maddie-"

"F**k," she grumbled and grabbed the towel closer to her as she hurried away from me.

"Maddie!" I quickly got up and blocked her way to the bathroom.

"Wha-what are you doing?" She let out a forced chuckled. "Do you want to see me naked or something?"

"Maddie, your arm..." I began and glanced at her left arm, but she moved to her side.

"What about it?" She said in a monotone.

"Those scars-"

"Look, Lillian." She plastered a smile on her face and turned to me. "Those are nothing sweety. My arm is okay, and so am I. Now, can you move? I need to finish showering."

"They don't look like nothing." I frowned as I got the idea, and uttering the words made me uncomfortable. "You cut yourself."

Her eyes bugged out, and she burst out laughing, but there was nothing funny about the situation.

"You are imaginative." She cleared the corner of her eye with her finger.

"This is not funny, Maddie." I crossed my arms. "And I can see that-"

"Fine." She turned towards me, fully showing her arm. "What do you want? The truth then, yes. Yes, Lillian, I cut myself and that's it."

"Why are talking about it so casually like it's normal?" My brows furrowed in confusion.

How could she be so relaxed about this situation while I was shaking like crazy?

"The one thing that I've learned from my life is that nothing is normal and it's not like I'm bleeding myself to death." She chuckled, and I watched her blankly.

"Why do you do that?" I gulped as goosebumps spread my body when I peeked at the cuts. They looked old, but the one was fresh.

"That's a long story, but if you don't mind, I need to finish showering. I don't want to stand here all day in a towel." She plastered a smile, and I stepped aside. "Thank you." She went inside, and I stood there frozen.

Madeleine...

Madeleine Lee is the school tomboy and the strongest girl I've ever met.

The girl who is not afraid of anything or anyone and says everything that comes to her brain cuts herself...

But why?

I sat on the bed as I waited for her to come out. My brain was storming with questions and the reasons she would do something as horrible as this. I remembered once at the Singletines party when I grabbed her arm. She winced, and I saw a fresh cut on her arm as she just did it.

I picked up my phone and ignored the messages as I googled the reasons people cut themselves. Some said that it pain makes them feel good while some did it because of some trauma from their past.

The shower stopped, and after a few minutes; she came out and halted at the door. She wore a black loose hoodie that covered her body with grey leggings and a towel was wrapped around her hair.

"What are you doing sitting there alone?" She acted as if nothing happened.

"You know why."

"Do I?" She chuckled as she unwrapped her hair.

"Maddie..." I looked at her seriously. "Why?"

She stood at the edge of the bed and stared outside through the window. "You will not let it slide, aren't you?"

"No..."

"Fine..." She sighed and sat on the bed next to me. "Yes, Lillian Smith. I confessed to you I used to cut myself, but not anymore, alright. They are an old story. There's nothing for you to worry about. Now can we enjoy the day-"

"You have a fresh one." I cut her off. "And the question is why? You are the strongest girl of West High, the girl I admired-"

"Please don't." She grumbled. "I'm not what you think I am-"

"Then tell me." I pleaded to look straight into her now dull brown eyes. "Explain it to me please because I want to know what is it that made you go to this level to hurt yourself."

"It's not easy." She rubbed her head in frustration. "I'm for even sure why I do it, but I just do."

"There must be a reason, there always is."

"I..." She gulped and glanced down at the bedsheet.

"Did something happen to you in the past?" I asked, but she stayed still. For a few minutes, she remained quiet, and I let her.

"Past..." she said after what felt like an hour. "A lot has happened in the past." Her gaze was fixed, and she was physically here, but mentally she looked like she was somewhere else.

"Madeleine-"

"Don't call me that." She greeted me through her teeth and internally slapped me for using her full name.

"Want to know why I hate my name so much?" She said, but I remained quiet. "Because my father named me. He used to say he loves my name and me so much... But all lies." She took a shaky breath.

"My mom and dad got married at a young age because they were in love and didn't want to be apart from each other. Then they had me and my dad named my Madeleine." She said with distaste.

"Then life happened. My dad got fired from his work, but my mom was a real estate agent, so things didn't seem that bad for us from the outside. But from inside, it was worse. My dad used to take care of me since I was a child and my mom worked to feed us. She would come home late, always busy with work, and never paid attention to me or dad."

"Dad always took care of me and I never felt the absence of my mom. Dad and I were in our fairy world. But when I grew older, I realized life wasn't as colorful as it seemed. My parents fought a lot even over a single little thing and they thought I wasn't aware of it." She scoffed. "But I heard them every night yelling at each other in my room."

"Maddie..." I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"Dad was frustrated because he couldn't find work and mom always taunted him. We were only surviving because of her and dad was useless. But dad told me there was nothing to worry about and he loved me and will be with me forever... But they were all big fat lies."

I watched as tears rolled down her cheek and she clenched the bed sheet in her fist.

"He said he loved me but he left me... He left me with a bigger scar inside me. I was only seven when I saw him hanging from the ceiling."

A gasp escaped my lips and clasped a hand over my mouth. I felt tears in my eyes and I couldn't believe myself when she said it.

Her father committed suicide.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

I know the chapter started all giddy and ended up like this and I don't have much to say 🤐

Expect that I know Madeleine's secret is a little dark and since I want to keep this book for everyone to read I'm going to keep the details minimum.