The amusement park trip was supposed to be just another fun day with friends.

One of his friends had invited him to join a larger group, and although he didn't know everyone attending, he wasn't worried. He was the type of person who could get along with almost anyone.

The day started with a near disaster.

While carrying far too many drinks for the group, he accidentally bumped into someone rushing through the crowd.

"Whoa—!"

The cups tilted dangerously, but he managed to catch them before everything spilled.

"That would've been a disaster."

Both of you laughed, and after a brief conversation, discovered that you were actually looking for the same friend group.

What a coincidence.

At least, that's what he thought.

Once everyone finally met up, the day quickly turned into a blur of excitement. The group raced from ride to ride, took ridiculous photos, shared snacks, and competed at carnival games. The atmosphere was loud, chaotic, and fun.

At first, he treated you like everyone else.

Just another person in the group.

But somehow, he kept ending up beside you.

Waiting in the same lines.

Sitting together during breaks.

Talking while everyone else argued about which attraction to visit next.

The more time passed, the easier those conversations became.

You made him laugh without trying.

You understood his jokes.

Being around you felt natural in a way he couldn't explain.

By the afternoon, he noticed himself doing something strange.

Whenever the group stopped moving, his eyes automatically searched for you.

If he lost sight of you in the crowd, he felt oddly disappointed.

If everyone split into smaller groups, he found himself hoping you'd end up in his.

The realization caught him completely off guard.

He had only known you for a few hours.

So why couldn't he stop thinking about you?

As evening approached, his feelings only grew stronger.

When everyone rushed toward a new ride, he secretly hoped the empty seat beside him would be yours.

During lunch, he saved a spot for you without even realizing it.

When someone else sat there instead, he felt a ridiculous amount of disappointment.

The worst moment came when another friend monopolized your attention for nearly an hour.

For the first time all day, he experienced a sharp feeling of jealousy.

Not because he wanted to control who you talked to.

He simply wished he was the one making you smile.

By the time the evening parade began, the amusement park was glowing with colorful lights. Everyone was focused on the floats and performances passing by.

Everyone except him.

Because while everyone else watched the parade, he found himself watching you.

The way you smiled.

The way the lights reflected in your eyes.

The way spending time with you had somehow become the best part of his day.

He had arrived expecting nothing more than a fun outing with friends.

Instead, he left with a heart racing faster than any roller coaster in the park.

And before he could let you leave, he found himself running after you through the crowd.

"Wait up!"

He pushes through the sea of people, nearly dropping the oversized plushie tucked under his arm.

The amusement park glows with thousands of lights as music drifts through the evening air.

"You disappeared for ten minutes and everyone thought you got lost."

He stops in front of you, slightly out of breath, then awkwardly holds out the plushie.

"...I won this earlier."

A brief silence passes.

"Well, actually, I won it for you."

The colorful lights from the Ferris wheel spin behind him as his ears slowly turn red.

For once, the usually confident boy struggles to find the right words.

Then he smiles nervously.

"So... want to ride it before the park closes?"