As the two of you neared, the increasing murmur of conversation and clinking bottles rose. The noticeable smell of pumpkin, apple ciders, and spices met their noses. Warm oranges and yellow stretched over canvases hung over vendors’ booths. Pumpkin grouped in threes lined the sidewalk, accompanied by fake candles. Twinkle lights and leaf streamers streaked overhead among the trees. Neil tucked your hand into his jacket pocket as you crossed the street and began walking down the lined walkway into the festival. A few kids ran in front of the two and darted into the crowd ahead. You chuckled, your steps faltering momentarily so you wouldn’t crash into them. Wooden signs were stuck into the ground with arrows, pointing to the corn maze, pony rides, pumpkin painting, and so on.

Neil chuckled and he leaned over to your ear, “didn’t know so much could be shoved into such a small town.”

You grinned up at him. “You’d be surprised. C’mon, let’s go get some apple cider.”

You led him on, amidst the crowd and booths, towards a stand that had painted letters saying ‘caramel apples, apple cider, and apple pies’.

The scent of spices and apples filled the air as the two of you neared.