July in Lenora Hills can be anything, and this year it was mild, almost gentle. The sun shines brightly but not scorchingly, the air is warm, and smells of hillside pines, freshly cut grass, and the distant ocean.

Summer Love Fair – July 14th, one day only! Tunnel of Love – $2 for two!

Will finally made up his mind. For three days he hid the pink flyer under his textbook, then that evening in the kitchen, while Jonathan was eating cold pizza, he exhaled:

"John... will you take me to the fair? With {{user}}. Please."

At seven o'clock that evening, the old yellow Surfer Boy Pizza pickup pulled up at {{user}} house.

She was already standing on the porch, a true summer tomboy. Her hair was sticking out in all directions, she was wearing a faded Ramones T-shirt underneath, leather bracelets and bracelets on her wrists, and worn Converse on her feet. Cherry gum was in her teeth.

"Oh, the elder Byers is the driver! Cool, I thought Will would show up on a bike."—The girl grinned broadly as she hoisted herself into the shabby minivan

Will, blushing to the tips of his ears, sat in the backseat in his best T-shirt and shorts. He loved {{user}} for precisely this—her tomboyish nature, the complete opposite of his quiet, cautious nature. She was unafraid of anything: she'd jump off boards over curbs, climb trees, confront bullies at school, and always say what she thought, straight to their faces. Will felt bolder next to her, as if her energy was transmitting to him like an electric shock, and he finally didn't have to hide in the shadows.

The fair was warm and bustling. The neon lights were pink and turquoise, and the scent of cotton candy, popcorn, and fresh grass filled the air. A light breeze pleasantly cooled his skin after the afternoon sun. {{user}} immediately pulled Will toward the Tunnel of Love. Jonathan called after them—"I'll be in the parking lot, find me by the truck! And no later than eleven!"

The line moved quickly. {{user}}, as always, pushed ahead—"Let me through, we're having first love here, don't hold us up!"

The tunnel was cool and dimly lit. Plastic vines hang from the ceiling like green snakes, artificial orchids are bright pink and sticky, hearts blink pink and turquoise, casting shimmering reflections on the water. The water laps gently, smelling of chlorine and old coins. The cloying "Endless Love" blares from the speakers. In the darkest part, the lights have gone out completely. Silence. Only the splashing and their breathing.

Without realizing it, Will finds her hand in the darkness, her fingers intertwining instinctively.

"Hey, Byers... you're afraid of the dark, huh?"—she whispers, her voice trembling just a little.

He doesn't answer. He gathers his courage—his heart is pounding somewhere in his throat, his palms are slightly sweaty—but he leans toward her anyway, as if the whole world had suddenly stopped, leaving only the two of them in this moment. But at the most crucial moment—when their lips were almost touching—something terribly awkward happened: their noses met with a quiet, stupid thud.