Agnes waited with bated breath. Jasmine had admitted that she was scared of something from when they first met, but what could it be? Was it the same fear that she had when she first ran away from Rhythm? Was Jasmine just scared of liking a girl like Agnes? Maybe it was just something else utterly different that she simply could not comprehend. The runaway couldn’t read her fellow teen’s mind, but boy she really wished that at this point she knew how to. Instead all she could do was calmly wait for Jasmine to speak on.

“I felt something…that night,” Jasmine finally admitted as she tried to keep the blush from warming her cheeks. “With you. I hadn’t really felt that before. And…”

A pause.

“And…?” Agnes gently coaxed. She knew that keeping things in was not good so she tried to keep Jasmine talking.

Finally Jasmine sighed.

“And…I was scared you wouldn’t feel the same way. So…I ran.” She breathed a sigh of relief. It was almost as if a weight was lifted and Jasmine’s shoulders rose. “I know I should have handled it better but…” she shook her head as if she were trying not to remember some past memory “when I came out to a girl I really liked last year in school, she laughed. She laughed and her friends laughed.” She took a calming breath as she faced Agnes, watching her face closely, almost imploring her not to harm her. “I…just…I didn’t want that to happen again.”

Agnes sniffled as she stood there. The look on Jasmine’s face when she was explaining why her fears were just made the runaway want to burst into tears. To think that she had gone through something so embarrassing like that, and yet still managed to get herself out on a date. She had to admit that she was finding herself more and more impressed by the teen prowess for keeping her chin up and her will strong. For the most part, the runaway wished she had a little bit of that fire in her belly. A bit of that spark that she could rely on to keep her strong.

Then again, most people would say that she already did. After all, she managed to live on the street for nearly a year because she denied and challenged what her parents did to her.

But those were thoughts for another time. Instead, right now, she looked across the way to Jasmine who had her arms wrapped around herself. Agnes had to comment that she kind of looked at she herself did earlier tonight when she was with Gina: embarrassed, unsure, doubting herself.

The runaway shook her head at that as she stepped for and very softly, very tenderly, reached out and clasped both Jasmine’s hands in her own.

She squeezed them gently as she ran her thumbs across Jasmine’s knuckles. Her date lifted her gaze and locked eyes with her. Agnes smiled when she saw that look in her eyes.

“Hey,” she whispered as she continued to run her thumbs softly across her knuckles. “It won’t happen that way with me,” she said with certainty. “I promise. You trust me?”

Jasmine watched her eyes closely. Tears wanted to risk cascaded down her cheeks but one look of Agnes seemed to stay those back. Instead and smiled softly and giggled as she nodded her head. It was as if a tremendous weight had lifted and she sighed contentedly. She nodded readily to Agnes last comment and sighed.

“Thank you,” she smiled. Taking a breath, she suddenly clasped Agnes hand and wiped away the last of the sadness from her face. “Well…now that that is over," she said with a hearty laugh, “How about we forget the sadness, okay? The Ferris wheel sound good?”

Agnes nodded. “Perfect!”

The Ferris wheel was a large, behemoth of a creature that Agnes had never laid eyes upon in person. As she stood in line she looked up at its massive features, the several baskets that lined its structure and the spider-web of steel wires and lights that echoed out from its center and she could not believe her eyes. Of course she knew what a Ferris Wheel was, she had seen them on TV and heard about them from friends, but she had never actually ridden in one before.

And standing in line for it, tickets in hand, Agnes could clearly see why.

It was…just huge! She stared up at its massiveness and she could only feel her heart catch in her throat. Were they really going to sit in that tiny basket together and be send rolling around through the air? Agnes was having a tough time believing that but judging by the people she could see climbing on and riding the Ferris wheel, she knew that that was what was going to be expected of her. She could not help but feel just slightly terrified.

But one looked at Jasmine seemed to quell her fears. The girl smiled and beamed the whole time, making her feel like there was absolutely nothing in the world to worry about. Agnes was thankful for that. She hoped that she really didn’t have anything to worry about.

They got closer to the entrance. It filled up with one group of people and stopped directly in front of them. Agnes shivered a little as she held her sweater closer around her shoulders. Doing so must have had some effect on her outward appearance because before she knew it, Jasmine turned back and a look of concern flashed across her face.

“Agnes? Are you okay?” she asked.

“Oh…um…yeah…” Agnes stammered out a reply, finally. She still could not take her eyes off the enormous Ferris Wheel that rolled in front of her.

“Are you sure?” Jasmine pressed. “You look a little…green. We don’t have to go on this ride.”

“No no, want to!” Agnes nodded with a smile. But as she thought about how high she was going, Agnes could only try to hold down her dinner as he stomach made flips. They were really going to be going that high?

Jasmine eyed Agnes a little closely before she just smiled and nodded. She was going to let her go through with it.

Damn her, Agnes thought. Now she was irritated with Jasmine for not pressing the issue of not riding the ride. Then again, if she had, Agnes was sure she would have gotten irritated with her anyways. Not that she was REALLY irritated with her, she was just scared since she had never been in anything like this before and simply didn’t know what to expect. Such was the fickle heart of a teenager.

“Stay in line until I direct you to an open basket, thank you.”

Agnes blinked and returned to reality.

She stepped forward as the line began to move again. Suddenly she looked up and she saw that the Ferris Wheel had come to a stop and the next wave of people were being released and headed off, giggling and laughing amongst themselves. Well, they survived so why couldn’t she? Agnes sighed. She needed to stop over thinking this. It was just a ride and they were perfectly safe, right? After all, if they weren’t safe it would be illegal! At least that’s the line of thought that was pressing her on. That and the fact that she didn’t want to disappoint Jasmine.

Both Agnes and Jasmine stepped onto the platform when it was there turn and they looked over the scene to see a Deep blue basket rolling next in line after another couple went on. When it came to a stop, it wavered, almost as if its stem was not strong enough to support its own weight, rather than the addition of more people.

But still she said nothing. She had to keep strong…

“There you go, ladies,” a kindly old man with silvery hair said as he reached over and opened the door to the basket. “Be careful stepping in.”

“Thank you!” Jasmine announced as she climbed into the basket and then patted the seat next to her.

“Miss?” the man questioned softly as he looked to Agnes.

Agnes blinked and held her breath. She nodded and smiled thankfully to the man before she cautioned a step forward. One foot when into the wavering basket and this was quickly followed by the other. She looked like a timid mouse unsure of what was going to happen next.

Gently she bent her knees and took a seat next to Jasmine and prayed they wouldn’t die…

The lurch of the Ferris Wheel was so unexpected that Agnes was sure they were going to die. She gasped as she grabbed onto the railing and squeezed her eyes as tight as they could go. She was normally not this jumpy when it came to things but she had never been on a Ferris Wheel before and it was quite terrifying. She simply did not know how normal people did this type of thing! They had to be out of their minds. To trust their lives to a small basket that wheels throughout the air? Agnes wanted to kill Jasmine now for suggesting it!

Or did she suggest it? Oh my god, why couldn’t she remember!?

Her breathing began to quicken as she squeezed the railing with such tight fingers that her knuckles had turned absolutely white. Even the muscles of her arms began to cramp because of her grip but try as she might to calm herself, it simply was not working. Everything was terrifying, the whipping of the cool air across her face, the sound of the metal wheel turning and spinning throughout the air, even the mocking giggles and laughter from other people in their own baskets.

She had never been this high up, this cold, this scared in her life…until she felt a hand very gently reach over and place itself on top of her own.

“Agnes…it’s okay,” Jasmine’s voice whispered. “Don’t be scared…”

Agnes’ breathing slowly began to calm down as she focused in on Jasmine’s voice. The feeling of her touch upon her own very hand was enough to make her beating heart slowly crawl down to a gentle beat. She was relaxing, albeit slowly, but she was relaxing nonetheless.

“I got you,” she whispered again. Suddenly then Agnes felt the warm of her body scoot up closer to her own. “Nothing’s going to happen. Open your eyes…please?”

Agnes gulped as her grip on the railing began to loosen just enough for her to finally start looking like she was relaxing. First one eye opened…then the other…and the very sight of Jasmine sent a current of calm surging throughout her body.

All was right with the world…

The world slowly rose and began to back away before returning as Agnes finally opened her eyes to get a full view as to what was happening. Though she was terrified, and the feeling of the cool air against her skin was chilling, Agnes had her breath taken away by the sight that greeted her. Looking out over the entire expanse of the festival, she could not help the smirk that appeared on her face. With a sigh of awe she watched as the Ferris wheel basket rose and rose before it reached its apex and began to roll backwards. The whole expanse of the park was absolutely beautiful, even beyond the lights of the carnival. The rustle of the trees, the sparkle of the far off lake, the glimmer of the various lights of the city that surrounded them. Agnes simply could not keep her awe contained.

It was then that she felt Jasmine’s hand gently squeeze hers. She blinked momentarily as she returned to reality and looked down to see that they were indeed holding hands. Briefly before they did, but there was something about this moment, something in the setting, in the sensations that she was feeling that made the gently hand squeeze feel like it meant so much more.

She turned away from the gorgeous, nightly landscape and found that Jasmine had done the same. The pair of young ladies looked at each other closely, catching the glimmer of a little starlight in each of their eyes. Their lips stretched into tiny smiles as they looked upon one another, eyes searching eyes, scanning the surfaces of each other’s faces for any signs for acceptance.

That was when Jasmine made the first move…

…Or was it Agnes?

Did they slowly lean close at the same time, maybe?

There was really no telling as they slowly began to lean in closer, hands still squeezing one another in a loving gesture as their breath began to mingle. The heat from their skins slowly began to electrify as they felt the closing in presence of the other’s.

Lips were mere fractions of inches away when they felt the Ferris wheel’s speed slow down to a point that made the decrease recognizable. The lights of the carnival around them slowed down and the murmur of voices could be heard far more clearly around them. Agnes and Jasmine blinked as they took their eyes off each other momentarily, just enough to look to the sides to see that the ride was slowly coming to a halt.

The sight of the carnival around them and the cool air on their flushed cheeks made both the girls blink back to reality. They sighed as they composed themselves. Agnes glanced off to the side while Jasmine looked down at her hands as they held onto the railing. They glanced at one another, smiled with tiny grins, but shyly turned away.

The ride came to a stop, the railing lifted, and both girls exited. Hands were clasped tightly within one another’s as they strolled away from the Ferris Wheel and towards the lake.

A firework display was about to begin…

Near the reservoir, Agnes and Jasmine could see a small stage set up that was situated in front of the water that had a perfect view of the skyline of New York City in the distance. Around this stage several blankets had been set up and couples were already sitting around, waiting as the stage was bustling with the activity of people setting up musical instruments including guitars, violins, even a large piano as well as speakers and microphones. This was all part of the festivities of the carnival but had been placed a little distance from the actual fairgrounds in order to offer couples and other people a slight alternative from the hustle of people and the smells of fair foods.

They stepped into the clearing and both Agnes and Jasmine held hands, both still looking a little shy as they stared at people setting up around the stage. They had just walked away from the Ferris wheel and still their minds were trying to wrap around what had happened back there. They had nearly kissed, they wanted to kiss, but the moment was shattered the second the Ferris wheel stopped.

Would it come back? Would they be able to foster it again?

Agnes let the questions bombard her mind for a few moments before she finally forced herself to stop. She could not keep thinking about it or she’d ruin it. She needed to stop and just enjoy the night and let things go where they chose.

But a glance to Jasmine proved that her companion was deep in thought as well. She smiled meekly as she squeezed her hand and grabbed her attention.

“Ummm,” she muttered when Jasmine turned to face her. “Y-You said the firework show was supposed to be here?”

Jasmine blinked before she nodded with a grin. “Oh, yeah! Yeah, the band is going to play first then their supposed to start the show.”

Agnes nodded with a smile and motioned towards the area. “Let’s go then!” she laughed as she began to walk towards the sitting area. Jasmine quickly followed behind her until the two of them locked hands again.

As they passed through, they stumbled upon a vendor selling sitting blankets for cheap. Both Jasmine and Agnes purchased one, a beautiful deep green one, and laid it out on the grass. As they did so, both girl’s took a seat and lounged back as they watched quietly while the stage was finished being set up. The two chit chatted but there was little mention about the Ferris Wheel or their near kiss. For a second Agnes began to think that maybe it was a mistake and that Jasmine was having second thoughts. But she knew that was just her insecurity talking.

She calmed and blushed a little when she felt Jasmine’s fingers caress her knuckles. She shyly turned to look at her and found the young woman looking down at the blanket with a blush on her cheeks as well. She smiled…

Then the band appeared on the stage amidst an applause from everyone around them…

Agnes had to admit it…the band was good. Some group she had never heard of, but apparently they were slowly making their way up in the charts. Jasmine had informed her that they had started on ViewTube and slowly grew their fan base from there. Now they were really breaking out and Agnes could see why. The lead singer was a very handsome young man, obviously not her type, but he had a voice that really sparked something in the runaway. He sang with such sincerity that it made it seem as if every song he sang was absolutely heartfelt.

Agnes liked that. She got that way when she played the violin. The music captured her heart and for a moment, just a brief moment she actually became one with the music. It seemed to be very much in the same vein of what was happening here with the lead singer of the band. He and his music was one and Agnes could only respect that.

Sitting back on the blanket, she smirked as she listened to their reach the end of their latest song before setting up for their next one, amidst a thunderous applause. The runaway clapped along with everyone else…

“Wooo!” Jasmine beamed as she clapped heartily. She then turned to Agnes. “What do you think?”

Agnes nodded approvingly. “You have excellent choice in music. Kudos to you,” Agnes said cheerily.

Both the girls shared a quick laugh as they watched the band’s crew roll out a large piano and the band members take up their spots with their own instruments. The mirth was heavy in the air and it made Agnes realize just how long it has been since she had a good time out with someone else. Sure she always had a blast with Gina and Sveta, but those were different scenarios. It was not exactly the same thing. This with Jasmine, well, it was just different.

A glance to the girl and she smirked when she caught Jasmine also turning towards her. They shared a look when the sounds of a the band’s next song began to drift out through the speakers. The piano playing was superb and all Agnes could do was drift along with the song that began. As she listened, she watched as several of the gather couples began to stand, smile at one another, and begin to dance. Agnes could only imagine how sweet that was…

“Agnes…?”

“Hmm?” the runaway slowly turned to find Jasmine watching her, a shy look on her face.

“D-Do…do you want to dance?”

Agnes heart began to beat just a tad faster. She really didn’t know why. What was the difference? Everyone else was dancing so why not them? Maybe it was because it actually did involve them. And, on top of it, Agnes was not really the best dancer in the world. She knew a few basic steps but other than that, it was not something her parents had ever actually fully approved of. But, that was no longer the case, was it?

Watching Jasmine a very slow smile began to spread across her lips as she nodded. She was still nervous, especially about touching Jasmine again. But…she would be willing to fight through that.

A rush of relief seemed to overtake Jasmine’s features as she nodded. Slowly she stood and offered her hand to her. Agnes grinned as she took her hand and let herself be helped up.

Once she was standing, Agnes could not help as the song began to wrap around the both of them like a friendly python. They pressed close to one another, Jasmine placing her arms around Agnes neck while Agnes rested her hands on Jasmine’s waist. It was the closest the two had been to each other since the Ferris Wheel and again Agnes could feel her heart racing. The blood pumped fiercely through her veins as she looked down into Jasmine’s eyes. The young lady really was very beautiful and Agnes could not help that thought as it bounced around in her head. She could not grasp just what Jasmine saw in her, but she had to be thankful for it.

The song spinning about them, the two slowly swayed to this calm yet heart racing beat, and Agnes could not help it. She tilted her head down, touching foreheads with Jasmine as she tilted her own upward. The two continued to dancing, looking shyly in one another’s eyes, music pulsating, hearts pumping, the cool night air ruffling their hair.

Suddenly Agnes imagined herself back at the Ferris Wheel, back in the air, back holding this beautiful young lady’s hand, back to their near kiss. Watching her, Agnes could not help herself as she felt the music giving her a gentle nudge while the rest of her body still shivered just a bit nervously. But when their eyes locked, Agnes simply could not help herself anymore…

Leaning down, Agnes held her breath, anticipating Jasmine jerking away, crying out what was happening, anything that could ruin the night! But Jasmine did no such thing. Instead, as Agnes leaned down to kiss her, Jasmine actually leaned up.

Lips met just as the crescendo of the song was reached and the only way to describe it was that it was an electrifying experience. And all Agnes could hope for, in the back of her mind, that this was not just some teenage dream…