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He turns, and back facing me, crouches down.

I don’t move. I can’t. This has never happened to me before. I have no idea what to do.

“How long do you plan on making me wait?”

My cheeks turn pink. Again, this is the type of thing Annie would be ecstatic about. If I tell her that I rejected Daniel’s offer to carry me home, she’ll be livid. So despite the fact I feel awkward, I step forward until I’m against his back. His touch makes my stomach flutter like a thousand butterflies at war. I hold on to him from behind as he loops his arms under my legs to keep me from falling as he stands.

I make a sound that can only be described as the most unromantic squeal known to man.

He laughs. “Are you okay?”

I hold him tighter, afraid that if I don’t, I’ll fall. “Yes.”

His breath catches. I expect him to make the short walk back to my house but he speeds up, passing it.

“Where are you going?” I say.

“Kidnapping you.”

I smile, still in disbelief that he’s this close. “Why?”

He heads toward the end of the street. “Because I’m not ready to take you home.”

“Then where are we going? You can’t carry me forever.”

“If I could, would you let me?” he asks. I wish I could see his face because I have a feeling he’s wearing a coy smile.

In the distance is our neighborhood’s park. “Why don’t you take me there?” I ask, pointing.

Daniel walks to the little playground. It’s not much. There’s a swing set, a seesaw, and a merry-go-round. It’s lit up by one streetlamp, making it stand out in the dark. When we were young, Annie and I spent a lot of time here, but I haven’t been here in years.

“I want to swing,” I say.

Daniel backs up to the swing, lowering himself. I let go of him and grasp the silver chains of the swing. I sit but keep myfeet up high enough that they don’t touch the gravel below them.

I start to kick my legs, trying to get leverage, but I don’t get very high. Daniel walks behind me and gently starts pushing me. Every time my back crashes into his hands, my pulse skyrockets. I like knowing he’s right behind me.

The stars shine down on us, and I connect them in my mind, mapping out all the constellations I can remember. They’re beautiful. Their light is so strong that even after they die, they shine for billions of years. I want to be like a star. I want to shine that long.

“Margo?” Daniel says, pushing me again.

“Hmm?”

He catches the chains instead of pushing me again and the swing stalls. “Annie says I’m supposed to spoil you.”

I smirk. She wants me to have a movie-like romance, so I should’ve seen that coming. “How are you going to do that?”

“If I asked you on a date, would you go?”

I twist to look over my shoulder so I can make eye contact. “What would you do if I said no?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Ask again.”

“Yes, I’d go.” I stand up on the seat and hold on tightly to the chains. I’m higher than he is now.

“What are you doing?” He raises an eyebrow and puts his hands on my waist to steady me.

I ignore his question. “So ask me. Not hypothetically this time.”