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We don’t say much on the ride downtown, both nervous and not knowing what to do. When we get close to the fairgrounds, I reach up to pull the yellow cord above Margo’s head to request the stop. We still have to walk a couple of blocks, but I don’t mind. The evening air is warm, and there’s a gentle breeze that somehow makes it the perfect temperature.

It blows through Margo’s hair, parting her bangs to reveal her forehead. There are more freckles on her face than I’ve ever seen before.

She glances over at me. “What?”

I shift my gaze from her to the sidewalk in front of me. “Nothing,” I say, not knowing how to tell her she’s pretty.

The parking lot is overflowing with cars looking for places to park, and there’s a line at the ticket stand. I didn’t realize there would be so many people here, but it makes sense. I bet a lot of people come after work or school. I have to admit that with the sun going down, the fair lights are amazing. I understand why Margo won’t stop staring at them. I can onlyimagine the way they’ll reflect in her eyes as the night gets darker.

It doesn’t take long for us to get our tickets and head in. The place is swarming with people. Everywhere I turn, there are booths with everything from caricature art to jewelry to clothing. There’s live music, and the farther we walk in, the more noticeable the food vendors are. The smell is a mixing pot of barbecue and pizza with a touch of popcorn, making my stomach growl.

“What first?” I ask.

Margo’s eyes widen, taking everything in. “I want to do the rides.”

“Okay,” I say, sweat immediately building on my brow.

Margo grins and leads us through the crowd to the side of the grounds where all the rides are lumped together. We each get a bracelet for unlimited rides and step into the line for the roller coaster. It’s not very big, but my stomach still turns at the sight of it.

I tap my foot against the ground as my pulse races.

“Are you good?” she asks, tilting until she comes into my view.

“Yeah.” Margo wants to ride the roller coaster, and I’m going to ride it with her no matter how hard it is for me.

The line moves up and Margo jumps ahead a few feet. We’ll be in the next group to get on. She stands tall with her hands on the silver chain-link fence closing us off from the ride. She bounces on her feet watching the roller coaster rise and dip, screams carrying through the air.

My back tenses up as soon as it stops and lets everyone off.

We’re about to get on.

In the air.

Highup.

As soon as the employee opens the gate, Margo scurries ahead. She shows her wristband to him. I do the same, but at a much slower rate. Margo runs straight for the front row, climbing into the seat. She looks back at me and pats the seat next to her.

I gulp and sit down.

Margo wants to ride the roller coaster, so I’m going to ride it too.

I don’t know if repeating that is going to help me, but it’s worth a try.

Margo taps her feet against the metal. “I can’t wait!” She’s lit up, face beaming. I wish I could focus on that instead of my nerves.

The employee comes up to us and lowers our harnesses, locking us into place. There’s still lots of space around us, and even though thousands of people ride roller coasters like this every day without falling out, in the span of two minutes it’s become my new worst fear.

“Are you sure this is safe?” I ask, clutching the harness for dear life.

Margo holds her arms in the air, carefree, as the ride starts to move. “Of course it is.”

We ascend quickly, moving faster than I’d ever like to. I close my eyes, trying to pretend I’m not about to drop from the sky.

“What’s wrong?” Margo asks me.

I can’t look. If I do, I know I’ll faint.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my heart. “I’m afraid of heights.”