![]() ![]() Big, dark Manning would’ve blended right in with the night if not for his bleach-white t-shirt. ![]() The ashes of his cigarette were like silver confetti on the concrete. I nudged the curb with the toe of my sneaker. I didn’t want to admit I was scared, though. Something like that, you could fall off at any moment, I was sure. To spend an evening with you, I wanted to say. ![]() “But you pushed through? Just to go ride a Ferris wheel?” I didn’t have the guts to try it, but that didn’t stop me from being curious. I nodded as if I hadn’t been told so a thousand times by teachers, parents, PSAs on TV. All it takes is that first time, and you’re hooked. I didn’t like lying, but it was the only way to spend time with Manning. ![]() Already, my sister was breaking the rules by telling Dad we were getting a ride to the fair with her friend Sarah, not Manning. I was worried they’d look out and see me standing with Manning, but not so much that I wasn’t going to do it. The glare of my parents’ TV flashed in the window. The little orange tip flared before he dropped the butt on the street and stamped it out. Because it was long, it got tangled easily. I smelled smoke before I saw the cigarette. In the dark, he leaned against the driver’s side, large and shadowed, all black hair, dark eyes. Manning had parked his truck one house over, by the construction site, to pick up Tiffany and me for the fair. ![]()
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