I definitely acted without thinking. The opportunity of squishing up close to the guy I have a huge crush on just completely eclipsed the fact that I am shit scared of heights. And for the first few minutes, when all I focused on was his smile, the sparkle in his green eyes and the pressure and heat of his thigh against mine I was ecstatic.

However the moment the ride attendant reached over to secure the bar holding us in I remembered I hated heights, hated even looking up at a Ferris wheel from the ground, it made me feel dizzy.

Fuck.  I tried to keep the panic internal. I talked to myself in my head.

It’ll be fine, all fine. These things are totally safe, hundreds of thousands of people don’t die in screaming, agonising pain and fear on these rides, I’ll be fine. I’ll be alright. I’ll be okay, totally safe.

Then it moved.

“Aaahhhhhhhh!”

“Daisy, what’s the matter?” Sean grabs my arm and twists, to look at me, making the seat swing more.

“Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!” The second scream was louder, longer and higher pitched.

“Daisy, are you alright? Are you in pain, is something trapped?”

I shook my head, eyes fastened shut. Body taut with fear.

“Then what’s the—Oh. Are you scared?”

I nodded ever so slowly, worried even that tipping motion would make the chair shake and I’d end up plunging to my death.

“Oh, Daisy, it’s totally safe. I won’t rock us, don’t worry. I know I’ve got a rep for being a bastard but I’m not that bad.”

“No, I know, you’re lovely.” I gabbled. Clearly the fear of death acted like some kind of truth serum.

“Why, thank you,” He chuckled, “I don’t think I’ve ever been called lovely to my face before.”

“Lovely in a very macho, masculine way of course,” I giggled nervously, worried I’d offended him. I even opened my eyes to look at him and check he didn’t look pissed. He didn’t. He looked amused.

“Well thanks, are you all right, now?”

“If I just look at you and don’t think about the fact we’re moving I’m fine.”  And I was, concentrating on his gorgeous face, watching the amusement dance in his eyes made my heart race in a pleasant way.

“What are you doing on the big wheel if you’re this scared?”

I opened my mouth to reply and found it difficult to think of anything other than the truth.  As the silence lingered painfully on, I struggled to think of an excuse that wasn’t totally insane, then the wheel stopped. The seat swayed and I screeched.

I didn’t want to die a liar, so the truth shot out of my mouth.

“I got on to spend time with you.”

“Oh, okay. You wanted to spend time with me?”

I nodded, waiting for the wheel to jerk into motion again.

“And you hate big wheels?”

“All heights really. And rides, well other than the merry go round. I’m a chicken.”

“Naw,” He shook his head. “Naw, everyone likes different things.  And look how brave you’re being right now. We’re at the top of the big wheel.”

“Oh God, don’t remind me.” My stomach flipped and I scrunched my hands into fists on my lap.

“You’ll be fine,” He draped an arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. “I’ve got you.”

I’d never in a million years expected to ever feel Sean’s embrace. It was so good I started to relax into him.

The wheel set in motion once more and he hugged me tighter.

“Oh God, Sean, I shouldn’t have got on this ride, I don’t like it, I’m petrified!”

“You just need a little distraction,” He replied, “look at me.”

I lifted my chin and locked gaze with him then something very unexpected happened.

He kissed me.

And I forgot exactly where I was and just lost myself in the warm and depth of his hard, demanding yet sweetly gentle kiss.

“See?” He whispered, brushing a stand of my hair from out of my face. “All done, we’re back on the ground.”

“Oh yeah,” I replied, with a blush and a dip of my head.

“Want to come on the ghost train with me?” He asked, giving me a hand out of the seat.

“I’m scared—“

“It’s alright, I have a distraction technique I know will work.”

I giggled, squeezed his hand tighter and nodded.

Suddenly I didn’t feel so afraid any more.

© Victoria Blisse