The night air was thick with the smells of popcorn, cotton candy, and the faint scent of grease from the food stands. The vibrant lights of the carnival illuminated the night sky like a thousand stars, each one promising a different adventure. Music echoed from every direction, a mix of carnival games, children's laughter, and the distant shrieks of people on the roller coaster.
Nathan walked beside Sarah, his eyes fixed on the ground, unable to focus on the lights or the sounds around him. He wanted to enjoy the evening, but every time he looked up, he saw Sarah laughing with Lewis. And it hurt, more than he had imagined.
"You okay, Nate?" Sarah's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Nathan looked at her, trying to muster a smile. "Yeah, just not really into crowds."
"You always say that," she teased, nudging him with her elbow. "Come on, we're supposed to be having fun."
He nodded but didn't say anything else. He wanted to tell her that it wasn't the crowd that bothered him, but the growing distance between them. She was always with Lewis now, and Nathan felt like he was losing her, piece by piece.
Lewis, always the life of the party, appeared beside them, flashing his trademark grin. "What are we waiting for? Let's hit up the ring toss first," he said, throwing an arm around Sarah's shoulders.
Sarah beamed up at him. "You always think you're going to win, don't you?"
Lewis shrugged with exaggerated confidence. "Of course. Who else could win you a stuffed bear like I can?"
Nathan swallowed hard. The words stung more than he cared to admit. He had always known that Lewis was everything he wasn't—outgoing, confident, effortlessly charming. He had watched Sarah laugh with him for years, and now it seemed like she was finally seeing the man her older brother was. Nathan had no illusions about it—Lewis was the one Sarah would choose, and he was just the background player in their love story.
They reached the ring toss booth, and Nathan stood on the sidelines, watching as Lewis effortlessly tossed the rings, one after another, landing perfectly on the bottles. Sarah clapped and laughed, delighted by his success. Nathan stood there, his hands shoved into his pockets, forcing himself to smile.
"Here you go, Sarah," Lewis said, presenting her with a stuffed panda bear.
Sarah grinned, holding the bear to her chest. "Aww, thanks, Lewis!"
Nathan tried to swallow the bitterness rising in his throat. He had been the one who had always been there for Sarah. He had been her friend, her confidant, her shoulder to cry on. But that didn't seem to matter now. Lewis had won her over with his easy charm, and Nathan couldn't help but wonder if he had missed his chance—if he had always been too afraid to speak up.
As they moved from booth to booth, Nathan remained in the background, quietly observing them. Sarah would smile at him from time to time, but each smile felt more and more distant. She was happy, and that was all that mattered to him. He would be happy for her, even if it meant stepping aside and watching her with Lewis.
"Come on, Nate, you're being too quiet," Sarah said, tugging on his sleeve as they approached the Ferris wheel. "You have to ride this one with me. We can see the whole carnival from the top!"
Nathan hesitated, glancing at the towering Ferris wheel. Heights weren't his thing. But he wasn't going to be the one to hold her back. "You guys go ahead," he said quickly. "I'll wait down here."
Sarah frowned, her brow furrowing in concern. "Are you sure? I thought you'd like it."
"I'm not really a fan of heights," he said with a forced chuckle. "You two go ahead and have fun."
She hesitated for a moment, then gave him a sympathetic smile. "Okay. But if you change your mind, come find us!"
With that, Sarah and Lewis hopped into the Ferris wheel, leaving Nathan alone at the base. He watched them as they ascended higher and higher, his heart sinking with every passing second. From where he stood, he could see the way Sarah leaned into Lewis, laughing at something he said. They looked perfect together, and Nathan felt like an outsider in his own life.
As the Ferris wheel reached its peak, Nathan couldn't help but feel the weight of his unspoken love pressing down on him. He had never told Sarah how he felt, and now, it seemed like it was too late. She was with Lewis, and he would never be the one to make her smile like that.
By the time they returned from the ride, Sarah was practically glowing. "That was amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "You missed out, Nate!"
Nathan smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm sure it was great."
Lewis grinned at him, a teasing look in his eyes. "You know, Nate, you really should've told her how you felt. Maybe things would've been different."
Nathan clenched his fists at his sides. He wanted to shout, to tell Lewis to shut up, but instead, he just nodded. He had never told Sarah how he felt, and now, he never would.
Sarah was happy, and that was all that mattered to Nathan. Even if it meant being the one to step aside.
As they walked to the next attraction, Nathan could only watch, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words. The night was supposed to be fun, but for him, it was a reminder of everything he had lost.
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