Festival Lights
That evening, the town’s summer festival was alive with music, laughter, and the warm glow of lanterns strung along the streets. Clara and Liam wandered through the stalls, the scent of caramel popcorn and cotton candy filling the air.
“Want to try the ring toss?” Clara asked, nudging him playfully.
“You know I’m unbeatable,” Liam said, smirking.“Prepare to be impressed.”
Despite his confidence, Liam missed the first few rings, and Clara couldn’t help but laugh.“Unbeatable, huh? I think we need a rematch!”
They tried every stall, from carnival games to small rides, laughing when Liam’s overconfidence led to yet more mistakes and playful teasing from Clara. She loved seeing this carefree side of him—different from the quiet, tender moments they shared on the hill or at the lake.
Eventually, they found themselves at the Ferris wheel. Liam offered Clara his hand.“Shall we?”
The ride took them high above the festival, the lanterns below twinkling like stars. For a moment, the world felt still, and the only thing that mattered was the person beside her.
“You know,” Liam murmured, leaning closer,“I think summer has a way of making ordinary things… unforgettable.”
Clara smiled, her heart fluttering.“Like tonight?”
“Exactly like tonight,” he said softly. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her gently. The city lights, the music from below, and the quiet height of the Ferris wheel made the kiss feel magical—like the festival existed only for them.
As the ride ended, they stepped down hand in hand, their laughter mixing with the festival sounds. Clara realized that summer with Liam was a perfect balance of chaos, laughter, and tender moments—each memory building the story of their love.
Walking through the lantern-lit streets, she thought with a smile that perhaps some summers were meant to be remembered forever.
Chapter 15:
Misread Messages
The following morning, Clara checked her phone and saw a text from Liam:“Meet me at the café in 20? I have a surprise.”
Excited, she hurried to the café, imagining all sorts of sweet surprises. But when she arrived, she saw Liam laughing with another girl she didn’t recognize. Clara froze, a twinge of jealousy creeping in.
“Who’s she?” she muttered under her breath, trying to appear casual.
Liam noticed her frown and approached, confusion written across his face.“Clara? What’s wrong?”
Clara forced a smile.“Oh, nothing. Just… surprised to see you with someone else.”
He raised an eyebrow, then laughed softly.“Clara, this is my cousin, Sophie. She’s just visiting for the summer. I promised to show her the town.”
Relief and embarrassment washed over Clara simultaneously.“Oh… I—sorry. I overreacted.”
Liam grinned, taking her hand.“It’s okay. I might have underestimated how possessive you’d get.”
Clara rolled her eyes, but her heart softened.“Maybe a little.”
To make up for the misunderstanding, Liam pulled her toward a nearby bench and handed her a small box.“Your real surprise,” he said.
Inside was a delicate bracelet, engraved with tiny stars.“For all the starlit nights we’ve shared,” he said softly.
Clara’s eyes glistened.“It’s perfect. Thank you, Liam.”
He leaned in, brushing a kiss across her forehead.“Nothing’s perfect without you,” he whispered.
By the end of the morning, laughter had replaced tension, and Clara realized that a little misunderstanding wasn’t enough to shake the bond they were building. If anything, it reminded her how much she cared—and how much she trusted Liam.
As they walked through the sunny streets together, hand in hand, Clara felt certain that their summer story was only growing stronger, filled with laughter, tenderness, and moments that would be remembered long after the season ended.
