Caitlin murmured in agreement and gave Gemma a squeeze.
Gemma hoped she hadn’t jinxed it.
THE NEXT MORNING, CAITLIN APPEAREDon the sidelines of Gemma’s soccer game like clockwork. Gemma was proud to have the captain of the cheerleaders there, rooting only for her. Since they had started dating, Caitlin had never missed a single game, home or away.
Caitlin’s presence came with risks—Gemma’s focus kept shifting, away from the game and towards the stands, huntingfor a glint of sunlight on auburn hair.
More than once, her coach had to shout, “Quinn! Get your head in the game,” causing Gemma’s cheeks to flush with embarrassment.
They secured the win that day, and when Caitlin ran up afterward and leapt into her arms, Gemma felt like she’d won far more than just a soccer match.
Later that evening, she arrived at Caitlin’s for the festival, her heart kicking against her ribs as her girlfriend answered the door. Golden-hour sunlight caught the strands of copper in Caitlin’s hair, a fiery halo that had been twisted into a braid. She looked ethereal, standing before Gemma in a cropped V-neck sweater and low-rise jeans.
Flustered, Gemma didn’t know where to land her eyes.
Caitlin cleared her throat. “See something you like?” She asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“Everything,” Gemma admitted, blushing after being caught. It was hardly the first time Caitlin had caught Gemma’s gaze roaming, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
Caitlin’s grin widened as she observed Gemma in return. “You look amazing, Squish. We must be the hottest couple in the tristate area.” Caitlin’s eyes scanned over the puffer vest and flannel, half-unbuttoned at Gemma’s chest and tucked into the front of her jeans.
“What’s that?” Caitlin asked, pointing to the object in Gemma’s hand.
“Oh,” Gemma said suddenly self-conscious. “I have something for you.” She carried the gift through the doorway and laid it flat on the kitchen table.
Caitlin ripped the brown paper off, eager to see what Gemma had given her.
“Do you hate it?” Gemma asked with concern when Caitlin had no response.
“What? No!” She insisted, seeming to look for the right words. “I’m just… you made this for me?” Caitlin’s voice was shaky.
“Yeah,” Gemma said shyly. “I thought maybe we could hang it in our dorm next year. Unless you don’t want to.”
“No! I do. Gem…”
Gemma held her breath while Caitlin examined the gift—a large, framed collage. Notes with softened corners, sun-faded polaroids, ticket stubs, and a few candy wrappers were carefully tucked inside, all souvenirs from their first year together.
“It’s amazing, Squish. I can’t believe you kept all this stuff.”
Gemma blushed. “I keep everything of ours. I thought maybe we could continue adding to it.”
Caitlin carefully laid the frame back down onto the table and wrapped her arms tightly around Gemma’s neck.
“Thank you so much, that’s the best gift anyone has ever given me.” Caitlin kissed Gemma deeply, long enough for Gemma to become breathless. Every hour she had spent crafting the collage was worth it for that moment alone.
They arrived at the Harvest Festival that evening, hands entwined as they slipped into the warm chaos of lights and laughter. They collected a small group of friends as they walked, stopping to play every silly carnival game and to sample each freshly roasted pecan and caramel apple. They even rode the questionable Ferris wheel, laughing and sketching out their future together—assuming they survived the rickety carousel.
Whenever they thought no one was watching, Gemma and Caitlin would slip behind a stand of trees and steal a kiss as the season’s final leaves drifted down around them. Their friends would pull them apart with exaggerated groans, teasing them for being inseparable. Even then, Gemma would find Cailtin’s eyes and grin in silent victory.
The festival glowed with sugar and string lights, an image that Gemma knew she’d carry with her forever. Little did she know, her favorite memory of the night had yet to come.
“Where are you taking me?” Gemma asked as Caitlin gently tugged her out of the dying crowd and toward the car.
“You’ll see.”
A short drive later, Caitlin eased into an empty lot just outside of town and parked the car in the darkest corner, away from the streetlights.
“Put your seat all the way back,” Caitlin instructed.
