After lunch, the day is still young. We head back to Chestnut Ridge, looking for something to do. Even with the light snow and the sudden drop in temperature, I suggest we check out the Palomino Junction Fair. Udom agrees, saying it might be fun.
Udom: I haven’t been to a fair in years.
We stand shivering in line for tickets. Out of nowhere, Udom leans in and plants a sweet kiss on my cheek, warming it instantly. Before I can even react, a voice speaks up behind us, completely ruining the moment.
Guy in Line: You two are cute, but you’re holding up the damn line!
Udom jumps a little and apologizes.
Udom: Sorry!
I’m trying not to giggle and fighting the urge to blush at us being called cute while Udom buys the tickets. Finally, we step inside.
There is a sensory overload of bright lights, loud music, spinning rides, and people trying to have fun despite the cold all around us. We pause for a moment to take it all in.
Udom: What should we do first?
We are standing next to the gaming tents, which seem like the obvious choice, so we start toward the arcade.
As we walk in, we see a prize booth stuffed with oversized bears, normal-sized stuffed animals, and a rainbow of toys waiting to be claimed for ten times their worth in tickets by playing the nearly impossible games.
Udom: I’ll win you an oversized bear.
I smirk at him for thinking I would need him to do that.
Tambara: Actually, I’ll win you one.
Udom smiles at that. We pull our eyes away from the highly coveted prizes and step over to the ping-pong table, quickly realizing that neither of us has any skills. But it is fun, and we can barely stop laughing as we struggle, missing the ball way more times than we manage to hit it.
Somehow, I manage to win. I walk over to him with a satisfied grin and hold out my hand.
Tambara: Good game.
Udom: *chuckles* It was not good, but you got me. I admit it.
He shakes my hand firmly, then lets go just long enough to grab my other hand and lead me to the next game. I love the feel of his fingers interlaced with mine and the gentle tug as he guides us forward. I notice a few Sims glancing our way, and I can imagine them thinking we look cute together, like the guy in line earlier. My cheeks hurt from smiling as my hand settles into his and my feet fall into step beside him.
Next up is horseshoes, and even though we keep our competitive streak going, neither of us wins. No matter how hard we try, we cannot get the ringers anywhere near the stake without falling way short or overshooting it completely. I still enjoy playing, mostly because I get to stand behind Udom and watch the way he moves each time he throws. My mind drifts back to us this morning in front of the fireplace, and once again, my lips pull into a satisfied grin.
Just beyond the gaming tents are the food stands and a big playground. While I am not above sliding or swinging, landing in a pile of snow or soaring through the frigid air does not sound appealing. So I head to the hot drink stand instead and buy a mug of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows.
Udom walks with me to a nearby bench, empty-handed, and sits quietly while I cautiously sip my cocoa, blowing between each sip so I do not burn the top of my mouth or tongue.
Suddenly, he speaks up and says the one thing I do not want to hear.
Udom: I leave tomorrow.
My insides sink at his tone. He says it like it’s news, like it hasn’t been heavy on my mind every minute of the day.
Tambara: I know, but can we not talk about that right now? I want to pretend it’s not true.
Mercifully, he drops the subject, and we sit in a silence that is anything but quiet. Our lips are still, but the conversation keeps going on in our thoughts. Because no matter how much I want to deny it, he’ll be going back home to Tomarang… unless I can convince him to stay.
Udom sits with me until I finish the last sip of my cocoa, then he rises from the bench and holds his hand out for mine. I take it, letting him help me up.
We walk over to the Ferris wheel, and Udom pauses again to kiss me before we step into our cabin.
As it rises into the air, he takes my hand, smiling as we admire the snow‑dusted view of Chestnut Ridge. I smile with him.
Tambara: It’s so beautiful up here.
Udom: It is, but so are you.
Those words are enough to ignite something warm inside me. I glance around, and then, feeling bold in our private cabin, I close the small distance between us and settle onto his lap. He looks up at me with surprise and a quiet question in his eyes. I lean in to kiss him, and he pulls me closer, his hands on my waist.
The kiss deepens, and the world outside the cabin fades. The Ferris wheel keeps turning, slow and steady, carrying us higher while we lose ourselves in each other. The cabin feels private enough, and for a moment, I stop caring whether anyone can see us or not. All I can think about is him, and the way being this close makes everything else disappear.
By the time the ride begins its descent, we pull back just enough to catch our breath. We smooth out our clothing and settle beside each other again. He wraps his arms around me while we wait for the cabin to lower, holding me close as the ground slowly rises to meet us.
Feeling flustered and completely satisfied, while trying to balance my legs beneath me, I suddenly remember what day it is. Midnight is approaching, bringing in the new year.
Tambara: We can’t miss the countdown.
Lucky for us, there is an outdoor movie screen tucked away in a corner of the fairgrounds, already tuned to a New Year’s celebration. We grab bowls of popcorn and settle onto the itchy haystacks, waiting for the countdown to begin.
Unfazed by the excitement of the countdown, Udom keeps eating his popcorn, but I put my bowl away and join in.
Tambara: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!
I turn to Udom, who is still holding his bowl, and gently knock it out of his hands. We close the distance between us, and we bring in the New Year with a slow, lingering kiss that tastes like butter, salt, and the perfect end to an electrifying night.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
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