The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

outside, the sun has completely set, and we begin to walk towards the amusement park. I put on my jacket and rub my arms with my hands to keep warm.

When we get to the boardwalk, everything is closed for the season, but we spot Roger standing outside a small office talking with another man. As we approach, he eyes us and gives a quick nod, interrupting the other guy. He excuses himself before walking over to us. Jaxon stretches his arms out, presenting the keys to him.

“Did you guys have a good time?” He looks between us. “I even had Sandra stay later to feed the penguins so you guys could watch.”

“It was amazing. Thanks so much for letting us do that,” I tell him sincerely because this was incredibly thoughtful of both of them.

“Eh, it’s nothing. Jaxon’s a great guy. I don’t mind it at all.” He points to me now. “I’m gonna give you one ride to choose from. I can’t do more than that without putting my job at risk.” He says it playfully, but I’m sure it’s the truth. He’s probably breaking every rule in the amusement park handbook right now.

I shake my head in refusal. “You don’t have to do that. Just being here is more than enough for me. Really. It’s my first time. I just appreciate you letting us do this.”

He shakes his head. “Nope, one ride. I insist. I wish I could do more.” He points at Jax, “But he wanted it to be offseason, so you guys will just have to come back again in the summer and experience the rest of the rides.”

“So what’ll it be, Nyx?” Jaxon asks me as they both give me their full attention. I know exactly which ride I want to go on- the only one that allows me to experience everything all at once.

“The Ferris wheel.”

They both nod, and we’re off.

As we approach the tall, round structure, it’s still turned off. It’s so high up that the top seems almost invisible without other lights on in the park.

“Just give me a minute,” Roger says, disappearing into a small control center.

Looking at Jaxon, I say in shock, “I can’t believe you did this all for me.” I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him on the cheek as he lifts me up and hugs me back.

Setting me down, he turns me around to face the ride. “You think that was amazing? Watch this.” He points to the large wheel, and I hear the low hum of machinery as the ride comes to life. I watch as the rainbow lights brighten up the entire area we’re standing in. Empty game booths and food stands all have shades of green, purple, and orange illuminating them now.

I stare at the beautiful colors against the darkness of the night.

The Ferris wheel has brought all this light back into this cold and desolate park.

Just like Jaxon’s done for me.

Twenty-seven

Jaxon

I’m watching the light dance over her face as she just stares up at the sky.

“You ready?”

She looks back at me, swallowing. “Yeah, I just got a little lost for a minute. It’s so pretty.” She takes out her phone and snaps a picture.

“Why don’t you let me take a picture of you both?” I hear Roger from behind me. Cam immediately tenses because she hates pictures, but I answer for us.

“Absolutely!” I gesture to Cam sarcastically. “You know girls and their obsession with pictures.” She rolls her eyes like a brat as I set up the camera and hand my cell phone to him.

I step behind her and wrap my hands around her waist. She smiles and backs into me but is still a bit stiff with an audience.

“Relax, baby. It’s just a picture,” I whisper in her ear. She smiles more genuinely now. This was too easy, so I surprise her by tickling her side, and she cracks up laughing and swats at me to get off of her.

“Got it!” Roger yells, and I know damn well we both weren’t ready, but fuck it.

We get in our little cart, and Roger buckles us in. He hands us a thick blanket, and Cameron buries herself underneath it. She seems nervous now, rubbing her hands up and down her legs under the plush cover. It’s obvious she’s never been on a Ferris wheel before. I pull her closer to me and wrap my arm around her. The ride starts slowly, and she jumps a bit at the sudden jerk of movement.

“It’s okay, Nyx. I got you.” She relaxes into me and leans her head on my shoulder. As we get higher, I notice her stiffen again.

“Oh, my God,” she cries out, covering her eyes.

I grab her hands and gently bring them down. ”Trust me, Nyx, you’re gonna want to see this.”

She shakes her head and brings her hands back over her face. “We’re so fucking high, Jaxon! This is terrifying. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.”

She squeals and shimmies closer to me.

“You’re right. It is a bit scary at first.” I take one hand of hers and bring it down again. “But if you look a little closer, the world’s pretty fucking beautiful, too.” I remove the other hand covering her eye. “Look at it, baby. You’re a part of it.”

I turn her head towards the ocean below us, as black as the night sky. The silhouette of the moon dances through the waves.

“You spent so much time hiding from the world.” I point towards the distance in front of us.  “You deserve to see what it looks like when you’re on top of it.”

We hit the peak, and Roger stops the ride, leaving us there to enjoy the view for a bit.

She loosens up as we watch the world below us; some people walking on the boardwalk, some pointing up to the ride, confused. We laugh as a dog runs circles around its owner, trapping him in the long leash and