It was the first day of my freshman year of high school. I knew everybody pretty much, but there was a few new students. The bell rang and I made it to the first class of the day, English. I walked in and just peered around the classroom to see if any of my friends were in there. I thought I didn’t see anybody, until I heard “Emily”!, a familiar voice said.

I turned my head and there were two of my good friends Kiana and Daylee. The late bell rang and few more people shuffled in at the last minute. The teachers name was Ms. Dorn and she had us do one of those games where you partner up with somebody and learn who they are. It was just a typical first day of school game.
Everybody was taken except for him, the new boy. Apparently his name was Kem. I thought that was kinda odd for a boy to be named Kem. I didn’t wanna be his partner for that particular reason. I know it sounds funny, but that’s fine because this funny named boy ended up becoming on of the most important people in my life. Anyway Ms. Dorn told me he was a nice boy and kept trying to convince me to be his partner. She kept saying, “Oh, he’s a nice boy”.
“Come on Emily he’s new”.
I kept objecting, so she just quit and I just became partners with Daylee and Kiana. Eventually class ended and I thought Kem was just gonna remand a stranger.

About a month later there was a carnival that I go to every year called Brentwood Days. I usually am in the parade, so I stay the night at my grandma’s Friday night. Well she wanted to go down to Brentwood Days that night before the parade, because the carnival lasted all weekend. After about an hour of playing bingo I decided to go walk around until it was time to go. There was lights all around, the Farris Wheel was spinning, the air smelled of cotton candy and funnel cake. I walked around for about an twenty minutes until I saw a familiar face. It was Kem. The guy from my English class. He was the last person I’d ever thought would be there. Instinctively I walked up to him by surprise he gave me a hug. “Hi”, I said sorta surprised.

“Hey umm what’s your name again? Emily?”, he said kind of nervously.

I laughed, “Yes, and wanna walk around with me, I’m here by myself?

He smiled, “Yea sure, we can ride the scrambler”.

We walked around for a bit and then rode the scrambler. As soon as it started I was forced to his side, the ride flung us everywhere, and my hair flying in his face from the cold September air. The ride felt like it lasted longer than it did. We got off and walked over to Farris Wheel where there was a long line. We stood there for about ten minutes until his step-mom came over and told him he had to leave. He let out an frustrated breath and said, “Ok”.

He apologized for not being able to ride the Farris Wheel, gave me a quick hug, and said, “goodbye” and before I could say it back he was gone.

For the first time in a while I had butterflies. Then I realized, wow I have a crush on him. I felt like a little girl for feeling like that. I just could not get him out of my mind.

Anyway the next day was the actual carnival. The parade was fun, I mean it was typical. Candy throwing, kids running to try and get the pieces in the street, and older people just sitting and enjoying a good parade. About an hour later I walking around aimlessly, looking for Kem. Two O’clock turned to three, three turned to four. I found myself walking back and forth between where all the food was to where the rides were. Checking my phone every two minutes, till I spotted him. I actually saw his little brother, who I recognized first, then I saw Kem. I walked up to him, and his facial expression looked like he was looking for me too because he smiled real big and gave me a hug.
“Hey Emily!”, he shouted.

“Hey Kem, maybe can ride the Farris Wheel together”, joking from what happened last night.

I don’t think he got it because he smiled and started to walk forward, “Yea lets go”.

We made our way over to Farris Wheel, his brother following because his step-mom insisted on him going with Kem. We squeezed into the little bench, me in the middle and the two boys on the side. It started spinning after a few more people got on. We around and around. Kem was swaying the cradle back and forth knowing his brother was hated it. Me and Kem both laughed as be descended back down to the ground.

Kem and I walked around the Carnival for hours, talking about life, riding rides, eating. l enjoyed walking around with him, it felt nice to actually have someone to listen and talk to. The music played, the songs repeating over and over again, but nobody noticed. As the sun started to fade away the rides lit up and I felt as if me and Kem have known each other our whole lives. Our legs were getting tired from standing up so long that we decided to go sit on a small hill close by. We sat and talked for a bit, until we were interrupted by a drunk kind of older guy, “Hey you kids look , so cute together. Are you guys dating?”

We shook our head no and replied, “No just friends”. Even though I was wishing I could say yes.

“Well you guys are going to get together someday and be together forever.”
Not knowing that this intoxicated man we didn’t even know was right, we just shook our heads and started laughing. The sun had finally fell and it was dark. Dark meant it was time for the fireworks. I asked Kem if he wanted to watch the show with me. Of course he agreed and pulled two chairs up. I remember feeling like, “I wonder if he’ll put his arms around me or maybe even try to kiss me?” He didn’t, but it still felt special. The fireworks felt like they lasted forever. They finally came to end and everybody started clapping and getting up. Me and Kem stood up and kinda looked at each other for a minute until he gave me a hug and walked away. I smiled and walked back to my family.

That night was the beginning of me and Kem’s relationship. We have had our ups and downs, but we have managed. I have been with him my whole high school career. Two years and five months. He changed my life significantly. He has been there for me when nobody has, held my hand through bad times, and has helped me through hard decisions. I am thankful to have him, and can not thank him enough for everything he has done for me. Now not only can I be partners with him in school I can be partners with him in our relationship.