Introduction

This is a fictional story, and it is to be treated as such. Fair warning, this story features romantic content including minors. If this is not to your liking, or if this is not legal to read where you live, please don't. This is a romantic story, there is no sex in here. If you want to join Jake and Ryan on the ride of their life, please hop on board and continue reading!

Any resemblance to individuals or places is purely coincidental. Copyright 2023.

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Now, on to the story!

Town Carnival

Meet Jake, a lanky teenager with shaggy brown hair and bright green eyes. He had always been a bit of a loner, but that all changed when he met his best friend, Ryan. They hit it off instantly, bonding over their shared love of video games and comics. With Ryan, Jake finally felt like he belonged, and as they entered high school, their friendship only grew stronger. But there was one thing that Jake couldn't shake, the secret crush he had on Ryan. He had been in love with him for as long as he could remember, but he never had the courage to tell him how he felt. He was scared of losing their friendship and didn't want to risk it.

Ryan, on the other hand, is a lean and athletic guy, with short, dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He's outgoing, confident and always the center of attention. He's also a bit of a flirt, but Jake had always thought that Ryan was just being friendly. He never suspected that Jake had feelings for him, and Jake had never been able to gather the courage to tell him.

But as summer break began, and the preparations for the town carnival were in full swing, Jake knew this could be his chance to confess his love. He had always loved the carnival, the lights, the music, the smell of cotton candy and fried food, the thrill of the rides. He had always loved going there with Ryan, and this time was no different. As they planned their day, Jake knew that this could be his chance to finally tell Ryan how he felt. He just had to find the courage to do it.

As Jake lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind was a jumbled mess. He couldn't stop thinking about Ryan and the carnival. He knew it was his chance to finally tell Ryan how he felt, but he didn't know how to do it. Should he just come out and say it? Or should he try to be more subtle? He didn't want to ruin their friendship, but at the same time, he couldn't keep living with this secret for much longer.

He thought about all the times they had gone to the carnival together in the past. They had always had a great time, laughing and having fun on the rides, eating too much junk food. But this time, it would be different. This time, Jake would finally tell Ryan how he felt. He just needed to find the right words, the right moment.

He thought about all the different scenarios that could play out. What if Ryan felt the same way? They could finally be together, and everything would be perfect. But what if he didn't? Jake couldn't bear the thought of losing Ryan's friendship. He knew he had to be prepared for any outcome.

He spent the whole day in his room, thinking and planning. He practiced what he was going to say over and over again, trying to find the perfect words. He imagined every possible reaction Ryan could have, every possible conversation they could have. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice when his mother called him for dinner.

As he sat at the table, picking at his food, his mind was still with Ryan. He knew he had to do it, he couldn't keep living with this secret any longer. He would ask Ryan to go to the carnival together, and he would tell him how he felt. It was now or never. He just hoped that Ryan felt the same way.

After dinner, Jake retreated back to his room, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. He knew that tonight was the night, he couldn't put it off any longer. He picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found Ryan's number. He took a deep breath and hit the call button.

The phone rang a few times before Ryan picked up. "Hey Jake, what's up?" Ryan's voice was cheerful and upbeat.

"Hey Ryan, um, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the carnival with me tomorrow," Jake's voice trembled a bit as he spoke.

"Sure, that sounds like fun. What time should we meet?" Ryan responded without hesitation.

Jake felt a wave of relief wash over him, he had done it. He had asked Ryan out. "How about we meet at the entrance at noon?"

"Sounds good, I'll see you there" Ryan said before hanging up.

Jake's heart was racing, he couldn't believe it. He had asked Ryan out, and he had said yes. This was it, the moment he had been waiting for. He knew that tomorrow would be a defining moment in his life, and he couldn't wait to see how it would all play out. He fell asleep that night with a smile on his face, for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt truly happy.

---     The sun was shining bright, and the air was filled with the sounds of laughter and music as Jake made his way to the carnival. He was dressed in his best clothes, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He had been looking forward to this day for weeks, and it was finally here. He had a plan in his head, but he wasn't sure when the right moment would be to tell Ryan how he felt.

As he approached the entrance, he saw Ryan standing there, dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans, a wide smile on his face. Jake's heart skipped a beat, he couldn't believe how handsome Ryan looked. He took a deep breath and walked over to him.

"Hey Jake, you made it," Ryan said, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Yeah, I wouldn't miss this for the world," Jake said, trying to play it cool.

They walked around the carnival, trying different rides and games, laughing and joking with each other. Jake was having a great time, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. He wanted to tell Ryan how he felt, but he didn't know when the right moment would be.

As they were trying their luck at the ring toss game, Jake saw an opportunity. He suggested they take a break and grab something to drink. They walked over to a nearby stand and got some lemonade. They sat down on a nearby bench to drink it, and Jake was trying to find a way to start the conversation about his feelings.

As they were sitting and chatting about nothing in particular, Jake noticed that Ryan was enjoying himself and that he seemed to be in a good mood. He felt that the time was not right to bring the subject up yet. He didn't want to ruin the moment or the fun they were having together. He decided to wait until the right time and enjoy the rest of the day with Ryan.

They continued to walk around the carnival, trying different games and rides, and having a great time together. Jake was still determined to tell Ryan how he felt, but he knew that he had to be patient and wait for the right moment.

As the day went on, Jake was both excited and nervous about what the future held for him and Ryan. He knew that he would have to find the courage to tell Ryan how he felt, but for now, he was content to enjoy the day with his best friend.

As the day went on, Jake and Ryan found themselves wandering through the carnival, taking in all the sights and sounds. They came across a water game booth, where players had to shoot water at targets to win a prize. Jake and Ryan looked at each other and grinned, they both loved water games.

"Come on, let's give it a try," Ryan said, looking excited.

"Sure, why not," Jake replied, feeling a bit more relaxed now.

They walked up to the booth and paid for their turns. The game was simple, they had to shoot water at different targets to win prizes. Jake took his turn first, shooting water at the targets with a water gun. He did well, but he didn't win any prizes.

It was Ryan's turn next, he stepped up to the booth, took the water gun and started shooting at the targets. He was having a blast, laughing and joking as he shot water at the targets. He was so focused on the game that he didn't notice that one of the targets was a hidden water hose that sprayed water right at him when he hit it.

Ryan was drenched, his clothes were soaking wet, his hair was plastered to his face, and water was dripping from his chin. He looked at Jake and grinned, "Looks like I got a little too into the game."

Jake couldn't help but laugh, Ryan looked hilarious, but he felt a pang of guilt. He should have warned him about the hidden water hose. "I'm sorry, I didn't know about the water hose"

Ryan just shrugged and grinned, "It's all good, it's a water game after all, what do you expect?"

---     As the day came to a close, Jake and Ryan found themselves standing in line for the Ferris wheel. Jake's heart was pounding in his chest, this was it, his chance to tell Ryan how he felt. He had been building up the courage all day, and now, as they were getting ready to board the ride, he knew he couldn't put it off any longer.

"Ryan, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time," Jake said, his voice trembling.

Ryan looked at him, his expression curious. "What is it Jake?"

Jake's heart was racing, he could feel the sweat on his palms. He didn't know if he could do this, but he knew he had to try. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come out.

Ryan looked at him, concern etched on his face. "Jake, is everything okay? You're acting strange."

Jake shook his head, still unable to speak. He knew he had to tell Ryan how he felt, but he couldn't find the courage. He didn't want to ruin their friendship, but at the same time, he couldn't keep living with this secret any longer.

As they boarded the Ferris wheel, Jake was still trying to work up the courage to tell Ryan how he felt. He knew that this was his last chance, and he didn't want to let it slip away. He looked over at Ryan, who was looking out at the view, a small smile on his face. Jake knew that he had to tell him, he couldn't let this opportunity pass him by.

But as the Ferris wheel began to move, Jake still found himself unable to speak. He knew that he had to tell Ryan how he felt, but he was scared of the outcome. He didn't know what Ryan's reaction would be, and he didn't know if he was ready to hear it.

As the Ferris wheel came to a stop, Jake still had not told Ryan about his feelings, but he knew that he couldn't put it off any longer. He knew that he had to tell him, no matter what the outcome would be, and he would have to be prepared for it.

As Jake and Ryan sat in silence on the Ferris wheel, Jake knew that he couldn't let this moment pass him by. He couldn't let fear hold him back any longer. He knew that he had to tell Ryan how he felt, and he knew that he had to do it now.

As the Ferris wheel began to move again, Jake turned to Ryan, "Ryan, I need to tell you something. I've been holding back for a long time, but I can't keep it inside any longer. I'm in love with you, Ryan. I've been in love with you for a long time."

Ryan's expression changed from curious to shock, and he didn't say anything for a moment. Jake's heart was pounding in his chest, he didn't know what Ryan was thinking or how he would react.

As the Ferris wheel reached the top, it stopped for a moment, giving them a panoramic view of the carnival. Jake knew that this was the moment, he couldn't wait any longer. He leaned in closer to Ryan and pressed his lips to his.

Ryan was taken aback by Jake's sudden kiss, but he didn't pull away. Jake's heart was racing as he felt Ryan responding to the kiss. He knew that he had finally told Ryan how he felt and that he had acted on it. He didn't know what the future held for them, but for now, he was content in this moment.

As the kiss ended, Jake and Ryan looked at each other. Ryan was still speechless, and Jake was waiting for his reaction. But before Ryan could say anything, the Ferris wheel began to move again and they reached the bottom.

As they got off the Ferris wheel, they walked in silence, both lost in their thoughts. Jake didn't know what to say or how to react, he had just confessed his love and kissed his best friend, and he didn't know how Ryan felt about it. He knew that he would have to wait and see what would happen next.

Ryan was still processing what had just happened, he had never thought of Jake in that way and he didn't know how to react. He knew that he cared for Jake deeply, but he didn't know if he felt the same way. He knew that he would have to talk to him and figure out what this meant for their friendship.

As Jake and Ryan left the carnival, they both felt a mix of emotions. Jake was still trying to process what had happened on the Ferris wheel, and he didn't know how Ryan felt about it. He knew that he had to talk to him, but he didn't know what to say.

They rode their bikes home in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Jake's mind was racing, he didn't know what the future held for him and Ryan. He didn't know if he had just lost his best friend, or if there was a chance that they could be something more.

When they arrived at Jake's house, they parked their bikes and walked to the front door. Jake's heart was pounding in his chest, he didn't know what to say or do. He knew that he had to tell Ryan how he felt, but he didn't know if he was ready to hear the truth.

As they stood in front of the door, Jake turned to Ryan and said, "Ryan, I know that I just told you how I feel, and I know that it might be hard for you to hear, but I just want you to know that I love you, and I will always be here for you, no matter what happens."

Ryan looked at him, his expression serious. "Jake, I care for you deeply, but I don't feel the same way. I love you dearly as a friend, but I don't have any further feelings for you."

Jake felt his heart drop, he had been rejected. He didn't know what to say or do, he had just lost his best friend, and he didn't know what to do. He felt a tear roll down his face.

As Jake heard Ryan's words, he felt a wave of emotion wash over him. He felt a mix of sadness, disappointment, and frustration. He didn't know what to say or do, he had just confessed his love and been rejected. He felt his eyes fill with tears, but he quickly blinked them back. He didn't want Ryan to see him cry.

"I understand," Jake said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ryan looked at him, his expression filled with concern. "Jake, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to be honest with you."

"It's okay," Jake said, trying to put on a brave face. "I appreciate your honesty."

With that, Jake turned and quickly walked into his house, leaving Ryan standing outside. He didn't want Ryan to see him cry, he didn't want him to see how much he was hurting.

Once inside, Jake rushed to his room and closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door and let out a sigh, he didn't know what to do or how to feel. He felt like his world had just been turned upside down, and he didn't know what to do next.

He walked over to his bed and sat down, he felt a mix of emotions, frustration and sadness. He knew that he had just lost his best friend, and he didn't know how to fix it. He wished that he could turn back time and not tell Ryan how he felt. But he knew that he couldn't change the past, and he had to find a way to move forward.

He thought about what Ryan had said, "I love you dearly as a friend" and he knew that he still had a chance to save their friendship. He knew that he had to find a way to make things right, to show Ryan that he could still be there for him, as a friend.

He decided that he would give Ryan some space, and not contact him for a while. He knew that Ryan needed time to process what had happened, and he didn't want to push him away. He would wait for Ryan to reach out to him, and when he did, he would be there for him, as a friend.

With that thought, Jake lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. He knew that this was going to be a difficult time, but he was determined to come out of it stronger. He knew that he had to find a way to accept Ryan's feelings and move forward, and he would do whatever it takes to save their friendship.

---     For the next week, Jake tried to go about his normal routine, but it was difficult. He couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment and sadness that he felt. He missed Ryan, and he didn't know how to fix things. He tried to keep busy, hanging out with his family, going to school, and doing his usual activities. But everything felt empty without Ryan by his side.

He tried his best to hide his feelings from his family and friends. He didn't want them to know what had happened between him and Ryan, and he didn't want them to worry about him. He put on a brave face, but inside, he was hurting.

Every day, Jake would check his phone, hoping for a message from Ryan. But there was nothing, no calls, no text, no sign that Ryan was thinking of him. He didn't know what to do or how to feel. He felt like he had lost his best friend and he didn't know how to get him back.

As the days went by, Jake began to lose hope. He thought that maybe Ryan had moved on, that maybe he didn't care about their friendship anymore. He felt like he had lost the most important person in his life, and he didn't know how to cope.

But, one day, after a week had passed, Jake received a text message from Ryan. It was a simple message, asking if they could meet up at the mall. Jake's heart skipped a beat, he couldn't believe it, Ryan had finally reached out to him.

Jake quickly replied, saying that he would be there, and he rushed to get ready. He was nervous, he wasn't sure what to expect when he saw Ryan again, but he was excited to have the chance to talk to him and try to fix things. He hoped that Ryan had changed his mind and that they could be more than friends.

When he arrived at the mall, he saw Ryan sitting on a bench outside of one of the stores, his heart began to race with anticipation. He walked over and sat down next to Ryan, his heart was pounding in his chest. They sat in silence for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Finally, Ryan spoke, "Jake, I'm sorry for what happened, I didn't mean to hurt you. I care about you deeply and I don't want to lose you as a friend."

Jake felt a wave of relief wash over him, he was glad that Ryan still cared about him and wanted to be friends. He knew that it would take time for things to get back to normal, but he was willing to do whatever it takes to save their friendship.

"I understand, Ryan, and I'm sorry for putting you in that position. I want you to know that I still care about you and I want to be friends. I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to try."

They talked for a while, catching up on everything that had happened in the past week. They laughed and joked, and it felt like things were back to normal. Jake couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness, he still had feelings for Ryan, but he knew that he had to accept that Ryan didn't feel the same way.

As they were getting ready to leave, Ryan turned to Jake, "I'm glad we had this talk, I missed you, Jake."

"I missed you too, Ryan," Jake replied, feeling a sense of contentment.

They hugged each other tightly, and Jake knew that this was the start of a new chapter in their friendship. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to put in the effort to save their friendship and move forward.

As they parted ways, Jake couldn't help but think about how things would be different now at the rowing club. They were both members, and he knew that it would be difficult for him to be around Ryan and not feel something more. He knew that he would have to find a way to accept Ryan's feelings and move forward.

As they walked back to their bikes, Jake turned to Ryan and said, "Hey, so, about the rowing club. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to shower with you now that I've confessed my love."

Ryan laughed and shook his head, "Don't worry, Jake. I'll make sure to give you some privacy. Plus, I think we'll both be too focused on our rowing to worry about showering together."

Jake smiled, relieved that Ryan was taking it in stride. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm just glad we can still be friends."

They said their goodbyes and Jake rode his bike home with a sense of contentment. He knew that things would never be the same between him and Ryan, but he was glad that they could still be friends. He knew that it would take time for him to fully accept Ryan's feelings, but he was willing to put in the effort. He knew that their friendship was worth it, and he would do whatever it takes to make it work.

---     In the weeks that followed, Jake and Ryan's friendship slowly began to heal. They spent a lot of time together, catching up on old times and bonding over their shared love of rowing. They spent many hours on the water, training and competing, and they both found that it helped to take their minds off of what had happened between them.

One day, as they were getting ready for practice at the rowing club, Ryan introduced Jake to a new member. "Jake, this is Alex. He's new to the club and I thought you two might hit it off."

Jake looked at Alex, he was tall and lean, with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He felt a spark of interest and he couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, nice to meet you, Alex," Jake said, holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Jake," Alex replied, taking Jake's hand and shaking it.

As they began their practice, Jake couldn't help but notice Alex. He was a natural on the water and he quickly caught up to Jake's and Ryan's level. They trained together, and Jake found himself enjoying Alex's company. He was easy to talk to and they had a lot in common.

After practice, they all went out for a drink together and Jake found himself laughing and having a good time. He couldn't help but think that Ryan might be right, Alex could be someone that he could see himself dating.

---     Finally, after about two weeks, Jake had the courage to ask Alex out for an actual first date. It was something special, for the both of them. Neither of the guys had ever had a first date with another guy.

Jake walked into the coffee shop, his heart racing with anticipation. He had been looking forward to this date with Alex all week. Jake couldn't help but feel excited about the possibility of something more with Alex.

As he scanned the coffee shop, he spotted Alex sitting at a table by the window. He was tall and lean, with short blond hair and bright blue eyes. Jake felt the familiar spark of interest and excitement as he walked over to the table.

"Hey, Alex," Jake said, smiling as he sat down across from him.

"Hey, Jake," Alex replied, smiling back.

They spent the next hour talking and getting to know each other much better. They talked about their interests, their families, and their dreams for the future. Jake found that they really had a lot in common, and he couldn't help but feel a connection to Alex.

As they sipped their coffee, Jake found himself laughing at Alex's jokes and feeling at ease in his company. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way on a first date.

As the date came to a close, Jake and Alex exchanged phone numbers and made plans for a second date. Jake felt a sense of excitement and optimism as he walked out of the coffee shop. He couldn't wait to see Alex again and to explore the possibility of something more between them.

As he rode his bike home, Jake couldn't help but think about how much he liked Alex, and he couldn't wait for the next date to come. He knew that it was just the beginning, but he felt like he found someone special.

As the weeks passed, Jake and Alex's relationship continued to grow. They went on more dates, and Jake found himself falling for Alex more and more each day. He couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness and contentment when he was with Alex. He felt like he had finally found someone who understood him and accepted him for who he is.

One day, Jake asked Alex out on a picnic. He wanted to do something special for Alex, and he wanted to show him how much he cared. He packed a basket with sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of orange juice, and set off to the park.

When they arrived, Jake spread out a blanket on the grass and they sat down to enjoy their lunch. They talked and laughed, and Jake couldn't help but feel happy and content. He felt like he was home whenever he was with Alex.

As they finished their lunch, Alex turned to Jake and said, "I'm really happy that you asked me out on this picnic, Jake. I've been having a great time with you, and I feel like we have a special connection."

Jake felt his heart skip a beat, he was happy that Alex felt the same way. "I feel the same way, Alex, I'm happy to be with you and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

They finished the bottle of juice, and Alex leaned in to kiss Jake, it was sweet and tender and Jake knew that he was falling in love with Alex.

As the weeks passed, Jake and Alex's relationship continued to grow stronger. They went on trips together, spent holidays together and introduced each other to their families. Jake felt like he had finally found someone who he could see himself spending the rest of his life with.

Despite his happiness with Alex, Jake couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness when he thought about Ryan. He missed his best friend and he missed the closeness they had shared. But he knew that he had to let go and move on, he was happy with Alex and he didn't want to risk losing him.

As he sat in bed one night, Jake realized that he had finally found the happiness he was looking for, and he couldn't be happier with Alex by his side. He knew that the future was uncertain, but he was excited to see what it held for him and his new love.

---     Jake walked into the bowling alley, his heart racing with excitement. He hadn't seen Ryan in a few weeks, and he couldn't wait to catch up with his best friend. He spotted Ryan sitting at a table by the lanes, and he made his way over to him.

"Hey, Ryan!" Jake said, smiling as he sat down next to him.

"Hey, Jake!" Ryan replied, smiling back.

They spent the next few minutes catching up, talking about their lives and what they had been up to. Ryan told Jake that he had started dating someone, a girl named Sarah, and he was really happy. Jake felt a twinge of sadness, but he was happy for Ryan and he knew that he had found someone special.

As they were getting ready to bowl, Ryan turned to Jake and said, "I'm really glad you're here, Jake. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Ryan," Jake replied, feeling a sense of contentment.

As they bowled and laughed together, Jake couldn't help but think about how much he missed Ryan's friendship. He realized that he had been so caught up in his relationship with Alex that he had let his friendship with Ryan fall by the wayside.

As they finished their game, Ryan suggested they all go out for a drink, he wanted to introduce Jake to Sarah. Jake felt a sense of excitement and he couldn't wait to meet Ryan's new girlfriend.

As they sat at the bar, Ryan introduced Jake to Sarah, she was beautiful, smart and funny and Jake could see why Ryan was so smitten with her. They had a great time together and Jake couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment and happiness.

As the night came to a close, Jake hugged Ryan and Sarah goodbye and he couldn't help but feel grateful for their friendship. He knew that things would never be the same between him and Ryan, but he was glad that they could still be friends and he was happy to see Ryan happy with Sarah.

As he rode his bike home, Jake couldn't help but think about the future and how he was looking forward to many more double dates with Ryan and Sarah. He knew that he had found happiness with Alex, but he also knew that Ryan would forever have a special place in his heart.