They walked together side by side. Still new to the whole dating thing, it took several "accidental" brushes of their fingertips before they finally found the courage to hold hands. When they did, they exchanged shy smiles and blushed as they continued. It had been a fun night to say the least. Daytona had inadvertently picked the weekend to visit when Tree Hill was having its annual carnival. Nathan had initially feared it would be kind of lame but Daytona had rolled with the punches and they ended up having a pretty great time.

"So?" he asked. "What do you want to do now?"

Daytona shrugged and grinned.

"Let's see…we already rode the merry go round, the bumper cars, the swings, and the tilt a whirl, which by the way, have you recovered from that yet?"

Nathan looked away embarrassed. So the big, tough basketball player and racecar driver hadn't been prepared for the spins and belly drops of the ride. He blamed it on the carnie's false advertising. They made the damn thing look a lot less harmless than it was. So what if he'd screamed like a little girl and almost lost his chili cheese dog dinner?

"I was just messing with you", he smiled shyly. "Just trying to make you laugh. I wasn't really scared."

"Okay", she mused. "If that's your story…"

"Oh come on. I wasn't as bad as you in the Haunted Mansion."

"That was so different", she hit him. "Those little ghosts and ghoulie things aren't supposed to be allowed to touch you."

Nathan laughed.

"Daytona, the look on your face was priceless when that witch jumped out and grabbed your jacket."

She pretended to pout.

"Well, that witch is lucky she didn't have a little meeting with my right hook."

"So what now?"

"Okay. We saw the clown show and the pony show…"

"And the dog show."

"Tree Hill sure has a lot of shows."

"Not to mention the one big freak show that is our little town but whatever. It's your night. You're my guest. What do you want to do?"

"Well, a carnival just wouldn't be a carnival without two things."

"And what are they?" he asked.

Daytona grinned at him.

"You buying me a candied apple and you winning me a stuffed animal."

Nathan reached for his wallet as they ordered the candied apple from a concession stand.

"You get your candied apple but I have no idea where you're gonna put it. I mean, the pizza for dinner and after that, the funnel cake, the slurpy, the cotton candy…"

"Hey! So I like to eat? Would you rather be with one of those girls that just orders a salad and water?"

"No", he looked right at her. "I'm with who I want to be with."

She smiled and squeezed his hand, letting him lick the nut covered caramel from the apple on a stick.

"Okay you. Win big. I'm not leaving here without that huge stuffed pink elephant on top."

"Alright", Nathan sighed. "Here goes nothing."

He paid the vendor his money then took a deep breath. Daytona's heart skipped a beat as she watched him roll up his sleeves and expose the muscles still tanned from the summer. His face took a serious look as he concentrated. It was just a silly game at a carnival but nevertheless she loved his competitive nature.

Nathan drew back like a Red Sox pitcher and threw the ball hard at the fast moving target. Despite his best effort, he missed.

"It's okay", she clapped.

Nathan shook it off and made his second attempt. Similar bad luck.

"Last try, Mister", the guy running the station handed over the third and final ball.

Nathan gave Daytona a little smile and gave up on all technique as he just went for it. To his surprise, bells began to sound off and lights flashed.

"You won", she jumped up and down.

"I did?" he questioned. "Oh shit, I guess I did. I won!"

"What'll the prize be?" the man asked.

"The lady will take that gigantic, hideous, pink elephant right there on top."

Daytona graciously accepted the stuffed animal, which was almost too big for her to carry.

"Thank you, thank you. You Mr. Lee are my hero."

"What's your friend's name?"

She looked at it and shrugged.

"I don't know. It's cute and in your face and kind of obnoxious at the same time. I was thinking…"

"Cooper", Nathan finished her sentence as they both laughed.

"You know, Nathan, I lied to you earlier."

"About what?" he frowned.

"About there being only two things that would make any carnival complete."

"Okay. What's the other thing?"

A sly grin crept to her face as she pointed upwards.

"Think you can handle it?"

The dreaded Ferris Wheel.

"We'll see", he said as he bought their tickets to ride.

"Don't tell me you've never been on a Ferris Wheel before?" she asked, free hand on her hip.

Nathan shrugged.

"It's a first time for everything."

The twosome climbed into the car with Cooper the stuffed elephant and all. Nathan tried to keep his cool as the ride began and they made the slow journey towards the sky. He held his breath that first turn but it wasn't so bad. The car was a little shaky but it wasn't going fast and it was actually sort of relaxing.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. It's cool. I'm good."

Daytona giggled.

"You're looking kind of green, Nate."

He opened his mouth to speak but she silenced him with her own. They shared a lingering sweet kiss that lasted until the ride was over and they were safely let out on the ground.

"It's late", he breathed. "I guess I should get you back to the motel."

Daytona nodded and was silent as they made the short drive from the fairgrounds. There was plenty to say and her heart race but the words wouldn't quite form. Finally they were there. Like a true gentleman, he got out first and ran around to her side to open the car door. Together they walked to the room where she was staying.

"Well, I guess this is it", she said nervously.

"I guess."

"Um, thank you for a very lovely evening and of course for Cooper here."

"You're welcome", he chuckled. "I'm just glad you had a good time."

"I…I did", she stammered.

Nathan nodded and pecked her lips.

"Then good night. I'll see you tomorrow?"

She watched him walk away and he was almost at his car before she found her voice.

"Nathan!" she screamed.

"Yeah?" he looked at her.

What now? She felt like she might faint. There was nothing but to just come right out and say it.

"Would, would you, uh…like to come in?"

He felt his face flush as his hands found his pockets.

"Um, okay. Sure, I guess."

He walked back and joined her in the small simple room. She closed and locked the door as they studied each other like two awkward teenagers.

"You want something to drink?" she sweetly offered.

"Huh? Oh no. No, I'm good. Thanks."

"Okay."

He looked around.

"This is a really nice room."

"Yeah. It's a great room. They, um, they have nice cable here."

That is what they had been reduced to…two sweaty palmed, nervous kids discussing motel décor and HBO. Nathan couldn't take it anymore.

"But I guess you didn't invite me in to watch TV, huh? I mean, if you did, that's cool but…"

"No", she said softly. "I didn't. I wanted you to come in because…well, I wanted to ask you to spend the night here…with me."

There it was. She'd said it. The truth was out. And Nathan exhaled deeply.

"Look, Daytona, I…"

"It's okay. I mean, if you don't want to. It's fine. It was pretty stupid of me to ask…"

She stood and he did too, grabbing her gently by the arm. He tilted her chin with his index finger and their lips met shortly after their eyes did. It was a slow, sweet, passionate kiss as their hands rubbed each other's backs. Daytona bit her lip as Nathan pulled away just enough to remove both their jackets, then unfasten each button on her shirt. Chills ran down her spine as he helped her take it off completely and she was just standing there in her beige bra.

They kissed some more and Nathan kneaded the soft exposed flesh as she hurriedly got his shirt off and it landed on the heap of mounting clothing. God, he was so beautiful. Perfect. That time spent in the gym was definitely paying off and it showed. Her hands ran over his just defined pecs and his hardened abs. Nathan closed his eyes and moaned as she kissed where her fingertips had been.

The two continued to undress each other and when they were down to their underwear, they lay down on the bed. Daytona was on her side as Nathan unclasped the hooks of her bra. He peeled it from her and tossed it on the floor before turning her on her back.

"You're beautiful", he whispered, kissing her newly exposed breasts.

She whimpered in pleasure and didn't object when he took off her panties. She felt surprisingly comfortable being naked in front of him. Only did fear and anxiety surface when he removed his own boxers. Damn! So the myth about having big feet was true! He noticed the change in her expression and smiled as he put on a condom and they kissed again.

"I want you", she cried out, running her fingers through his hair.

"I want you, too."

Covering her lips with his, he pushed into her. It was more than a snug fit and she seemed to buckle beneath his weight.

"Nate…" she panted in half pleasure, half pain.

"Daytona, are you…"

"It's okay. Nathan, it's okay. Please don't stop."

There were tears in her eyes as she pulled him closer to her. He had no idea that she was a virgin. But he continued and he took it as slow and gentle as he could. Their heavy breathing and soft cries seemed to be in sync until finally, it was over.

Nathan rolled off of her and removed the condom, tensing as she crawled into his embrace.

"You okay?" he finally asked.

"Yes", she whispered.

"You should have told me, Daytona."

"I know. Look, I, I'm sorry, Nathan. I probably should have told you."

"Why didn't you?"

She took a deep breath.

"Because I didn't want you to think that I was stupid or some little girl…"

He looked right in her eyes.

"Why would I think that? I wouldn't think that, Daytona. Being a virgin doesn't make you stupid or childish. It…well, it makes you special. That's a big deal. Your first time should be with someone you love."

"It was."

"Daytona…"

"I mean that, Nathan. You want me to be honest? Well, here goes. This is the most honest part of me. Sex is a really big deal for me and I've been saving myself for that special person and that right time. I always dreamt my first time would be magical…and it was. And I also dreamt my first time would be with you. Because I love you, Nathan. I always have."

He looked at her, all teary eyed and vulnerable. He had an incredible amount of respect for her. She certainly had guts for putting it all out there. And it said a lot about her that she had waited. But she was in love with him. And she was finally telling him just minutes after he had taken her virginity.

"Daytona…"

"It's okay. You don't have to say it back. I don't want you to say it if you don't mean it."

He stroked her hair and looked in her eyes. She was the girl who had always been his friend, his partner on the track, someone to laugh with and cry with and talk to. Daytona had always been a huge part of his life.

"It's okay, Daytona", he said as he kissed her forehead. "I love you, too."