It was good to have a break from the drama. I didn't know if it was because Milo finally eased up or if it just needed time, but I was just happy to see the group was doing alright, and doubly happy to see I could actually exist in the group without causing a schism or something.
Morgan clung to my arm, sunglasses and grin donned. We both watched as Lexi, Milo and Taylor all rode the roller coaster. I gulped nervously even watching it. I had never gone to a theme park in my life, and it was a cool experience being here, but I was glad I was only watching what was going on.
Morgan giggled next to me. "Scared?"
"Terrified," I honestly replied, eyes glued to the roller coaster.
She laughed again. "It's not so bad. The first time you ride it, it feels like everything is going haywire, but then you kind of get addicted to the thrill of it. It's kind of like relationships."
I smirked. "Oh yeah? Then why don't I feel like things are going haywire with you?"
She smirked back. "Because all three people that have made it haywire are on that coaster, and you and I are over here." We laughed and I gave her a quick kiss. "But seriously, at least go on some of the rides. It's only polite."
"I know it's kiddie stuff, but, genuinely, can I start with the Merry-Go-Round or something?" I asked nervously. "My only experience with this stuff is Roller Coaster Tycoon."
"What's that?"
"It's an economy-based simulation game where you have to-"
"So it's a video game," she told me with a giggle and kissed my cheek.
I pouted. "Yes, it's a video game," I mumbled. "You're doing the thing again."
"What thing?"
"The interrupting thing."
"Oh, right, sorry." She let go of my arm, seeing Crystal coming back from the washroom. "Hey!" she called out, waving to her, face back to stern and leader-y. "The others went on Flashback."
"Of course they did," Crystal mumbled, then looked at me and smiled. "What's wrong, holding out for the Carousel?"
"Yes. Actually yes," I immediately replied.
"No fun, Quinn. C'mon, Taylor sprung for your ticket! Live a little!" Crystal protested.
Morgan turned pink as I whipped my head to look at her. "Taylor sprung f-"
"If you make a big deal about this, I swear to God..." she mumbled, still pink, half-joking and half-serious.
"But why would sh-"
"Quinn, not every 'why,'" she reminded me. "Just see it as a peace offering. Please?"
I could feel my breathing quicken, and realized she was totally right. I nodded, just adding this to the list of 'things that totally didn't make sense that I would figure out later.' The pile was getting annoyingly large.
A short time later, the trio returned. Taylor and Milo were laughing to themselves, and Lexi looked like a lil' ball of electricity.
"I am on fucking fire! Hyaaa!" she exclaimed to the heavens, rooting herself in a power stance. "Holy fucking shit, that was good."
"Hey Lexi," I began, unable to stop myself. "Thank goodness you barely qualified as tall enough to ride, huh?" I gestured to the sign, which asked ride-goers to be at least four feet tall.
Lexi lunged at me, hitting me with her little yet powerful fists, with me defending myself but laughing along the way. The other girls and Milo largely rolled their eyes, not really enjoying the short joke. I figured, if nothing else, Kevin would enjoy the story later.
"Alright, alright," Morgan eventually cut in, separating Lexi from me. "I'll finish the job later for you."
"I'd like to see you try," I replied with a wink in her direction.
"Gross," Milo laughed. "So, what's next?"
"Pandemonium!" Lexi cheered, now completely disconnected from the moment that just happened. "I wanna ride this high until I puke!"
"Remind me why I'm your friend again," Taylor mock-scoffed.
"Sorry that I'm having fun?" Lexi asked facetiously in a charged voice. "C'mon! Pandemoooniummm~!" With that, she ran off towards the next roller coaster.
"So like, who's been giving Lexi sugar?" Taylor jokingly asked.
"This happens every time," Crystal said, mostly to me. "Give her an hour after she rides her first roller coaster of the season and she'll calm down and be like the rest of us again."
"I could do Pandemonium with her," Taylor reasoned. "Like, if she's going, might as well. Who's with me?"
"Sure!" Milo piped up.
"I'm in," Crystal replied.
"Yeah."
The group turned to look at me, but I chose to look at Taylor. I shrugged and replied, "M-might as well rip the band-aid off, right? I'll do it."
Taylor gave a soft giggle and a small smile formed on her face. "Alright, awesome," she said, more in a quiet murmur than anything.
"Are you sure?" Morgan asked, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
I eyed the orange and green coaster. Truthfully, it didn't look as bad as a lot of the others. Still, even lookin at it made me nervous. "Yeah," I mumbled. "I mean, I'm here now."
The group seemed excited that I wanted to try it, which made sense; they were making 'wet blanket' jokes about me since we arrived. Plus, I probably looked scared, and waiting in line watching the coaster and its spinning carts did not help a bit.
I breathed deeply as a ride worker lowered the T-bar. I ended up sitting next to Morgan with two strangers opposite us -- Taylor, Crystal, Lexi and Milo all got in the cart before us. Morgan grabbed my hand and held it, smiling supportively at me.
I smiled guiltily. "I'm not a baby," I defended myself.