Wonder

Wonderlands was a bus and train ride away from the city.

Boasting four different lands aside from the main one with general attractions and rides, Wonderlands had everything from Mazetopia, to Ghosttown, to Animal Kingdom, to Carnival.

"Whoa, looks like they upgraded since I came last time," Magenta looked around in awe.

The outside design of the park was minimal, but beyond the entrance gate the park was a meld of colors and sensory explosions. Young children ran about, splashing each other with water guns, carrying neck fans, their parents chasing after them. Some teen couples and more middle-age people strolled around too, looking at what the park had to offer.

"What did they have when you were here?" Blue asked.

They stood in line to get their entry tickets. The weather neared autumn, and the leaves on the trees around them bloomed in gorgeous orange and red colors. The main color for Wonderlands was blue. They could see the clash between nature and city, both close yet contrasting.

They got their tickets and Magenta skipped along while Blue grinned, following after her.

"Enjoy your visit!" The Ticketmaster beckoned them inside the park.

"They just had Animal Kingdom and the main one!" Magenta looked through the paper map of the theme park.

"It used to be more of an animal zoo park sort of vibe. It's a lot bigger now!" Magenta said.

"More to explore," Blue said.

"More fun," Magenta agreed.

"What should we do first?" Blue asked.

"Maybe the rollercoasters?" Magenta pointed to the biggest rollercoaster, with the theme of a storm. The rollercoaster ride's name was Stormcast. They started at the bottom near the simulated water pond then as the track went higher, they entered the sky and when the ride dropped and went faster, flashes of light representing thunder and lightning on either side blinded their eyes from the camera taking a picture.

Magenta put her hands in the air with a "whee!" and Blue's eyes closed, looking like he was going to puke but keeping it in.

Magenta had not had so much fun in one day for a long time. Her parents had been so busy with work every time she wanted to go they told her to go with her friends but she wanted to go with her parents, not her friends. There was something special about being able to take a family trip. But that day, Blue was all the family Magenta needed.

At the end of the ride, Blue said, "We are not doing that again."

Magenta pointed at Blue and she said, "Wait, you're one of those! You hate rollercoasters!"

Blue shook his head and he said, "I don't hate them, not really. I just like other things more."

"That translates to the rollercoaster hater." Magenta said, her eyes lifting towards the sides as she smiled.

"Anyway, what next?" Blue tried to change the topic.

"Let's go to Ghosttown!" Magenta led the way, releasing Blue for now from teasing.

Blue was impressed that Magenta wanted to try all sorts of things. In school, he already knew she had a wide range of interests academically but never got to know the quirks and the things that made Magenta unique. Now that he got the chance to get to know her better, Blue's affection for her increased.

They reached ghosttown and the atmosphere shifted. A large cloud of machine-generated fog made it hard to see clearly, but perhaps that was the point. They managed to find their way to the Haunted House, stopping right in front of the skeleton at the door.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Blue asked, searching her eyes.

Magenta did not dream of skeletons or ghosts, but of Reese. And as long as Reese wasn't there in that place, she would be okay with Blue. Magenta affirmed that she was fine with going into the Haunted House. But just in case, Blue took her hand in his.

Magenta didn't know what to expect. Maybe vampires, maybe ghosts. But in the end, it was kind of poorly done, with the makeup being too fake on the theme park cast members. Perhaps she had more fun because Blue kept making random ghost puns to calm her down. So she laughed more than screamed.

"What did one ghost say to the other?"

"I can't see you!"

Blue pulled his tongue out and crossed his eyes. Magenta laughed, her hand firmly gripped in his,

"What do ghosts like to do?"

"They like to read BOOks!"

Blue made the second punchline and Magenta let out another laugh. A box sprang open before them, with little jelly spiders falling out. Magenta shrieked and then laughed as Blue took two, stuffing them into his pocket.

"Blue don't, it's probably kinda unclean!" Magenta said when Blue took the jellies out.

"Probably, but it's good for pics," Blue said, taking out his phone.

They took a selfie with their spider jellies in front of the Haunted House.

"Okay, I've chosen too many things. It's your turn!" Magenta said.

"Animal Kingdom?" Blue said.

They decided instead on going to see the circus show since there was only one more showing in the night, and they wouldn't stay that long.

"Should we get some food on the way?" Blue asked Magenta.

They settled on hotdogs and soft drinks, with a side of fries and popcorn. Perfect finger food to watch a show.

The acrobats, dancers, tightrope walkers, clowns, and daredevil acts were all amazing. Their outfits were so cool too. From the sky blue leotards to the black ensemble. The aesthetics, the pyrotechnics, everything was stunning. Blue liked the daredevil acts the best, playing with fire and running and leaping off those huge hamster wheel structures.

What caught Magenta's eye were the two lead dancers. They had perfect chemistry. The female dancer had red hair, like Magenta while the male reminded Magenta of Blue. They started their performance as 'enemies' in rival groups, and then together by the end of it. There were some aerial hoop trapeze performances between the male and female lead. As the end of the show approached, the lead dancers shared a subtle bittersweet kiss at the top above the stage.

Blue noticed Magenta shivering a bit at the cold air conditioner in the circus big-top. He placed an arm around her for body warmth and she looked up. He made a 'cold?' motion and she nodded. Thanking him and happily squeezing closer to him, Magenta leaned into Blue.

The show ended much too soon, and Magenta gushed about the performances as they left the venue.

The ringtone of Blue's phone, a Dustin Tumbler song, rang as they dumped their food containers into the trash can.

Blue picked up the phone and spoke, "Hello?"

The voice that replied shook both Blue and Magenta, who was close enough to hear.