Chapter Eleven

Madeline’s POV

What was that?

Can someone please tell me how to navigate my mind?

I mean, it felt like such a blur. There are so many emotions swirling inside of me and so many questions left unanswered. The strange thing is, I don’t mind the mystery this time. All the feelings and memories I’ve just received seem positive. Well, mostly.

I have no idea what just transpired, but I’m okay with it.

I shake my head lightly and readjust to the dim light of the pre-rollercoaster ride. All the while Andrew stares at me in shock, worried.

Wait-

I can’t- I can’t worry him. He’ll just think my condition is even worse and try to take me home!

I was doing so well. NO. No negative thoughts. I’m fine, we should- we can fix this. This date isn’t over yet, I can still make sure he has fun.

“Oh cool, we’re on!” I smile shakily, gripping onto the metallic bar for dear life. Only then do I realize the quiver in my voice and excited tremors running through my hands.

Just. Breathe.

Over a dozen visitors start to fill in the seats behind us and a worker explains the safety precautions. The usual, “Tuck arms and legs in the vehicle at all times-”and so forth.

I take a deep breath just as the coaster car starts to move forward slowly. The anticipation is exhilarating. Not quite like the attack I had earlier, or the minor flood of emotions prior, this actually feels right.

Maybe it’s because I can see the loops, I can see the dips, turns, and hills. I’m in enough control to know where I’m headed and where I’ll exit.

Maybe it’s because I know with every drop comes the next slope. That no matter how many jerky twists and violent flips, I’ll enjoy every second.

Or maybe it’s because many others have enjoyed this ride and have gotten out safely. I can always keep their experiences in mind whenever I’m facing doubts.

Our car reaches the top of a steep, hill-like loop. A rush of panic spikes through my mind before being replaced by overwhelming excitement.

And most importantly, I’m not riding this roller coaster alone.

The car drops with such vigor I feel my heart palpitate out of my chest and my breath become stolen to the wind. My hair cascades across the wind, with some loose strands escaping and choosing to adorn my face. The sinking feeling is intense, but the view is completely worth it. The ocean sparkles like dozens of sapphires washing up on the shore. Each and every person below makes my mind wander.

How insignificant is my life in a sea of others?

But before I can think another dismal thought, I’m swept away by the breeze and scooped up without a care.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

What the-

Andrew?!

I turn to see his terror-stricken face, eyebrows raised and mouth wider than the ocean around us. His screams are almost masked by the many other shouts that follow behind us. Almost.

If not for the commotion, I would burst into laughter and rush to take a picture of this glorious sight that’s graced my eyes. It seems I enjoy the spectacular sights more than the ride. And by “sights” I don’t just mean the ocean or the fair below us.

Andrew’s hair sticks out in all directions and I can only imagine what horrid form my own hair’s in. The car eases and Andrew stops screaming just as the ride slows, steadily approaching the next hill.

Expecting the next dip, I clutch the metal bar in front of us with one hand.

Wait.

One hand?

Looking down, I notice soft fingertips brushing against mine, holding on for dear life. Andrew’s hand wrapping delicately around my hand in a protective and vulnerable embrace.

Ha.

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Andrew’s POV

I don’t consider myself a paranoid person.

I’m not afraid of heights.

I’m not afraid of death.

I’m not afraid of spid- actually, don’t mind that last one.

Point is, I don’t usually screech like an inflatable rubber chicken being squashed by an enormous elephant. This isn’t how I usually act, but now Madeline will forever remember this moment as my reaction to a rollercoaster on our “first date”.

I almost miss the old Madeline. Almost.

If this is what I planned for “starting a new” then my role must’ve been Madeline’s scaredy-cat boyfriend. Ughhhh.

I’m not yelling because I’m scared. I’m yelling because I didn’t expect it. Sure, we were over two hundred feet in the air over a large, vast beach that leads to the open-ended ocean, but I’m not scared. I just didn’t expect to be dropped so quickly, so violently, so… casually.

Maybe that’s what scares me. The fact that I know where I’m going but I can never stop the car. I know where I’m headed but can’t pause to take a breath. I know that I’ll be safe, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering who has my back.

After a few more turns, a couple more loops, and what feels like a hundred more dips, we’re off the ride. Together, we unbuckle our seatbelts and shakily exit the ride. As soon as Madeline escapes the car, she jumps on the balls of her feet and pulls me with her. I wobble out, unbalanced, as I try to catch my breath which has seemingly escaped me sometime during the ride.

“95% confident, huh Mr. mechanical engineer?” She prods at my shoulder jokingly. Only then do I notice our intertwined fingertips, evidence of my uncertainty and the result of my impulsiveness. Eye growing wider by the second, I resist the urge to cover my growing blush with the sleeve of my jacket.

“Wh- hey!” I laugh and poke her back gently. She laughs before looking around cautiously.

The long lines move forward as our party moves on, the chaotic flow of humans packing into an inadequate amount of space, each seeking enjoyment. I notice the way Madeline barely inches closer to my jean jacket. Barely, but nevertheless, still noticeable.

“Hey, if you want we can find a quiet place to eat after we’ve found food!” I suggest, to which she nods gratefully. We then proceed to look around for food trucks or vendor, hand in hand.