Melodies of a stranger

Chapter 4

The next morning, Ruth text Maxi inviting her out the following weekend to a theme park which she accepted. After carefully inspecting the contents of her wardrobe twice, she eventually settled on wearing a green top with cold shoulders and jeans that were easy to move around in.

As Max arrived at the train station, she spotted Ruth leaning against a pillar to the side of the ticket machine, yawning. He smiled at her as he saw her approaching and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

"Good morning, how are you feeling today?"

Maxi's eyes went wide and felt herself blush at the contact. He had obviously shaved that morning and a hint of his cologne remained on her skin where their cheeks had touched. He smelt good.

She licked her lips, stalling for a second to let her thoughts catch up "I'm great... what's the plan today?"

"I've already bought our train tickets. There's a coffee kiosk on the platform, do you fancy something while we wait for the train."

Max nodded as he handed her a ticket. They made their way over to the platform where Maxi insisted on buying both of their drinks. As she handed Ruth his triple espresso, she asked "How come you're so tired today?"

"It's my usual state these days to be honest. I don't sleep particularly well at the best of times. I really should get a new mattress, my current one makes me feel like I'm sleeping on a pile of books." As if to prove his point Ruth stretched out his back with an audible click.

"Ouch, that sounded painful. Make sure you're looking after yourself properly."

Ruth shot her a bemused look as he took a sip of his coffee. "Don't worry about me, I look after my body like a precious jewel."

As they travelled to the theme park, Maxi was pleasantly surprised at how easily conversation flowed between the two of them. They bantered back and forth, Ruth teasing Maxi about being clumsy after she almost fell between the train and the platform, Maxi teasing Ruth about how his hair looked like he had been dragged backwards through a hedge.

When they arrived at the park, they closely inspected the map looking at all of the rides. Max spoke with giddiness in her voice "I haven't been here in years. Look at all the new rides! I don't know where to start... ooh how about that one? It's an old favourite of mine and it's popular, so the queue is going to be awful in a few hours."

Ruth nodded as the two made their way across the park. Soon a mass of twisted metal came into view. Max squeaked in excitement as she grabbed hold of his wrist and dragged him to the ride entrance. Fortunately, as the park had not long opened, they were able to reach the front of the queue in a few minutes.

Ruth glanced up and down the gates. "Where do you want to sit? Did you want to go near the front?"

Max shook her head "Everyone thinks the front is better because of the view, but you get the best experience in the back as you go down the drops faster."

Just as she finished speaking the gates opened to let the people in front of them onto the ride. Max hurried down and managed to snag the very last carriage. Soon they took their seats, and the restraints lowered over their heads. As they were raised up the incline Max released a giggle as the familiar butterflies in her stomach began to dance around.

They both screamed as they were catapulted over the first drop and around the loop-de-loop. Max held up her hands and felt the wind rushing through her fingers as she laughed joyously. In the years since she had last been here, she had completely forgotten just how much she enjoyed the rush that came from riding a rollercoaster.