For the First Time

George

Sapnap is like a child zigzagging and bouncing as he takes us from one Disney ride to another. I've lost how many times I've rolled my eyes at him, and Dream simply shrugs, reinforcing that this is our new normal.
Parenting Sapnap, I think. Except when Sap pulls me into his troublemaking and Dream scolds us. Like when we shoved ice in our mouths during the Avatar ride in animal kingdom and taunted the actor in the giant robotic suit-which, in my defense, the guy started it first! All I did was my typical George giggle, and Dream seemed to forgive me.
After we hit a few rides in Animal Kingdom, we go to Hollywood Studios. We're bouncing around in the bus. My feet are killing me, and I can't believe we'll be walking across two more parks.
"Whose genius idea was to do three parks in one day?!"
Sapnap stops scrolling through his phone and smiles. "I figured you two would want the rest of the week together before we leave."
Dream scoffs and slaps him.
"Hey, that's my job!" I shout, punching Sapnap in the arm, making his phone fall off his lap.
We arrive at our stop, and Sap is searching for his phone.
Dream grabs my hand and tugs me off the bus. I can't help but attempt to yank my hand away, but his grip is firm.
When Sapnap shouts victory and rushes off the bus, Dream releases my hand, and I'm both relieved and bereft.
We walk to the gates with Dream leading the way. We each have our matching purple wristbands scanned, then proceed into the park. It's MASSIVE.
"We have to walk through this entire thing?" I whine, unable to stifle a yawn.
Dream pats me on the back. "It'll be fun."
There are people everywhere. Children are screaming and laughing, and adults are bouncing in excitement over various shows and costumed people around the park as we walk along the different rides.
"Where's your tribute?" I ask Dream, elbowing him. "You're just a M I N E C R A F T player."
Sap bursts out laughing. Thankfully, Dream laughs too.
"As if you...." he begins but stops.
Sap looks at him, then at me. The last thing I need is for Dream to go easy on me. Some things have to stay the same.
"Come on then, say it, Clay," I coax.
"C L A Y," he says, mimicking me. I keep my eyebrows held up, and a troublemaking grin appears on his face. "And how many subs do you have?"
With all the force I can muster, I pat him on the back. He winces, and I say, "I knew you had it in you."
***
Sapnap is fake fighting an invisible enemy after we all three broke out in a fight after buying lightsabers.
"My feet are aching," I say, hoping it'll get us home quicker.
We enter another bus, which smells of sweat, AC, and gasoline.
"Just one more thing," Dream says, sitting up and bouncing his leg.
Without thought, I reached out and put my hand on his leg. "S-stop," I say, retracting my hand. "You're making me anxious."
It's a lie. I just wanted to touch Dream. But I can't jump into feeling him whenever my heart desires.
The bus stops quicker than expected, and I flee from my seat.
Dream and Sapnap are on my heels, and we stand before the gate to Magic Kingdom.
The sun is just beginning to dip into the horizon.
"We have to hurry," Dream says, grabbing my hand. I don't have time to complain or pull my hand back because we're racing through the lovely streets glowing with warm, yellow lights.
We twist and duck around and under people. The commotion around the castle is astonishing.
We stop once we've wiggled through the crowd enough, and Sapnap sets up his phone.
"You're streaming this?" I ask, scrunching my nose at him.
"Dude, of course! This is the best show!"
Dream is between us and leans in front of the camera with a peace sign.
Then he pulls away and pulls me close to him, draping his arm over my shoulder. I can't help but tense. I tell myself it's okay. It's okay that we're hugging.
Dream leans down and whispers, "This show is as magical as you are, well almost as magical."
I'm ready to laugh at him or shrug him away. But when I look into his glistening green eyes and the Disney music playing to indicate the show's beginning, my breath is stolen from my lungs.
"Look," he says, and I look up at the castle.
Projected on the castle is a series of scenes and characters from the Disney movies from our childhood.
Tarzan. Baymax. Princess Tiana. Mulan. Rapunzel. Peter Pan. Lion King. Moana. Hercules.
There are so many!
The music shifts and changes with each scene appearing on the castle. I hear sniffling above me but refrain from looking at Dream, trying to ignore the prickling in my eyes. I will not cry!
Sapnap is sniffling, and I see him waving at his viewers.
I focus back on the screen, and the show continues going and blowing me away. In the end, there's an array of fireworks and-
"Tinker bell!" I shout, pointing as she flies-FLIES- from the top of the castle down toward the ground though I don't see her land. "What?!"
Dream looks down at me, and my attention is snapped away from the magical fairy to the magical man staring into my soul.
"Pretty great, huh?" It's dark, but his gaze is intense. "Not as great as you."
"Don't be so cheesy, idiot," I mutter, with what I assume is a dorky smile.
He leans down, grabbing my chin gently. Our noses touch. "I can't help it."
My body automatically pulls closer to him, and our lips brush when I say, "Dream...."
"And that's the end, guys!" Sapnap announces, and Dream pulls away.
Our magic moment is stolen from us, but I'm wired from the show and the people around us, and we make our way back to Dream's car, chatting about the show the whole way back. And all I can think about is how Dream better make up for that missed kiss.