Saying Something Stupid Like "I Love You"

Chapter 2: Amusement Park

(Btw 'italics in between apostrophes' are thoughts "italics in between quotes" are flashbacks/past sentences)

Going to an amusement park seemed like a generally good idea to everyone, they're all still teenagers, and with exams and the phantom realm, they needed to loosen up a little.

It took some planning and convincing.

Of course, Logan's grandparents were reluctant to the idea but after some convincing, they agreed. Ashlyn's parents could never be happier, Ben's parents loved the idea, and Aiden's parents were okay with it. Taylor loved it, she was the one who came up with the idea but Tyler wasn't too happy about it.

Taylor had a private talk with Tyler about the issue because it was more of a personal reason why he didn't want to go, their mom. He didn't like the thought of being so far from her, he worried. "What if she forgets to take her meds? What if she forgets to eat?" But in the end, he gave in after Taylor reassured him. "When has mom ever forgotten to eat, Ty? She'll be fine, you of all people need to relax."

The next problem was the transportation. Tyler was the designated driver but his car wasn't big enough for all of them only having 5 seats, unless they wanted to be pulled over, they had to think of something else. It was either using Aiden's family van or taking the bus to the street closest to the amusement park and walking from there. Aiden's parents were visiting for the week and when Aiden asked if they could use the van, they had to make sure Tyler knew how to drive.

Tyler drove them around like a chauffeur for 2 days before they decided he could be trusted. To Tyler, it felt like his driving exam all over again with just ten times more pressure.

On Saturday, they all met up at Tyler's house. The twins and Logan left their bikes and scooters in the garage and Ashlyn got dropped off.

"Here," Aiden's dad handed the van keys to Tyler, "I trust you will return it in this state, correct?" He questions, arms crossed and Tyler nods. "Of course," Tyler replied, he already feared the consequence of getting even a speck of dirt on the van and of course, it just had to be white.

Getting inside, he took notice of the beige-colored seats and matting that was a shade darker. 'Beige parents...' He thought as he entered. He adjusted the seat and the rear-view mirror before using the mirror to look at the back. Two seats, one behind his and the other behind the passenger's seat. The middle contained an armrest similar to the front but was unable to open. Behind were two more seats but connected. He watched Aiden fold one of the seats, letting Ben and Logan enter the back, Aiden unfolded it and sat down, closing the door.

Tyler suddenly hears the passenger door open, he's about to speak, expecting Taylor only to see Ashlyn. He turned around quickly, facing the road. He glanced at the rear-view mirror, watching Taylor sit beside Aiden who pulled out a game board from his bag and set it up on the armrest.

'That's why Ashlyn's sitting here...' Tyler huffs and starts the car.

—

Ashlyn tampered with a Rubik's cube before setting it down, they've been on the highway for a while now.

She glances at Tyler and clears her throat. "Where did you get your car?" Ashlyn questions. Tyler glances at her, their eyes meeting for a second. "Uhm, it was my dad's car," He explains, "He got a work car once me and Tay got our licenses." Tyler adds, "He works, uh, a lot." Ashlyn nods understandingly. 'I don't know what to say...' She panics in her head.

'Think of another topic, what topic? Oh, wait,' Ashlyn shifts in her seat, "Uhm, so do you like roller coasters? Or, like, amusement parks in general?" She asks and watches Tyler shrug. "Well, I've never been a huge fan of them," Tyler answers before wearing a soft grin, "Of course, Tay's the opposite, she's loves them." Ashlyn fell silent.

'He's smiling... again,' Ashlyn thinks back to the night they got the keys to her dad's jeep, she saw Tyler smile for the first time and it made her feel all these kinds of emotions and a strange fuzzy feeling in her stomach. Sure, she's felt it once or twice whenever their eyes locked or their shoulders touched but seeing him like that made the feeling twice as strong.

'He looks so... Ah, I can't think of a word,' She turns away, 'I can't think of a word, Tyler looks so... What word describes him best? I can't think of a word–'

"Ashlyn? What about you?" Tyler asks, the car slowing down as they approach a T intersection. "Ash?" He turns to her. "What? Oh, uhm, I've never been on one," She clears her throat, "So I can't say anything." Tyler looks away, nodding, eyes focusing back on the road as the car turns right.

—

"There!" Taylor pointed at the roller coast with the drop that Ashlyn was sure it was a 90-degree drop. "Let's go on that one! Come on!" Taylor rushes to locate it.

The fact they could see the roller coaster from far away made Ashlyn even more worried about it.

They all followed Taylor to the roller coaster, with Logan pointing out a few wrong turns, but they made it to the roller coaster at some point.

Aiden cheered, "Good idea, Taylor! Let's ride the biggest one first!"

Ashlyn stared with a face Tyler couldn't explain, she seemed scared almost but it wasn't exactly scared but nervous. It's like he was watching Ashlyn stand in front of something she'd call certain death.

"Scared?" Tyler scoffs, approaching her. Ashlyn glances at Tyler before she looks down, "Uh, I..." She clears her throat, "I don't know... It doesn't seem, uhm, safe." She looks at him, their eyes locking. Tyler crosses his arms, "Trust me, it's not going to be that bad." He looks back at the ride, listening to the screams of the people dropping. 'I hope,' He thinks.

Tyler looks back at Ashlyn, she still seems uncertain now staring at Aiden and Taylor who waited at the start of the line. Ben and Logan already made their decision to do anything but get on the ride so they were waiting for Tyler and Ashlyn's answer.

Ashlyn fiddles with her hands, "Uhm, are you going on?" She asks, not looking back at him. "Yeah but you know no one's forcing you, right?" Tyler assures her, "Don't go if you don't feel like it." Ashlyn nods before sighing. "Let's go," She says, approaching the line and Tyler follows.

As they lined up behind a gate watching the cart arrive, Ashlyn was glad when she found out there were 4 seats per row, this meant she could ride with all her friends. The gates opened and Tyler nudged Ashlyn as they got on. "Ashlyn," He starts, "If you ever get scared, you could always hold my hand." He smirks at Ashlyn and she nods. "Yeah, thanks," She says as she sits down but she realizes she is sitting on the end.

"Actually, can you sit on the end?" She looks at him and he nods. Ashlyn was now in between the twins.

'She totally ignored me!' Tyler died of embarrassment knowing Aiden and Taylor heard him.