Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 13: Escape to the Amusement Park

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The neon lights of the amusement park glowed against the twilight sky, casting a colorful, dreamlike haze over everything. The air was filled with the scent of sweet cotton candy and buttery popcorn, blending with the distant sound of cheerful music and the delighted screams of people on rides. As Narae stepped through the entrance gates, a sense of excitement bubbled up inside her, pushing away the lingering shadows of school and all its troubles.

Today was about fun. Nothing else.

Beside her, Jungwoo was practically bouncing on his feet, his tall frame making him an easy figure to spot in the crowd. His grin was wide, and his eyes sparkled with mischief, the kind that usually led to wild ideas and endless laughter. They hadn't done something like this in a long time, and Narae could already feel her spirits lifting just by being in his presence.

"Where should we start?" Jungwoo asked, turning to Narae with a gleam in his eyes. He pointed toward a nearby ride, a massive roller coaster with looping tracks that twisted and turned high above their heads. "How about that one? I bet you'll scream louder than the people at the front."

Narae scoffed, playfully nudging him with her elbow. "I don't scream that easily."

"Is that a challenge?" Jungwoo raised an eyebrow, his grin growing even wider.

"If you're up for it," Narae shot back, her smile matching his. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so light, so free. The park's vibrant energy was infectious, and for the first time in weeks, she wasn't thinking about school, or Haechan, or the prying eyes of her classmates. Here, among the swirling lights and bustling crowds, she felt like herself again.

They made their way to the roller coaster, and as they waited in line, Jungwoo kept up a steady stream of jokes and comments, his enthusiasm never waning. He pointed out the exaggerated expressions of fear on the faces of those who got off the ride, narrating their probable thoughts in a dramatic voice that had Narae clutching her stomach in laughter.

When it was their turn, they climbed into the front car, fastening their seat belts. Narae glanced over at Jungwoo, who gave her a thumbs-up, his smile infectious. As the ride started to move, Narae felt a thrill shoot through her veins. The coaster climbed higher and higher, the world around them shrinking until the people below looked like tiny dots. The anticipation built, every click of the chain pulling them up making her heart beat faster.

And then they were falling.

Narae's hair whipped around her face as the coaster plunged downwards, her laughter mixing with the wind rushing past her ears. She raised her hands, feeling the pull of gravity in her stomach, the exhilarating sensation of freefall. Next to her, Jungwoo was shouting something, his voice lost to the roar of the ride and the collective screams of the passengers. Narae could only laugh harder, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much.

When the ride finally came to a stop, they stumbled out of the car, breathless and giddy. Narae's heart was still racing, but she felt alive in a way she hadn't in a long time. She glanced at Jungwoo, who was shaking his head in amazement.

"That was awesome!" he said, his eyes wide with excitement. "Did you see that loop? I swear, I thought we were gonna fly right out of our seats!"

Narae nodded, her laughter bubbling up again. "Don't know about you, but I think I won that challenge. I didn't scream once."

Jungwoo pouted, crossing his arms. "Yeah, yeah. But only because you were too busy laughing. You cheated."

"Not my fault you're not funny enough to make me scream," Narae teased, and Jungwoo playfully shoved her.

They wandered through the park, trying out different rides, stopping to play carnival games, and sampling every snack they came across. They rode the Ferris wheel, sharing a peaceful moment as they reached the top, the entire park stretching out below them in a sea of lights. Narae leaned against the side of their cabin, feeling the cool evening breeze on her face, her heart still light.

"This is nice," she said softly, glancing over at Jungwoo. "I needed this."

Jungwoo nodded, his expression softening. "I know. You've been too stressed lately. It's good to see you having fun."

Narae didn't respond, but she felt a warmth spread through her chest. Jungwoo always seemed to know exactly what she needed, often before she even realized it herself. They had been close since they were kids, their bond more like that of siblings than cousins. With him, she never had to pretend, never had to hide her true feelings.

After the Ferris wheel, they made their way to the food stalls, where Jungwoo insisted on getting a giant funnel cake covered in powdered sugar and strawberries. They sat at a nearby picnic table, digging into the treat, the sweet flavor bursting on Narae's tongue.

"So," Jungwoo said between bites, "what's been going on with you lately? I mean, besides the obvious. You've been kind of... distant."

Narae sighed, her good mood dimming slightly. "It's just school stuff. You know how it is."

"Is it that guy? The one from your science project? What's his name again... Haechan?"

Narae's fork paused halfway to her mouth, and she set it down, the mention of Haechan bringing a familiar weight to her chest. "Yeah. Him. But I don't want to think about it tonight. Let's just enjoy the park, okay?"

Jungwoo studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. But if you ever want to talk, I'm here. Even if it's just to complain about how annoying he is."

Narae smiled, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks, Jungwoo."

They spent the rest of the evening exploring every corner of the park. They tried their luck at the ring toss, with Jungwoo narrowly missing a giant stuffed bear that he promised he'd win for Narae next time. They braved the haunted house, with Narae jumping at every spooky noise, and Jungwoo laughing so hard he had to hold his sides. By the time they reached the bumper cars, Narae's face hurt from smiling so much, her earlier worries completely forgotten.

As the night came to a close, they found themselves back near the entrance, watching the fireworks show that marked the park's closing. The sky exploded in brilliant colors, the loud booms and crackles resonating through the air. Narae tilted her head back, her eyes wide with wonder as the lights reflected in her gaze. Beside her, Jungwoo let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.

"This was a good day," Narae said softly, her voice almost lost in the noise of the fireworks.

"Yeah," Jungwoo agreed, his tone matching hers. "It was."

For those few hours, the world outside the park didn't exist. There was no Haechan, no school, no whispers or judgmental looks. Just laughter, joy, and the comfort of being with someone who understood her. As they made their way back to the car, Narae felt a sense of contentment settle over her, the kind that she hadn't felt in weeks.

They drove home with the radio turned up, singing along to old songs, their voices off-key and filled with happiness. As the lights of the amusement park faded into the distance, Narae knew that she would carry the memory of this night with her, a bright spot in the midst of everything else.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like things were going to be okay.

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1244 words