𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 | ⁿⁱᶜʰᵒˡᵃˢ ᶜʰᵃᵛᵉᶻ

40 | emotion coaster

Taby, Nicholas, Cooper and I had started hanging out more often, and it felt like our days were packed with endless adventures. One day, we'd be sneaking into late night showings at the cinema, laughing so hard that the popcorn would spill everywhere, and the next, we'd be on the tennis court, none of us really knowing what we were doing but making a competition out of it anyway. Museums were no different us pretending to understand the art, adding ridiculous comments to every painting, or trying not to get scolded for being a little too loud.

The four of us felt like a group of chaos, but it was the best kind. It was weird somehow. Remembering how much me and Nicholas used to despise each other felt unreal. I couldn't even count the number of times I'd wished I'd never have to be in the same room as him. But now, there we were, practically having actual fun.

I mean, he used to drive me insane. The eye rolls, the constant insults at each other, the way he'd seem to be so annoyingly confident about everything I never thought we'd be in this place, sharing real laughs and adventures. Now, I couldn't imagine these moments without him.

It was funny how much things had changed, how people could shift from enemies to... whatever we were now. friends I guess.

And here we were, together again, this time at an adventure park. The energy in the air was incredible, with kids running around, laughter coming from every direction, and the distant sounds of roller coasters clanking as they climbed toward their inevitable, thrilling drops.

Taby had already dragged Cooper toward the bumper cars, both of them shouting playful threats about who would crash into whom. Nicholas and I lingered behind, taking in the chaos of the park. It was the kind of place that made you feel like a kid again, even if you were trying to act all mature.

Nicholas nudged me with his elbow, a teasing grin on his face. "You ready to scream your lungs out?" He nodded toward the biggest roller coaster in sight, a monstrous rollercoaster that twisted and looped in ways that made my stomach drop just from looking at it.

I raised an eyebrow at him, trying to hide the fact that my heart was already racing. "I don't scream," I shot back, folding my arms over my chest.

His grin widened, and he leaned in just a blink second. "I can change that."

I playfully nudged him and rolled my eyes. The teasing between us never stopped though. It was the thing that kept our connection alive.

As we got in the rollercoaster I tried to play it cool but when the coaster started climbing higher and higher, my confidence cracked.

I let out a nervous laugh. "Okay, maybe this wasn't such a great idea."

He glanced over. "Too late, Rivera," he said, and then the ride took off. I screamed, he laughed, and for those few moments, it felt like nothing else in the world mattered. Just the thrill, the laughter, and us. I held onto him tightly, not caring if he noticed it.

When the ride finally ended, and we stumbled off, breathless and full of adrenaline, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. Nicholas joined in, our laughter blending into the noise of the park.

"You owe me for this," I said, still trying to catch my breath.

"Oh, I owe you?" He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I think you owe me literally breaking my arm."

Taby interrupted us, dragging Cooper along. "Guys, new plan. Let's play laser tag!" she announced, practically vibrating with excitement.

Cooper groaned, but there was a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You just want an excuse to shoot me," he teased, giving her a playful glare.