The Breakfast Club - Monday Morning

Chapter 8

After a half an hour ride, with little said except occasional comments about the mixed tape John popped into the cassette player, they pulled into the parking lot of Great America.

"We're going to an amusement park?" Claire marveled as the Sky Whirl spun into sight above the tree line. She hadn't been to Great America since a class trip in the seventh grade.

"Yup," he grinned.

"There are tons of people at amusement parks. I thought you said no one would be watching."

"No one will be watching us. Besides, it's not officially open yet, doesn't open to the public for a few weeks."

She eyed him, then turned to take in the entrance of the amusement park. She could clearly see people on the rides. "If it's not officially open yet, who are all those people?"

"Employee's families and other honored guests." He air-quoted honored guests, then for a moment looked vulnerable, as though afraid of her reaction. "My cousin works here, he said I could swing by if I wanted." He opened the car door and launched out of it in a rush. "It's stupid, I know," his voice carried back to her as she did the same.

"No," she smiled over the roof of the car. It didn't seem quite so wide this time. "It's not stupid. I think it'll be fun."

He leaned against the car and lit a cigarette, giving her a look that made her wonder if he was smirking or smiling at her. "Yeah? Do you know what would make it even more fun?"

"What?"

He slammed his door and walked around to meet her, offering a hand. "Breaking in."

She hesitated, then took his hand. "Breaking into a place we're invited to go for free?"

"Yup," he put on his shades and smirked. "I want you to try being bad again. You in?"

She didn't hesitate a second time. "Yes."

They did have a great time. Breaking in was easy, John knew of a place the fence was broken behind the Whizzer roller coaster and they just waltzed in. It felt a little dangerous, but only mildly so, enough to give Claire a buzz without crossing the line into worrying.

None of the food stands were open, since it was only a practice weekend for employee's families, but pizza had been delivered and was available at booths around the park. Claire was starving since she'd missed lunch, and John laughed when she scarfed down her third piece. "You must have to eat a lot of that sushi of yours to stay full." She tried to punch him in the arm, but missed and almost dropped her pizza. He stayed out of reach until she finished.

She laughed at him when he could barely walk in a straight line after riding the Tilt-O-Whirl, and he did the same when she had to cradle her head in her hands after the Spider. They rode every roller coaster, holding hands and screaming hysterically, and he made her snort through her nose laughing when he spent the entire swing ride trying to gain enough momentum to kick her. He snuck a cigarette at the top of the Sky Whirl and pretended he was going to jump off at the top, stopping the charade only when she pulled him back into their seat and linked her arm through his. "I'm holding you captive for your own good," she claimed. They didn't say much the rest of that ride, but he smiled a lot.

"What do you want to do next?" she asked as they walked.

"I don't know, I haven't been here since I was a kid on a school trip, and we only have about a half hour left before they close."