My Sunshine

Chapter 6: Winter

For as long as I can remember, I've always loved roller coasters. There was something about the wind blowing through my hair and the thrill of the twists and turns that made me feel so alive.

My family had always ruined the experience, though. After I'd gotten my license last year when I was 16, it was the biggest relief to be able to go wherever, whenever I wanted to without my parents or Ace.

"Have you ever been to Pacific Park?" I asked Zach.

After Zach had woken me up by calling me at the ungodly hour of 9 in the morning, he'd waited outside my hotel so we could walk on the beach together.

I'd been looking into attractions in Santa Monica and found an amusement park called Pacific Park in the Santa Monica Pier. There was no way in hell that I was going with my crazy ass family and I didn't want to have to sit next to some stranger on the rides, so I thought who else to ask but Zach?

"Sunshine, I've lived in Santa Monica for the past ten years. Of course I've been to Pacific Park." He replied giving me a stupid look.

"Alright, alright. Jeez, smartass, I was just asking."

"Oh so you think I'm smart?" Zach teased, bumping his shoulder with mine.

"Don't flatter yourself." I sneered, but Zach only smiled at me.

"Why do you ask about Pacific Park?"

"I was thinking about going, I really love roller coasters. But I don't want to go with my family, they're absolutely psychotic. If I was going to deal with them, I'd have to be drunk, but I think my brother took that excuse already."

"Wow, okay then. I know how you feel, my family isn't too great either. That is if you could even consider us a family." A bitter expression took over Zach's features.

"Well, if I'm not going with my family, I was wondering if you'd go with me. Isn't that what friends do? Go places together?" I said, trying to change the subject.

It worked. Zach turned to me with a smile. "I'd love to, Sunshine. Feel free to hold on to me if you get too scared on the roller coaster." He responded with a wink.

"Oh, please, the only thing that scares me that bad is your face." I laughed out, splashing some water at him with my foot.

"Oh you asked for it!" He exclaimed, shaking off the water and chasing me into the ocean.
          ~
"Which one should we ride first?" I questioned, unfolding the map I got at the entrance of Pacific Park.

Zach grabbed the map from my hands and threw it into a garbage can beside us. "We don't need a map, Sunshine. Besides, those things are confusing as hell. I'm your tour guide tonight."

"Oh, lucky me." I murmured sarcastically.

"Why do you hate me so much, Sunshine?" Zach asked with a look of mock hurt.

"Because you're so hateable." I replied with a laugh. "I'm just kidding, Zach. I don't think I could hate you even if I wanted to."

My eyes widened. Shit! What the hell had I just said? Dammit, you are so bad at acting like a friend, Winter.

Zach paused for a second, but I didn't dare look at him. "Good to know, Sunshine. Just try not to fall in love with me, will you? I've already got too many girls doing that." Zach teased, lacing his fingers with mine.

I looked down at our intertwined hands and up to Zach's face, raising an eyebrow. I quickly removed my hand from his grasp. "I know I'm irresistible, but refrain from the hand holding, will you? I've already got too many guys doing that." I mimicked.