If Things Should Stay the Same

Chapter 12: Stars

"It feels weird being in the Eye of Verity after all these years again," Alex said as he sat down with a sigh.

"Why is that so, Master Alexander?" Joshua inquired, facing the young master on the opposite side of the circular seating. He was not quite sure what Alex was getting to with that statement or why the latter was giving the entire observation wheel cabin a sweeping glance as if studying every small detail in the immediate area.

The cabin itself was spacious enough to allow a maximum of ten people at a time but Alex had declined any further passengers to board the cabin they were already in – much to the annoyance of the female officer in charge of the structure. In the middle of the area and surrounded by installed seating was a round table, its white paint slightly chipping off at the edges. A transparent plastic stand for leaflets found its place on its center alongside a miniature porcelain vase containing an arrangement of fresh flowers.

It gave off a feeling similar to being in a restaurant floating up high in the air. Except that beyond the window, instead of a view of clustered skyscrapers in the city or a view overlooking a cliff above the ocean, it was a view that once pumped adrenaline into their nerves as children: the view of the entire amusement park.

"Well, ever since we were young, it has always been..." For a moment, Alex faltered, looking unsure of how to continue his sentence. "Well... it's like it doesn't really change much. Except for the maintenance and the occasional renovation, maybe?" He then turned his gaze to the window as their cabin started to rise again, the dull humming of the electric motors coming from outside.

Joshua paused to think for a moment before he replied, completely at a loss on how to approach the topic of the conversation. "Buildings don't age, Master, if that's what you're getting to," he said, voicing out his perspective on the matter. Neither an opponent nor a supporter, Joshua simply viewed change with indifference, believing that it was an inevitable occurrence for him and many others to adapt to.

As the two young men looked out of the window, the initial scene that met them was what they had already seen at ground level. The lengthy queue for the Eye of Verity, the entrance halls of various rollercoasters, the children pointing and laughing at each other on the merry-go-round, the people flocking at the many booths and stalls.

The cabin slowly increasing in altitude, the view outside changed to reveal them the entire size and length of the rollercoasters as well as the vibrant colored roofs of the flat rides and the many booths and stalls littered across the amusement park. The people looked like tiny ants – some scurrying all over the place, some idly congregating at a rest space, the majority leisurely traversing across the streets.

"Joshua, how long was it since we've been here again?" Alex asked, turning to face his companion with a nostalgic look on his face.

It was rare to see Alex show this particular side of him.

To Joshua, Alex was like and unlike many of the stereotypical rich kids he had met in the events the household hosted as well as in educational institutions. Similar to many of their classmates back in high school, Alex often appeared confident and aloof. He exuded his significantly privileged upbringing when he demonstrated extensive knowledge in fine arts, dexterity to participate in the more refined of sports, and excellence with his performance in the field of academics.

It was something that Joshua viewed as utterly exhausting to keep up with. It could only be worse when in the presence of other children from wealthy families who all shared an affinity in competitively bragging in each other's faces on what their latest and greatest achievements were.

However, what separated Alex from the other brattier students was his open-mindedness and empathy to others – especially those who came from a lower background. Always ready to lend a helping hand or even start a friendly conversation with just about anyone, Alex had never been one to judge people by their social standing despite his outward appearance and mannerisms.