Breakaway

Chapter 8

We make it through Superman and a couple of other rides without issue, thank God. The whole time, I try to find Ethan's weakness when it comes to rides. Grayson tries to help me out a little bit, but eventually comes to the conclusion that he doesn't have one. However, Ethan assures us that he does and I'm left on my own trying to solve the mystery. 

Finally, after surviving Batman, I finally am able to ride my favorite ride. Looking at Vertical Velocity, I'm fueled with a sudden adrenaline rush that makes me feel like I could conquer anything in the world. Which I'm now convinced I can, thanks to riding Giant Drop and getting stuck on it, but that's beside the point. 

"Vertical Velocity, anyone?" asks Grayson. 

"Duh. It's my favorite ride!" I tell him.

"Mine, too," he says, and he does his lip thing that makes my heart flutter in my chest.

"Of course it is, lovebirds," says Ethan, playfully rolling his eyes. 

"Shut up!" I yell at him.

"Why? Being like me isn't such a bad thing, is it?" says Grayson, pulling me into a hug.

"Of course not," I say, and Ethan scoffs.

"Let's just get in line, okay, lovebirds?" he says, pulling the two of us into the line.

The line is really short today, so soon we're next in line for the ride. Grayson and I are supposed to be going together on the ride, and Ethan is supposed to ride in the row in front of us alone. But I begin to notice that he's tapping his foot, trying his best to look nonchalant. 

"Ethan? Are you okay?" I ask him.

"Not really!" he says, slightly hysterical, looking at me with sparkling eyes. 

"Why? What's wrong?" Grayson asks, seeming worried about his brother.

"You know how you were looking for my weakness? This is it. I'm actually pretty terrified of this, and now you're making me go alone!" shouts Ethan.

"Aw, Ethan! It's gonna be okay!" says Grayson playfully.

"Grayson, stop it!" I say, reaching over the bar to hold Ethan's hand. 

"KP, will you ride with me?" he asks, completely serious.

"Sure, Ethan. I'll ride with you, if that will make it easier," I say.

"It will," he says in a small voice.

I duck under the bar just as the gates are opening, allowing us onto the ride. It's time for Ethan to face his fear, just like he made Grayson and I do. 

"Ready, Ethan?" I ask him.

He squeezes his eyes shut.

"You'll protect me?" 

"Always," I tell him, and we board.