Adrenaline

(5)

(Soap's P.o.V)

"Just push him from your mind, Alex, we'll have fun anyway. He's just a big old sour-pus." I say as we drive down the highway.

She smiles and laughs, and I am beginning to think, that finally, things might be okay between us again.

"So, can you guess where we're going?" I ask.

"Honestly, I have no idea..but you won't tell me, right?"

"Yup!!" I smile. "You know me so well!"

She gives me an angry look, but I know she's holding excitement trapped in a holding cell. She can't wait to find out where we're going.

"Don't worry, we're almost there." I say with a smile.

"Yes!!" She lets out a long sigh. "I can't figure out where we're going an-" She sees the peak of a rollercoaster hill, and looks at me.

"Yes, I am taking you to the amusement park, and I am taking you on a rollercoaster. and you  will  love  it, then and only then, will you tell me how much you love me as we head for a different ride." I say in a melodramatic tone.

"You know I never wanted to go on a rollercoaster and that I never would." She says.

"Too bad! So sad! I am making you go and there's nothing you can do about it. You can either walk on to that ride with your pride and dignity intact, or I will carry you."

"Well, aren't we Mr. Assertive today?" She asks, rolling her eyes.

"Yes, yes we are." I say as I pull into the parking lot.

As we enter the gates, I survey the park, trying to find a good first rollercoaster, I don't want to scar her for life, but I do want her to have some fun. She too is scanning the park, sorting out what she can and can't handle. She may not realize it, but she could ride any of these no sweat. I spot a yellow track line with a few loops, twists and bankings. She should be okay on this.

"This one!!" I yell, taking her hand and dragging her off.

 I sprint towards it, noticing that there's no one in line. "C'mon Alex!! Hurrrryyyy!!" I whine.

 She picks up her speed and I make her sit in the very front.

"Jerk." She mutters under her breath.

I grin and elbow her in the ribs playfully. "You will love it!"

She looks at me nervously. "What if I fall off and die?"

I conceal laughter. "You won't trust me." The ride starts and she is already shaking. "Calm down. There is nothing to be scared of." I slip my hand into hers and she grips it tightly, and I pretend not to notice.

After the first loop, I swear I don't even recognize the girl sitting next to me, she's screaming happily, and laughing, still holding my hand.

"That was amazing!!" She yells excitedly. This time, she drags me off, headed towards the largest rollercoaster in the park. Never in a million years did I think that I she would be daring enough to go on one of the world's largest rollercoasters in the same day she rode her first one. I don't know if I can do this. Either way, I shut my mouth and don't say anything, just for her.

We wait in line and are next to first in line after the first batch of people leaves. I watch as the people slowly become specks in the air and then plummet downwards, spiraling....why spiraling...WHY?!?! I think back and thinking how lucky I am that I barely ate lunch.

Finally the batch of people return and exit. I pray silently, hoping the couple in front of us takes the first seat. Nope, they sit in the middle, much to my demise.

Again, I take Alex's hand, only for my comfort.

She smiles at me. "Thank you for taking me here John." To my surprise, she kisses me on the cheek. this whole ride just became worth it.

____________

Alex Riley's P.o.V

Did I just do that?! Did I just kiss him?! I did...didn't I?? Heh, Niiiiiice.

"Anytime, Alex, anytime!" He says, responding to my thanks.

I look down at our intertwined fingers and decide I like them like that.

The ride lifts us up, higher and higher until I can barley see the people walking. We stop at the top and I start to get nervous, I grip Soap's hand like a vice.

"Don't worry, it will be fine," he says, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me closer. "I'm here." Those are the last things I hear before I am sent spiraling downwards. I squeeze my eyes shut, but am enjoying it.

The ride ends, and we walk off, almost loosing our balance. "Never again?" Soap asks.

"Never again." I repeat.

He smiles and we go off to do some less hardcore stuff.

"Look Alex!! A horse tornado!!" He points to the carousel.

I burst out laughing and get strange looks from random people.

"I am always going to call that a horse tornado from now on." I say, finally gaining composure. 

We head back at dusk, with an angry Ghost waiting on the porch.

"What took you so long?" He asks, standing up.

"Wow..Do you really have no life? Staying on the porch until we get back, that's ridiculous!" I shout.

"I am just trying to protect you Alex, you are my little sister, that's my job!!"

"Oh, pleeeeeaaase!! What are you trying to protect me from?! Him?!" I gesture to Soap.

"No, the boogeyman.. yes him!" He says sarcastically.

Soap looks offended and rubs the back of his neck nervously, feeling awkward.

"Get over yourself, Simon. You are being a jerk." I say and push passed him, Soap following.

I walk in the foyer to discover that no one else has a life either.

"Really?! Eavesdropping? No lives?" I ask, disgusted, and storm off to my dorm.

I put on my sweat pants and hoodie, grabbing my book and climb up to my bed. Soon, I am fully engrossed in my book, only to be disturbed by a knock at the door.

"It's Roach."

"Come in," I call, snapping my book shut.

''Can we talk?" He asks, shutting the door behind him, he sits on the edge of my bed.

"Sure, I don't see why not." I say sitting up.

"Your brother might have something to say about it." He says with a laugh.

"You're telling me!!"

"So, I know why your brother was so upset when you and Soap got back. He has a strong feeling that Soap wants to go back to Scotland, but he won't be man enough to tell you. He is also worried that you might be replacing him."

"Soap's leaving?" I ask in shock.

"No no no noo, Ghost just THINKS that for some reason. No one knows why. Soap has no plans to leave again." He clarifies.

"Ghost thinks I am replacing him?"

"Yea, 'cause Soap and I are his best friends.  Don't say anything about it, he's just being a whiner and he'll get over himself."

I laugh. Roach jumps down and Soap walks in.

"Where's the Wicked Witch of the West?" I ask.

"He's pouting in the comms room." Soap says, closing the door behind Roach. "How was your first day on base?"

"It was pretty fun. The prank war was and will be, awesome, I had lots of fun at the park. and I got to hang out with you."

He smiles at the last part.

"I am glad you had fun Alex..but the fun isn't over yet."