DARLING • DYLAN O'BRIEN

053 HOT AIR BALLOON

"Are we supposed to be up this high?" Meghan grabbed my elbow and pulled me closer.

"Well, it is a hot air balloon, we're supposed to go up in the air." I laughed but also wrapped my arm around her shoulder because I knew how terrified she was of heights. 

"This is so pretty." Holland gushed as we gazed out onto the city, admiring the feeling of being free and tranquil. 

"I want this feeling to last forever," Tyler P whispered from beside me, I laid my head on his shoulder in response. This was something I could agree on, this feeling allowed us all to be removed temporarily from the harsh reality of society, allowing us to relax and enjoy the time being surrounded by each other's company. 

Froy began singing I Believe I Can Fly with the rest of the group joining along, though it sounded awful I could not help myself but smile. 

"Look, guys," Cody pointed at a point on the ground, "they're making a heart with their bodies."

We all brought our attention to where Cody was pointing with some struggling to do so. It was hard to tell exactly how many, but a group of people were laying on the ground at some park and were creating a heart with their bodies. We all laughed due to it being crooked and not really looking like much of a heart. 

"I still can't see it," Tyler P whined, leaning over the edge of the basket more to get a better look. The supervisor warned Tyler P about being reckless and that he should not be leaning over the basket causing us to all laugh once again at the annoyed look on Tyler P's face as he still could not find the heart. 

"This is surprisingly not as scary as I thought. Sir, has anyone died by a failed hot air balloon?" Froy looked over to the man who was in control, whos face was in shock at the sudden question. Meghan hit Froy and sent him a dirty look.

"Don't listen to him, no one dies on these things," I reassured her even though I knew it was a lie. 

Seeing the petrified look on Meghan's face, the supervisor seemed quite unsure of how to answer the question. "Um, fortunately, not with our company." 

"You're about to be the first one if you ask another question like that, look, you scared Meghan," Cody flicked Froy's forehead.

"What do you mean I scared her? She was already scared anyway," Froy added with a rather clueless tone. I rolled my eyes at his stupidness but smiled nonetheless because I knew he was literally unaware. 

"Froy I suggest just keeping your mouth shut for the rest of the ride," Shelley interjected.

"Or the entire trip," Holland joked. Froy glared at both the girls and in response decided to stick his tongue out. 

"Very mature, Froy." Tyler H rolled his eyes at Froy and turned back around to admire the view. We all collectively decided that ignoring Froy at this moment was probably a better idea since we were up so high and did not want to start a war. 

"This is so beautiful, I'm in so much shock that I have nothing else to say," Everyone hummed in agreement. I felt so free and like nothing else in the world mattered. The atmosphere here was exhilarating yet so calming. The breeze sweeping past our faces, the fresh smell and the stunning view. It was so surreal. 

"Also, dibs not buying drinks after," Tyler P spoke up after a few minutes of relaxing silence. 

"We were getting drinks?" Holland asked.

"Well, we said we would just go with the flow on this trip and not have a plan so I suggest we go get some boba tea after," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. 

"I'm up for it, but I also dibs not buying," Froy agreed, soon the rest of us were screaming out 'dibs'.

"Cody! He lost, you have to buy us our drinks!" Froy shouted, the rest of us laughing along with him. 

"Man, you're always losing whenever we do this," Tyler H shook his head in disappointment.

"Yeah, I swear you're gonna go broke if you keep losing." Tyler P chuckled at Cody who rolled his eyes.

"That's because he's just a loser in general," Froy piped in and quickly shuffled away from Cody who had turned his entire attention onto him. 

"You know, I was about to say that I am willing to buy everyone drinks, but after that, I guess everyone is getting a free drink on me except for Froy," Cody spoke up sending out a smirk at the frowning boy. A round of applause and cheers circled around our group whilst Froy sulked.

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eh, a sucky chapter but, hey i'm back. here's just a quick lil note to tell you all aha