This Summer

Chapter 16

I left a note by the door in case everyone showed up and we weren't back yet. Matthew said it was a surprise, so I wasn't sure how to dress. He wore a plain, white, short-sleeved T-shirt with ripped blue jeans. I went with a pair of white cut-off jean shorts and a simple light blue off the shoulder top.

James kept bothering Matthew every five minutes from the back seat asking, "Where are we going?" or "Are we there yet?" I was too excited to care about where we are going or how long it's going to take to get there.

The car ride was short, and we get there in fifteen minutes. Matthew drives up to a large parking lot where many parked cars are lined up and that's when I realize where we are. We slip on the caps and sunglasses as we step out of the car. The summer heat tells me I made a great decision of not wearing the ugly wig. The loud distant screams from the people riding the roller coaster catch James's attention. "No way!"

So many childhood memories flood through my mind as we walk through the entrance. There's a brick path marked with painted footprints leading to multiple places. The incredibly long lines of people extend from different areas as the loud cheers from every ride sound throughout the park. We pass a pretzel stand, a person selling cotton candy, and a merry-go-round.

I glance over at Matthew, "I can't believe I forgot about this place!" All my summer memories were tainted with the traumatizing pranks he pulled on me.

"You knew about it this whole time?!" James angrily yells. I'm wondering why our parents never suggested coming back here. Matthew tells us to wait and that he'll be right back when we get to the air-conditioned area filled with arcade games. James keeps himself busy by pretending he's controlling the claw in the claw machine. I find it amusing how fascinating he finds everything.

Matthew returns moments later holding three blue wristbands with the amusement park's logo printed on them. "We don't have to wait in line with these."

"Awesome!" James snatches it from Matthew's hand and attempts to wrap it around his wrist.

Matthew helps me with mine and his fingers lightly graze my skin, "There you go." He says with a smile. He takes my hand in his and we walk back into the park.

"Thank you." I'm a little in awe with him. A few weeks ago, I would've never pictured him like this. I feel a flutter in my chest with every simple thing he does.

We are graced with grumpy stares as we pass people waiting in line for one of the roller coasters called, "The Hurricane." As soon as James checked his height and realized he was tall enough he begged to try it and we didn't mind. I've been on a few roller coasters in the past but this one looks intense.

"You okay?" Matthew asks me as we wait for people to leave their seats.

"Yeah." I breathe out.

The ride attendant raises his hand stopping us, "You can't ride with those on. No caps. No glasses." He points to sign beside him displaying red circle with a line across a hat and glasses.

Matthew mouths an apology to me and I'm instantly sad. Everything was going so well.

"We can take them off for the ride and put them back on right after." I suggest. It's almost impossible for anyone to notice us while we're on the ride.

"Are you sure?" I should be the one asking him that.

"Yeah."

We quickly take them off, leaving them by the ride attendant, while rushing to find a seat on one of the cars. Each car has space for three people, so I sit in between Matthew and James.