Chapter 31

Chapter

Thirty-One

Standing here with Claire,under the vast sky that"s just beginning to clear, I"m struck by a feeling I can"t quite name. It"s more than just the thrill of being at Universal Studios or the excitement of sharing this day with her. It"s something deeper, more profound, like standing on the edge of a revelation I"m not quite ready to face.

"I"m assuming you want to skip that one?" The words slip out as I nod towards the formidable green structure of The Hulk coaster, its twisted steel a testament to the adrenaline it promises. I"m half-expecting her to balk at the suggestion, to steer us towards something a tad less heart-stopping.

"Do you like it?" Her question catches me off guard, her eyes reflecting a curiosity that seems genuine.

I stumble over my words for a moment, caught in the unexpectedness of her interest. "I...I...uh, yeah, actually. I think it"s one of the best coasters in the park. It"s really smooth, plus you get to go upside down." I point towards the coaster as it takes off, the air filled with the electrifying sound of screams, a testament to the thrill it delivers.

"Then let"s do it." Her words are a challenge, a spark of defiance in her eyes that I hadn"t anticipated.

For a moment, I"m torn. Part of me wants to protect her, to steer her away from anything that might echo the chaos she"s already endured in her life. Her past, marked by turbulence, doesn"t need the added tumult of a roller coaster ride. And yet, as I look at her, there's a desire to share this experience with her, to maybe offer a glimpse of carefree exhilaration amidst the complexities of life.

She doesn"t just need a good time; she needs stability, a foundation to build the life of her dreams upon. She needs a partner who"s all in, someone who can offer her the world and then some. And that"s not me. I"ve built walls so high around my heart, convinced that dreams can"t be broken and life can"t be shattered if I don"t let anyone in. Opening up, truly opening up, is a risk I"ve sworn off.

And yet, standing here, looking into Claire"s eager eyes, I"m faced with a contradiction. There"s nowhere else I"d rather be. Sharing this thrill with her, of hearing her laughter as we defy gravity together, is unexpectedly appealing.

"Alright, let"s do it," I say, the words almost surprising me as they leave my lips. There"s a part of me that knows this is more than just a ride on a roller coaster. It"s a step towards something unknown, something that terrifies me more than any loop or drop ever could. But for now, for this moment, I"m willing to take that leap.