"When you are afraid, hold my hand. I will not let you fall." ~ Unknown
The morning came too quickly; the sun was already bright through the hotel curtains when Selina's alarm went off. She dressed in a rush, her hair pulled up in a bun, her stomach already tightening with anticipation.
At the park entrance, they paused for photos, a group shot with everyone holding up their wristbands, then a few candid ones Michael took with his camera. Selina found herself standing near him without meaning to.
Inside, the park sprawled before them: roller coasters that twisted into impossible spirals, towers that dropped straight down, a pendulum that swung so high it seemed to touch the sky. The group split after the first few rides, some heading for the milder attractions, others making their way toward the section where the screams were loudest.
Selina and Michael walked toward the screams.
At the base of the first coaster, Sandy took one look at the track and shook her head. "No. I can't. I'll wait here."
Two others followed her lead. Selina watched them retreat to a bench, then turned back to the ride. Her pulse was already racing, and they hadn't even climbed into the cars yet.
"You don't have to do this," Michael said quietly.
She looked at him. He was standing with his hands in his pockets, his white hair catching the morning light, his expression unreadable. He looked completely at ease, as if the towering metal structure behind him was nothing more than a gentle hill.
"I want to," she said stubbornly.
A flicker of something crossed his face, maybe amusement. "Then let's go."
They sat together, the harness clicking into place across their chests. Selina gripped the bar, her knuckles white, her breath coming in shallow pulls. Beside her, Michael was still, his hands resting loosely on his thighs.
The car began to climb.
With every inch of elevation, Selina's heart beat harder. The park shrank beneath them, the trees reduced to green smudges, the people to dots. She closed her eyes.
"Don't be scared." He held her sleeve to get her attention.
His voice was low, meant only for her. She opened her eyes and found him watching her, his grey eyes steady.
"Nothing's going to go wrong," he said. "Just look forward and enjoy. I'm right beside you." Then he let go. Selina looked at him, feeling something warm quietly building in her chest.
Then they reached the top.
The car paused for a single, suspended moment. Selina saw the entire park laid out beneath her, the sun catching the roofs, the distant mountains hazy on the horizon. And then they fell.
She screamed. She couldn't help it. The wind tore the sound from her throat as the world blurred into colour and motion. Her eyes squeezed shut, her hands locked on the bar, her entire existence reduced to the rush of air and the force pressing her into her seat.
When it stopped, she was gasping.
The car coasted back into the station. Selina's hands were still gripping the bar, her knuckles white, her heart slamming against her ribs. Beside her, Michael was running a hand through his wind-tangled hair, a small smile on his face.
She turned to him, her voice still trembling. "Don't you get scared?"
"I did. The first time." He shrugged. "Now I just enjoy it."
She stared at him. He looked as calm as if he'd just stepped off a bus. Meanwhile, her legs felt like jelly, and she was fairly certain her scream had been heard in the next city.
The harness released. Selina sat frozen for a moment, the memory of her own voice echoing in her ears. Then the embarrassment hit.
She slid out of the car without looking at him. Her legs wobbled, and she felt him step closer.
"Do you want me to support you?"
"No." She walked faster. Behind her, she could feel him smiling at her as if he found her unexpectedly endearing.
She didn't turn around.
They went on another ride, something tamer, with no inversions, and sat apart. By the time they reached the pendulum, Selina had almost recovered her composure.
Almost.
The pendulum was infamous: a giant disc that swung higher and higher until it traced a full circle at the apex, leaving its passengers hanging upside down over the park. Selina watched it swing once, twice, three times, and felt her stomach drop.
She scanned the crowd forming at the entrance and saw Michael near the front, alone. She decided before she could talk herself out of it.
She slipped into the seat beside him, keeping her eyes on the ride ahead.
"I don't want to sit with Sandy," she said, her voice carefully casual. "She makes me lose my courage."
Michael's lips twitched. "Don't worry. I'll be here."
"Thanks."
The pendulum began to move. At first, it was gentle, a slow, rhythmic sway that almost lulled her into forgetting what was coming. Then the arc grew wider. The wind picked up. Selina's hands found the bar and held on.
"Michael!"
The name tore out of her as the pendulum reached its peak and held, suspended, the world turned upside down. She squeezed her eyes shut, her body braced against the pull.
"I'm here." His voice was steady, cutting through the rush of blood in her ears. "Don't be scared. Open your eyes. It's beautiful."
She couldn't. She kept them shut, her grip like iron, until the swing began its descent and the ground rushed back toward them. When the ride finally stopped, she was shaking.
Michael was at her side before she could stand, his hand steady on her arm as she climbed down. Her legs gave once, and he caught her elbow, waiting until she found her balance.
"You okay?"
She nodded, still breathless. Her eyes were wide, her face pale, her hair a wild mess.
She caught the edge of his smile before he hid it.
"What?" she demanded.
"Nothing." His mouth twitched
"Michael." She glared at him.
"You just…" He cleared his throat. "You have a very memorable scream."
She opened her mouth to protest, but then she pictured herself, and a laugh escaped her. It was shaky at first, then real.
"I hate you," she said, but she was smiling.
He just smiled.