The Summer Bucket List

Chapter 6

Caven and I are here in the amusement park to do the summer bucket list numbers 8,6 and 25. I was fascinated by the ambiance of the place. It’s crowded but lively, loud but not in a way that hurts in the ear. Caden held my hand and pulled me.

“Come on!” We sprinted in the middle of the crowd and stopped on the Roller Coaster station. I looked at the people screaming while they were being spun around on the railroad tracks. It looks terrifying to me. And I have never ridden a roller coaster in my entire life.

“Exciting, isn’t it?” he said while his hands curved beside his waist, smiling widely as he looked at the rides.

“Can we just skip this one?” I’m scared and, honestly, I didn’t write this on the list, August did.

“Oh, come on. We’re here to fulfill your summer bucket list, right?” I swallowed. I think I don’t have a choice. “Fine.”

“Good.” He smiled excitedly. “Two, please,” he said to the conductor as the ride stopped in front of us.

My hands tightly wrapped on the grab bars of the roller coaster seat. My legs are trembling, and I keep breathing heavily. Caden saw me.

“Hey, relax, it’s gonna be fun, I assure you.”

Caught off guard, I was startled when it suddenly moved. It’s starting.

I instantly closed my eyes and I could feel we were slowly moving up. And in seconds we intensely rode down. The wind blew through my face, and felt like my organs accelerated in the air. We spun in different corners of the track. For a moment, I had the courage to open my eyes and watch what was happening around me. But surprisingly, it’s thrilling, still scary but with a diversion of euphoria. I watch others in the front seat raise both their hands in the air, and Caden as they scream not with fear but with fun. I followed them, and it was indeed entertaining. Caden watched me, and we couldn’t stop but laugh with each other.

“I told you this is fun!” He shouted so I could hear him.

“Woahhohhh!” I shouted.

At that moment, it doesn’t feel like we’re adults who have to keep silent and composed. It’s like we’re just kids having the best time of our lives.

We played on other stations, and everything was so much fun. We played the popping balloon station and Caden won a teddy bear. He gave it to me. It was a brown kind of bear stuffed toy. It was so cute. And it was the first time someone had given me something like that.

We entered the photo-booth and posted silly poses on the camera. I don’t know, but honestly, I felt completely comfortable with Caden. And he’s far different from what I expected. I thought he'd be kind of a jerk, but ironically, he wasn’t, he’s the opposite.

“This is so good,” I said as I ate the beef burger. We were sitting somewhere in the park when suddenly a kid’s voice shouted my name. “Farah!”

I wandered my sights and saw Cindy with Jessica and August walking towards us. I instantly stood up, Caden was left confused. I was distracted by August's dark gazes. The same puzzling gaze I saw last night.

“Hey,” Jessica said, smiling again.

“Hi!” I responded. I smiled back.

“So, you met Caden,” Jessica said.

“Hey Jess,” Caden said. “Yeah,” I replied to Jessica.

“So, what are you two doing here? Having a date or something?” Jessica said in an eluding tone.

“Oh, no, no.” I defended. “You know it’s alright.” Jessica followed.

“She’s engaged.” Caden asserted. “Oh, I’m sorry.” Jess said.

“Anyway, you never told me you and August were best friends.” She followed with her persuading stares. I slightly smiled. Perhaps, August told her.

I looked at August, still silent.

“Marie told me yesterday.” My heart sank a little and the slight joy was instantly embezzled by what she said. “ Oh yeah. “ I just nodded.

“That’s a cute little bear, Farah.” Cindy stole the attention.

“Do you want it?” I asked. She nodded.

“Okay, it’s yours.”

“Thank you.” She smiled softly.

“I think we’ll go now,” August spoke coldly.

“Okay. Bye Farah and Cade,” Jessica said, then they left. I just stared at August as he flew slowly away from us. Sadness kept taking over me every time I felt his coldness.

“That was a blast.” Caden suddenly spoke.

“What?” I replied. “You and August?” he said.

“What about us?” He just grinned.

“Why don’t you two talk?” he said. “We did.” I answered coldly. He just stared at me.

“Maybe he’s being a dumbass not entirely because you left him. Maybe there’s more to it, you just can’t see it.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“The answer is there. Try to figure that out.” He half smirked. “Or maybe he’s just a total dumbass.” He spoke it so fast, ending it directly to the point. I was befuddled by everything that he said. “Do you have a girlfriend, Caden?” I asked out of nowhere.

“You’re being nosy,” he said. “No, seriously,” I said.

“I’m single,” he replied as he took a bite of his burger.

“The Caden Redd is single?” I said alluringly.

“Wait, why are we talking about me now?”

I ignored him. “Maybe you have no one because you’re also a dumbass.” I said as I ate my burger. “Well, as much as you think, I’m dumbass and a total player. I am not,” he spoke.

“How would I know?” I said, teasing him.

“It’s not in the cards for me.” He spoke with a quiet conviction. His response twitched a smile on me and left me voiceless.