Pairing Off

“Ugh. My stomach hurts so bad…” 

“Are you okay? We could find a slower ride.”

“Yeah, that’d be nice. Remind me not to run so much next time. Can I have the ice pack?”

Saint and Cheryl watched the siblings huddle together as Katie slid the pack over to Frankie, the two making idle conversation as they searched for a soothing midday ride.

“Big Sis.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I have some more fries?”

“Here ya go.”

Reaching down to her cooler again, she fed the boy his stale fast food, wiping his face afterwards.

“Oh, this looks slow!”

Katie settled on a tunnel of love. It was called Westboat Willow, but that’s what it was. Most everyone else in the line were couples, but she was entirely oblivious to this. Katie didn’t really do romance.

Frankie was immediately feeling the classic waves of nearing discomfort.

“Uh… are you sure, Kate? Maybe we oughta… find… anything else. You wanna ride a roller coaster? Let’s ride a roller coaster.”

Katie broke out into a laugh.

“Don’t be scared of a little darkride! You’re safe, alright?”

Cheryl only now realized they were seriously considering going into this thing. She just brushed it aside, hoping this would be over soon. The dumb tourist could learn the hard way that this old piece of junk was only even a little enjoyable for horny teenagers.

Regardless, they stepped in line. Cheryl continued to grip her brother's hand tightly, praying it would be over soon. As Frankie kept her eyes to the ground, she did the exact same thing.

In time, it was their turn to step into a wooden boat and enter the dark pit of adolescence.

With confidence, Cheryl was the first to step into a boat- resting on the wet, sandy seat, she patted the spot next to her for Saint to come.

Instead of obeying her gesture, he began to look from side to side, uncharacteristically nervous.

“But I wanna… ride with Katie.”

Cheryl glared at the smiley-faced woman who’d just taken the boat ahead of her, Frankie already about to hop in by her side.

“You wanna ride with me?” She turned, making an attempt to comfort all three of her awkward partners with her soft voice. “Is that okay, Cheryl?”

“Wait, I- uh-“ Frankie wanted to retort, but there just wasn’t time. Cheryl grumbled, and she wouldn’t normally have let this slide in a thousand years. But after everything that had gone down today, she only wanted to make Saint happy. She motioned for him to jump into the boat with Katie.

“Nice!”

Cheryl disapproved of the boy’s exclamation, but again ignored her feelings as she steeled herself to endure this long and cruel challenge.

Nervously, Frankie took the spot beside her.

“I’m… sorry about this.”

“Just don’t say anything. It’ll be fine.”