Buzzed Hearts

56: disneyland (part i)

DECIDEDLY, THE GANG was a chaotic blur of nerves, having told the campus security that they needed to get medication, and promptly hitting the nearest highway—to Anaheim.

"Okay guys." Elle gathered everyone together at the gates. "I bought us all tickets because my mom's credit card. Right now it's ten so we only have an hour or so before it closes. Game plan, guys. Laurent, Jeremy? You guys are team captains."

"I suggest we chill out," Laurent says and propping one arm on Jeremy and the other on Roma.

"Last stop is the ferris wheel. We must go to the ferris wheel," Roma insists.

Elle makes a noise and Laurent gives her a consolatory pat on the back, as if saying we've all been on a break. A rush passes by the whole group and it's not mere shivers from the night breeze.

Like that time at the zoo, Jeremy takes lead with a map in his hand. This time, Elle's right by his side because she's the only one that has any sense of direction amongst them. Roma walks beside them contently and Camila lags behind—as always.

"Thank god there aren't any long lines," Jeremy says.

"You wouldn't be able to go on any of the rides anyways," Elle says. "Height limit, remember?"

    "You know, I'm very tempted to say whatever and move on but that has to be the dumbest fucking comeback I've heard and I've been friends with you my whole life. Are you fucking serious? Height limit? I'm taller than you by two inches and the second tallest here."

"Whatever," Elle replies.

At this passage of time, Camila's never felt more electric. The lights are moving patterns against their skins and her friends—they're the best ones she could ever ask for. Even though it's a colder night, she feels incredible warmth.

Jeremy and Elle. Bickering as always, never with malice or ill intent. Roma, a somewhat newcomer but already the most coddled. And her, the mediator between them. Laurent, the one person they all thought would drive a wedge between them turns out to be the fuel that adds to the fire.

"I don't want this night to end." Is the only thing Camila can think of right now.

A pang seizes her heart as she realizes that Disneyland closes in one, maybe two hours and then that's it. It'll shut down and open up tomorrow but it'll never be just this right.

"I'm going to sit this one out," Laurent says and sits down by the bench.

"Aw, is someone scared?" Jeremy asks. He stares at the monstrous rollercoaster and grins, tauntingly.

Laurent glares. "I can kick your ass any day. Don't come at me, Yang."

"True. He's got like five inches on you," Camila jokes.

"Five inches where?" Elle laughs and races to the line before the rest can join.

Stomach doing turns, Camila decides to join Laurent on the bench. His arms are spread across the back of their seat and he pats the empty spot next to him.

"Can I?" Camila asks.

"Sure, Mila, why not?"

"Not the seat," she says, before resting her head on his shoulder, taking him by surprise.

"Why are you all down?"

"Because I'm sad. I'm sad that we'll never be...this way again."

"Cheer up," Laurent says. "C'mon, I'll buy you a smoothie."

Deciding that this is not the appropriate place to be anything less than ecstatic, Camila bounces up and waits for Laurent to join her—never rejecting an offer for free food.

"Mila?"

"Yes?" She turns around, feeling her hair—and stomach—come undone.

"Wait for me. Please."

Giving him a confused look, she laughs. "I am, though? You're only a meter behind."

He sighs, running his hand through his thick, blonde hair. "You know what I mean," he says, coming up to her until they're only a few breaths away. "Just wait for me. Please."

"Okay? As long as I get my smoothie first."