"Let's try that one first!" I said, pointing eagerly at the towering roller coaster ahead. My eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I'll pass," Alex said, looking completely unbothered. His handsome face remained impassive, while Caspian offered me a small, indulgent smile. Lucas just scoffed in clear protest.
"Please, Alex—just once? Join me, please?" I begged, clasping my hands like a child asking for candy.
He sighed heavily before relenting. "Fine. But don't come crying if you regret it later. I won't care," he warned in his best doctor voice—stern and slightly exasperated, like he was talking to a very stubborn patient.
"I won't, promise!" I beamed, then quickly grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the queue.
Caspian and Lucas exchanged a glance and followed behind us.
The line was long, but it moved quickly. Within ten minutes, we were at the front. I claimed the first row with Alex, while Caspian and Lucas settled behind us. I turned to sneak a look at them and had to stifle a laugh—they looked painfully out of place.
Ever since we stepped into the park, people had been staring. Three good-looking men in semi-formal corporate wear standing in the middle of an amusement park? It was like watching business magazine models on their day off. What no one knew was that they were powerful men for real—CEOs, heirs, future tycoons.
"Mia, are you really sure about this?" Alex asked suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked at him and blinked—was he... pale?
Wait—was Alex scared?
"Don't worry, Alex. Nothing bad will happen. I'll protect you with my life," I said with exaggerated sincerity, gently wrapping my hand around his arm.
The ride jolted forward.
The roller coaster climbed higher, click by click, lifting us into the sky. The world shrank beneath us, the amusement park stretching out like a colorful miniature village. I felt a flutter in my stomach—not fear, just nerves. Alex's hand tightened on mine. His arm was… sweaty?
Then suddenly—
The drop.
"ARGGGGHHHH!!!" I screamed as we plummeted, twisting and flipping through loops. My hair flew wildly as adrenaline surged through me. But over my own scream, I heard something else.
Other screams—male screams—louder than mine.
I'll never tell whose voice cracked in terror back there. That secret's safe with me.
When the ride finally slowed, my chest was heaving, and I could barely catch my breath. The intense speed gave way to smooth curves, then a jolt as the brakes kicked in. My heart pounded, still buzzing with the thrill.
The safety bar lifted.
I stood on wobbly legs, grinning from ear to ear. "We made it!" I turned to Alex.
He didn't respond.
His face was ghost-white. His violet eyes were unfocused, and he looked like someone who had just escaped a near-death experience. The sweat soaking through his shirt added to the drama.
"Alex? Are you okay?" I asked, suddenly concerned.
It took him a moment to catch his breath. "Don't ever make me do that again, Mia. Promise me."
Uhhh… should I promise? But what about the Viking ship? Drop tower? Spin ride? Flying chair? There was so much left on my list!
I cleared my throat. "Hahaha— we'll see!"
And just like that, I dragged all three of them onto every ride I had in mind.
Alex's face went from pale to blue to red and finally settled into a shade of "I'll-never-forgive-you." He swore he wouldn't speak to me for a day.
Caspian? Caspian was a dream. Relaxed, tolerant, even smiling through the chaos.
Lucas? Let's just say he grumbled the whole time, glared a lot, and still followed me onto every ride. He may be dramatic, but he's consistent.
After the last ride—the infamous pendulum—I handed each of them a cotton candy as a peace offering.
"To show my goodwill," I said sweetly.
"I don't eat sweets," Lucas grumbled, rejecting it.
"Why? Scared you'll die from diabetes?"
"I'm not afraid of dying."
"Oh really?" I grinned. "Then who was it, screaming like a vampire through every ride today?"
He didn't answer. Just snatched the cotton candy from my hand with a glare.
Hah. Got you.
"Alright, boys," I clapped my hands together. "Time for a break before we head to our next thrilling destination. I've had this place in mind for a while now, and I'm sure you're going to love it."
Alex gave me a sharp side-eye. Lucas responded immediately.
"Not interested."
"Oh really?" I said teasingly. "Suit yourself. But if you don't come with me this time, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
"I don't believe you."
"Then don't follow." I reached out, grabbing Alex and Caspian by the wrists. "Come on, let's go!"
"Wait!"
I turned. "Yes?"
Lucas hesitated, then muttered, "Now I'm curious. But if you're lying, you'll regret this later."
"We'll see."
***
"I won't go in."
"Then stay out here," I said smugly. "Let us have fun inside."
"You sure you won't end up crying and wetting your skirt in fear?" he shot back.
"I WON'T! You're the scaredy-cat here—just admit it!"
Lucas folded his arms. "I'll wait here."
I turned to the others with a wicked grin. "Caspian, Alex—help me out."
Caspian just smiled. Alex sighed, but obeyed.
They each grabbed one of Lucas's arms and dragged him toward the entrance as he protested loudly.
"DON'T! MIA ISABELLA! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!"
The doors to the Haunted House creaked open. His voice echoed as I followed close, laughing so hard my stomach hurt.
Now I know two of his weaknesses, I thought smugly.
Let's keep that as a trump card for later.
Just you wait, Lucas.
***
The moment we stepped inside the haunted house, the air changed.
It was darker than I expected—cold and damp, like a forgotten basement. The only light came from flickering lanterns mounted along the cracked stone walls, casting strange shadows that danced with every movement.
Lucas was not amused.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered, tugging his arm free from Caspian's grip. "I could sue this place for psychological assault."
"Oh, lighten up," I teased, grinning. "This is the best part! You never know what's waiting around the corner—maybe a ghost, maybe a skeleton—"
"Or maybe you'll scream like a banshee later," he shot back.
I stuck out my tongue at him and marched ahead, the sound of my footsteps muffled by the musty carpet. The others followed, warily.
The first jump scare came fast.
A skeleton lunged out from behind a hidden wall, its jaw clacking as it let out a mechanical screech.
"AHHHH—!" I yelped, jumping back—right into Alex's chest.
He caught me, muttering, "Told you."
But it wasn't me who screamed the loudest.
Behind us, Lucas had cursed loud enough to offend the dead.
"Oh? What was that, tough guy?" I smirked, peeking over my shoulder.
"I didn't scream," he said quickly, straightening his coat. "I just… reacted. Naturally."
"Sure, it was—totally normal," I replied, not bothering to hide my laughter.
Caspian chuckled quietly. "This is entertaining."
We continued deeper into the maze-like corridors. The walls pulsed with sound—creaking doors, distant whispers, the occasional shriek. At one point, a ghostly figure floated down from the ceiling, its glowing red eyes staring straight at us.
I squealed and clutched Alex's arm again, and to my surprise—he flinched too.
"Oh my god. Alex?" I gasped. "Are you—scared?"
"I'm not a fan of jump scares," he said with a clenched jaw. "They're illogical."
"But fun," Caspian added.
Lucas grumbled, "I hate all of you."
Another hallway. Dimmer. Narrower.
We walked single file now. I was at the front, followed by Alex, then Caspian. Lucas brought up the rear, keeping a suspicious eye on every corner like we were on a military operation.
Then—thump.
The lights went out.
Pitch black.
"Oh no…" I whispered.
Suddenly, cold hands brushed against my shoulder from the darkness.
I screamed.
Someone else screamed too—more like a strangled, masculine yelp.
The lights flickered back on. I turned around just in time to see Lucas pinning himself against the wall, eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.
"You okay back there?" I asked sweetly.
"…I'm fine," he snapped.
"Sure you are."
We made it to the final chamber—a room filled with hanging dolls, swaying gently from the ceiling. Music played from an old phonograph in the corner, the warped lullaby adding to the eerie air.
I was just starting to feel a little uneasy when—
A doll dropped right in front of me.
I screamed again, louder than before, and this time Lucas rushed forward, grabbing my arm instinctively.
"I-I told you not to come in here," he said, eyes scanning the room rapidly.
For a second, I saw something odd in his expression. Not just irritation or sarcasm. Concern.
Real concern.
But of course, he ruined it instantly by adding, "If you wet yourself, I'm not helping."
I slapped his arm. "Shut up. You screamed three times more than I did."
"Prove it."
"Oh, I will. I have witnesses."
"Do not drag me into this," Alex said from behind us, clearly done with all of us.
"I recorded everything," Caspian added casually, holding up his phone.
"WHAT?!"
Caspian just smiled like an angel. "For memories."
We finally exited the haunted house and stepped back into the sun. I blinked, relieved to be back in the world of cotton candy and screaming children.
"Well," I said brightly. "Wasn't that fun?"
"No," Alex said flatly.
"Never again," Lucas growled, brushing imaginary dust from his black coat.
"I liked the dolls," Caspian said with a content sigh.
I laughed, walking ahead of them with my hands behind my back.
Now I had so much blackmail material for future use. I might've walked into that haunted house for a thrill, but I walked out with something far more valuable— traumatized men and endless teasing rights.
Lucas caught up beside me. "Just so you know, this changes nothing."
"Oh, it changes everything," I replied, smirking.
He narrowed his eyes. "You're the worst."
"Thanks. I try."