none of your friends wanted to go on the ride with you, so when you got up to the front of the line you were seated with a stranger in the roller coaster car. he looked over at you, “your friends ditch you too?”

you nodded and he chuckled, “they’re missing out!”

the ride operator came around to make sure the lap bars were secure around everyone, and even though yours seemed a little loose the operator breezed right past you. you were a little concerned, but operators had to follow certain protocols and certainly there was no danger in a ride that had been in service for so long, right? then suddenly the ride started and the coaster shot down the tracks, starting a steep climb that led to a drop and then a corkscrew. all was well until the boy next to you grabbed your hand, and when you looked over at him he said nervously “hey, um…your lap bar…”

your eyes widened when you realized that he was right, you hadn’t noticed it before but the lap bar was loose and definitely lifting up off of your thighs a little. it was still on, but there must’ve been a loose screw or something because it didn’t look nearly as secure as anyone else’s. you looked at him, fear creeping into your eyes, and he was quick to reassure you, “it’s ok, it’s ok, i’ll hold you, see? i got you, don’t worry about it…just hold on tight”

he kept his arm in front of your body, holding you in place with all his strength as the coaster reached the end of the ascent and then quickly dropped off the peak.