The theme park buzzed with excitement, neon lights flashing as laughter and screams echoed through the air. You stood in line with your friends, staring at the one ride you swore you’d never go on. The massive drop tower loomed over you, taunting your fear of heights.

“This is a bad idea,” you muttered, gripping your friend's arm.

“Oh, come on! You’ll survive,” she teased, nudging you forward.

As if your night couldn’t get any worse, your friend invited a group of guys she had just met. One of them caught your attention instantly. Messy brown hair, hazel eyes that seemed to see right through you, and a smirk that made your stomach flip.

He must’ve caught you staring because he turned to you. “Not a fan of heights?”

You scoffed. “Not a fan of falling from them.”

His smirk grew. “Guess I’ll have to keep an eye on you, then.”

The line moved forward faster than you wanted. You hoped to pair up with your friend, but she quickly sat with the guy she’d been talking to. That left him standing beside you.

“Looks like it’s you and me,” he said, nodding to the ride.

You hesitated. “Lucky me.”

Strapped in, your heart pounded as the ride started its slow ascent. The higher you went, the tighter your grip on the handles.

“Hey,” he said beside you. “You can hold my hand if you want.”

You turned to him, expecting to see amusement, but instead, he looked… genuine. Before you could overthink it, you grabbed his hand.

He chuckled. “That bad?”

You nodded. The ride tilted forward. Your stomach flipped. Then—the drop.

The wind rushed past your face as you fell. Your scream mixed with his laughter. Your fingers tightened around his, and somehow, in all the chaos, you weren’t as scared as you thought.

When the ride finally slowed, your breath came in short gasps. He was still holding your hand.

“See?” He grinned. “Told you I’d keep an eye on you.”

Your heart was still racing, but maybe… it wasn’t just because of the ride.