"That ride looks dangerous." I stared at the log-shaped vessels plunging down the giant hill.

Every year the fifth grade class took a trip to Longgrass Amusement Park to celebrate the end of elementary school. My parents took Dante and me when I was in third grade and I remembered not having so much fun. The heat was terrible and the lines, ginormous. The rides themselves terrified me to the point I refused to go on any more. Maybe this time would be different.

"Yeah, I can see people falling off." Damian, a member of my field trip group, looked up at the track with squinted eyes. "Are you able to go on this ride, Celio?"

Both Pavel and Celio flushed red.

"Of course he's allowed," América, Celio's mother and our chaperone, answered before the boys could say anything rude. Her long red hair swayed on her back."He's been on this ride multiple times."

"Just because he's blind doesn't mean he can't do anything." Pavel's eyes glowed with a ferocity I'd never seen.

"Oh, just wondering. Sorry." Damian shifted his gaze to the ground.

I looked at the ferris wheel around the corner to see Isabelle and her group climbing in. My friend waved to me as she bordered.

"You don't have to go on if you don't want to," América said, nodding to me. "I think I'll stay here with the bags."

"You'll be fine, Lucia," Pavel said. He smiled, his mood lightening.

Heat slammed into my body.The way they spoke like I was a measly girl, angered me. I dropped my bag at América's feet and headed off to the entrance. I managed to apologize to Avani, how could this be any more difficult? The relentless sun shone down on my back, warming me up. I yearned for the water spilling off the hill to splash me.

Three workers waited for us on a ledge next to a stream of log-shaped carriers. They waved us over and had us sit in different spots. I sat beside Damian who suddenly wasn't as important. I wanted to show those boys I wasn't afraid. The plastic of the vessel did nothing to comfort me and I felt insecure. I can do this. I can do this.

The ride lurched forward and I held tight, squeezing my eyes shut. The train of logs flew over the water and came crashing down a hill. I expected to be drenched, but only felt a sprinkle of water on my lap. The second hill yielded the same results. I opened my eyes just for a second to see a massive hill coming up. The track carried us up as slow as possible. I took one look at the ferris wheel to wonder if Isabelle could see me, before the somersaulting began. My stomach would not stay still. I felt like I left my insides at the top of the track. The scenery changed to a whirl of green, black, brown, and blue. Then the ride slowed and we were coming out where we started.

Taking shaky breaths, I stepped out of the ride. The excitement of plunging down those hills still lingered in my mind and I wondered if I could regain the feeling.

"That was horrifying," Damian said from beside me. He shivered. Water flew off his dark locks. "I'm never getting on that ride again."

I laughed. So I wasn't the only nervous one.