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Someday My Prince Will Come
Chapter 9
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After a pleasant breakfast, Will and Jack made their way to Sylvan Beach, which lied several miles outside of town. Jack could hardly remember the last time he'd been to an amusement park, and he was sure he'd never been on a roller-coaster.
"There aren't only roller coasters there Jack. And I promise I won't force you to go on one." said Will, and they rounded a bend in the road.
"Promise?"
"Promise." Will assured him. "Besides, I can't stand roller-coasters."
"Good." Jack said, not catching the devious smile on Will's face. "I have never gone on one and I don't plan to. Too scary!"
As they continued on the road, the morning clouds showed signs of clearing. Jack inspected his fingernails, wondering if he should be ecstatic over the day ahead. His companion seemed pretty excited.
"Why do you like this place Will?" Jack asked absently, gazing out at the open skies and lush green hills. Such a difference from the rigid and looming buildings of the city. His friend shrugged.
"My father used to let my brothers and I stay here with my grandfather over some summers." Will said as they spied the lake in the distance.
"Ah."
"Didn't you ever have a place like this? Somewhere you always wanted to return to?"
"Not really." And Jack grew quiet, growing jealous of Will's special place. "You seem to have a great family."
"Yea." Will grinned a little.
'''''''
The two friends came upon the park; one was glowing in happiness, the other in wonder. Such a simple little place it was, right on the lakefront. Jack tilted his head at the structures that lied just beyond the gates.
"Seems like a simple carnival to me." Jack thought aloud.
"Jack!" Will shook his head. "Its more than that. This place has history. It has meaning!"
"Yea, yea." Jack took out a mirror and toyed with his hair for a bit. Just then, Will looked nervous.
"Uh Jack, while we're here, could you maybe... uh, not be so, you know."
"No I don't know." Jack said in a high voice and stuffed his mirror in his pocket. Will began wringing his hands.
"Just try and be a little low-key. These are different people."
"Im not promising anything." Jack sighed.
Will walked up to the ticket purchasing booth and bought several dozen. He shoved them into his coat pocket and gestured for Jack to follow him through the front gate.
"And those?" pointed Jack.
"For each ride." said Will. "Like a... "
"Carnival?" Jack lifted a brow. "Hm."
Once inside, Will discarded his nervousness and took in the rich feeling of the park. It was quaint and had an old-time feeling lingering about. Already there was a small cluster of people in the park, waiting on each ride and attraction. Will smiled; 'nothing's changed much.'
Will lead Jack into the park, glancing around as if he was searching for something. Jack raised an eyebrow at Will.
"Where are the shops?" he asked, looking around. "Don't theme parks have shops?"
"Is shopping all you can think about?" sighed the older one. "There are only a couple of them. And they're next to the lake, where the water rides are."
"water rides?" asked Jack, apprehensively.
"Don't worry. Its not warm enough to go on one... right now."
"Ugh. I hope we don't go on one at all!" Jack huffed and followed Will onto a promenade.
"Jack! What will you go on? Im starting to think you're scared of rides!"
"Im not scared. They just- mess up my hair!" Jack looked away as Will started laughing.
"You are a real mystery." said the college student, eyes alight in amusement.
"What do you mean?"
"You are the bravest person I know. And yet you're scared of little rides!" Will exclaimed and began walking to the bumper cars.
"Im not scared!" Jack bristled, but he softened when he thought about what his friend had said. 'The bravest huh?' And he realized he was beaming with pride.
"We'll start out small." Said Will as he got in line for the bumper cars.
"I've been on these before." Jack said and stood behind his friend. Soon they were in front of the employee who operated the cars, handing him their tickets. Will read the rules for the ride as they waited.
"Hey, it says all kids must ride with an adult. Hm, I guess you're with me Jack!" joked Will and winced as his friend slapped him on the arm.
"Call me a kid again and you'll get one in the face!" he warned and ignored the glare Will gave him. Jack walked onto the platform where the little cars were situated. He looked around at the colors and grimaced. "Dreadful."
"Just pick one." Will said from a distance, while getting into a red one. Pondering over light blue or white, Jack picked the latter. He climbed in, making a strange face as he sat down. The little cars were rather new, but tacky in Jack's mind.
They waited until everyone got in their cars. Once the employee activated the electricity, everyone was off. Jack struggled with his steering wheel, but managed to get it going. As soon as he was moving, he noticed Will, driving smoothly, avoiding all other cars. 'Just like him to do that!' Jack smirked and bumped into his friend.
"Hey!" Protested Will and Jack rammed into his car again. "Stop that!"
"What are bumper cars for Will? Not for being law-abiding drivers!" Jack hollered as he drove off. He began having lots of fun running into the cars of strangers, and then catching Will again.
It soon became critical that Jack avoid all the other cars, in order to keep a distance from his vengeful friend. Will was trying to catch up, determination on his face. Laughing with excitement, Jack whirled his car around and ran straight into Will. They both lurched forward in their seats. Will held fast to the wheel and gawked at his friend. Then the electricity was turned off.
"Why would you crash yourself like that, just to hit me?"
"Kamikaze." Jack smirked and got out of his car. Will could only shake his head.
"Another rule! Never underestimate Jack behind the wheel." Said the teenager in third person.
Will nodded and said, "Remind me to never let you get a license." And the two left for the tilt-a-whirl.
The sooner they got off of the nightmare that was the tilt-a-whirl, the better! Jack had his eyes closed the whole time while Will had a blast. Jack practically flew from the seat when the ride was through.
"No. No more! Too twisty! Much too twisty!" Griped Jack.
"Oh come on! There's still a lot to do!" Will grabbed Jack by the arm and pulled him to the next ride.
It was all Will could do to not lose his patience. Jack was so impossible sometimes! He would need thorough convincing before boarding a ride.
Somehow he managed to get Jack on the Scrambler. This, the boy liked very much. Throwing his head back and laughing in merriment, Jack insisted they go again.
After that, they moseyed over to look at a classic carnival ride, where two identical cars let gravity take them around and around, in sickening circles. Jack got dizzy just by looking at the thing in operation.
"Nope! Not gonna!" And he crossed his arms, to emphasize his decision.
"Fine." Will said. "Im hungry anyway."
They strode down to a pavilion with their lunch, each thinking different things. It was always during a meal, when Will's mind ran rampant. The crisp breeze pulled at his thoughts, coaxing him to speak his mind.
"I like this."
"What was that?" Jack asked as he sat down on the grass. Will followed suit, and felt the tension he'd been harboring earlier come about.
"I like this place." He remedied, and pondered over what he had really meant.
"Oh." Jack nodded and bit into his pretzel. "No salt!" he had crooned when they were purchasing it, and he inspected Will's own choices.
They both looked down at the lake. Will could remember many times his brothers and he would run along the water's edge, racing to the bumper boats. It was a shame he could not have that kind of fun anymore. And he wondered if Jack still had that kind of fun, or if he ever thought about the innocent days. If he still had those innocent days.
"Im sorry Will." Jack said suddenly.
"Huh?" Knocked from his thoughts, Will took a drink of his juice and looked at his younger friend. "For what?"
"Im being no fun at all!" He complained, mostly to himself.
"Well, this just isn't your environment. That's all." Will explained. "I brought you here, 'cause I wanted to show you something special to me. And this place is very special."
"Hn." Jack bore inward.
"It may seem like a simple and worthless place, not too flashy, not too high-tech and famous... but if you really know it, and give it a chance, you grow to love it."
"I know this." Jack whispered. 'Because this place is just like you. Like you, this place seems dull and simple. But I gave you a chance, and now Im growing, to love you.'
"What?"
"I know this, because Im starting to like it a lot!" Jack smiled brightly.
"Good!" Will was radiant with pride. Jack marveled at how pleasant Will looked in this place; olive skin glowing, deep brown eyes piercing and a broad smile that put you at ease. And Jack was glad he had taken a chance on this person, that he had found such a great friend.
In the park there was a feeling of joy and peace. It was such a distance away from the dreaded Long Island sentiments, and Manhattan stoicism. Will felt glad for bringing his friend and sharing this place.
As they walked up towards the rides again, Will noticed the large wooden roller coaster off in the distance, and got an idea. Feeling around his coat pockets, he felt the bandana was still there. A wicked smile crossed his face.
'''''''''
"Where are you taking me?" Jack asked from behind the blindfold.
Will stifled a couple sounds of laughter and continued guiding his friend up the path towards the coaster. No one was in line for it, thankfully. The park was rather empty for the day. Everyone was by the water, enjoying the lake and attractions down by the water.
"Its a surprise." smirked Will.
"It had better not be the merry-go-round, Will! Those kid jokes are getting really old!" Jack snapped, still in oblivion. His arms trembled as Will guided him up a walkway of some sort. He could hear the noises of the busy end of the park, the people, the rides. All he could smell was Will's pleasant scent around him, as he was pushed forward some more steps.
Finally they came to a halt. Jack groaned in impatience as he felt Will disappear.
"Will?" Jack asked and moved to remove his blindfold. But Will appeared again and stopped him.
"No, no! Im just giving the guy our tickets!" Will came around and placed his hands on Jack's shoulders. He laughed as Jack moved around, clumsy in his helplessness. "Move this way."
Will brought Jack onto the platform where they were to board the enormous coaster. He pushed him gently to where the carts were and helped him get inside.
Still with the blindfold, Jack felt himself being told to sit down. So he sat and sensed Will sitting down beside him. Then he felt a cold bar come down in front of him, clicking and locking into place.
"Will? Where are we? Can I take it off now?" Jack asked, and jumped as Will snatched the bandana from around his eyes. As soon as he regained his vision, they were moving. Jack recognized the tracks and gasped.
"Will! Let me off right now!" Jack shrieked, pulling hopelessly at the bar over his lap.
"Too late Jack! We're already moving." Will said and grinned as the cart began to climb the first peak, making that dreadful, loud clicking noise.
"No! No! I want to get off right now!" the younger one screeched and began to pull at the bar again, but with more vigor. He began to panic as he saw the people below get smaller and smaller. "Help me!" He screamed at them and began to wail. 'Im gonna die!'
Click-click-click...
"Jack, its gonna be fun! You just gotta get over this fear. Its gonna be a blast!" Will gave a smile and placed his hands on the bar, anticipating the first drop.
Click-click-click...
"I will never forgive you for this!" Jack screamed, looking to the sky, and then to the ground far below for help. His heart was racing, and his legs started trembling.
Click-click-click...
"Oh my god!" Jack breathed in and out, and clutched the bar in front of him. "We're so high!" He made a pathetic sound as they neared the very top. And the last clicks of doom were heard:
Click-click-click-....click.
And down they went.
"Aaaaaahhhh!!!" Jack could feel the air being taken from his lungs as they plunged down to the earth. It was the most frightening feeling ever, and he felt his palms sweat as he held on tighter to the bar. Then they climbed another hill, and dropped down again.
"Put your hands up!" Will hollered just before they fell from the third hill.
"Fuck you!" Jack screamed back, holding tighter to the bar and closing his eyes. They were going so fast, up and down and around. The exhilaration was merciless and he held his breath as the tingling sensation in his chest began to augment. He clenched his eyes even tighter as they ascended the tallest peak in the whole ride.
"Put your hands up, Jack!" Will yelled again, a happy smile on his face. Jack almost considered this, but found he couldn't do it. He was just too scared. He felt if he let go, he would fly out and fall to the ground. And they fell one last time, gravity paining them as they came up and back to the boarding platform.
''''''''''
"Jack. Come on. Why aren't you talking to me?"
Jack continued his fast walk, and distanced himself further from Will. He crossed his arms and kept the frown firm on his face.
"Jack! Speak to me." Will pleaded, secretly wanting to laugh for some reason. Seeing Jack squealing on the roller-coaster was the highlight of the trip so far. Blindfolding his friend was very clever, Will thought. But he did feel bad for using such a means to get Jack on the ride. It was pretty cruel.
"Jack, you can't be mad at me the whole time!" Will chuckled, following Jack as he walked even faster. Eventually Jack tired and slowed to a normal pace. "You know you enjoyed it." Will smiled slyly.
"Ugh. You are so going to get it when we get back to the city!" Jack huffed, and crossed his arms.
"Aw Jack." Will laughed. "Im sorry. It was wrong of me to trick you like that."
"Damn right it was!" snapped the younger boy, and he stopped in his stride to cross his arms. Will didn't think his friend was too furious, so he glanced around and noticed the carnival games, and the cute prizes one could win.
"I'll make it up to you okay?"
"How?" Jack raised an eyebrow, very interested.
"I'll win you something." Will said confidently as they made their way to the first game.
"Really?" Jack brightened and watched as Will selected a game where he had to use a water gun to win prizes. After paying the worker the needed amount for a try, the college student picked up the water gun, and practiced aiming at a little red target. He would have to shoot the target long enough to make a bell on the side go off, and then he'd win.
Jack tilted his head and watched as his friend aimed, fired and missed. He tried again and missed. Perhaps shooting wasn't his thing. After losing with the water pistols, Will moved to a different game next to the shooting gallery. It involved tossing a ring and getting it around a bottle, among dozens.
Over and over he tossed, missing and missing, and gradually becoming frustrated. The young man tossed his last ring, and let out a huge sigh as he missed again. But he wouldn't give up! He walked over to another booth, where he had to throw a ball through a hole in the wall. Seemed easy.
Jack became hopeful. One ball. One target, and the prizes were adorable. He bit his lip. 'Come on Will... '
Will brought his arm back, paused, and then threw the ball. It soared through the air, gaining a lot of momentum. Jack held his breath and Will held his breath, until he remembered he couldn't throw. And the ball hit the employee on the leg.
Jack rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, becoming exasperated. 'He shouldn't have acted like he could win!'
"I should have known." Jack muttered. "No gay guy can throw a ball straight."
Will heard this and heaved a sigh. Just as he was about to surrender and move on to the rides again, he spied a little booth off to the side. He walked over there, with Jack in tow, and he looked the game. He would have to throw darts at balloons, and if he got three in a row of the same color, he'd win a prize.
"Three darts please." Will placed two dollar bills on the counter, and collected his darts.
"Will. You're not going to win. You can't throw for beans!" Jack whined, and stomped his foot in impatience. "Just give up. I forgive you okay? Lets just go somewhere else!"
"Which ones you going for, sir?" Asked the worker.
Will studied the little dart in his hand, and he looked up at the balloons. They had to be at least twelve feet away from the balloons. How could he hit one, much less three? 'Go for the bright ones. The yellow ones.' he told himself and readied his hand.
"Yellow." he said and propelled the dart.
Away went the dart, like a little rocket, speeding smoothly towards the wall. And in a miraculous instant, a 'pop!' was heard and Will gasped in surprise. He had hit a yellow balloon! Jack straightened in interest and watch Will throw another dart; again, hitting a yellow balloon.
'Will he get it the third time?' Jack thought.
Pop!
"Yes!" Will jumped up in his victory and laughed.
"Which prize will it be?" asked the man, looking at Will.
"Jack?" Will turned to his friend.
"The dog!" Jack uttered excitedly, and beamed as Will pointed it out on the wall. It was lowered and given to Jack. He smiled down at the large stuffed animal, a bit in awe that it was the result of Will's skill and determination.
"Wow!" Jack exclaimed and held the thing closer. "Its amazing you were able to win!"
"Well... " Will said modestly, and they moved back towards the rides.
'''''''''''
Blah. Its been forever since I've seen Sylvan Beach. So if I get my facts wrong about Syracuse and stuff, Im sorry for that! Facts about geography and location are supposed to be accurate, ne? So sorry for those!