Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. Just my original characters and the plot you don't recognise as being associated with the Twilight Saga

AN: The theme park rides are based on UK theme parks and my own experiences in Disneyland. The Park sits on fictitious land 1 hour out from Seattle. I came up with the name 'Silver Ray Theme Park' while sitting at my desk at work, looking at construction brochures.

Chapter Thirty-Five – The Thrilling Theme Park

"We should so do something this weekend," said Bella.

"Like what Bella? If you haven't noticed we've done something every weekend of this summer. Between the adventures, you organise and being at summer camp every day I'm exhausted!"

"Grow up Ella and live a little. You're too young to be wasting away, let's stick it to the man and do something."

"First off, we're the same age! Secondly, I'm not wasting away, I've just been super busy which means I'm super tired."

"Please Ella, please! We can invite Adrian, Angela, Enzo, Gellert and even Tristram. You could invite those in your camp group if you wanted."

"I can't invite those from camp, something about camp guidelines and chaperones but I suppose one more outing as a group wouldn't do any harm as long as you allow me to relax the following weekend."

"Deal."

"Also, there is nothing wrong with Tristram, I don't know why you're so against him."

"He's creepy."

"I know creepier people."

"Who?"

"Nevermind."

Shit, she can't know about Marco or she'll go all protective sister on me and probably tell Rose. I could handle Marco by myself, no need to get others involved.

"If you're sure…so you're in for this weekend?"

"Yes, Bella I'm in but I think I should get to pick what we do this time."

She pouted.

"Don't give me that face! You've picked every adventure we've had so far because you've had Adrian to back up what you want to do. Well no more. If I have to suffer another adventure then it's going to be one that I actually want to go on."

"I thought you enjoyed the adventures," muttered Bella bitterly.

"Cheer up Bella, you know I'm only half messing with you. Please let me pick this one time and I'll never mention it again."

"Fine…I guess I have been a little bossy in deciding what we should do and when."

I wanted to mutter that she'd been a lot more than a 'little bossy' but felt that was just asking to be on the receiving end of a Bella glare. I didn't want her to take away my decision to decide what to do just because I'd angered her.

"So, what did you have in mind?"

"Does the 'Silver Ray Theme Park' still exist just out of Seattle?"

Her brows furrowed for a moment in contemplation before her eyes cleared and lit up with excitement and understanding.

"I don't know but I could check. That would be a great day out Ella," she almost squealed with excitement and it was quite unnerving to hear.

Bella wasn't usually a squealer.

"Fantastic. So, will you let me get on with my camp stuff till Saturday?"

"Sure, it's only, what…two days away."

"Today's Wednesday so technically it's three days away."

"If you want me to continue to let you to your camp stuff, stop picking holes in my argument."

"Fine, fine."

I smirked in achievement. The banter between Bella and I had gotten tighter since the Cullen's had left. I suppose our friendship and our bond had got closer as well. I hadn't realised how far we'd lost sight of each other when we had both been spending time with our significant others. We had still been close to each other but not as close as we'd been in Phoenix. It was good to see a return to that closeness.

I was thankful that Bella had agreed to leave me to my 'camp stuff'. Though I was getting on relatively well with Sophie and Marco, I knew we wouldn't get much done if we continued to argue the way that we did. I wanted to get the song down on paper. I knew it had to be a joint effort but I figured that between Sophie and I, Marco would have no move to contest us. I'd managed to write a verse and two choruses of the song as well as the music to go with it. I was hoping to unveil it to the two of them tomorrow and hope that they liked it enough to stick with it.

The song itself was probably more girly than Marco would have liked and talked about being independent and confident after a breakup. Knowing Marco, he'd probably assume the song was about me and Edward breaking up. He was going to be so disappointed when he realised we were still together.

Marco's infatuation with my relationship with Edward was something I couldn't understand. I guess I just didn't understand Marco, nothing about him made sense and the moment I thought I had got him sussed, he did something to contradict it.

When I got in the car Thursday morning I realised two things. To start, I realised how much I was spending on petrol just to drive myself to and from camp each day and secondly I realised how much money my bank account had. I'm not foolish, I know how much my bank account should have in it considering how much petrol I'd been buying and I knew it should be considerable lower. No, scratch that, a LOT LOWER.

"Rose…" I said, dragging her name out when she answered the phone, "did you put money in my account?"

There was silence on the other line, a clear sign in my opinion that she had been the culprit.

"Blame Alice."

"For?"

"She sent me a message saying you were wasting your savings on petrol. That didn't seem fair so I topped your savings up."

"Rose, you didn't top them up a little, you topped them up a lot."

"Ella, you're practically part of the family already. We have a lot of money and what I gave you doesn't even put a dent in our fortune. I know your angry and are probably thinking a hundred different things right now but the only reason I put money in your account was to look after you."

"Alright, get off your soap box! I'm a little mad but I know you Cullen's don't see money as a big deal the way us simple humans do. I'll let this go if you promise not to put any more money in my account without talking to me first."

"I promise," said Rose. "you should probably drive to camp now," she added.

Shit!

Looking at the time I realised she was right. I'd wasted precious driving minutes chatting to Rose on the phone. I quickly hung up, started the engine and was on my way. I didn't think it would matter if I was a couple of minutes late but I didn't want to give a bad impression.

The campers were in high spirits when I arrived and I heard snippets of conversation all around about the night before. There had been an evening camp activity that hadn't involved a camp fire. It seemed there had been a party of sorts with live karaoke. Gossip was running wild within the camp as well, it seemed that there was more than just music and art being made at camp.

Of course, I shouldn't have been surprised that relationships were forming between people at camp. Personally, I thought it was ridiculous to date someone you probably wouldn't see ever again but I guess it wasn't my choice. Everyone was fixated on the breakups and shouting matches that had happened the night before that no one noticed me turning up a little late.

In art, this morning we were concentrating on fruit. Still art was always a little boring but our teacher encouraged us to break out of the boring mould and use bright colours, neon colours and even tissue paper and glitter to create out still life paintings. I must say, it was the first time I wasn't bored by drawing fruit. I'd always thought of fruit as a beginner piece but after that lesson I realised that it was good to come back to the stuff you first learned if only to improve your work for the future.

In the afternoon, I was a barrel of nerves as I grabbed my guitar from where I'd stashed it in the back of the car and raced across the campus to meet Marco and Sophie.

"Hey guys," I called.

"Ella," drawled Marco.

Whatever voice he was going for didn't work, for I just felt a disgusted shiver race through me.

"You bought your guitar?" questioned Sophie.

"Yeah, I was up late the last two nights getting a song down. I hope you like it because I was thinking we could use it for our project. I only have the chorus down and one verse so there is still a lot of work to do."

"Go ahead and play it for us then, it's not like we have anything else in the wings," said Sophie.

I smiled at her as I ignored the glower from Marco. I began strumming my guitar and with it the music and the words just flowed from me and out into the air. It wasn't much but I tried to put as much passion and feeling into it as I could. When I finished, Sophie was cheering but Marco was still glowering.

"It's a chick song," he muttered.

"I loved it! Yes, it's a chick song but it's more than that. It talks about getting over a break up and living for yourself again. I think everyone can relate to that, boy or girl," said Sophie.

"Does this song relate to yourself personally?"

"No Marco it doesn't."

"Are you sure? You put a lot of passion into it. Are you sure you're alright? If you've broken up with Edward, then I'll be your shoulder to cry on."

"Edward and I are fine thanks. We haven't broken up and are very happy together. There will be no crying on anyone's shoulder."

"How did you come up with the song then, if not from personal experience?"

"I was just thinking of what song would be most universally accepted by all. Songs about breakups and songs about love sell the most in the real world. I knew that if we came up with a positive breakup song then we'd be onto a winner."

"I think if you broke up with Edward then everyone would be happy."

"Seriously Marco, I've had enough of you. I don't know what your problem is with me and Edward but it stops right here. My personal relationship is nothing to do with you. I'm happy to be your friend but this obsession stops right now. Not only is it beyond irritating but your attitude is affecting our project and you're making Sophie uncomfortable."

I was heaving by the time I finished my speech. Sophie looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole but I couldn't be bothered to feed her needs right now. Marco needed to back the heck down before I snapped and killed him. He was just staring at me, unblinking and unmoving. God, he looks so hot when he's trying to be nonplussed. What the fuck? Why did I think that about Marco? Just push it to the back of your mind and try to ignore it, I told myself. Marco was Marco, he wasn't hot or attractive and I had no feelings for him whatsoever.

"Well it's two against one Marco, because I agree with Ella both on how you behave and the song."

He muttered something that sounded like 'fucking girls' before he seemed to calm enough to look at us dead on.

"Fine, I shall put aside my obsessions and my hatred and behave like a respectable young gentleman. I will not insist that Ella break things off with Edward, nor will I hound her to invite me round. I shall be the perfect friend to you both, so much so that you won't want to be rid of me."

I blinked through the daze that seemed to wrap around my mind. I could see Sophie out of the corner of my eye looking the same if not more dazed than I. It wasn't natural to have such a haze engulf me. It felt wrong and I didn't like it, my body was rejecting it and I encouraged it. Sophie didn't seem that lucky.

I blinked away the fog and looked at Marco with a curious expression on my face. He looked back at me with a smirk that unnerved me. It took but a split second for the wind to change and with that change came Sophie's.

"Oh Marco, you're such a good friend. Isn't he a good friend Ella? We're going to be the best of friend's forever."

WTF? Nothing that had happened in the past few minutes made sense. I knew that Marco wasn't a vampire so he didn't have a talent he could manipulate me with, yet he'd done something if that smile was anything to go by. I felt conflicted, I knew that there was something fishy about Marco and that I shouldn't be around him. Yet at the same time there was that voice in my head that told me he was attractive and that I should let him in. What was I to do?

"I've got to talk to one of my teachers, I'll see you two later."

I almost scrambled in my attempt to get away.

I'll see you sooner than later I heard on the wind.

It frightened me. Was my mind playing tricks on me? Had I heard Marco inside my head or was it something worse?

I knew I felt conflicted on the drive home but once I was at home I couldn't remember why I'd felt such intense fear. I didn't want to tell anyone what was going on for fear they'd think me crazy and commit me. If I didn't know what was happening then no one could help me, I'd just figure things out for myself. It wasn't as bad as my mind was making it out to be.

Friday similarly, was blurry to my memory. I remembered going to camp and attending classes but I couldn't tell you the finer points to what I'd done. I couldn't even remember whether I'd met up with Sophie or Marco. All I could say for sure was that I'd been followed by a sinister shadow smile all day. I called it a shadow smile for I could see it within my mind but not in the real world.

To say that I was excited by the weekend activities was an understatement. With the stress of what had or hadn't been happening over the last two days, I was beyond relieved to have some fun with my friends and family. Bella had done her research; Sliver Ray Theme Park was indeed still open and full of rides that neither of us had since we were little and still visiting Charlie in the summer.

I was delighted to know that something I'd valued so highly in my childhood was still around to this day. It made me giddy with excitement at the prospect of seeing the park with new eyes. I wondered if the rides were the same or if they'd changed with the times. I realised that there would be more rides that I'd be able to go on now that I was older and taller.

It was to be one of those rare sunny days so neither Rose or Emmett could come with us, which I was rather disappointed about. Rose encouraged me to have fun while Emmett asked for me to buy him stuff. Originally we were going to bring out own food but Rose reminded me of the mountain of money she'd deposited in my account and that I should use that if I was annoyed with her. She said it would annoy Alice as well because everyone knew that Alice thought money was best spent on clothes and spending it on something else usually got her annoyed.

It was going to take us about three hours to drive out to the park. The initial idea had been to set off at 9 am but after much contradiction between the group and what everyone wanted, we decided to leave a 6am. Granted I was less than happy to be getting up at that time but if it meant we got to the park nice and early then I guess I could suffer. Besides with Adrian driving, I could sleep away the hours it got to get there. Tyler would be driving the second car and we were hoping to arrive at the park at 9am leaving all day to explore.

I'd gone for wearing black leggings with my Nike trainers, a black tank top and an oversized yellow top over it. I figured it was light enough to wear for going on rides and stuff. Bella as usual was wearing brown but I couldn't be bothered to call her out on it.

There was a queue when we arrived but it wasn't nearly as-long-as it would have been had we gotten there later. I was happy to see that the prices hadn't risen dramatically over the years. It was still an affordable place to go to. I was already bouncing on the balls of my feet in excitement, I could hear the screams of excitement that indicated the rides were already up and running. I wondered briefly if I could convince Bella to go on the spinning teacups with me.

The teacup ride had been my favourite for ages but Bella had quite gone off it since the famous vomit incident of our seventh birthday. I'd convinced her that spinning the cup around fast was a good thing but she'd lost her breakfast over it and had decided never to set foot on one again. Considering the scowl, she was currently sending my way, I figured she knew what I was thinking about and I knew I wouldn't be able to get her on it. Perhaps I could trick someone else instead.

We started, because Bella insisted, on the Carousel ride. The slowest most annoying ride on the planet. Everyone seemed to be having fun though, I could see Tristram acting the fool as usual but Tyler seemed to be joining in on the shenanigans as well. Angela was rolling her eyes at them and I didn't need to look at Bella to know that she was making mushy eyes at Adrian. Next we went on the banana boat, which just swings back and forth before we went on one of my personal childhood favourites. It was a ride inside in a boat with characters, neon lights and bubbles. Think of it as a less annoying version of 'It's A Small World' ride in Disneyland but with bubbles and water features. I was laughing hysterically to myself by the end of it and I distinctly heard Bella telling the others to ignore my breakdown.

Tyler then insisted we go on a roller coaster. I had a love hate relationship with coasters, some I loved while I thought others were death traps. I just didn't feel safe in some of the contraptions they strapped you into. This one was a leg dangling one so I didn't feel so bad. The harness we were strapped into seemed relatively secure and during the ride I only felt myself lift a little out of my seat. I didn't realise how many loops were in this ride though and I felt myself scream every time I found myself upside down.

I internally praised the fact that I had land below my feet when we got off that ride. Angela wanted to go on the water rapid's ride next and everyone seemed up for that. I watched from the queue as others got off the ride and noticed whether they'd gotten soaked. I had debated whether to get a poncho raincoat or not but in the end decided to go without. The rapid cart was a round circle, with a rubber bottom. It could sit around ten people inside so with the eight of us we got a cart to ourselves. The cart even had a waterproof sealed box in the centre that you could put your bags in, which we all took advantage of.

It was a good gentle ride with soothing music and sights to see. I was confident that I wouldn't get too wet on the ride and even if I did the sun would dry me. The ride had paused a bit at the top of a dip and we had all readied ourselves for what was to come. Not even I had anticipated what would happen. I was sitting in the far side of the cart from the dip with Bella and Adrian being the closest. When the cart fell forward a giant wave of water rose and fell back onto the cart. I got sprinkled with a little water as did Angela and Tyler who sat on either side of me. However, as I looked forward at Bella and Adrian I couldn't help the giggles that came forth. Soon we were all laughing hysterically as the two of them glared daggers back at us. The wave that had crashed down on the cart had soaked both Bella and Tyler to the bone. It was hilarious, they looked like drowned rats.

When the ride had finished and we'd got off, people were looking at Bella and Adrian in sympathy. With each step that Bella took her shoes squelched. I knew I said the sun would dry us out but I was beginning to think it wouldn't be that easy for Bella or Adrian. Who knows how long it would take them to dry out. *

I decided, after receiving a particularly harsh glare from Bella that it was time for lunch. Everyone was happier when I said I'd be paying and we all headed to the food court area. I enjoyed my burger and remembered not to stare too much at Bella. Taking pity on her I offered to buy her clothes so at least she could be dry. She did resist my attempts to be chivalrous until Adrian insisted she get into some dry clothes and then she was all for it. I wasn't completely innocent in buying her clothes but Bella needed to step out of her brown comfort zone and it wasn't my fault that they only had pink tops available…

While waiting for Bella to dry and change and Adrian to do the same, I wandered around the shops with the others. I found some baseball themes merchandise that I quickly picked up for Emmett and for Rose I found the cutest hair bow in pink and a soft cuddly toy that I hoped she'd appreciate. I even found something humorous for Dad that I hoped he'd find funny.

Once everyone had grouped up again it was time to hit more of the rides. The boys wanted to do all the roller coasters and I suffered in silence on four of them before I'd put my foot down and decided enough was enough. We went on a couple of car rides before attempting one of those shooter games. That was particularly funny because the boys made such big talk about being amazing at the shooter game yet in the end it was Angela that came out with the high score. No matter how many times they whispered 'beginners luck' we knew it was not so. Angela used to have shooting lessons back when her Dad was in her life.

"Look they've got those cuddly toy stands," said Angela.

"You know they're rigged. I mean no one ever wins on those," said Tristram.

"Can't we try anyway? It would be fun," said Bella.

"I'm game. You never know, one of us might win something," I added.

The boy's grumbled but I knew we had already got Adrian on our side for he could not say no to Bella.

"You're such a push over Adrian, whipped to your girlfriend's side," said Tristram.

"Back off," came the reply.

"Tristram's just jealous they're together and happy where he is alone and pitiful," I said.

"Oh yeah? I don't see your boyfriend hanging around with us."

"At least I have a significant other. What do you have? Your hand?"

"Guys, please, no fighting."

"He started it," I mumbled.

"So childish. I'm only teasing Ella, Bella."

"Whatever," said Bella.

"You want me to try and win you something?" asked Tristram.

"No, I'm alright."

I pushed him lightly in a good way. He was such a tease but there was nothing dangerous about Tristram.

"Did you just push me? I'll get you for that," he said while laughing.

I didn't notice he'd stuck his foot out until I'd tripped over it but I did see the stairs hurtling towards me as I crashed down them. My body seemed to hit each step as I went down, the concrete banging painfully against my human body. I cried out in fear and pain, my cries becoming screams as I finally stopped moving. Everything hurt and I couldn't move. It was chaos around me but it all blurred as my eyes closed.

AN: * The water rapid scene happened to me in Animal Kingdom in Disneyland Florida. It was a hot day but I was wet and soggy for the most of it. The sun did not dry me out at all. In the group of five I went with, me and another suffered the fate of the big wave.