Hey There,

Welcome back! For this rare Friday post! So excited to get this chapter to you guys! And even more jazzed to get this group to that theme park! I hope all of you are too! I hope this Friday is good to all of you, and these words find you well! But enough of my yakky yak! Let's get this party started!

I did receive one review yesterday, from SpideyGirlHepburn who just finished Ch.13 And I have to say THANK YOU! To her, because this story COULD NOT happen without her. That is my little sister who I started writing this story for in the first place, so... I gotta give a little special thanks answering that review! (I don't know how you did it with all of wifi issues we've struggled with in the last few days [but really, few months]. Or how you snuck it past me the way you did too, we live in the same house... tricky tricky! But I am so glad that you did, that you FINALLY read about Logan realizing he loves Quinn. It hasn't been easy keeping so many secrets, twists, turns and curve-balls from you about this story. But I'm so thrilled that you're still reading, enjoying and still say I'm doing these people justice. THAT IS SO HUGE! Especially when it comes to Quogan, I know you're holding all of my coverage of them to that higher standard. Even though you love everyone like I do. I wouldn't have even started this story if you hadn't binged this series with me, if it wasn't for the fun we had forming the headcanons we STILL talk about. And literally, NONE of this could be POSSIBLE if it weren't for you being the AMAZING SISTER you've ALWAYS been! But the fun we've had dreaming up most of this stuff is how it keeps going! I hope as you catch up, you continue to enjoy it, and see how tricky I've had to be too. SO Tickled! Have a great day! Take Care and Much Love!)

Standard disclaimers apply - I do not own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV or any of the other trademarked things mentioned below. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted plots and ploys. Most will be returned unharmed!

Enjoy!

"The Collective Trials of a Quinnventor… and Logan!"

Chapter 29 - A Trip to Mystic Mountain

(Logan's Perspective)

There was such a huge part of me, that didn't want to come back to PCA tonight. Such a loud and determined part of me. That wanted to just stay on our beach all night and say to hell with everything else. If I could have just kept her safe there with me and there had been more than just a lighthouse off in the distance that I could have taken her to… I probably would have asked her too.

To hell with curfews, dance classes tomorrow morning, field trips to hell holes overrun with Del Figgalos too.

If I could have gotten away with keeping her all to myself. I would have, no question. But that's the only drawback to falling for such a good person. They follow the rules, don't let friends down [even the full-grown ones, who would have totally covered for us], we had to eventually head back to campus and separate dorms.

I know how all of this sounds after some of the confessions Quinn and I have said lately. But for real, I didn't want to let her go, I didn't even want to let her out of my sight. And I definitely didn't want to give Mark any other opportunities to corner her. So I had Miles (our driver) drop her off right outside of her dorm. And it had felt like it broke me to pieces letting her go.

Then I had gone to my dorm and checked in with the closest DA. A little before curfew, I was still kicking myself!

I didn't just want to keep her with me because I want her… ALL the time lately. I'd wanted her with me because I love her and I just wanted to be with her all the time that much more... even if especially while she's feeling so let down. It wasn't even that I thought Zoey or Lola wouldn't be there for her. I knew they probably would be, but I wanted to be the one who was there, no one else… you know?

Quinn was hurting, AGAIN! Because of Mark! And he was trying to say Quinn was ruining things for him? That's rich! Coming from the biggest living 'bump-on-a-log' on planet EARTH! The one who couldn't even try treating Quinn like a human when they were together. So every time I do ANYTHING nice at all she's so shocked and doesn't know what to think. Because in two years Mark could trouble himself with treating her like a person, or even a dog... He's really disgusting and soul-less!

I was so angry, frustrated and worried. I couldn't sleep... at all, but I wasn't the only one. Both of my roommates were up too. With different reasons for not sleeping, all their own. So all three of us ended up sitting on the couch in front of the tv… watching Sponge-Bob Square Pants (it's on all night as some marathon or something).

Michael was the easiest to read, now that he was over his fears. He could not WAIT to hit that park and ride with ALL of us. Even if Lisa was still the person he looked forward to riding with the most. His was an excited sleeplessness, but he was at least happy. He even said himself, "I feel like a little kid at Christmas. Like I'm gonna wake up tomorrow and open presents."

I may still be getting to know James, but I knew in a glance his insomnia (Quinn's word-look at him using it, right) wasn't brought on by happiness. Just like mine wasn't, so I dared to ask him. "What's keeping you up, Garrett?"

And he shocked both Michael and me by saying, "I'm worried my girlfriend may not feel the same way I do."

Michael asked, "What do you mean? Didn't you guys have a date tonight?"

"Yeah, and tomorrow we're supposed to be spending the entire day together too. You know, when we're not hanging out with you guys…But I don't know, I keep hearing this little voice in the back of my head. That keeps telling me… I don't know. Maybe it's not me who she wants to be with or maybe she would be happier as friends… you know?"

Michael understood entirely, "Yes! That little voice inside yourself, that's usually right. I HATE that thing, my grandma swears to me it's faith. You know? God, talking to you or through you... or something, reaching into your life and that might be true. But mine always sounds too suspiciously like my grandma in my head… or Chase. And it's usually right, but not ALL the time."

Is it sad that I was just glad to hear someone else admitting they heard Chase in their head like that? Even if it isn't as comforting as it probably should be, because it came from Michael. But the three of us have been close for so many years, we really are more like brothers.

"Mine's usually never wrong…" James shared, "My mom thinks it's God too. And I've been fighting with Zoey a lot more lately… She's not excited about Prom at all. Dodges the subject like the black plague. Every plan I try to make she doesn't like, and everything I try to do to cheer her up, doesn't work either… I don't know."

I don't even know why I asked him, but somehow the words flew outta my mouth. "Do you think you love her?"

"I know I do," James didn't hesitate. "But I don't know if she feels the same."

Michael asked him, "Has she ever said it? Have you ever said to her, 'Zoey, I love you?' Just like that, have you ever said that?"

"Not really," He said, even pointing out. "Not the way you and Lisa say it, all the time; or Vince and Lola say it, all the time. She says she loves things about me, sometimes. But she's doesn't outright say it like that, and I'm worried… you know? Worried enough to not sleep after a date, I just had with her. Am I crazy?"

"No," Michael slapped him on the back and told him. "None of this stuff's ever easy. But for what it's worth. Zoey has been very happy with you since she came back from London. And with Chase gone I didn't think that was possible."

James' face was a little guarded as he said, "Yeah… Missing Chase is something she still brings up every single day at least three times. If not more… I just wonder if there's more still there between them… you know?"

I (Logan) had to admit, "I could see where you'd think that."

"Yeah, they're TIGHT! BEST of friends!" Michael admitted. "But don't be losing sleep over it. Chase is still in London and Zoey's probably just being a girl. Fickle about the weirdest things, at the worst times! She'll probably snap right out of it once she has a dress and shoes. Lisa did!"

James admitted, "I hope you're right, cause I really do love her… I just hope she loves me too. That same way."

As much as I was pretending to gag at James' little ending wish. I had to try even harder not to relate to it. I was in TOTAL love with Quinn, like so completely gone! I didn't even know where to start. How to explain it to anyone else…how I felt, not even Quinn herself. And I was just as terrified of it coming out of me at some point. When I just can't keep it in anymore, and her not feeling that way about me either. The same way James is sitting up right now. I've sat up countless nights with that same headache and heartache… but I couldn't let either of these people know THAT!

So I wasn't ready at all when Michael asked, "Alright! So we know why I'm up, we know why James is up. We shared our stories, what's got you burning this late-night oil, Logan? It can't be the same problems we've got."

"It can't? I mean, no! It can't, you're right." I choked.

Michael tried to narrow it down, "You've been picking on how dinky this theme park is all week, so you can't be excited about going there like me. And you don't got no woman like James does either. So you can't be having the same problems as him either."

James even tried to kid, "There's an upside if I ever heard one."

Michael carried on, "If that can't be it, what is it? Did another one of your pocket mirrors break and give you another 7 years of bad luck?"

"No, I was just worried too. I guess." I said but I was tired and not thinking and I should have said something different.

Michael asked, "ABOUT what? You're up at night… actually worrying!? This, I gotta hear."

I blame it on how exhausted and teed off I still felt. But I ended up admitting, "I'm worried about Quinn, okay?"

Michael freaked even more, "You're not even worried about yourself but someone else? Come here, let me feel your fore-HEAD! Boy! Are you sick?"

"Quit it!" I snapped as Michael felt my forehead for a fever he didn't find.

"Hmm, Quinn… encouraging our little tinman to use his heart? That IS a new concept." Michael teased and slapped him away from me.

I got serious on him and told him, "Michael you missed it, earlier! But Quinn came to lunch today, super late, all to pieces about a confrontation she had with Mark."

"Today?" Michael asked looking at James too.

James backed me up explaining, "Yeah! She was so upset, she couldn't even talk about it. Did you talk to her in dance practice after that or something?"

"Yeah," I made up on the fly. We'd been dancing tonight on our beach, in a way that I bet wasn't completely supported by the school. But it wasn't a total lie, not really. "That's right, I got more info about what was going on in my dance practices with her tonight. And now, I'm worried about Quinn, because Mark's lost his damn mind! He asked Quinn to not go tomorrow."

"Why?" Michael asked.

James added, "Zoey seemed to remember Quinn spending a lot of time there with Mark when they were dating. She said Quinn always complained that he wouldn't do normal things with her though. They'd explore and do experiments instead in hidden places throughout the park. But Quinn was always trying to get Mark to do fun things too, normal things and he just never would. At least that's what my girlfriend told me."

Michael asked, "In a theme park? Really?-I mean I know this is Mark and Quinn we're talking about here. And it ain't gonna be anything like we expect, with our less than average intelligence, but really?"

Zoey gets points for remembering that. But Michael's right too, Quinn deserved better from Mark then and he shouldn't be bothering her now. (Even though I didn't like how he'd grouped Quinn with Mark or made her sound strange, just now.)

I ended up saying out loud [I blame it on all of the sleep I wasn't getting], "The last thing she should have to worry about tomorrow is upsetting her damn ex. Or having to face off with his bitch squad. But Quinn isn't going to just be worried from the moment she steps in that place till the moment we leave. She was also hurt by what exactly Mark said to her, today… deeply, and she's trying to be brave and not let it show. But I got a peek tonight and I could just… thrash that douchebag."

I jumped outta my skin when James said, "Me too." Because I'd forgotten he or Michael were there. Or that I had been talking out loud. See, I really shouldn't have been allowed to talk, I was talking out of my head. Thank God I didn't confess that I love her. Can you imagine if I had?

Michael brought me back to reality asking, "And that's why you're sitting up? You're worried not only about someone else. But Quinn, specifically? That sounds like some growth and progress, man."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked him seriously. Am I just that sleep-deprived or is he making no sense right now?

James tried to help, "You're a good friend to keep Logan, but you can be a little self-centered."

"I know that!" I told them, and I did already know that. I even knew that was putting it lightly, compared to some of the things both of my roommates had seen. But I pointed out, "That doesn't make me a careless soulless VOID like Mark."

"No, it doesn't." James agreed before pointing out. "It's just nice to see you so concerned about something besides yourself."

Michael said, "And here I was thinking I would be the only one facing down anything in that park tomorrow… How could I have no idea Quinn would be facing something so much more personal and hard? That she could make all of my problems seem so small and insignificant… Man, life's crazy, isn't it?"

James pat him on the back and acknowledged, "You've been sort of busy taking on your own fears this week, buddy. I've been right here and didn't know either. Quinn must really be internalizing all of these complex feelings-"

Michael FINALLY realized, "And she's been dropping everything to help me all week… and I don't know if I ever even thanked her for that."

James offered, "Thank her tomorrow, I'm sure she'll appreciate it, and maybe ride a few things with her so she's not by herself all the time. Lola and Zoey are planning to do the same. We just gotta kinda see that she isn't left out or left alone for too long so she's a target."

And I had to admit I was grateful to both of my roommates. Because they were both making it a part of their plans now. To make certain Quinn was okay. I would have been more grateful if that had been the plan ALL along. But at least they planned to take it more seriously now.

Now that they knew she was going to be trying her best to be brave all day too.

I still never slept, even if eventually both Michael and James fell asleep on the couch. I was off to dance practices by 4am after giving up on sleep, meeting with Quinn just as super early. She hadn't been able to sleep much either. And when she'd hugged me and kissed me this morning, I finally felt like I could relax… like I couldn't since the moment she came to lunch in tears yesterday.

But none of this crap affected her dancing at all. She seemed better today somehow than all the other days combined and I just… couldn't take my eyes off of her.

I was glad we had some time together before everyone else showed up too. Because if I hadn't gotten to be with her this morning. I know I would have lost it for SURE teaching that class. The practice skirt she'd been in was almost the same color as that blue dress she'd worn that Stella picked out for her (Ch.19 & 20) when we'd been up north. On top of that her every move was just… I don't know… sensual today.

I was thinking I had to be the only one to think that. But no! Even Paulina had noticed and said, "I want whatever she had for breakfast this morning. She's dancing better than some of my professional friends this morning."

But I think it was seeing that color on her again that had been the magic for me. Who knew blue could look that good on anyone?

Gleb and Paulina were gonna be some of the many chaperones going along on the trip today. So they were all excited about that, especially since their three kids were staying with their grandparents all weekend. So they got to go today and not have to be on little kid patrol all day. They could act more like kids themselves and they were all excited. But I can't really remember one thing either of them said today (besides what Paulina said about Quinn's dancing). I guess I was too distracted by Quinn and how she was at all times.

She did seem to be smiling a little easier today, and she did seem to be having fun in those rehearsals… but I still couldn't help but worry.

When we had been sharing breakfast, with Gleb, Paulina and the rest of our gang. I still couldn't take my eyes off of Quinn. I had to keep tearing my eyes off of her and telling myself to stop staring. But it was so hard, the last dance we'd done today in class had been our dance and I could still feel her warmth on my hands and arms. I couldn't get the tune we'd danced to out of my head or her laughs when I'd slipped up. GOD? How am I supposed to even THINK of looking at anyone else TODAY? EVEN-IF-IT-IS-TO-KEEP-OUR-SECRET-A-SECRET?

I asked myself that same question all morning long, while we were all getting ready to go. When it was finally time to get on the buses, I knew I couldn't sit next to Quinn. I'd never be able to keep my hands to myself. So I had made a point of grabbing the seat next to Mandy Franklin. Also known as 'Make-out Mandy,' just to start my plans to end Blake's constant speculation every time Quinn and me are next to each other around him.

Mandy's nice, she just has low self-esteem. And it's not like I sat next to her and we made out the whole way to the theme park. I sat next to her and maybe said five things before I fell asleep, because I'd been up all night. And NEVER slept, not even for a minute. So I'd gone out like a light with the coolness of the window against the side of my face.

When I woke up we were there, Mandy was already gone with her friends and Quinn had shaken me awake. She'd smiled, "I told you that you would probably drop at some point. Not sleeping like that."

"You did." I stretched out and asked her, "Do I have bedhead?"

"No more than usual." She said just to make me sweat and left the bus giggling as she saw me pulling out my pocket mirror to check it out for myself.

I thought she was just being nicer than our friends, who had all planned to let me sleep on the bus. I didn't realize Quinn was setting her own standard. But she kept doing that, all throughout the entire day. Even when I was surrounded in girls, all fighting over which one of them was going to ride with me (for whatever we were standing in line for at the time, it happened a lot). Quinn would keep tossing these little comments or concealed flirts that just never failed to turn my head. Get my attention and she wasn't by any means alone either.

If none of our friends were riding with her, she had guys jumping at the chance to ride with her. She could have turned some of them down too, but she was always like, "Let's go." So just like my Dad's stuffy parties, it had become a weird game we were both playing all morning long. And even though I'm the first to admit it was weird… it made the time pass a little faster.

I almost had to ride 'the scrambler' with Stacey Dillsen, who was pushing in with me and another girl. But Quinn had saved me, by asking if Stacey could ride with her instead, when she didn't have anyone to ride with. Stacey actually went with her too, and their car was on the same spinning thing as mine. SO I could hear them talking and before the ride began. Quinn warned Stacey, "There's something that this ride in particular does to my stomach and I usually can't stop laughing the whole time. I'm sorry, I can't control it, it's just a natural reaction-"

But Stacey grabbed her hand and said, "Me too! It just bubbles up like the WHOLE time! Uncontrolablly!"

While I'm thinking this I've gotta hear...

And they didn't disappoint, not long after the ride started. They were both laughing their heads off and it was one of the most hysterically things to happen ALL DAY! Their combined cackles were too contagious. And not just to me, but everyone. Michael even told them, "You two were the party! I know who I wanna ride that with next time!"

But even with things like that happening, TIME was still CREEPING by WAAAAAY TOOOOOO SLOWLY! Dad had bought out the place, so the ONLY people in the park were from PCA, and there were only so many of us going to Prom. Dustin and his friends were here too, I'd said they could come, so Dustin had brought as many people from other grades that he could fit on the buses, and still there just weren't that many people around. So lines went fast, if there were any and some rides even ran more than once to pass the time for the employees.

All the while my hands were aching to grab one of hers, or grab her waist. I wanted to smother that laugh of hers with a kiss SO BADLY! But I felt like my hands were tied, literally. Because of all the other girls pawing at me. NOT to MENTION all of the guys jumping into rides with HER! And that was all just in our first HOUR of being in the park. We still had the whole day to get through.

Almost all of the people running the rides, food carts or park-workers knew Quinn too. She was like a local celebrity or something. Leave it to her to win them all over and still be kind. No matter what happens between her and Mark.

We walked and looked at first, and some people tried the other kiddie rides. Like the carousel, tilt-a-whirl, music-express, spinning tea cups, and other baby rides. I even stepped onto a few of them with girls that weren't too pushy. And that Music-Express thing, I will admit was more fun than I thought it would be.

But the real fun began [for me at least] when we got to the thrill rides more built for grown people.

When we reached the FIRST rollercoaster, called the "Spine Twister" and it was the SAME one Michael had overcome his fear riding. EVERYONE just knew he was gonna ride with Lisa. And he did, but for the encore ride, he insisted on riding with Quinn, as thanks for all of her help. She'd just lit up and hugged him. Is it terrible I was even mad and jealous that he'd gotten to hug her? While I couldn't? I think we rode that coaster four or five more times before moving on to the next one.

The next one was called "the Hurler" and it went upside down three different times and ways. Quinn was warning everyone along with Michael, that the last loop makes your belly-flip (or feel funny). She even explained why that is, and it has to do with the coaster losing momentum over time so that last loop leaves the riders suspended for a full second or more and it's just long enough to make you wonder is something wrong. But it isn't, it's just the way that that specific ride is designed. And the pause goes for even longer if the seats aren't all full, or the car's running light.

God! She is HOT when she's explaining things like that. I had been listening to her so intently. I had forgotten other people were around for a minute and I had to be reminded by my adoring fans that it was our turn to get on the ride. Quinn had locked eyes with me and blushed DEEP red before she was outta sight too…

WHY did I HAVE to be with ANYONE ELSE TODAY?! Remind me again, why that was my idea? Why it had sounded so good at the time?! Besides the fact, I had been making out with Quinn when I told her about it?

I have to hand it to Zoey and company. They were all doing a great job of not ever letting Quinn be alone… but then we ran into our first hiccup of the day. Was when we reached the fifth coaster of the day. A crazy thrill ride called, "Flight of Nightmares." Because the ride up to the drop left all riders flat on their backs and the drop itself was straight down one of the biggest drops in northern California. And yeah, I would be the first to swear I'd seen bigger from the ground. I may have even said that to the girls on my arm at the time… But that thing was touching clouds and birds.

When we were all standing in line for that one. I was too distracted trying to keep the peace between the girls with me. They were all determined to get in a fight.

Zoey was kind of arguing with James about something to do with Jellyfish being better 'fish,' than stingrays who were bullies. Though I have no idea why any of that would be something WORTH arguing about. And she didn't notice till way late that Quinn was climbing into her seat, partnerless, and Zoey started yelling to her. "Quinn… Quinn! You can't go on this one alone. ESPECIALLY not this one!"

Quinn waved off, "Oh, I'm okay, Zoe!"

Lola backed Zoey up, even though she was already locked into her seat next to Vince. "Yeah! You hate this drop and you always leave a print in our hands or arms from it. And your nails aren't even that long!"

Zoey noticed me still standing in line with a new flock of admirers and called to me "LOGAN! CAN YOU PLEASE RIDE WITH QUINN! She always gets super panicked on this drop!"

Lola even called, "She always forgets how bad it is till she's on it and almost crying!"

James asks, "If it's that bad, why even do it?" All the while Quinn keeps insisting she'll be fine, but one look at her face now that she was locked in place told me a different story.

Lola reasoned, "She loves the rest of it, she just has a whole episode on the drop every time. And she never remembers till she's on it again."

I was jumping over the railing and telling Zoey, "I got her." Before any of the girls with me could even "hmph" at me. I told my distractions that I would be, "Right back and still ride with all of them. But I was gonna ride with my friend first because she was scared.."

Even though this friend (Quinn) was still insisting, that "No, I'm not, REALLY. I'm fine."

And the people running the ride had to unlock everything next to Quinn so I could squeeze in next to her.

She was still swearing even when I'm already there and locked in place too, "They're all being over dramatic. I don't have a full meltdown EVERY time. I just did the first time…and few times after that."

I told her, "I'll pretend to believe you." I said it loud enough for everyone to hear me and laugh. She swatted my arm but took my hand when the car began to move and roll towards that first hill. Which was steep as all HELL. Quinn had chosen the seat furthest to the back, and I asked her, "Is it seeing the whole crowd laying flat in front of us, that freaks you out?" Because honestly, I could see that freaking anyone out.

She answered with effort through her teeth, but still spoke quickly. "No, this is the last part of the ride to detach from the chain cranking us to the top. So it can also be considered one of the safest seats if something goes wrong."

"Are you freaking out right now?" I asked her my voice didn't sound anything like hers. She sounded like someone heavy was sitting on her in wrestling practice.

In that same troubled tone, she said, "NO, I'm FINE! I just HATE this laying FLAT business! It feels like my legs are gonna flip over my head and I'm gonna roll right out here? WHO the HECK designed this DEATHTRAP? To TIP this MUCH!? And WHY do I ALWAYS FORGET HOW MUCH I HATE IT TILL I'M ON IT AGAIN!?" She practically screamed so comically to the laughter of everyone. Including me. I was laughing so hard my eyes were tearing. Lola and Zoey were screaming back at her.

"IT'S OKAY, Quinn!"

And, "IT'S ALMOST OVER!"

Lisa was even screaming. "HOLD HER HAND LOGAN!"

I called back to them, "It's ALRIGHT! We're Fine! I GOT HER GUYS!"

I'd been so entertained for the second time today. I almost forgot how freaked she had to be to get that kind of volume going. So I pulled her hand to my face and smooched her knuckles quickly telling her. "We're almost at the top."

She said with too much knowledge, "Yes, but it won't release us till more than half the car is hanging over the drop. And looking straight down. Another reason I don't choose any of the seats in the front."

Like the girls had warned I could already see on my hand where her nails were leaving a print. Just across the tops of my knuckles, but in all honesty, I didn't hate it. Before I could flirt or get anything out of this, the chain detached from our cars and we all went flying and screaming straight down.

True to all of the warnings, Quinn laughed and enjoyed the rest of the ride. But she'd just been freaked out by the drop. When we made it to the end and before we were back where everyone could see us again. We were all stopped in this dark place only lit with a few black lights in some places, and pitch darkness in others. Quinn had snuck a kiss across the top of my fingers and thanked me for going with her. While no one had a chance of seeing us, not even the people in front of us.

I whispered to her, "Did it at least help a little, that it was me? Here, with you?"

She nodded and pulled my face to hers for the quickest sweetest kiss. That wasn't nearly long enough. And I was SO glad she'd picked a seat so far away from the rest of our friends. Because one of their nosy asses would have probably noticed it if we were ANY closer.

I told her before we had to get out, "I can't wait for tonight… can you?"

She sighed and shook her head that she felt the same and asked me. "What do you wanna even do together?"

"Think about it, while we've still got roles to play." I told her.

She said "Okay," as we rolled back to where apparently no one was waiting to get on the ride anymore. And since no one was standing there waiting. The person running the ride didn't give us a chance to get off. They just said, "HERE WE GO AGAIN!" Over a speaker and it all started again.

I was cheering "YAY! YESYESYES! MORE! MORE! MORE!" Like most people.

Quinn was next to me saying, "NO! NONONO! AH! Not this FLAT-drop BULLCRAP AGAIN!"

I said softly, "What? You don't wanna ride with me again?"

She said, "That's not the issue here and you KNOW it LOGAN!" She punctuated this with a swat from her free hand. Before she went back to holding on for dear life with it. And gripping my hand in her hand like a vice.

Lola asked loudly, and teasingly. "QUINN? ARE YOU CRYING YET?!" From her seats.

Quinn yelled back, "I'm NOT CRYING! YOU'RE CRYING! And ALL of YOU can at LEAST PRETEND to not ENJOY my PAIN, RIGHT NOW!" She said followed by a loud burst of laughter, and trading from ALL of our friends (Even Gleb and Paulina). Even from some of the people on the ride we didn't know as well.

I admitted to her, "I'm laughing so hard I'm crying. You're hysterical when you're freaked out."

She said, "This is MAKING ME QUESTION ALL OF MY FRIENDSHIPS ON THIS RIDE WITH ME RIGHT NOW! EVEN IF ESPECIALLY THE ONE SEATED WITH ME!"

I said loud enough for all to hear, "HOW IS SOME ONE SO SMART SUCH A BIG BABY?"

"OH I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S THE BABY!" She sassed me right back. Before realizing, "Aren't you the LEAST bit concerned with your little flock of temptresses? Where were they?"

"Not really," I told her honestly, and quietly with a shrug.

"WELL, YOU SHOULD BE! I hope they all climbed onto another car and rode without you."

"Me too." I said kissing her hand again. "I'm sure they're fine, without me."

And she told me, "Stop it! I have to let you go again after this and you're not making it easy!"

"So you are happy to be doing this again?" I did ask before the drop happened again.

And she answered me, "I wouldn't go THAT FAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR! AHHHHHHHHHHG!"

And I could be wrong, but I think the rest of her scream was a curse that started with an 'S' and an 'H.' If I hadn't been already been laughing my ass off, that would have still sent me over the falls. Hearing her curse, like that! I wish we could have recorded it for evidence that it even happened.

I was still laughing so hard I couldn't talk for a few minutes. God! She's so GOREGOUS! And So cute, how can I be expected to look at ANYONE else with her looking that good in her blue jean shorts and whatever shade of green that top is? Or however Paulina had styled her hair this morning.

There was a moment when the ride had stopped, but we stopped in that dark tunnel again. Only this time the place we were in was SO dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. And the people in the front car were calling back to the rest of us that the people running the ride were loading up another car in front of us with people. So we were stuck here for a little bit, while those people were getting locked down. I grabbed the back of Quinn's head the same moment she'd grabbed mine and we both didn't let that darkness go to waste, we kissed till the car was moving again.

Even though Lola and Zoey were both asking if Quinn "had lived?" She was laughing into the kiss, tickling my throat the way I LOVE! Trying to end it but I wouldn't let her answer them. I wouldn't let her stop kissing me till we were moving. Then she answered, still laughing beautifully, "YES! I'm fine."

Lola demanded, "What took you so freaking long to ANSWER?"

"Unadltered JOY at living through a tramatic experience?" Quinn said back, as if anyone would have said that.

James had commented, "Sure Lola! That could hold up anyone!"

Lola told him, "Oh! Shut up, James!"

The smile on Quinn's face was so much more of the smiles I'm used to. Her eyes were glittering like stars. It was like that kiss had given us both of something we'd been missing.

I hoped I'd given her a little preview of what to expect tonight. When we finally got to sneak off together. Then we were let off of the ride and I had to let her go. It wasn't easy, it felt like it could kill me, even after a kiss like that should have helped. But as we walked out and I knew I should start looking for new ride partners… I just couldn't. I couldn't pretend anymore, and I could look at any other girls. Not right now.

It didn't help either that all of our friends were asking me, "If Quinn had been holding my hand or arm on the ride?" And I was showing off the print from her nails in my knuckles. They were all laughing, and so was I... I tried to make it sound more teasing and less joyful... but I don't know if they all bought it. I doubt seriously Vince did, he looked way too pleased with himself. But even seeing his shit-eating grin wasn't enough to make me want to keep going off with other girls. I was that done.

Thankfully the gang had decided to stop for lunch. But everyone wanted something different to eat. So the only way to make everyone happy was to split up and meet back up in an hour. So Zoey and James went to the Vegetarian Spot for Salads or something. James must really love her, because no self-respecting guy would willingly agree to that otherwise. Michael and Lisa went to a pizza parlor, Lola and Vince asked Quinn where the cheapest place was and Stacey had even stopped while she was walking by to ask Quinn where the 'Indian Food Palace' was, Quinn gave her exact directions.

When she'd finished directing everyone where to go. I promised her, "I'll treat if you can pick some place where none of them went."

She laughed and promised, "I think I know just the place you'll like." She promised before taking my hand and pulling me in a different direction than everyone else. She said this place was her favorite place to go whenever she'd been stuck here with Mark for HOURS. When she'd wanted to do something normal for a change. She was such a regular to this spot. All the workers were greeting her like an old friend and a few people even hugged her. Claiming Quinn had saved them one day when their equipment went haywire. If I had been with anyone else I wouldn't have believed them. But it all sounded too Quinn to not be true. Later Quinn explained that a whole section of the kitchen was automated by robot arms set on timers and their computer had some crazy error where all of the robot arms just started throwing all of the hot food at the workers and customers.

I had to ask her, "And THIS is your favorite spot?"

She'd laughed and said, "YES! Trust me, it's the best! The teriyaki chicken is like none I've ever had before, the turkey legs are delicious, the shrimp is even better, and the dumplings are easy to split with a hungry friend. Whether you want a little or a lot, these guys are the best in the whole park."

So after we'd ended up ordering a little bit of nearly everything to split. I asked her. "If this really is the best place, why didn't you suggest it to the others?"

She admitted as she snapped her Blix bottle open, "Well, none of them asked me for the best place. They asked for a lot of other specifics if you'll recall… but even more than all of that… I was kinda hoping that we'd end up here, together, like this and not have to be quite so careful… even if we really should be a little careful."

"Can we risk sitting on the same side of the table?" I'd asked her hoping she would be willing to risk that much.

And she'd said, "If we can sit in a booth and hide our hands and closeness a little better."

"Then a booth, it is." I said taking our drinks and marking our place. When our order number was called and Quinn went to pick up our food.

I totally heard the girls behind the counter asking Quinn. "If you're not with Mark anymore, is he your new boyfriend?"

Another voice asked, "This guy, you came with today?"

Another voice pointed out, "He's super cute… and hasn't stopped staring at you. It's like none of the rest of us are even here. In the best way."

And Quinn answered them so quietly, I didn't catch the words. But there was a lot of happy claps and patting Quinn on the back for whatever she'd said. And she tried to walk back to me all cool, like that hadn't happened. Like there was no way I could have noticed any of that, or heard any of that.

Not wanting to disappoint her fan club watching us from around the corner. And we had the whole place to ourselves. I leaned back on the bench seat and draped my arm across the top of the booth. And asked her, "Do you need a hand?"

She smiled, "No, I've got it." She handed me a pair of chopsticks, before snapping her own pair separate.

I let my arm slip off the back of the booth seat and let it drape over her shoulders, as I pulled her snug into my side. Her eyes got so big behind her glasses and she warned, "Looooogan."

"What?" I shrugged. "It's just you and me in here, we're the only ones eating right now, who's gonna see anything? This place is a little off the beaten path and we're not near any windows. Besides, we might as well give your fan club something to gush about."

I told her before I stole a quick kiss from her lips and I heard all of the girls behind the counter flipping out for Quinn happily. I know none of them had ever seen Mark do that with her. They freaked before they all scattered back to work. Quinn's lips smacked as she pulled away from me and she laughed. "Well, you just made their days, and mine too."

"Wanna make my day?" I asked her.

"Sure, but how would I do that?" She asked taking some chicken on her plate and a dumpling. Before placing the same on my plate for me.

"Don't let me look for a partner anymore today… let me go ahead and just ride with you, whenever we can from now on." I'd done it, I'd asked her and the question had made her so happy. I'd seen that answering smile on her face.

It faded slightly as her logic kicked in and she questioned, "But won't that be dangerous? To you, to your rep, to the secret we're still trying to keep today?"

And sure, it would be, but I was so past caring, acting, and pretending. All I wanted to do was spend the rest of our time together, SECRET be DAMNED. So I told her the truth.

"It won't be nearly as awful as keeping this lie alive. Because the guy I've had to be all day. Just isn't me anymore. And truthfully I don't even like this guy… How in the hell did you ever take me seriously acting like this?" I'd asked half kidding and half dead serious.

She saw her chance and took it, "It wasn't easy, at first… I'm pulling your leg. You've made it so easy since that day on the bench… You really were keeping the best part of yourself hidden-"

"And you brought it out of me." I had to give her that credit… but she wouldn't take it.

"No, I didn't… really, it was here all along, inside of you Logan." She'd said fanning out all of her little fingers wide and placing it over my heart and chest. For emphasis, because it was so quickly gone, as she said, "You just needed to find it and realize it yourself."

"But I don't think I ever could have… without you, Quinn. I don't think I would have ever even noticed anything was really wrong with me. If it weren't for you, and your way of always making me want to be better. Be a better person and try harder, the way you always do… you know?"

"I think I do," she smiled getting misty-eyed and hugging me as she said, "You're gonna make me cry… And Hey! We've gotta eat, the others are gonna be like 'Where did they go?'"

"We're in a better place," I said like I was kidding but it was completely true.

But we ate up anyway and she was completely right about the food too. It was AWESOME! And not like anything I'd ever eaten in a theme park before. But being with her like that had still been the best part. Holding her hand, getting to finally talk to her, and not putting on a performance.

When we were done we headed for the meet-up spot and we were the first ones there. So all of the others had been late for different reasons. But as soon as everyone was together again and trying to figure out where to go next...

One of the things I had been praying wouldn't happen today, f***ing happened.

Brooke and her clique locked onto Quinn, and headed straight for her. Brooke had said, "There's the little prude, who thinks she can dance now."

Brooke's uncredited extra (with red hair) said: "Yeah, she isn't even any good."

Another uncredited extra (wearing too much spray tan) said: "She even thinks she can be a Prom queen, now."

I was in front of Quinn, shielding her before I could even think, to maybe let some of our other friends do that. Our friends surrounded us and blocked them even better. But I was personally standing between Brooke and Quinn. Brooke ignored all of our friends mouthing off at her new friends, still came straight for Quinn.

Quinn point out, cool and level. "Not your usual crowd, Brooke. What happened to Taylor and Gwen?"

"I dumped both of those tramps, they were both helping Mark cheat on me. Probably even cheated on me with him! And then I cut Mark lose too, for good this time! I'm done with that loser!" Brooke said like it was all Quinn's fault. It was in her tone. She even tried to get into Quinn's face, but I wouldn't let her. Neither would Michael or Vince keeping her back from us on both sides of me.

So Brook ended up telling my shoulder, "I knew the first time you danced in class with this guy, that this was all a play for Prom Queen."

Quinn said, "Oh yes! You found me out, especially since I didn't even sign up for Prom Court in the first place you vapid VOID!"

Brooke insisted on saying, "I just want you to know that you will not win. That crown is mine, and it has been since I started attending PCA. Find some other science trophy to shoot for and quit wasting EVERYONE'S time."

Lisa said, "No, it hasn't, Brooke! The first real ballots were just handed out a few days ago. It's anyone's game, right now. Everyone's got a shot."

Lola admitted, "Though Quinn has been given a HUGE and very public outpouring of support yesterday. This wouldn't be a bit of FEAR showing? Would it?"

Brooke ignored them and looked at my baby again. Telling her, "I get what you're trying to do, you know? Mark threw you away and you tried to recycle yourself. Show everyone how useful and good you can still be without him. But you can put a pretty dress and heels on. Even dance them around, but you're STILL getting thrown away again, and you're still TRASH."

I couldn't stay quiet so I (Logan) told her, "The only trash I see is YOU."

Michael backed me up saying, "Yeah and that imposed perfume you're wearing, PEE-EEW!"

Quinn pointed out, softly, "Guys that's not perfume, I think they've been drinking."

Michael asked her just as quietly, "Drinking? Like underaged drinking? Isn't that way illegal?"

"Duh!" I said.

Zoey asked, "Why don't you heifers go that way, and we'll go another. Just steer clear of each other and have fun?"

Brooke laughed in my face, "Oh right, little miss goody goody! Like that'll work!" She almost fell over, but she somehow remained standing and shouted. "LOOK! It's OVER! I'm not EVER letting Mark cheat on me ever again! And the only other thing MORE done than him and me, is you Pensky. Consider your days numbered."

Quinn stepped around me and got in Brooke's face and said. "And let me tell you something once and for all, before I get you arrested for drunk and disorderly in public as well underaged drinking in a very public place. I don't care about Prom Queen, I never have. And I don't care who Mark's dating or not dating. I just want him, you and your little followers to leave me and my friends alone. Or I swear, you'll regret it."

When she pushed Quinn and tried to start something again. Quinn did her nerve pinch on Brooke's arm and the skank face-planted HARD, right in front of us. Before they could run off Quinn did the same to both uncredited supporting cast. Then Quinn whistled and handed them all off to park security. Who dragged all three of them off to the office where they could sleep it off in a jail cell till it's time to go home.

Vince told Quinn, "Remind me to never piss you off, Pensky. They're gonna feel that when they wake up."

Quinn warned him with a smile, "Then you better not hurt Lola."

Vince smiled back at her, "That's the last thing I'd ever do."

"Then you don't have to worry about me." She let him know before she said, "Now enough of all if this heavy stuff. Let's go have some more FUN!"

The others all agreed but I was kinda hovering near her and asked, "Are you okay?"

She said, "Yes, I'm fine... let's go."

And the next ride we went on was the bumper cars. Were everyone was in their own cars and banging the crap out of each other. After that we were on to more rollercoasters and for the next two. I rode with Quinn at least once, when we were all standing in line for the third one. Lola asked me, "Are you gonna just ride with Quinn all the time now? Where's your adoring public? All those girls from earlier?"

I shrugged at her, "I don't know."

She told me, "Some of us want to ride with her too, you know?"

I told her "How's she gonna fit between you and Vince?"

"I mean next time, Logan. Don't be such a smart ass!" Lola snapped.

But after our ride and before we could get in line again, I found Quinn standing off to the side of all of those couples. Some of them were buying pictures that had been taken on the coaster, and I had made sure that if me and Quinn were in any of them that no one would see anything suspious... But Quinn was being too quiet, I knew she was thinking about something. And I hoped it wasn't ANYTHING Brooke had said. I wished she wouldn't take a single word that HORRIBLE person said to heart. So I pulled her with me outta sight and I asked her. "Are you alright?" Again.

And Again, she said, "Yeah." But her tone sounded too doubtful that time.

I asked her to, "Please! Tell me you're not even thinking about ANYTHING that SKANK said."

She admitted, "I'm really trying not to, Logan. I promise..."

I said it before she could, "But?"

"... But... I can't help but wonder... if Mark is okay? I know I shouldn't, I know he treated me so badly... But I can't seem to help remembering how scared and desperate he was. And how he kept saying he loved her. You know?"

"No! Come on, why even think about any of that now?"

She said, "Because when Mark threw me away, it was terrible. What if he's experiencing something like that right now and there isn't anyone like you who can find him and help him the way you helped me?"

"Then that's on him," I said easily. "He's the one with no care for feelings. It's about time it was his feelings that were hurt. It's not the end of the world, it's Karma."

Quinn squeezed both of my hands and said, "I had no idea that when he tossed me like that, he did me such a favor."

"Me too," I confessed right back.

And I was going to kiss her but Vince showed up and we jumped apart quickly.

He said, "Hey! There you guys are, come on! We're trying to decide where to go next."

And when we got back to our gang, that was when the SECOND thing I had been PRAYING wouldn't happen... Happened too.

The Sci-Club, in all of its inexplicably cosplay-dressed glory stopped Quinn. I have no idea why they were all different superheroes. Capes and all, or why they were all in masks and spandex... I'm not sure I wanna know. But they were all insisting on talking to Quinn about an URGENT matter that could NOT wait! And our whole group of friends and me were all jumping between them telling the GEEKS to "GO TO HELL!" Well, maybe that was just me, but the others might as well have said the same thing. None of us let them anywhere near Quinn.

But they were insistent in a different way than normal, almost scared as they asked for Quinn's help. So Quinn had edged back out of the protective wall of friends and asked Neil (head geek). "What do you want?"

He asked her, "Have you seen Del Figgalo at all today?"

"No, and it's a good thing too, I asked him to stay away from me and not talk to me anymore." Quinn explained to them and they were all nodding at her.

"We know, Mark told us," Firewire added. "But that was all before what happened last night."

Quinn said, "It doesn't really matter whatever happened last night. I'm officially out, free and clear. I'd like to remain that way so if you'll excuse us-"

"No! Wait Pensky!" Neil asked stopping Quinn from walking away by grabbing her arm. I made him let her go, and warned him. "You can talk with out gripping her like that."

He backed off and told me, "You're right Reese, I can... I wouldn't come to you, Pensky. If I wasn't completely desperate here. If you weren't the only one who may have any CLUE of what's really going on? I'm afraid Mark may be in danger."

"Danger?" Quinn repeated, "Of what? Did some of his girlfriends team up with his temptresses to take him down? For cheating on all of them the way he cheated on me for the WHOLE of our acquaintance? Did one of his rock studies finally clunk him a little too hard on his head? What possible danger could ever come to him?"

"Well… no… not exactly." Gilbert had said.

Firewire said fast and loud, "It's just that Brooke broke up with him… last night.. and he's been devastated all day, not himself at all."

Michael asked before I could, "How could you even TELL?" But Quinn shushed him.

Before Quinn asked, "What does that have to do with me? He dumped me, remember?"

Gilbert insisted, "Sure, he doesn't show his emotions well. Or have much patience with other people's feelings 'But it doesn't mean he doesn't have them.' Those are your words Pensky, you know how subtle the differences in his expressions can be. But we can tell he really was heartbroken, confused and hurt by that gank."

Firewire went on, "He was with us all morning but then he disappeared somewhere around the water rides. You know, the ones where you're sloshing around in hollowed-out logs, the big innertubes with seats, paddle boats or those huge round raft things with the seats all facing the middle. No one's seen him for hours not even his family members and we're all starting to worry about him."

Neil said, "Look, I know we've never been allies or anything close to friends. But Mark was your boyfriend and is one of our friends, for sure. And we're not entirely sure he's okay… at all. In all truth some of the things he's said today have a few of us convinced…He could even be suicidal… Could you please… Please… help us look for him. You're the only one he trusted with ALL of the hidden secrets and passages in this park. You're probably the only one who can find him."

The first thing Quinn said, was. "If you're lying to me, if this is some strange ploy to uncover Mark's secrets-"

Firewire swore, "It's not!"

Gilbert added, "It's true!"

And Neil said, "We just wanna know for certain that he's okay. Nothing more, however we can know that."

I watched a breath enter and leave Quinn and I knew she was going to do it. She was going to help them. There was no way she could carry on with her day knowing this was going on. No matter how awfully Mark treated her, or how untrusting she was of the sci-club. She would have to do this to have any peace of mind.

But she said, to the geek squad. "Give me a minute. To talk to my friends, just a minute before I say or do anything."

Then she ducked down into the center of a huddle we formed around her. Lola asked, "What are you gonna do Quinn?"

She whispered, "Neil's right, there is no way on God's green earth they would come to me like that. Not unless they truly think Mark is that bad off. I feel like I need to help them. I feel like I need to try. I'm pretty sure my conversation with Mark yesterday didn't help him at all and I'm probably the last person on EARTH he'll want to see right now. But if Brooke dumped him, I believe Mark could be devastated. That he could even hurt himself... as unfathomable as that is. But I'll need you guys help if I do this... can you guys help me for a little while?"

To their credit, everyone jumped at the chance to help her. In that circle, it wasn't just me.

I said "I'll go with you" the same time as everyone else. All of us were not gonna let her face this alone.

But Quinn was firm, she said, "No. I have to do this on my own. I promised Mark before any of this that these secrets he'd trusted me with would stay safe with me. I wouldn't reveal any of them. To any of you or them, I'll have to check everyone and report back to you as I do it. So that these secrets remain hidden."

I said before I could stop myself. "The Hell you do!"

But everyone else was having their own reactions too. I was so into this that I didn't even care if someone noticed my protectiveness or anger. Then Quinn stepped out of the huddle and said, "Gentlemen… I will help and I will do my part but I have three conditions that must be heard out first."

Neil said, "Of course you do, alright. Let's hear it, Quinnventor." He'd sneered the name more like his usual terrible self. But even I noticed it wasn't carrying nearly as much venom as usual. Which is why Vince, Michael, James and I let them walk away without getting punched in the nose.

Quinn listed off on her fingers, "Condition Number One, I must go alone into all of these hiding places, passages and hidden alcoves. Okay. I promised Mark that no matter the outcome of our failed relationship, his secrets would be safe with me no matter what. So none of you can follow me as I check these locations I must go alone. Is that ABSOLUTELY clear?"

Gilbert plugged his ears and said, "YES! NEXT!"

Quinn pulled his fingers out of his ears and said, "No! To make sure you're honoring this condition. All of you are to stay here with my friends till this problem is solved. I don't care if your hungry, thirsty or need to use the restroom. You're all staying here till Mark is found. That is all just condition one."

Neil said, "Nice to see you're still high-handed as ever, but okay. We'll stay here with your popular clique. We'll leave when our friend's safe."

Quinn held up two fingers, and said, "Condition Number Two. Since we are working together. I promise to keep you posted on my progress through my friends. I won't tell you how many hidden places I'm going to or where any of them are. I plan to just check in often and keep you posted through my friends. Because I already know I can't trust any of you to follow simple instructions. But I can trust them." She said pointing to all of us still standing with her.

She turned back to us, and asked, "Can you guys take turns standing here and reporting progress ever so often till I find him?"

And Everyone jumped at the chance to help her. Michael was even setting up for someone to be here reporting Quinn's stats via cell phone at all times. While some of our group searched the open park for him too. It was possible he could be around and just no one saw him. It was a big enough place for that to happen. The Sci-Club even agreed to do the same, whenever Quinn lets them leave again, or if Mark turns out to not be hiding like they think he is.

I even said I would help too, but if Quinn really thought I was gonna sit here and not go with her… she didn't know me as well as I thought she did.

So my plan became playing it cool and acting like I was going to help the others. Till I could follow her without her noticing. I told Zoey quietly (because she was standing closest to me), "I'll follow her and make sure she's safe, you guys help her here."

Zoey let out a breath and patted my arm and said, "Good, I feel better about that, you be careful too. And just try not to remember anything you hear or see."

"I will," I told her.

That was all straight before Quinn turned back to the Sci-Club and demanded. "Condition Three, when this is over. When Mark is found, safe and sound. I want whatever vendetta you have against me, OVER. I don't want any more of your games, pranks or ploys aimmed at me. I don't want to hear anymore of you complaining, finger-pointing or arguing that has been going on for too damn long now! Okay. We're even, we're square and this rivalry is DONE. Are we agreed?"

She asked holding her hand out to Neil, he hesitated sharing a glance with all of his crew. But they were all nodding their heads up and down and more than one of them shook her hand and agreed. Peace was possible, but I would still believe it when I saw it. ANd I could tell Quinn felt the same way.

It took a few more minutes to hammer out more details I didn't care about. I knew Quinn didn't trust the Sci-Club enough to let them know when she was leaving. I knew she would sneak off the moment that most of the plans were clear and both groups were distracted enough not to notice her. I even had to act like I WASN'T watching her like a hawk, cause if she even saw me watching her she would hesitate. That's how seriously Quinn takes any person's secrets when they're entrusted to her.

When she left, I waited another second before I disappeared too. It had been tricky staying out of her sight the whole time. She kept glancing back and almost catching me. But somehow we made it up the exit of the ride called the "White Rapid Lagoon."

Quinn went in and started talking and hugging more park personnel. These all knew her on sight and gathered around her to help her with whatever she needed. I even heard the workers confirming Mark had been there earlier. But they weren't certain if he still was because of breaks and shift changes. I waited till Quinn was situated in one of the rafts before I swooped in and stole the seat attached to hers. Slipping the safety belt over my head. When Quinn realized I was there, her face was priceless. And the both of us started to argue loud enough for the workers to finish checking everybody else's safety belts and rafts. Before rushing back to help Quinn revise her plans.

Quinn AGAIN stressed, no one could be with her when she did this. That she had to keep these things secret. But I had even been paying attention when she had been planning out things with workers. And their plan had been for one of the workers to accompany Quinn and keep riding till all the hidden places within this ride's interworkings had been covered or till Mark was found. So I reasoned, "Instead of taking one of the workers. Let me keep riding so you know when you can jump back safely. That way if you need me I'm here and I still don't know all of the secrets right?"

One of the older ladies totally let slip, "Most of the hiding places entrances are in dark locations of the ride. He probably won't be able to see them even on the brightest of days."

So… she didn't want to let me do this… but she did let me be her safe spot. The raft she would be jumping in and out of whenever she could. And if she didn't find Mark on this ride's hidden passages. She would have to do the same thing with the other three similar water rides. Because a ton of Mark's best or favorite places were hidden in the woods and structures surrounding it.

I promised her right then and there, "I will be there for you on all of those rides too. Okay? I promise not to see or remember anything you don't want me too. I just can't let you face him or any of this alone. Let me go with you."

And the two older ladies tugging on our safety belt strapping us together told Quinn. "If you won't take him Q, I will."

Quinn shook her head and said, "Alright… you can be my safety raft, my fail safe. But Logan, you can not remember a thing you see if you see any secrets while you're helping me."

"Sure, sure." I promised. She wasn't thrilled as the ride began, so I tried to be cute and said, "If I ever start to sound like I'm remembering something I shouldn't. You could always kiss me and wipe that memory right out before it sticks."

"Funny… but really what part of 'I have to do this alone' did you not hear?" She asked me more seriously now that we didn't have an audience I was performing to.

"It's like I said, none of us wanted you to face this alone. I let Zoey in on my plan. I just want to help you, however I can, wherever I can. If you find Mark, I want to be here for you just as much as if you don't find him."

She leaned her head on the headrest heavily and admitted. "I don't want to see him, I don't want to face him again either. It feels too soon and raw… you know?"

I touched her face with my hand, "I can imagine."

"I know he's bound to be hurting like the Sci-guys said, but I'm hurt too… I don't know. Am I a bad person? To feel like I do?"

"No, baby. You could never be a bad person." I told her seriously. "Not ever okay? You're one of the best people I know. If not the BEST person I know. And you doing any of this right now. Even when you don't want to… Even after all of the terrible things Mark did and didn't do for you. You're incredible."

She breathed and said, "I don't feel so great right now, I just know since they said they're all so concerned about Mark. I have to know for myself if he's okay, too."

"It's who you are." I nodded.

When she realized, "We're about to reach the first one."

"Already?" I asked, as she was already slipping out from under the belt.

She didn't want to go either, she said, "I'm afraid so."

And she undid the belt and stood up in the raft, She explained, "I'll pop out and check then pop back in when I can, if I don't come right back, I may have found him."

"Okay, I'll be here." I said as she was already trying to climb up on the seats. I stood with her and helped her keep her balance. I asked her, "Have either of you ever fallen into the water before?"

"Oh yeah, but you really don't want to, these shallow waterways are plagued with leeches. The little creek they spill into is even worse. If you fall in you'll likely come out with several attached to you. Even under your clothes."

"Eww!" I said, before I told her, "Don't fall in and be careful." Then when the rafted whizzed into a tunnel, everything went dark. I felt her kiss my forehead before she completely disappeared. And I had no idea how she'd done that so slick!

But when the light hit me again I was alone, and I sat back down in my seat and snapped the belt back around myself. Praying that if Quinn was meant to find Mark and talk to him. That he wouldn't hurt her again, he wouldn't break her heart again, and wouldn't be a soulless PRICK!

Or worse than ANYTHING else... I hoped he wouldn't steal her from me.

She'd been in love with him before, and she'd said it to him all the time. I don't even want to admit that was a factor or fear of mine. That I was thinking about that, but I was. I hoped that she didn't have to face him, or anything she wasn't ready for. And I hoped that she could help him, not get hurt and still come back to me all in one piece. Is that really so much to ask?

And it wasn't lost on me that that little kiss on the forehead hadn't been very convincing. What if that's just another reason she'd wanted to do this alone. What if she still loves him and she's going to go back to him?

AHH! I have so many questions and I feel so confused.

What if they come back together saying they're back together? What if I'm intruding on something like that? I guess I can try to talk to Quinn about it, between these checkpoints or hiding places. And just see if I can get some answers to some of these horrible questions.

But as the ride dragged on and I was still left all alone with my thoughts. I found myself still praying, only now it was praying that I wouldn't have to give her up. Praying that Quinn could feel the same way I do. And that when this was over, I would still get to spend the rest of my night showing her that I cared. Like I had been planning to do all along.

That's all folks!

Well for this chapter anyway! Sorry for the mini cliffhanger, I really wanted to get them to the park and the chapter covering everything just got too long. Not to mention the chapter change also cues a perspective Change and Quinn should have her say in this part of the story. I promise I will have the rest of it posted as soon as I can. Thurday at the latest, and I hope that this has been a fun chapter to read, even if this ending came out a bit more dramatic than my original aim. Please review if you can, I would love to hear from you, even if it is to tell me how illegal this cliffy should be. Hope you're all having a great day! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85