Free Dark Ride by Todd Loyd Page B

that they will move along, Amy turns away from the girls. Why would she think anyone would be attracted to her? These girls have it all. Amy chides herself, thinking, “\What could Jack Braddock, or any boy for that matter, see in me? Everything about me is nothing compared to them. These ugly freckles, auburn hair, off-the-rack T-shirt, and khaki shorts.
    The ride attendant breaks the uncomfortable silence. “You guys are next. How many in your party?”
    â€œThree.” And with that, the girls walk forward and into one of the large black rafts.
    â€œSee you later, Mason.”
    â€œYeah, cool.”
    Stepping up in line, the four of them await their turn.
    â€œDon't mind them, Amy,” Jack says as he looks at her, “They say that stuff to make themselves feel better.”
    Amy tells herself, But they are better.
    â€œOkay, we're up, Amy…. Amy?”
    Amy is torn away from her own self-loathing by Jack's repeated calling of her name.
    Jack waves and points her to a couple of seats on the far side of the raft. Scotty and Mason are already buckled and ready to ride. The large bear is strapped across Scotty's chest. An older couple fills out the raft. After Jack and Amy are settled, the raft stutters and shakes down a ramp into the man-made river.
    â€œI've got this strategy. I always pick the seats that are the driest. That's where the people who didn't get wet sat. Like the signs say, on this ride you could get soaked.” Jack recites.
    â€œDoes it work?” Amy asks, thankful for the small talk that eases Lauren Van Wormer and her gang out of her mind.
    â€œNo, hardly ever. I am like a water magnet.”
    This makes Amy laugh. She can breathe freely again.
    The raft bounces all over the watery course. A huge rapid washes over the older couple. The man's three grey hairs stand at attention atop his head. After another spin and a whirl, a huge wave hits the side of the boat where Scotty sits.
    â€œSo much for staying dry,” a soaked Scotty chuckles.
    â€œNo one gets away from Bigfoot unscathed!” Mason cheers.
    â€œSo far, so good. We’ re dry,” says Amy, who crosses her fingers playfully.
    â€œOh great, now were jinxed for sure.” Grinning, Jack mockingly puts his head under his barricading arms.
    The raft jets up and down over rushes of water. The cave is just ahead.
    Inside the cave, a large Bigfoot dummy, holding a boulder above his head in a threatening stance, growls piped in sound effects at the riders.
    The raft spins. Jack and Amy's backs are to the front. Just then, the raft dips and a monstrous flood of water spills over the front of the raft, soaking Jack and Amy.
    The ride ends shortly after the drenching, and the attendant laughs at the soaked crew.
    â€œLook at me, not a drop of water!” Mason crows.
    Amy cannot believe how water logged she is.
    Now we have to walk around like this. It will take forever to dry. Jack thinks.
    Upon seeing the monstrous damage, the attendant throws Jack a towel.
    â€œThanks.”
    Jack takes the towel and begins to wipe it across his chest when he stops.
    â€œHere, Amy, you first.”
    The act is so unselfish, so kind. While she stops herself from taking it too seriously, she can't help but let the small, simple offer warm her heart. In spite of the Tennessee summer heat and the sun's departure, the sudden soaking has sent Amy chattering.
    Jack goes on, “Hey, wait a second. Here, take this Amy.” From his backpack, Jack produces a red hooded sweatshirt. “Try this on. At least it will keep you warm.”
    â€œThanks, Jack.”
    Now she can't help but take the second act to its logical conclusion. Something about the boy has changed. This was not a simple action. This was a deliberate act of chivalry. Jack Braddock has been intentionally thinking of her.
    Drying his glasses with his shirt tail, Scotty offers, “Think Clyde's got the Forrest on line? It's been 27 minutes.