Chapter 28 Garrick
Garrick
‘Ta-da,’ I say, spinning to face The Story of Carpathia.
This dark ride takes guests through the adventures of Prince Winthrop, Princess Arden and Kendrick the Kind as they save Carpathia from the terrible darkness overtaking the lands.
Many say this is the main attraction in the Carpathia section of the park.
I beg to differ because I think Knight School is the biggest draw – but maybe I’m biased.
‘Hmm.’ Juliet bites her thumbnail, staring up at the mural painted across the facade that gives the rider a hint of what adventures await them.
It’s similar to the one in the break room – breathtaking views of the Carpathian lands and small villages, with the castle looming in the background.
The mechanical horse on the front that rears on its hind legs stopped working years ago.
‘I said I wasn’t a fan of being locked in a tiny fake carriage. ’
The brown-and-white metal carriages sit patiently on the ride track, waiting for the day to start. A dusting of frost hides their imperfections.
I grin, taking her hand. ‘Well, good thing we won’t be in a carriage.
’ It’s still dark and will be for another few hours.
With the fog, we might as well be the only people in the world.
Well, except for all of those girls at the apartment still waiting for me to choose my true love.
My stomach lurches at the idea, like I’ve been riding Ice Shards ten times in a row.
Juliet’s voice brings me out of my wandering thoughts. ‘Then what are we doing?’
The last few days, I’ve found myself thinking of her more as Juliet. Ripley was like an enigma who hovered on the edge of my orbit, but Juliet has found her way past all my defenses.
Letting the worries of my responsibilities fall away, I choose to focus on her. ‘I knew you weren’t a fan of rides. So, we won’t do any riding.’
She frowns, eyebrow lifting. ‘So, what are we doing then?’
I squeeze her hand, pulling her through the turnstile into the entrance. ‘We’re doing a walk.’
I flip the ride on but keep the moving carriages stationary. The fanciful music begins to play, along with the audio recording of the narrator telling the guests the story of Carpathia in a generic British accent. I tinker around with the switches, turning the volume down so I can speak over him.
Juliet pulls at the end of her hair – her go-to when trying not to bite her nails.
It’s fascinating watching her hands stop midway to her mouth and then quickly grab her hair as her brain catches up to what she’s doing.
But when she’s really stressed, she gives in to her urges and the nails don’t stand a chance.
I blink, realizing I’ve started to clock all her little quirks.
If you asked me what the girls in the competition do when they’re nervous, I wouldn’t have the slightest clue.
I’ve been too busy studying the Book of Juliet.
We move past the line and into the side section used to walk along should the ride break down while you’re on it.
‘We came here a lot when we were little. Probably not the safest place for kids to play, but it felt like we were part of the story.’ The murals need a touch-up, I note now that I’m this close, but even the layer of dust doesn’t diminish the memories.
Some of the best ones always have a little dust over them.
‘Definitely not safe for children.’ She sounds serious, but I watch her eyes travel over the bright art of the Carpathia countryside and the animatronic Winthrop and Kendrick.
‘Definitely. Especially because of the ghost.’
She gives me a wry look. ‘Ghost? Didn’t we cover this on our last tour?’
‘Oh, yeah, there’s at least one ghost here. I’ve seen it. But I don’t like to divulge all my secrets to just anyone.’
Juliet shakes her head, laughing to herself, trying to hide her smile from me. But I can see it even when she dips her chin.
‘When will you realize it’s no use fighting it.’ I give her a soft nudge. ‘You know you like me. It was bound to happen.’
‘Is it safe to be walking around inside a ride?’ She changes the subject.
‘Juliet, would I ever take you somewhere dangerous and potentially life-threatening?’
She looks at me, and freaking A, there it is. The bright pearly whites and those pink-tinged lips gracing me with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever been witness to. I suck in a breath as a ringing sounds in my ears, mouth going dry.
‘I don’t think you would intentionally lead me somewhere I could be maimed.’ She keeps talking like she doesn’t realize I’ve lost all feeling in my limbs when she smiles at me like that. ‘But I wouldn’t put it past you to go somewhere dangerous and, as a result, one of us ends up in the hospital.’
I shake my head, running a hand over my face to catch my mind and body back up to the same spot. Dropping my chin, I tilt my head. ‘Will you stay by my side in the hospital bed while I recover?’
She walks ahead, entering the part of the ride that takes the guests to the first meeting of Winthrop and Arden. ‘Absolutely. I will tell you I told you so the whole time.’
‘As long as you’re there, I’ll allow it.’ I follow a few paces behind, letting her experience the ride as it should be, adding my tidbits along the way. ‘When I was seven, I jumped off the side of the ride vehicle on a dare from Tristian. I busted out three baby teeth.’
Juliet glances over her shoulder, eyes drifting to my lips. My stomach clenches. ‘Bet you guilted the Tooth Fairy into giving you more money for the trauma of it all.’
I chuckle. How does she know me so well already? ‘Am I that easy to read?’
When she speaks, it’s totally genuine. ‘No, actually. Not the real you, anyway. But I guess I’ve learned to see through the armor’s shine. Like, I bet you took that money you bribed from the Tooth Fairy and bought something to share with your brothers.’
I still, stopping just before we reach the waterfall where the trio encounter their first battle. ‘I did. I got a Lego set we’d been wanting for ages.’ My heart feels like it’s made of goo, melting in my chest, but in the best way possible. Filling me up with a tingling sensation.
As we walk, Juliet asks me all kinds of questions about the ride’s operation and the story. Cataloging it in that big brain of hers that’s filled with bullet-pointed lists and highlighted notes.
‘I guess this ride isn’t so bad,’ Juliet says after we reach the end, where the heroes celebrate their victory.
‘Can I kiss you?’
Did I say that out loud? My heartbeat thuds in my chest when I realize it was out loud. I was definitely thinking about it. But I knew it was stupid to say – even if I want to kiss her.
Juliet blinks at me, long eyelashes fluttering. ‘OK.’ She says it so quietly I think I misheard. ‘But it’s probably not a good idea.’
‘What do you mean? It’s the best idea ever.’ I put my hand on her cheek, warm against me. I lean in slowly, giving her a chance to change her mind should she suddenly come to her senses. But I’m hoping her reality check waits a few more minutes.
The kiss is soft, her lips cautious against mine.
We both know this shouldn’t happen, but we want every minute of it.
It’s everything I didn’t realize I’d been dreaming about this whole time.
That elusive feeling everyone said I should be experiencing with the contestants – this is it. It’s right here with Juliet in my arms.
‘We shouldn’t do this,’ she says against my lips.
‘Do you want me to stop?’ I pull away slightly to look at her face.
‘No.’ Her fingers dig into my jacket, pulling me closer. This kiss is more intense because we know it won’t last. We’ve been flirting for a good couple of weeks, but this feels like more than just a clandestine kiss in the shadows that will never happen again.
At least, that’s how it feels to me. And that scares the crap out of me.
Juliet steps away before I want her to, running her hands over her pink lips. ‘Well, that was just a one-time thing, right?’
It stings when she says that – something sharp invading my chest cavity. But I nod. ‘We’ve got a week left of filming. We’ll just have to stay away from each other.’
‘Won’t be that hard.’ Juliet nods. ‘Everyone’s leaving for Christmas in two days. It’ll be fine.’
But the whole way back to the apartment, I can’t stop thinking about kissing her again.