Chapter 7

Chapter 7 

Vincent questioned her, “Meeting someone from the internet? What if he turns out to be a scammer? Aren’t you worried about the danger?”

His concerned tone made Alina smile radiantly.

“That’s why you’re here, right?” she replied. “I’ve thought it all through–since you and Kaylee are also going to Disneyland, we can all hang out together as a group.”

She turned to look at me in the backseat with a sweet smile.

“Kaylee, my chats with Vincent are always casual. Don’t take what I said at the pool to heart.”

Her smile carried hidden meaning, and Vincent, looking concerned, asked, “What did say to Kaylee?”

Alina playfully stuck out her tongue. “It’s a secret between us girls.”

The car fell into silence, and Vincent didn’t press further, focusing on driving. At Disneyland’s entrance, the three of us lined up to enter. Soon after, Alina went off on her own to meet her online date.

Vincent and I queued for the Tron Lightcycle ride, though he seemed distracted, constantly glancing back in Alina’s direction. After fifteen minutes, he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Kaylee, wait here in line. I’ll go check on her and see if she’s met her date yet.”

Then, as if to justify himself, he added, “She’s a girl–I’m just worried about her safety.”

I had expected this reaction. Gripping my phone, I tried to keep calm.

“Alright, go ahead.”

On the way here, I’d already anticipated this. It was just a pity that my farewell plans wouldn’t end the way I’d envisioned. After Vincent left. I stayed in line by myself. By the time I reached the front, he still hadn’t.

Seeing my two–person ticket, a staff member couldn’t help but ask, “This is a couple’s seat. Where’s your boyfriend?”

I laughed bitterly to myself. My boyfriend was busy with another girl. No, Vincent was no longer my boyfriend.

From the moment I saw those messages, and from the repeated times he left me behind as an afterthought, he had declared his departure from our relationship. I smiled faintly at the staff member, showing no emotion.

“I’m here alone.”

I took my seat on the Lightcycle. Couples surrounded me, with an empty seat beside me. As the ride began, a girl in front of me gripped her boyfriend’s hand tightly. “I’m scared,”

she said.

The boy reassured her gently, “Don’t worry, hold onto the handlebars–I’m right here with you.”

Once, Vincent was like that too, always gentle and patient.

He used to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll be here to hold up the sky if it falls.”

But now, all that warmth and protectiveness was given to someone else. The ride sped up, and the intense ups and downs felt like I was being carried away by the wind. As screams surrounded me, I closed my eyes, gripping the handlebars tightly.

When it finally ended, my legs were weak, my mind blank, and my heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. Around me, boyfriends helped their girlfriends to their feet, but I could only lean against the wall to catch my breath.

Just as I’d regained my composure, Vincent returned, a little too late.

“Kaylee, I’m back! Let’s get in line for a ride together!”

Pale, I shook my head. “No need–1 just finished the ride.”

Vincent looked taken aback. “Didn’t I ask you to wait for me?”

Ignoring the irritation in his voice, I lowered my gaze to hide my sadness. “Rules of the ride–there’s no waiting for anyone.”

Just like our love, it was long past time.

Vincent sighed, relenting. “Fine, let’s go somewhere else.”

During the parade, we were squeezed to the front of the crowd at Toy Story Castle on Mickey Avenue.

“Vincent! What a coincidence–you’re here too!” Alina’s voice rang out as she squeezed through the crowd to join him.

Vincent noticed her alone and asked, “Still by yourself? What about the guy you were meeting?”

Alina sighed. “He stood me up. Guys online are just unreliable–not like you, Vincent.”

Relief flickered across Vincent’s face. “Next time, don’t meet people from the internet. Just hang with us today–it’ll be safer that way.”

“Alright!” Alina agreed, flashing him a playful smile. “I knew you cared about me the most.”

I stood silently to the side, saying nothing. At that moment, the music swelled, and the red–and–black gates behind us opened.