I couldn''t say anything as I pleased as it might lead to unimaginable consequences. Right now, I couldn''t afford to take that risk.


    Selena turned to me, ncing at the throng of people in front of us.


    "Hud, the ride hasn''t started yet. If you''re having second thoughts, we can still back out. If you''re scared, we can ask the staff to let us off. Don''t worry about the money; we can afford it."


    I knew she was concerned that I might be scared since it was my first time, and I understood that starting something new can be daunting. But without taking that first step, how could I ever move forward?


    I sighed. "Selena, I''m not as fragile as you think."


    She didn''t respond and just looked at me with her big eyes.


    The roller coaster had started moving, and I watched as our seats slowly ascended, the incline increasing with each passing moment.


    It would be a lie to say I wasn''t scared-my heart raced as I worried about whether the ride would malfunction or if the staff hadn''t secured everything properly.


    Would I fall? A flurry of anxious thoughts raced through my mind, and at that moment, I could vividly imagine countless ways I could meet my end.


    But then I thought of Selena, and all those fears vanished. She was here with me on this ride; I wasn''t alone. I turned to look at her and saw that she had her eyes closed and mouth agape in a scream of fear.


    Many people on the ride were screaming as well, and the air was filled with the rush of wind and the cacophony of shouts. Yet, despite all that, I didn''t scream.


    My way of dealing with fear has never been to vocalize it. Even as a child, when I encountered strangers on dark paths, I never screamed. I just ran.


    As the ride came to an end, my scalp tingled, and I felt numb all over. Although itsted only a few minutes, by the time I got off, my legs were already feeling weak.


    Selena was exhrated. She had done this so many times that fear had no hold on her. "Hud, wasn''t that amazing? So thrilling!"


    She beamed at me, wrapping her arms around mine as soon as we stepped off the ride.


    I didn''t want her to see my fear, so I forced down the nausea and nodded.


    She scrutinized my expression for a moment beforeplimenting me, "Hud, you''re really impressive! It was your first time on a roller coaster, and you didn''t scream at all! Every time I ride, I can''t help but close my eyes and scream. I wouldn''t know how to get through it otherwise."


    Hearing her words eased my heart a bit. Not only had I not screamed, but I had also tried hard to keep my eyes open.


    As soon as she pulled me to walk away, I almost stumbled, revealing my


    weakness. "Hud, didn''t you say you weren''t scared?"


    I felt a bit embarrassed. "Maybe I just need to get used to it. My legs are a little sore; give me a few minutes to rest."


    She looked at me, smiling quietly without saying anything.