I wake up in a circle bed. The ceiling has small lights trying to imatake stars. Oh how long has it been since I'd seen them?
I turn to get up and realise two things. One, I'm wearing a brace and two, Mom is sleeping right next to me. I scotch away from her and begin to get up. First things first. I need to elevate my foot. I sit on the floor and put my right foot on the bed.
Yesterday when we left the group we got a taxi to this hotel. The hotel has seven different themed rooms and I choose the jungle one. I gave Mom and Dad the romantic roman themed one and Malaya and Miriam the cave themed one.
I check my phone to check the time, 5am, but what catches my eyes first is the messages that Lacey gave me. I've keeped her number in my contacts because at first I couldn't bear to delete them. At that time she blocked me. As time went on I just forgot I had her number. I press the notification and it brings me to her messages.
"How are you doing? How's your ankle?"
I type back. "fine I had broken my ankle a lot as a kid" I sent it and put my phone down. Lacey was never up until six. It was a surprise that I woke up at 5. I usually wake up at 7:30 to 8:00. My phone vibrates and I pick it back up.
"What do you mean?"
"I reckless as child"
"You still are." Lacey sends me with a grumpy emoji.
I reply with a drunk smile.
"Y u up?"
"I couldn't sleep. What about you?"
"idk"
"What happened yesterday?"
"Miriam got mad"
"Duh." Lacey sends with an eye roll emoji."Why? And why did she punch you? You're already injured."
"idk, she do that lot"
"Why?"
"idk"
"This isn't going anywhere." "Remember to do RICE and do something about your head. I don't think she did anything long lasting, but still." Lacey sends to me and I wait a bit to see if she will send anything else, but nope.

***

I make my way down to the breakfast bar at 8am and get some toast with a blueberry muffin.
Two other people are setting and eating so I sit down on the other side of the room to them and lay my foot on the other chair.
I start eating my toast as Malaya enters with Miriam close behind.
Malaa looks at me, but she looks away. Not in disgust but ashamed. Miriam looks at me with a glare. I heard that she got a punishment because of what she did to me. We were going to go home home, but I insisted that we finished this. I just have to get through today and tomorrow and I can live.
We exit the van in silence after parking about in the middle of the parking lot.
"You ready?" Mom asks me to hold my shoulder. "We can always go back home."
"No, it's fine. I want to enjoy today," I respond.
"Okay."
We begin the walk to the entrance of the park, Mom and I being in the back. Malaya and Miriam keep on talking and chatting. I can't do that well since they are whispering, but they are talking about one of us because they both look back at Dad, Mom, or I.
We are halfway to the entrance when I feel my phone vibrate. I go check it and move it away to the left, away from Mom.
"Hey Mendel!" Lacey has texted me.
"Gi" text back with just my left hand.
"Are you at the theme park now?" Every year I choose to go to a theme/amusement/water park. I was planning to bring Lacey to one my freshmen year, but we broke up before it reached our birthday.
"Yyea"
"I wish I could be with you, but Mom wants me to work today."
I steady my hand to correctly choose the frowning emoji.
"Talk to you later."
"Byw"
I slip my phone in my tan shorts that I pick out just for today.
"Who was that?" My mom inquires.
"Uhh, a friend." I answer.
"Is it Bernard?" I shake my head.
"Oh, is it that girl from the cafe?"
I get quite and pink roses brighten my cheeks.
"Oh~" Mom teases with a smile.
"It's nothing," I say, trying to play it cool.
"That's what they all say."

***

After I pass through the three spoke gate thingy I join the rest of my family who are looking at two maps. Miriam and Mom have one while Malaya and Dad have another one.
"C'mon Mendel," Mom says, waving me over. "Let's see which one you want to do first."
I make my way over and go to Mom's left while Miriam is at her right holding that part of the map. She gives me the left side to hold and I do.
"I want to go on Outlaw '' I point to the wooden roller coast which is near the waterpark section of the park. "And the Galleon." I point to the Galleon which is a ride designed as a pirate ship that rocks up and down. At its highest speed it feels like you and go perpendicular to the ground.
Mom looks at my choices and nods her head. She accepts.
Now it's Miriam's turn. "I would like to go on the Raging River and the SawMill Splash." She points to one of the only water related rides that are not a part of the waterpark section.
"That's a good pick considering today is going to be sunny and hot. Good on you Miriam." A smile brightens up her face. When Mom is studying the map and looking at what two rides would interest her the most, Miriam sticks her tongue out at me, teasing me. I let her have it. I don't care now.
"Okay," Mom says, bringing our attention back to the map. "I think I want to go to the ferris wheel and the Sky Ride." The Sky Ride is basically a means of transportation. It brings you a bird's eye view of what half the park looks like.
"Mom, we will probably already go to the Sky Ride, so I think you choose another ride." I say.
"Your right Mendel. Thank you."
She focuses back on the map and Miriam stares daggers at me. I shrug them off.

***

After we regrouped and told everyone what rides we wanted to do on.
I Outlaw and Galleon. Miriam SawMill Splash and Raging River. Mom the Ferris wheel which is called Giant Sky Wheel. Malaya The Storm Chaser and Underground. And Dad with bumper cars called Frantic Freewar. Mom decided that they should only pick one because it's their birthday, but I personally believe it's because she couldn't pick another ride she would like. We choose to ride the ferris wheel first since that has become a family tradition. The first ride and the last ride is the ferris wheel.. It's a nice way to end and start the day. We get to see the rides and at the end we get to see the sun set.
"C'mon guys," Malaya waves us as she has the map and so she knows where to go. Miriam has the other map, but she is just holding it. It's not even open. We get in line and it's already piled up. We are not even on the wooden ramp yet.
As we wait we slowly make it to the top of the wooden ramp and we are now waiting for our turn to get on. As the ferris wheel comes to a stop both of the eploys open two carts and let the people get off. We enter the now empty cart and wait for everyone to get on.
"So, how are you Mendel?" Mom asks.
That's her cladded question. It seems like a normal question, but I know what she is truly asking me. Am I fine with doing this with a fractured right ankle? "I'm doing great. I can't wait to go on Outlaw." Usually I would pick a more adventurous roller coaster like The Monster, but since I am injured I decided to pick a simple one.
"I'm excited to go on The Storm Chaser," Malaya says.
"Which one is that? Is it fast?" Mom asks.
"It's like a carousel," Miriam begins.
"Thats fun."
"But instead of horses or animals you get strapped into seats and you are above the ground. It's a very tall ride."
A look of concern goes on Mom's face, "Maybe a little less fun."
After getting off the ferris wheel, or should I call it Giant Sky Wheel? Yeah, no. Ferris wheel. Well, after that we decided to go to the Galleon which is right next to the ferris wheel, out of convenience.
This line goes much faster than the one before. We just have to wait for the ride to go once then we get on the pirate ship next.
I realize that I haven't seen anyone from my past yet. THat means I got them all. That amending crap. I roll my eyes and I see him.
Ugh, Why has the universe cured me? Wait, this is Gabrel's fault!
Samuel sits in the front row on the other side of the ship, instead of me. I sit in the back, the riskiest place.
Why is he here? Has he changed that much since Junior year?
Speaking of which I haven't seen him much since Junior year. I wonder what happened.
We ride the Galleon and everyone is having fun and filling gravity pulls us down to Earth. I just stare at Samuel. For some reason I can't keep my eyes off him. He perplexes me that much.
After the ride ends we exit and that's when Samuel notices me. I would have expected him to be scared, but he doesn't really react.
He just comes up to me. "Hey, Mendel, right?"
"Yeah?" I say as if I don't know him. This was a surprise.
"It's me. Samuel. Samuel Boxe," he introduces himself like I don't already know him. Or he is trying to regadge my memory.
"Oh, yeah, Samuel. I remember." He looks way different. I remember him as the blonde book nerd that had dorky black glasses. He would always wear a tie to school.
Who does that!?
Now he is in front of me wearing a red graphic-T, with baclk jeans, and a black leather jacket.
"I almost didn't recognize you. You have changed."
"That's fine," Samuel says.
"Well, where are your parents?"
"Oh, i'm just here by myself. I live close by and I had nothing to do today. It's fate that we met today." Samuel says.
Fate? It's fate?
"Hello," my mom pops into our conversation.
"Ugh, hi?"
"I'm Mendel's mother, and you are?"
"Samuel. Samuel Boxe. We shared a lot of classes back in junior year."
"Oh! So you are a friend?"
"You could say that..."
"Mom..." I warn her.
"Okay, well I hurry your conversation. I want to actually have fun today!" Miriam shouts.
"Do you want to join our family for today?" Mom asks Samuel.
He shrugs, "Sure, if it's fine with you."
"It is. Did you know? Mendel's birthday is tomorrow."
"What about us?" Miriam cuts in pointing to herself and Malaya.
We join the group and Mom explains what we are doing. And we decide to go to Outlaw next. Since it's on the other side of the park we are going to use SkyRide to get there.
I look at Samuel again. He looks so different now. What happened to him? He said that he lives here now. Why did he move to Iowa? Is it because of me?
A frown appears on my face.
I realize something. I haven't seen Gabriel yet. Gabriel is usually there to tell me that this person may or not kill me. I look around the crowd of people to see if I see him. There are a lot of people who are wearing white on account of how sunny it already is and the sun will only rise as the day progresses.
We reach the Sky Ride and we get in line.
"Who's going to sit with whom?" Dad asks.
"I'm going to sit with Miriam!" Malaya announces.
"I want to sit with Mednel." Samuel says with a smile on his face.
"I guess that leaves me with you, honey," Dad says linking his arm around Mom.
"But what about Mendel? Is he going to be safe?" Mom worries.
"I'll protect him," Samuel says with a bright smile.
"Plus," I interject. "We are just going on the Sky Ride. Nothing's going to happen."
"Nothing at all..." Samuel says, a smile never moving downwards on his face.
"Okay, I trust you. You always have a smile on your face." Mom says.
We reach the front of the line and the employees make Malaya and Miriam stand on a line. The seat comes from behind them and scoops them up, then the employees put the top down, which is supposed to help you not fall off. Next is Mom and Dad. Then it's us.
We sit down and the top crashes down, 'locking' us in. The ride to silence and for me. Filled with anxiety. A million questions zoom in my brain. So many that i don't realize that we are at the end, the locking thing is above us.
We get off and one of the people employees talk to Samuel about the Sky Ride and the locking thing. He apologies and promises not to do it again.
I hear Miriam whisper to Malaya about something. I couldn't hear it though.
We pass the entrance of Outlaw which gives off a rustic vibe.
The line isn't that long and we thankfully make it in the forn, but it seems like years for me. Samuel keeps on looking at me and I don't like that. He keeps on smiling. That smile never leaves his face.
The ride was fun, but it would have been much more fun if Samuel suggested sitting next to me. It's like he wants to sit next to me. It's so awkward. Is he trying to punish me?
We walk across the food court to go to SawMill Splash.
I'm about to enter the line when Mom stops me. "Mendel, I don't want you to go on this ride."
"Why not?" I ask, my eyes growing.
"Because of your brace. I don't want it to get wet."
I take a sigh. "Fine. I guess I'll just wait here." I motion to the entrance.
"I'll wait here with you," Samuel volunteers.
Great. More awkwardness.
I lean against the log pillar and watch as my family goes farther and farther away from me. I lean against the rope railing to watch them depart up the ramp. Everyone waves at me except Miriam. I wave back.
I feel a shadow form behind me and almost feel the touch of a hand, but I turn around and Samuel jumps back a little which makes me jump back almost falling into the water.
Samuel quickly grabs my hand and pulls me away from the edge. "We don't want you to fall. You could drown..."
"Thanks..." I cock an eyebrow. "I didn't want to fall in. I can't swim."
"I know." He says with a grin. I'm about to ask how he knows, but a raft comes down and interrupts us.
That reminds me.
I look up at the top in time to hear my family holler and hoot in joy. They come sliding down and they all have a wide smile on their face.
Even Miriam.
Samuel and I wait for my family to get off the ride.
"That was great!" Miriam says.
"Yeah, it was," Malaya says. "It's too bad at Mendel couldn't join us"
Miriam's smile turns into a frown.
We begin the walk to Raging River. Where I am once again not allowed to go on because of Mom. But this time. The line is much longer than SawMill Splashe's. It's like ten to fifteen times longer.
"This is going to take a long time," I say to no one.
"That's good," Samuel says.
I turn to him, confused. "How is that good?"
"Oh~ nothing," he says, stretching out the 'oh'.
"Okay..."
I decide to sit on one of the benches on this island. I don't know where Samuel has gone. I guess he too, could not take the awkwardness. I wonder why keeps insisting on being with me. I thought he hated me for bullying him. I hate Bear, that's for sure. Yesterday was hell.
After ten minutes I start to worry. First I go check on where my family is. About half way there to the front. Then I go start looking for Samuel. I may not like being near him, but I have this weird feeling about him. Like I have to keep an eye on him or out for him always.
"Samuel!" I call out. When I don't get a response I repeat his name.
I decide to go to the other side of the island. Maybe he didn't hear me. It is loud here.
"Samuel! Samuel!" I say again. And once again no response. "Where is he?"
I hear glass break from behind me and see Samuel.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Oh, uh... I'm fine," Samuel quickly strudders back.
We look at each other with an awkward silence, "Well, let's go sit down. I don't want to lose you and have to walk around. I'm injured you know."
Samuel nodes and we both sit on the bench I was sitting on originally.

***

We walk back to where the water park is, even more wet than they started.
When we finally make it. We put our stuff on an umbrella table.
"Okay, everyone it's about an hour until lunch time so get changed then you can play in the waterpark for that hour," Mom says. She sounds like she is talking to a bunch of kindergarteners on a field trip to the local pool. "Oh, and make sure to use sunscreen!"
I watch as myf family rushes in the bathroom, passing through the crowd through the doors. SOme leave, some wait, others are trying to do what they are doing. Trying to get in.
I turn to Samuel and I notice that he has a frown on his face.
For some reason I ask the question, "What's wrong?"
Samuel looks up at me, confused. Then he really looks at me. I feel like i' being sized up or something. Then he finally says, "I can't tell you."
"Okay..." I say and drop the subject, Dad comes out of the changing room and sits down.
"Yeah, Samuel," he says with a sharp head nod. Cringe. "How are you so muscular?"
"I, uh, box."
I stifle a laugh. He boxes? Samuel Boxe, boxes?
"What is so funny?" Dad asks.
"Nothing," I say and stop laughing.
"What do you mean you box? Do you move boxes?" Dad asks.
"No, I'm a boxer."
That shuts me up. He boxes, as in, he's a boxer? What happened to this kid?
Mom and my sister exit the changing room and sit down.
"Okay, Mendel. Samuel. You guys can go around the park and ride rides or you can have an early lunch. It's your choice."
"OKay, well we are going to the wave pool. Goodbye." Miriam says dragging Malaya along.
My Mom and Dad walk after Miriama and Malaya. So now it's just Samuel and me once again.
"Why don't you go into the water park?" I ask Samuel.
"I didn't bring my swimming suit," he said with a shrug.
"When did you start boxing?"
He takes a deep breath, "The summer into Senior year. I moved the same year to this nowhere place called Iowa."
We sit there in silence until i Announce that I'm going to get some food.
After ordering a hotdog for myself I put some ketchup on it and sat down.
Then it happens.
My face drops and I grasp my neck.
Samuel looks at me weirdly and I open my mouth to say that I'm choking but nothing comes out.
A look of realization came over him. He jumps up, but then sits back down. I can't tell what he's doing, but I'm losing air quickly.
He thinks and thinks. But what does he think and why is it more important than my life!?
He slams his fist into his other hand and snaps up straight and grabs me. He flips me around so he is facing my back, the part right inbetween my shoulder blades. He hits that five times. I don't know he does that. But then he starts doing the heimlich maneuver on me. He switches between the two actives. Hitting my back five times then doing a heimlich five ties. The third time the piece of hotdog is dislodged and cheers Europe all around us. All smiles, cheers, and claps. Even Samuels smile is back. But it's different this time. To me it's more happy than the other ones.
Samuel pulls me away from the crowd and out of the waterpark.
"Mendel, I'm going to be honest with you. And I don't want you to think negatively of me or interrupt me. Actually you can think what you like because I won't see you ever again after today," Samuel says fast. It's almost like he's raping with a rytheme. "Mendel, the truth is I have been trying to kill you since I saw you today. Don't interrupt me. I tried to push you off the Shy Ride, then I almost pushed you into the water at SawMill Splash because I knew you can't swim from being with you as juniors. And I tried to kill you at Raging River. Oh my gosh. No. No. No. NO. Go on. Okay. So the reason is because I wanted to get back at you. For everything you did to me. High School is hell and you didn't make it any better. I'm sorry for trying to kill you. You can hit me if you want. I won't fight back."
I just stare at him. This boy tried to kill me not once but three times. I take a step back. Then another one. I turn around and begin running.
Why must I be cursed with this fate? Would it be better if I just died? What is the reason for living?
I ran all the way to the Galleon when I hit someone. I fall to the floor and my ankle hurts.
"Ow." I grab my ankle. I guess the shock didn't let me feel pain and now it's all coming back.
"Mendel?" says the person I bumped into.
I look up and see someone I was looking for.
"Gabriel..." I say the name like venom.
"Why are you crying?" he asks. I stop glaring and touch my cheeks. Mousier covers them. I whip my tears away.
"Not important!" I yell.
"C'mon let me help you up." He held out his hand. I swat it down.
"I don't want to see you. I almost died and you were nowhere to be seen!"
"I was busy." He said.
"With what!?"
"With a funeral."
A stop yelling. "A funeral? Who's funeral?"
"One of my other humans I watch and keep safe. She was killed. She didn't complete her goal."
Silence surrounds us.
"C'mon, let's talk about this sitting down. We need some ice for your ankle." Gabriel picks me up and brings me to the nearby restaurant. He sits me down and leaves for ice.
He comes back with a bag of ice and sets it on my brace.
"Let's talk."
The tone of the conversation has turned drastically.
"Her name is Natalie. She was in a similar situation that you were except less extreme. She and her boyfriend had been on and off. They had both cheated on each other. They both had a grudge on the other for cheating. They both were stubborn. He had the drive to kill her. That drive was strong enough. She didn't make amends with him because she was too stubborn. She lets that be her doom. I had to watch it. Us... angels cannot do anything to stop human death. How I wish I could stop it. After that day I could go into my human form. I paid my respects. So that's why I wasn't with you today. I'm sorry."
A man stooping down to your level and saying sorry had never happened to me before. It was weird because it was someone I hated in the beginning, in time I grew to enjoy Gabirel's company.
"I'm sorry for your loss," I say looking down.
"Mendel, you need to make amends with Samuel. I know that you really don't want to especially since he tried to kill you today, but if you don't make amends, you will just be pushing back your death date. Those feelings will fester and rise back up stronger."
Gabriel looks away into the crowd then gtss up and leaves.
I want my eyes until I see them; my family.
Miriam spots me first. She comes stomping before me and tries to lay a punch on me, but Malaya and the rest of my family hold her back. "I swear to God Mendel! I will get back at you!"
People stare and shield my face from them. I pick up the small bag of ice off from my brace and walk to my family.
I ignore their questions and just tell them, "I want to go home."
They stop with their questions and my parents look at each other.
"Home home?" Mom asks.
I nod. I just want to get out of here. If I'm going to die then I'm going to my house. Beside if they want to kill me then they will have to go all the way over here.
"Okay, if that's what you wish." Mom says and she grabs her phone and makes a phone call.
We walk out of the theme park in silence. Silence like water. We are drowning in silence, but I don't care.