The song 'Dollhouse'by Melanie Martinez filled the van as we were on our way to the countryside of Rochurst.We were all in 7th heaven delight as this was our first business trip together....never knowing what was going to happen next.Gustin,Colton,Jacob,Nina,Shini and I had planned to hugely renovate the abandoned theme park in Rockhurst to become an eco-theme park.The former Pebble Fall Theme Park which was originally opened in 1965 drawing upwards of 8000 visitors a day-was still intact,but became abandoned due to the fire accident on the wheel rider which killed six children and one adult and the death of a 10-year old boy in the water ride.The reason behind these tragic incidents were mysterious.Since we were all school leavers,half of the fund was supplied by Mr.Alex's company,who was Gustin's father.Our one month stay in Rockhurst would basically be taken care by the company itself.
In the van,Colton focused on the road while driving.Meanwhile,the rest of us were trying to soak up as much Vitamin D as possible.Talking about me,I'm Keertiga Chandran and I was one of the few brown girls in the United States.I had a wavy dark brown hair with a tall skinny figure.My skin looked pale against the sunshine.Regardless,the greatest being the palest from all of us was my boyfriend,Gustin.I looked at Gustin whom already had his eyes on me.I reached my hand out and stroked his left cheek,looking into his eyes.Gustin's beautiful blue eyes would glow whenever he was under the Sun.He smiled my favourite crooked smile.Gustin was a whole new brand of perfection.Flinching away from my overwhelming thought,I smirked then leaned in to give him a peck on the lips.He then short kissed me back,knowing that we're not the only lovebirds in the van.Nina and Colton were together as well,same went to Shini and Jacob.The two lovebirds at front were having their very own moment with their hands intertwined.Even though I was glad for them,deep inside I was actually hoping that Colton wouldn't turn us out to appear on tomorrow's newspaper headlines.
The sun shone down and everything looked bright and holiday like. Cottages clustered together here and there and cattles grazed in the field.
We soon arrived at one of Mr Alex's guesthouses. It was a comfortable looking house, painted in soft grey, set in a nice big garden. The moment Colton parked in front of the house, I could see a man, probably in his early 50's waving at us outside the house. After getting out of the van, Gustin then shook hands with the man. "Welcome to the Rockhurst, Gustin. Glad to see you all here!" The man said. "Hello Sir." All of us said smiling. He shook hands with all of us. The man uttered, "Okay, so let me introduce myself first. I'm Mr Lorenzo, Mr Alex's assistant manager. And yes, I will be taking care of your month needs in Rockhurst. So, come on in kids. Keep yourselves home. I'm living just a stone's threw away from here. So if you guys need anything, just give a call." "Thank you Mr Lorenzo. It is nice for you to come and welcome us." I expressed smiling. He then added, "Anytime dear." He smiled.
The boys then loaded our suitcases down from the boot and we all went into the house. Nina stated, "I have a funny feeling about this business trip, you know." Shini and I gave her a surprised look. "What do you mean, girl?" I hummed in Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean' tune. "I don't really know. But I've got a feeling. You girls just wait and see." Nina claimed. "Well, if it's funny in a good way, then I hope your feeling is right!" Shini commented and we all went into our rooms.
I had the sense that I had been asleep for a very long time. I inhaled deeply. Something familiar then touched my lips with the softest pressure. I opened my eyes and found the love of my life, smiling at me. His lips just half an inch from mine.
"Wake up sleepyhead." Gustin voiced smiling. I then smiled and pressed my lips softly against his. "Good morning, love." I stretched then yawned. I set myself up. I could feel his eyes on me. Gustin said, "It's not morning yet, love. It's just 6 in the evening. Mr Lorenzo might be here in any seconds to give us brief explanation, whatever related to Pebble Fall theme park." He then stroked my hair. "Get ready fast. Jacob and Shini got us all food." He handed me my towel. I had always been grateful for having Gustin in my life. Mine and his relationship grew out of friendship. To be frank, he meant the world to me. He and I both knew that we could not live without each other. Meeting him at school was fate, becoming his friend was a choice, but falling in love with him was beyond my control. Being in love with your best friend is the greatest feeling in the world. Flinching away from my thoughts, I flickered my gaze towards Gustin, who was now standing in front of me. "Still in Disneyland?" he joked with a grin. I smirked then replied, "Why wouldn't I when I'm with the love of my life?" I held his face and pulled in for a long kiss.
Dinner was ready when Gustin and I got down holding hands. I was in khaki shorts and dark blue blouse. My hair was pulled into ponytail. Downstairs, round the table, I could see my homies including Mr Lorenzo, chattering nineteen to the dozen about everything, telling each other about their news, except Shini. Shini smiled as she listened, and handed round the plates of chicken and broccoli stir - fry. The smell amused me. Shini had been the best cook among all of us. I voiced, "What's up homies? Hello, Mr Lorenzo." I gave Mr Lorenzo a one - armed hug. "Hello, my dear." Mr Lorenzo responded. Gustin pulled out a chair for me and set himself next. The smell of the dish was mouth - watering, that I popped in one of the chickens into my mouth. "Mmm... Delicious." I muttered. "I do like these dish of yours Shini. They're the nicest I've ever tasted." Mr Lorenzo clarified. Nina added, "Yes indeed." She popped in more chickens. "Anyone would think you hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast - time, baby." Colton said. Nina jolted her lips out, "Well, we did have a good lunch before coming here. But that seems ages ago now." After we had done eating, we started our discussion as planned. Mr Lorenzo took a thick book, which seemed old from his bag and set it on the front table in the living room. All of us surrounded the mighty table. He skipped a few pages front. We listened attentively. Mr Lorenzo spoke, "I'm sure Mr Alex has already given you guys a little explanation regarding the history of this theme park of ours. The 1965's famous Pebble Fall Theme Park was abandoned due to the fire accident on the Wheel Rider. Not only that, but a boy was killed in the Dibo's Water Ride. "Which killed 6 children and an adult." I added under my breath, thoughtfully, thinking Mr Lorenzo wouldn't hear but no, I was wrong. "That's right." Mr Lorenzo said.
"And the reason behind the fire accident is unidentified." Jacob stated thoughtfully. Mr Lorenzo responded, "Ahem." He nodded. "In its heyday, the theme park was highly popular." He added. "Attraction for the hillbilly - themed attraction including Dibo's Water Rides, Spooky Train Ride, Volcano Roller Coaster and many more." He emphasized the word volcano. "It's is also a 400 acre (1.6 square KM) abandoned theme park, which now you guys have purchased for US$ 2M (€1.5M, €1.2M) into an eco - friendly destination." We all smiled even the youngest thorn could prick, I shall say. "Also presuming the former theme park's waterfall, bridges and train, with plans to also convert one of the site's old mills into a restaurant." I mentioned. Gustin then smiled and wrapped his right arm around my waist. I smiled then did the same. It's actually true when they said love brings out the best in you. Even parts you didn't know existed. I did not mean better manners or sense of maturity. Gustin made me want to run wild, take risks and pursue my dreams with passion and integrity. Around him, I lived.
Colton voiced, "Also planning to add orchards, vineyards and a trout farm." "Yeah, we want to retain as much as the original theme park as possible" Shini said. "Not forgetting to do the green development ecotourism." Colton added. We all nodded. Gustin questioned, "Mr Lorenzo, name me are the things that made this Pebble Fall Theme Park?" Mr Lorenzo answered, "It's the train, Gustin." He flipped the pages of the book and showed us the image. Gustin said, "Since the train is one of the elements that made the theme park and we have the infrastructure here, we would like to get the train back." All of us nodded. No costs or timeline for the renovation works had been set yet, though parts of the facility were expected to be on and running after 2 days. After the discussion was over, Mr Lorenzo took his leave. Colton, Jacob and Gustin would be going to the Pebble Fall Theme Park tomorrow morning since none of us had been to that park yet. They wanted to go have a look.
My gaze flickered towards Nina who seemed to be wringing her fingers. She looked lost. All of us were sitting in the living room while watching Netflix, except Gustin. Gustin had gone out to buy the phone's reload card. His phone has less credit balance. "What's wrong baby?" Colton asked. "Um... Just thinking about whatever Mr Lorenzo had said before." Nina said. Now, Jacob and Shini focused on Nina as well. She continued, "Okay guys. Since a really bad tragedy happened to the theme park years ago, don't you think that the rumours might be true." "That this mighty park is haunted", Colton smirked. Nina smacked his arm for that. "Ouch!" he exclaimed.
I uttered, "Nina darling, you don't have to worry about that. You do know that we've been facing huge deals of opposition from other companies don't you?" Jacob responded, "Keer is right. Plus, these people would do anything to see us fall. Just don't worry about it. The 3 of us would let you queens stay updated when we're headed to the park tomorrow." Nina said, "Alright. Thanks. Kinda better now." "You better be, Nina Parrish." I exclaimed.
It was now 11 at night, but yet there was no sign of the love of my life. I tried contacting him, but the computer sound was what I heard at that point. I headed downstairs. The others were asleep. "This man's gonna get it from me when he returns." I muttered under my breath and marched towards the couch. Feeling too tired for anything, I laid on the couch and fell asleep with my poor phone by my side, just in case he called. Hours seemed to pass, then I woke up, feeling too warm, as I turned around, I felt two strong arms around me. Gustin kissed my forehead and I softly said, "You're late, honey." He whispered, "Sorry love, I had to go to Mr Lorenzo's residence and my phone died. Go back to sleep, I'm home now." I smiled and kissed his lips. "I love you." I said. We fell asleep in each other's arms.
I was awake due to the morning sunbeams shattering off my skin the next day. Not only Gustin and I were on the bed but he also had me in his arms. He must have had carried me upstairs, I thought. Gustin and I, both had never given that much of concern about our physical relationship, which means we hardly thought about losing virtue and stuffs, I shall say. He and I, fortunately, both thought that virginity was the most valuable thing that we were going to give each other after marriage. For an instant, I looked up at my sleeping Gustin who looked calm in his sleep. I loved him so much that I hoped to die in his arms, if death ever approached. With glistening eyes, I set myself up and kissed his forehead. I had to go shower then prepare breakfast.
After showering, I threw on my sleeveless purple shirt with a pair of black leggings. I let my hair drop, and sprinted downstairs. I smelled muffins. "Mm... Shini must be baking." I thought. I went into the kitchen and found Nina baking instead. She was popping big muffins out of a tin and placed them on paper plates. "Good morning, darls." Nina said. She kissed on my cheek and smiled. "Morning, hons. Smells good. I thought Shini was the one baking at first. Where are the others anyways?" I took a muffin and chewed it. It smelled wonderful like fresh blueberries. "Well, Shini and Jacob are at the backyard having some of their own time together, taking selfies." She responded. "Selfie in the backyard?" I laughed. "Alrighto." I exclaimed. "Where is Colton then?" Nina responded, "Well, you know, still sleeping." Nina and I bursted out into laugh. "I want to be making some breakfast." I uttered. I walked towards the fridge and took whatever I could make for meal. I had tortilla wheat, chocolate almond butter and ripe bananas in here. With that I opened YouTube and watched The Healthy Chocolate and Banana Quesadilla tutorial. Despite I wasn't that familiar with cooking, I had decided to try my hands out in it today. Letting out a huge breath, I followed the steps shown on the video. I first spread the almond butter over half of the tortilla, topped the almond butter with sliced bananas and folded the tortilla in in half. Next, I took the non - stick pan spray, and sprayed each other side with a quick shot. Then, in the skilled over medium - high heat, I cooked the quesadilla on each side until it into golden brown. Finally, I sliced it into halves and served it on the plate. I brought the plate close to my nose. A huge grin replaced my just now's curled lips. "I must let Gustin try this." I thought in excitement. I grabbed a tray and placed two plates of quesadilla, a carton of orange juice, with two empty glasses. As I headed out of the kitchen, I headed towards Nina who was now talking to Colton in the living room. Shini and Jacob were there as well. "Hey guys! Have some." I said. "Oh God! Keertiga, you cooked?" Shini asked in a surprised tone yet excited. "So much of enthusiasm in me cooking?" I asked jokingly. All of them laughed, then took each one, except for Colton. He took two, and I did not worry, since I had got six quesadilla for my Gustin. "I'll have to go wake and let Gustin taste these, homies." I said with a huge grin walking towards the riser of the stairs. From those stares they all gave me, I could say that I must had looked like a toddler running towards the playground.
When I entered the room, Gustin was still asleep just as I had expected. The quilt was on. I set the tray aside and set myself next to him. I lowered myself towards him and stroked his hair. My face was a few inches from his. "Wake up sleepyhead." I whispered softly into his ears. Gustin opened his eyes, then smiled widely. He pulled me close to him. I kissed his lips and said, "Good morning, love." He rolled over, so that my face was under his and kissed me. He commented, "Good morning, beautiful. I smell food." He scrunched his nose. His gaze then flickered towards the tray, then he set himself up, still sitting on the bed. I handed him his plate and said proudly, "I cooked breakfast, honey. Have some." He asked, "You did? Mm... Okay." He took in a few bites of quesadilla, then his eyelids popped open wide. I was startled by that. I, being startled by his reaction, had a worried look on my face. "You don't like it, darling?" I questioned.
"No, I don't like it, but I love it, sweetheart. You've just started cooking, and you're already doing great." He exclaimed. Enthusthiatically, I took his face in my hands and kissed him all over the face. My lip gloss was all over his face. He had to get them washed before heading to the so called haunted Pebble Fall Theme Park with the other boys and Mr Lorenzo today.
It was now 12 noon. The boys had gone out to the theme park with Mr Lorenzo. Before leaving, Gustin promised he would let us girls stay updated on Snapchat. Even though I did see him every day, staying apart from him even for minutes hurt, I shall say. Deep inside, I actually wanted to follow, but thinking that I might seem kind off clingy, I did not.
Feeling missing, I went to the backyard to chill along with the other girls. As I set myself up the round table, my phone lit up with a few notifications on Snapchat. Gustin snapped me a few pictures of the three boys in the park. The first picture captioned THE ENTRANCE of a huge signboard with NO TRESSPASSING and VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED written on it. The board looked badly old and was surrounded by long grown weeds. As Nina and Shini looked in my direction, Nina commented, "Oh man, this place is damaged." Shini agreed, "I know right. It's been this way for like more than 2 decades." I added, Sadly vandalism and graffiti might be a serious ongoing problem for us. Plus, cleaning it up is going to be way time consuming." I furrowed my eyebrows then sighed.
I scrolled through the others pictures, then came across a few pictures of the long train ride, Dibo's Water Ride, Volcano Roller Coaster, Carousel Horse Ride, places where shows were held and so on. I then in return, took a picture of the other girls and I and sent to Gustin with caption 'SOLID'. After looking at the pictures, I could say that everything in there was real solid. Plus, as Gustin had said since we had the infrastructure there. As our first step, I shall say in our Pebble Fall Theme Park's business construction had already succeeded, all of us chilled out in the backyard having some barbecue party in the evening. We chose some of the main dishes that can be made in the cooker, marinated and grilled. We had foods like grilled skirt steak with Homemade Asian Barbecue Marinade, spicy grilled shrimp and chili - lime chicken kabobs, also not forgetting corn on the grill. Drinks were served by Shini since she had been insisting on making us drinks even when Nina and I had offered to help. "Maybe she has a new beverage to make us all." I said, raising my eyebrows. As I guessed, Shini served us all a drink which I was unfamiliar of. Its name was 'Watermelon Agua Fresca' and it tasted amazing. I knew there was a little bit of alcohol in it, since I started feeling as if I was on cloud nine. I walked towards Gustin, who had the beverage in his hands with a goofy smile. I bumped my glass into his, and we two said, "Cheers to our first plan." We couples started dancing. I could see that Nina and Colton were a little too high. Shini and Jacob were still stable though. They seemed to be whispering something toward each other while swaying, in each other's arms. I decided to take charge as Gustin placed his hands on my hips. He and I were simply swinging our hips back giving a , left about a foot between our bodies, then we started swaying our hips, arms and hands moving according the beat. Once the dance was over, I leaned to pull him in for a kiss. We smiled in between our kiss. He leaned down to press his lips on my throat and said, "I love you."