The Last Seat

“Wait, what time is it?” Jayden's eyes flew open as sunlight spilled across his room. His heart began pounding before his feet even touched the floor. Today was the day of the senior trip to Adventure Kingdom Amusement Park. He jumped out of bed and got ready in a rush. From downstairs, his mom’s voice drifted up.

“What do you want for breakfast?” she called.

“Pancakes! Eggs and bacon!” he shouted back. The smell met him halfway down the stairs sweet syrup, buttery pancakes, sizzling bacon. His stomach growled as he hurried down the stairs then he slipped and bruised his knee. He winced, gripping the railing for a second before pushing himself back up.

He limped into the kitchen and dropped into his seat, quickly digging into his food. Nothing was going to ruin today. Soon, his string bag was packed with snacks, headphones, and anything he thought he might need. Outside, the morning air buzzed with energy as buses lined up at school. “Don’t miss the bus back,” his mom said as he got out of the car. Jayden nodded quickly. But as he slammed the door and ran toward his friends, he had no idea how close he would come.

At school, he spotted Elianna and Derek near the bus, laughing about something. “There you are!” Elianna said. “We thought you overslept.” “Not a chance,” Jayden replied, grinning. The bus ride passed in a blur of music, chatter, and excitement. When they finally arrived, the amusement park rose in front of them with bright colors, loud rides, and crowds moving in every direction. “Roller coaster first,” Elianna said, already heading toward the tallest ride. Now, Jayden and friends walked to a giant chicken leg spot. My friend Derek eats chicken leg and grease is all over his face. Then, Derek used his shirt to wipe the grease. Jayden said it disgusted me.

After a few rides later Derek stopped short, staring up at the abandoned ride. “Yeah… I think I’ll watch it this time.” Jayden smirked. “Still scared of heights?” Derek shrugged. “Are you sure that thing is safe?” Jayden didn’t answer. He just climbed into the seat. The safety bar locked. The coaster climbed higher and higher, the ground shrinking below. Jayden's hands tightened on the bar, but a grin spread across his face. Then the drop. Wind rushed past him. His stomach flipped. He laughed. And then everything stopped. The coaster froze midair. Jayden blinked, his smile fading. The silence felt wrong.

Slowly, he turned his wrist and checked his watch. 5:45 PM. The bus leaves at 6:00. His grip tightened. “Come on…” he whispered. Nothing. The ride stayed still, hanging above the park like it had forgotten him. Time dragged. His heart pounded louder with every second. Finally Hiss. The safety bar lifted. The coaster rolled backward into the station. The second it stopped, Jayden jumped out and ran. Down the exit ramp. Past crowds. Past flashing lights. His knee throbbed, but he didn’t slow down. The parking lot came into view. The bus was already pulling away. “No!” Jayden shouted, waving his arms as he ran. Then suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder. He spun around. Elianna and Derek stood there, breathless but smiling. “They haven’t left yet,” Elianna said. The bus slowed. The door opened. Jayden climbed on, breathing hard, relief washing over him. 

The ride back was quiet. Music played softly as the bus hummed along the dark road. One by one, students fell asleep. Jayden leaned against the window, his eyes closing. When he woke up, the bus had stopped. He nudged Elianna and Derek. “We’re back.” They stepped off into the cool night air. The school parking lot was nearly empty now. Jayden pulled out his phone and called his mom to pick him up, he said. This time, he knew he had made it.

Jayden walked up the stairs to the front door of his house and his mom opened the door with her key. Jayden's mom brought him a Chipotle bowl. While he is eating while watching tiktok videos. After he finished eating he brushed his teeth and took a shower and went to his room and he went to his bed and doomscroll and immediately went to sleep.