“Yaya, you have to promise me you’re going to get on every single ride with Me.” my best friend Eunice stated with an earnest stare. I carefully thought about what she had just said, I knew for a fact that there would be at least one ride that took us upside down. That was my fear, being upside down. I never really thought about getting over my fear, but little did I know on Saturday February 14, 2015 I would get over this bizarre fear.
“I promise,” I commented, “if I die though it’s on you.” She laughed at my joke meanwhile I began thinking about the fact that I would chicken out no matter what I had just told her.
           

The familiar smell of popcorn and churros filled my nose and the sounds of screaming children flooded my ears as we entered the Riverside County Fair. Eunice and I bolted towards the ticket booths where we both purchased our bracelets. As soon as we got our bracelets we ran to the stands where we saw things like hats and t-shirts that were decorated with all sorts of colors and had a variety of people’s names on them. Somehow we ended up in the children’s section.

Both Eunice and I caught some weird stares as we rode on only a few baby rides we were allowed to ride. We got on every ride we possibly could have in a matter of hours. Then in a blink of an eye the sun went down and the bright vibrant lights came on. With one stare I knew exactly what she was thinking. She grabbed my hand and ran faster than I’ve ever seen her run before into a line for the big swings. When the swings lifted up I felt as if I were a bird gliding through the sky, though the feeling didn’t last. As I stepped off the ride, I ran back over to the line and dragged Eunice behind me. We got on it about three times before she finally started complaining, “Can we please go on another ride? This is getting old.”

“Fine then,” I agreed and walked over to another line as she pulled a smile up to her face.

The point is we went on all the rides at least about four times. Then it came to the part I was least excited about, the one ride that made my body go upside down. She basically had to force me into the line but it still hadn’t clicked to her that I was beyond terrified of going on that ride. While we were waiting in line my palms began getting sweaty and I could feel my heart beating out of my chest. The line moved forward and I hesitated before taking a couple steps.

It finally clicked for Eunice when I began playing with my hands. “Come on, you have to get on! It won’t be any fun without you! Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise,” she exclaimed. I was about to start talking when spoke up again, “I mean I’m really scared of doing this too but I'm getting on,” then she became quiet, “You know what, if you don’t want to you don’t have to get on.”

“Yeah, I think I’m just going to sit this one out,” I replied.

“Are you sure?” she questioned. Her stare screamed,“YOU HAVE TO GET ON THE FIREBALL WITH ME!”

“You know what I think I’m going to give it a try.” She gave me the biggest hug and linked my arm with hers as we waited in line.

Ten steps then two, next thing I knew we were at the front of the line. The man opened the gate and let us enter. I climbed up and sat down next to Eunice. As soon as it started moving I wanted to jump off. It swished from one side to another and then it quickly went all the way around and I was upside down, then I wasn’t anymore.

It all happened so fast and even though I never opened my eyes I knew exactly what was going on. We were going around in circles over and over again , Eunice was in her seat next to me screaming her head off , and I was there closing my eyes enjoying the rush that surged through my body. It ended all too quickly. I ran off the ride and I couldn’t believe what had just happened and apparently neither could Eunice. I looked over at her and she seemed as she were about to cry.

“I think my insides just died!” she exclaimed.

“Are you ok? You didn’t like that? How did you not enjoy that?” I began bombarding her with questions.
“I know for a fact I will never ever get on that ride EVER AGAIN!” she began scolding me. “How could you let me do that?” she asked.

“Because you encouraged me to,” I stated. I hugged my best friend as we walked out of the fair grounds and she kept describing how awful she thought that experience was. That Valentine’s day I overcame a fear and she gained one.

I feel this was an important choice in my life because it was a memory that I doubt I will ever forget. I overcame this crazy fear with my best friend by my side. All I needed was for someone to give me that little push. Even though she didn’t do anything big or say anything inspiring she gave me this feeling that made me know if I did it, everything was going to be okay. From my story people may learn that sometimes you need someone to give you that little push of encouragement or you can be the one to give someone that push. Like Mark Twain once said, “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”