Roller Coasters-Personal Narrative

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Year 16 (Yes, still in my adolescence. My loss of innocence was long and impactful.) Roller coasters. They prompted images of fear in my mind. Despite my fear, my friends pressured me onto the California Screamin’ roller coaster, simply reasoning that we wouldn’t always visit Disneyland. “God, forgive my sins,” I thought as the coaster started. I’m not much of a hugger, but I was clinging onto the safety bar. At the first drop in the coaster, I fell back into a dark, repressed memory from third grade (English may be linear orthography, but my mind connects memories in no set order). Next to the pool, I was playing Frisbee with my friends, Eh and Bee. With a bad throw, Bee accidentally shot the disc into the deep end of the pool. As I reached …show more content…

Light escaped my eyes as everything faded to pitch black. All I recall next was blinding, bright sunlight and a pounding on my chest. As I spit out water, I saw Eh. He saved my life; Bee was nowhere in sight. I felt betrayed. After this incident, I was afraid of the water. The pool embodied damage, deception, death. Seeking safety, I receded to the solace of my bedroom and sought adventure in books to experience action vicariously without risk. Back on the coaster, all my friends were still next to me. While I could barely open my eyes, everybody threw their hands up. Seeing my discomfort, Eh offered me advice. Shutting my eyes, I solely focused on the wind. In a flash, I visited the summer after the incident. While my friends swam daily, I sat on the side watching. Even toddlers were splashing around in floats. Overcome with humiliation, I decided to conquer my fear. Taking the initiative, I enrolled in swimming classes. Within a month, I finished all eight levels and overcame the memory of ever drowning. The rest of the ride went by in a flash. As the ride ended, my friends burst into cheers and swarmed around me, congratulating me. I had done it, I rode a roller coaster

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