Never been on a roller coaster, but going to a theme park. Help?

I need major help on: Peer-pressure Roller Coaster?

• I'm going to go to a theme park this year, as a school trip. My friends said "lets go on every ride there." I said "okay" I have a fear of riding roller coasters or anything like that. What shall I do or say? I'm not going to say I'm afraid or wont go on a roller coaster, it would damage my image. I haven't given in the money, or the consent form yet. Help? Last year, I was in the same scenario, but I didn't go and told them I had a 'dentist appointment' what do I do this year? If I say I lost my consent form, I can get another one, easily.

• Answer:

  Just say no. If they're your friends they won't care if you happen to be afraid of coasters. Acknowledge your fears. I happen to have a fear of clown puppets (thanks a bunch Saw!) and all my friends know that. But they don't care, and neither should your friends. Everyone has a fear or an embarassment. One of your friends might be a Brony, another might be afraid of blood and another might be afraid of giant rabbits. Even a tough guy might be afraid of losing a fight. People do what they are forced to do because of a fear. You know that if they ever tell anyone that they might be ridiculed even worse than you. Lots of people are afraid of coasters, and you don't happen to be unusual; it's unusual, in fact, that you aren't afraid of them to some extent! Excuses are the worst way out, and right now your friends won't ridicule you for being scared, but for being afraid to acknowledge your fear. If you can't feel comfortable around your friends then they aren't your friends. Even if you do worry about your fears, hold something you can do better than they can to even out the scale (none of my friends ridicule me ever since i won a staring contest bet on X2. No one lasted past the first twist of the seats. Yet I reject all my calls whenever Saw: Alive comes around town.) Stop faking, and I know it sounds a bit cliche, but you really do have to assert a firm no if you don't want to worry about this ever again.