"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything," – Mark Twain
x.x.x.x.x.x
Dear Diary,
Today was day one of 'Project Save McLean Park', but we didn't really get further than introductions and far-fetched ideas. I mentioned starting off with the cliché lemonade stand, but Bridgette turned it down and I don't blame her. Can you imagine being that desperate? Anyway, we need 3000 dollars for the city to consider keeping the park, and nothing is going to stand in my way!
Gwen closed her diary with a satisfied sigh. Summer had just started, and the warm night breeze invited her into the promising season.
She had just gotten back from their local community center's meeting and feelings of apprehensive excitement had been welled up in her throat ever since. Keeping McLean Park was extremely important to her, and she knew that it would take a lot of dedication and hard work. However, after meeting her team she realized that a lot of that work would be placed on her.
She plopped her diary on her nightstand and rolled over to lay on her back. She closed her eyes, focusing only on the 3000 dollar gap that was between her and her beloved park.
x.x.x.x.x.x
When Gwen had arrived at McLean Park, the rest of the supporters had already adjourned at a weathered table under an ugly beech tree near the entrance. Her friend, Bridgette, was orchestrating with a clipboard in hand. Bridgette's boyfriend, Geoff, flashed her a supporting smile. A girl from their school, Izzy, and her boyfriend, Noah, sat cross-legged and facing each other, smiling and twisting their fingers together. DJ was content with just sitting in the grass, admiring the tiny flowers. This was one of the few parts of the park that hadn't been overrun with debris and graffiti.
Gwen gave a little wave at the group, which they casually returned. Grinning, she jogged the rest of the way to the table, only to waltz right in the middle of this conversation:
"I'm just saying, Noah! If you had to kill me, you would totally bury my body in this park!" Izzy chattered, "You're predictable like that."
He rolled his eyes and said dryly, "Izzy, If I'm that predictable you should know that I would never kill you."
Geoff interjected, "Because you looove her, dude! Just admit it!"
Noah glowered at the guy sporting the cowboy hat and replied, "Look who's talking! You and Bridgette were sucking face for like, fifteen minutes before Gothika showed up."
Geoff pondered this and said, "Just because you make out with a chick, it doesn't mean you love her."
That, Bridgette overheard, to which she responded, "Well, Geoff, I personally don't have any problem with killing you!"
Gwen shook her head, saying, "Okay guys, let's talk strategy."
As the small group discussed the future of McLean Park, another similar discussion was taking place not too far from there.
x.x.x.x.x.x
Courtney examined the bottom of her shoe; tender grass stuck to the bottom while watery mud seeped through the soles. "Ugh! Duncan! Why did we go this way? Now my shoes are covered in sludge!"
Duncan ran his hand over his mohawk, only to have it spring up a second later. Exhausting a frustrated huff, he said, "You're the one who said you didn't want to be seen with me."
"That didn't mean we had to walk all the way out into the jungle," she whined, stepping over another puddle.
"You said you wanted to talk, so talk."
Courtney sighed and carefully examined the base of a nearby tree. Once she deemed it clean, she hesitantly leaned against it. Duncan rolled his eyes. Pressing her hands together, she searched for the right words. "Duncan... I know our breakup has been hard on you..."
He snorted, "I couldn't care less!"
"Just hear me out," Courtney pleaded softly. Duncan wasn't facing her, but she saw his head lower. Where he was standing, she noticed that the end of one of his ear piercings reflected off the sun, and that she could trace the outlines of his back easily. "I know we broke up..."
He didn't move, but he replied hotly, "You broke up with me, don't forget that detail."
Feeling the rough texture of the bark beneath her fingers, she continued slowly, "I wanted to ask you a favor."
Duncan spun around, eyes wide, and laughed sarcastically. Wiping a "tear" from his eye, he met Courtney's glare with one of his own. "And why would I help you?" he asked tauntingly.
Her delicate hands balled into angry fists, but she took a calming breath and was able to continue. "I want you to help me get rid of a park, in order for this new restaurant to open," she said. "Chef's Hatchet, actually."
Duncan's eyes were nearly glazed over from boredom, but he still asked, "Chef's Hatchet, eh? And what makes this place so special?"
"Nothing, the food is garbage," she dismissed. "But it was going to happen, a done deal! Before. But now there's this group that's protesting it! And—"
"Well if the food's garbage isn't that a good thing?"
"Let me speak!" she snapped. "And if they raise 3000 dollars by the end of summer, they get to keep their precious, McLean Park!"
Duncan's lower lip trembled as he let this information sink in. He attempted to sound nonchalant but his voice was cold as he repeated, "McLean Park, you say?" He looked up at her with stormy eyes. "Yeah. I'll help you."
Courtney flinched at the dark tone he had taken. Yes, she knew why he hated McLean Park and that's why she recruited him, but he didn't know that. There was so much he didn't know... But she couldn't tell him now. Forcing a smile, Courtney extended a hand and chirped, "That's great!"
He hesitated for a moment before shaking it, realizing it was a deal with the devil. That is, if the devil wore strappy sandals and spent too much money on hand sanitizer.
x.x.x.x.x.x
"Lemonade! Get your lemonade here!" Gwen shouted to the lemonade-less world. An entire week had passed since their last meeting and no one had thought of anything better, so the lemonade stand became the official beginning to the McLean Park Preservation Society's fundraising.
Izzy was busy smashing lemons, and DJ was carefully measuring out sugar for the pitchers. Bridgette wiped her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand before finally getting up and holding Gwen's waving arms down to her sides. "Gwen! I don't think anyone wants to buy lemonade from us. We've been out here for four hours, and no one has even glanced at us!"
"That's quitter talk!" Gwen protested feebly; her voice had grown hoarse after the third hour. Bridgette let go of Gwen's arms, and the two plopped down on the ground, unsettling dust from the dirty street road.
Noah looked up from his book and asked dryly, "So, are we done?"
A car honked as it whizzed by, startling DJ who then displaced an entire pitcher of their refreshing drink all over the sidewalk.
"Yep, we're done." Gwen sighed.
As the gang was about to pack up, a strange pair approached them. The girl was tall and thin, wearing a soft grey sweater and wedge heels. The sun made her freckles stand out, and her sharp brown eyes surveyed their pitiful stand, making her look like a fierce hawk that was picking out its lunch. The guy was her companion; he was tall and angular, and his entire look screamed 'punk'. Besides his green mohawk and facial piercings, this stranger sported a creepy skull shirt and dog collar.
"What is this? Who authorized this?" the girl's shrill voice pierced Gwen's eardrums.
Gwen stood up defensively and said, "This is a lemonade stand, if you couldn't tell! And we have permission from the town board."
The girl sneered, "I doubt that. You're that group that's trying to save McLean Park, aren't you?"
Bridgette stepped in and replied, "Yeah, and who are you?"
"I'm Courtney, a CIT, and this is Duncan. We're the leaders of your opposition. You guys better back down now, because I don't plan on losing."
Noah raised an eyebrow and asked, "Our 'opposition'? You mean you're trying to get rid of McLean Park?"
The guy, now known as Duncan, finally spoke up. "That's right, dork. And while you losers are sitting around playing with lemonade, we're actually accomplishing something." He held out a flyer and Gwen snatched it from him, her eyes never leaving his face. Bridgette leaned over her shoulder to read, since Gwen was busy with a staring contest.
Her eyes squinted, then widened in horror. "A rock concert? You're hosting a rock concert?"
Duncan's contempt was obvious as he sneered "That's right, honey. And it miiight just draw in a little more dough than this.. thing you have going on here. Better luck next time." The pair sauntered off in the direction they had been heading, but Gwen wasn't about to let them walk away that easily.
"Very intimidating! A spoiled snob and her loyal watchdog? I'm shaking in my boots!" Gwen shouted after them.
Duncan turned around and laughed, "Shaking? There could be an earthquake and you wouldn't move an inch in those clompers! What are they? Size twelve?"
"The better to kick you with, my dear!" Gwen's feisty eyes narrowed.
Duncan just smirked, "See you around, Sunshine!" Courtney pulled him along, irritated, until they were out of sight.
Gwen furiously turned to her equally pissed friends. "Screw that guy," she snapped, "We're crashing that concert."
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Well, what did you think? Thanks for reading, please review, and I hope you have a good day :D