The summer breeze blew softly in the July night as I ran to the Warner Water Tower. It was movie night and it was my turn to bring the movie, which was some random scary movie I grabbed off the shelf in an attempt to be on time. I would've been on time, had Oliver not insisted on coming with me this time. But I couldn't say no this time, it would've been heartless to say it to him for the 7th week in a row. Although his pokiness was making a pretty good argument to why I shouldn't have brought him... Once at the tower we swiftly climbed the ladder and opened the door to a cacophony of impatient voices. I walked in and was greeted one by one by our usual group.
"Hey guys, I hope you don't mind but I brought a friend with me." I said waving Oliver in. He slowly came in and stood next to me unsure of what to do. He wasn't the only one for the group had fallen silent at the first site of him. Noticing this Missie rushed forward and gave him a hug, having met him before.
"Hi Oliver, long time no see!" Her cheerful voice greeted. He slowly hugged her back glad to know someone other than me liked him there. The others reluctantly moved forward to meet him, all except for Yakko that is. He too had met Oliver before but unlike Missie they really didn't get along too well. I pushed through the crowd to find my slightly shorter cousin glaring at me with crossed arms.
"Why did you bring him?" He grumbled.
"It would've been almost two months of not bringing him and he's the only friend that hasn't been invited. Besides, it's not going to kill you to get along for one night!" I replied annoyed.
"You know I don't like him and I don't want him in my home!"
"I'm not asking you to give him a place to live! All I'm asking is for you and Oliver to get along for one night and then you don't ever have to deal with each other again, alright?
"... Fine, he can stay."
"Great! I'll go get the popcorn started."
I hug him tightly before grabbing Alicia and Missie to help me with the popcorn. I popped it, Alicia put it into bowls, and Missie seasoned it before sliding it down the counter to be taken to the couch. Alicia was in the middle of putting a fresh batch in a bowl when she saw Dot's head at the end of the counter.
"Hey Dot, do you want to help?" Alicia asked kindly.
"How? There's nothing left to do." Dot observed glumly. Missie looks around before grabbing a finished bowl to hand it to her.
"You can take the popcorn to the couch for us!" Missie exclaimed before giving her a little shove in that direction.
"Okay!"
Dot excitedly ran to the couch and placed the bowl on the left arm before returning for another bowl. I watched her and giggled, never had I seen Dot so happy to be involved. The youngest of our group by a year but she was still able to keep up with us without a problem, it still amazes me. I was lost in this thought when I started to smell something burning. My space out had caused me to burn the latest batch of popcorn which was now fuming a black cloud of smoke out of the machine.
"Oh geez!" I said in shock. I quickly unplug the machine and start fanning the burnt pile of corn to stop a fire from starting with a dish towel. The sprinkler system was activated and in seconds we were all soaked.
"Way to go Kitty!" Multiple voices shouted. I look at them bitterly before slamming my hand on the sprinkler deactivation button. The water stops and everyone starts ringing out their clothes while grumbling about the whole situation. One by one we all used the blow dryer to dry our clothes the best we could before heading back out to the living room. When the last one came out, I grabbed the DVD case and popped the disk in the player. I plopped down next to Oliver and felt someone tap my shoulder. I turn to look at them and see what is Yumi sitting upside down on the couch smiling at me. I jump, surprised at how close she was and made her giggle.
"What is it Yumi?" I ask, my heart still pounding in my chest.
"I was just wondering what movie we're watching!" She smiles. I pick up the case and read the title to everyone.
"Night of the Truck Stop Terror" I read with a shrug.
"Guess it's supposed to be scary."
"Well read the back, I want to know what it's about!" Wakko excitedly pushed almost knocking Remmy off her seat on his lap. She gives him a whack as I flip the case over and start to read the back.
"In this chilling thriller ten teens are stranded at an abandoned truck stop when their car runs out of gas on a road trip. As they try to find a way out of the middle of nowhere, they are met with the challenge of evading the psychotic locals who will do anything to make sure they don't leave. But there is another way out for them, and it's putting you in their place." I finish slowly. Everyone looks at each other before laughing.
"Oooo, scary!" Yakko says moving his hands in an attempt to look scared, making Yasmin giggle in his arms. The laughing continues for a few minutes before I click play on the remote and the movie starts.