I didn't think I was gonna do another chapter this quick but got excited with the small amount of people reading this, and the review, so I had to write this one a bit quicker. The next chapter will probably be a little longer away but I hope you like this one anyway.
Cheers for reading.
"I really think we should think this one through"
"Relax Gretch. All we are gonna do is use a good ol' fashioned rope swing"
As Gretchen and Spinelli talked between themselves, the guys couldn't contain their excitement. It was as if their whole 16 year old sophomore lives had been working for this moment. Will the rope hold? Is the water deep enough? Can they even reach the rope?
TJ had been studying the tree that the rope was stuck in for the last 5 or 10 minutes while Vince was simply trying to climb it, which probably wasn't the safest idea. It was hanging just too high up, and over the water, for any of them to reach. Mikey couldn't bring himself to watch as his friend climbed the old tree that was on a lean just a little too much.
"I got a plan guys". Of course he did, that's what he does. He had gathered the attention from the rest of the group as he explained everyone's role to them.
Like the perfect plan it was, next thing you know Vince threw a rock perfectly at the seat part of the rope swing, getting it to start rocking back and forth. Further away then closer to them, over and over. Next, Mikey had launched the smaller Gus upwards to the rope when it was above dry land. The military training of rope climbing finally had its use for the group. All that was left now was to untangle the sucker and get to swinging.
It couldn't have gone any better in TJ's mind. He had accounted for everything.
"You know what Teej, next time we are gonna wait till it's warmer to go swimming."
Snapping his head towards Spinelli, he couldn't suppress his laugh. It was probably still due to when she took her first jump, which just had to be the first swing out of all of them. The look on her face was perfect as she fell into the water. When she started screaming out though TJ had thought the worse. Maybe the fall from that high up had hurt? What if something had happened?
Gretchen then contributed her expert opinion. "Perhaps, being only a few weeks till Christmas, it should have been a viable indicator to the cold weather."
"Yeah, but it isn't snowing yet so how could we have known?" Vince had a very good point. Gretchen just couldn't argue with them sometimes.
"Man, Becky is going to kill me when I get home. I'm gonna get a whole lecture about how I could've got sick and then she would get in trouble when my parents get home."
"Woe is me, we are all in for the wrath of judgement by those who created and house us"
"Sure big guy". Everyone laughing at Vince's response to the drama queen.
As they got further away from the lake and closer to their own homes, the gang began splitting off from each other. In the end was TJ and Spinelli.
Living so close together they were definitely closer out of the group of best friends. Not in the same way that TJ was friends with Vince, the guy thing, but different. They would help each other with homework that they both had or simply play video games and read comics, a habit TJ just couldn't drop.
"So what's the plan for the rest of the day?"
TJ really hadn't thought that far ahead yet. He may have a plan for everything, but everything only included things that needed a plan. As for his evening activities, he was clueless.
"Don't know. I might read my new Senõr Fusion. I still haven't got around to it yet."
"Or maybe… We can watch The Night Before Christmas while it's on TV tonight?"
Now, usually Spinelli is the first against anything with any hint of romance or holiday joy but she was still, deep down, a girl.
"Sure Spin, just give me a little while to get out of these wet clothes and have a hot shower."
Que the over dramatic sigh from the proud owner madam fist, even though she was going to do the same anyway. She just couldn't help but tease him a little bit.
"OK then. I'll give you half an hour and then I'm coming over."
"Deal"
"TJ you have to help out too you know. I don't want to get in trouble that the house is a mess."
"Jeez, calm down Becky. We still have ages until they get home." His big sister is always on his back it seems whenever they spend longer than eating dinner together.
"I know but I don't want to get blamed for your sloppiness."
Just then he heard Spinelli arrive at his door. "Hold that thought for a sec" TJ replied before turning his attention to his best friend.
Opening the door he met the short, both in temper and height, girl in front of him.
"Took ya long enough"
"What! I came straight to the door"
"Well would it have killed you to pick up the pace. We are gonna miss the start of the movie."
What was the hurry? They still had 24 minutes left so there was no big rush. However, he didn't want to be that specific to her face as she was renown for her infamous right hook.
"I just got to help clean the house real quick." He then turned around looking for his sister before raising his voice louder. "Apparently she can't handle it herself even though I didn't make a single mess."
Of course there was no reply from in the kitchen so they decided to head to the living room so TJ could tidy it, and for Spinelli to get ready for the movie.
About halfway through the movie they were both situated on the couch, close enough to be a little more than friendly but still avoiding actual contact. With candies opened between them and the house cleaned up enough to Becky's standards, they were both content with how the night turned out.
"So what time are your parents getting home?"
"Some time tomorrow before lunch so I'll see them after school. Can't believe they get to spend time in Spain. Without me."
Continuing with her favourite pastime of teasing, Spinelli thought it would be best to give a possible reason for leaving him with his sister.
"Well you can be annoying after awhile so I can see their point."
TJ gave his best impression of being hurt and put his hand on his chest. "Wow, that is harsh"
"It's the only possible thing I could think of." Spinelli laughed as TJ was pouting while hunched over.
"Well they should be on their first plane now to LA. Then they'll catch another to here and rescue me from the devil upstairs."
"I can't believe back when she used to be nice"
They both laughed and went back to finish their movie, plus another one after that, and their sugary snacks. One final night without a forced bedtime or 'proper healthy' foods.
The movies finished and Spinelli had left a couple of minutes ago. TJ was ready for bed but had to pack up the living room after their mini marathon or God forbid Becky would rip him apart. He couldn't imagine living under her house rules. Good thing his parents ruled over her out of seniority.
Before he he went to bed he reached into his desk drawer to find that new comic he'd been dying to read lately. Now was as good as time as any to enjoy the creativeness on these newly printed pages. He pushed past his house keys, a can of deodorant and an old pack of cigarettes before he found what he wanted.
He couldn't believe he actually smoked before. He was trying to fit in with some kids from school and his willpower was no match for his need to be accepted and the added peer pressure from those around him, none of which were his usual friends to tell him not to. Hustler kid let him keep the pack as "a sign of good will" like he was going to be a returning customer.
TJ laughed at himself for what he did, but every kid tries it right. He settled himself in for what was meant to be a cold night. A storm was brewing to the west and that Christmas weather was finally meant to be setting in. He was happy for that, Christmas was always so fun and he wanted to get everyone a good present this year. Which reminded him that he needed to start shopping as the two weeks left to do so were getting smaller everyday.
The other part of didn't want the cold. He enjoyed the sunny weather that allowed him to be outside with his friends. Snow days were great and all but people always stayed in, just like the rainy days throughout elementary. No one liked being out in the cold.
Finishing his comic he checked the time, about 11:30. His parents were probably waiting in LAX right now for their next flight. By the time he got home tomorrow they would have landed and be waiting for him at home, hopefully with some good food that Becky could never seem to find at the store. Either way he'd have to endure the hugs and kissed that came with the 'I missed you so much' speech. Some things will never change.
Closing his eyes to the sound of rain hitting his roof, always making a random sound that couldn't be recreated, he fell asleep. In the distance the storm was coming with all of its thundering power it held, bringing with it that cold and dark weather that dampened any kids mood. Hopefully the plane won't be delayed for his parents sake. Plane trips could be bad enough sometimes.
Tomorrow was going to be a miserable day.
