Chapter 40j: The Last Time
'Jenny, can't you smile? Come on.'
'Relax. We'll get our hands on some good beer, and we'll make this a good day!'
'No worries, today's gonna be great!'
That is what they all said when they picked us up. But despite their smiles, I am not quite feeling it.
Ann, Vera and Kathleen are great friends. They were even thoughtful enough to invite Setty along as we go to visit the Alton Towers amusement park.
I've been dying to go there, frankly. To celebrate my birthday? That's supposed to be the best birthday ever!
... But knowing that Setty may be back with her brother next year around this time? I don't want to lose my sister to that legal version of mud wrestling!
Setty is looking at me now, her smile as awkward as my own. We're probably not all that far removed in our thoughts, even if hers are going to be focused on the world not letting things be as they were in the past.
"Fuckin' hell. What's with the damn mood, sisters?"
Ann is speaking up in her typical gruff way; she's a woman without delicacy and plenty of rough edges to make up for it. Her trademark green spikey hair isn't the smallest thing of note in that regard, even if it is the most obvious.
Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise given that we initially met in a holding cell several years back; me for claims I'd like to say were without substance and her for relieving her stress on her entire families motor vehicles during her moms birthday party.
I've been told she mellowed out a bit though, so I'm going to assume and hope that is not going to repeat.
"Shut yer claptrap, Ann. We've got a minor here to mind."
"Are any of you eighteen? No? Well, you are also minors!" Setty responds rather quickly. Hearing the strain in her voice, I realize. Fuck. If she were an adult, she wouldn't be in this position, right?
"I get it, Setty." I say whilst offering a small smile to her before looking at the other girls in apology. "I'm sorry. Trouble behind closed doors, ya know? Thanks for setting this up." As I try to preserve the peace, I realize I might as well be a bit more of a Nee-san to her while I can. "From _both_ of us."
Setty smiles awkwardly, nodding quickly. "Thank you." she offers, her voice still a bit hollow but at least the pleasantries have been observed.
"No worries. It isn't as if we were born with a fancy spoons in our mouth. Just make sure you get drunk with us later; no need to stay sober with the miracle that is public transport."
I shift my eyes to the minorest minor of the lot, trying to emphasize.
"We'll get her.. apple juice. Or orange juice if she prefers."
"No way. Just let me have a sip or two! Or three!"
Here comes the universal sibling whine of being offended over nothing. Everyone with siblings knows it. It is the most annoying thing.
Actually, I can't even be mad. She's going through a lot. The sigh escapes me before I even realize.
"They made me promise, Setty. You could only come if I was going to be responsible."
She wrinkles her nose in that cute way, while giving me those eyes of utter vulnerability. Fuck you, Setty! That's so unfair.
"Maybe one sip. If you behave well until the end of the day." I relent a little, but the damage is done: our sisterly exchange has the three other girls choking on their spittle from trying to hold back their laughter.
It isn't long before we finally get out of the bus. Vera bought the tickets online, so we can quickly move into the park and move on to having a great day.
Rollercoasters!
Boy watching! And grading them based on their muscles.. or should I say belly? And of course the jawline and gaze! Turns out Vera's got the hots for glasses guys; she consistently graded their looks a full point higher than us.
The Magical Boat Ride!
Ice cream whilst catcalling the cute guys that come by. Those looks on their faces... amazing. As if they never experienced it before.
More rollercoasters! And then the resulting queasiness because you don't do that right after eating ice cream...
Oh, Setty is going to loooove this last one. The Haunted House!
Her screams were so utterly pure and adorable. I wish I could make her go in a second and a third time, but there is no way she'd respond that cutely again. She'd already know the scares that are coming, after all.
Sigh. I hope Cain won't blame me for stealing her scaredy-cherry from her.
I egg on Setty for being a scaredy-puss a bit together with Ann while Vera and Kathleen are in the front, leading the way. Their conversation has moved towards the size of the boys package, and perhaps a bit too loudly discussing their worth based on whatever nonsense factors they come up with.
Wasn't it Vera who was complaining to Ann before that she had to mind the minor among us? The irony is not lost upon me...
... nor is it on security. Why are there a bunch of bored-looking muscleheads approaching them? And us, it turns out, as I see in the corner from my eyes.
Fuck, what did we do? Did Ann key any cars I'm not aware of? Did Vera do something while flirting with the icecream guy?