When six o'clock rolled around, I jumped in the shower to wash off all the cleaning and unpacking and rearranging. It only took me about fifteen minutes, and I had to make a quick decision as to what I was going to wear. Either long pants and a t-shirt, or a cute shirt and a pair of shorts. I went with the latter, throwing on a pair of black shorts with a brown belt, and my maroon Ramones shirt. I slipped on my beat-up converse, brushing through my long hair until it was knot-free and resting against my back and shoulders.
By the time it was seven, I was already ready to go, slipping downstairs to meet my mom and Michael by the door. "Where's Sam? I thought he was coming." I asked and Michael nodded, "he's waiting in the car."
So, it turned out I had to ride with Michael, yet again on his death machine. By the time we got there, no blow dryer could ever compete. My hair was back in their dry, ringlet curls, and I was mentally scarred. "Do you have to drive so fast?" I huffed once we got there and he parked his bike. "You mean the speed limit? Why yes, yes I do because if I don't I get pulled over, little sister of mine." Michael retorted, pulling me into a headlock and messing up my hair.
I managed to squeeze out, punching him in the shoulder, "hey! Not the hair! We made that agreement when we were little, you keep your hands off, I don't touch your vinyl collection!" I growled and he laughed while I tried to fix the mess he made. My mom pulled up and we walked over to her.
"Mom! He touched my hair!" I pouted and she deadpanned, "Michael, leave your sister alone." She scolded. I swear my mother was the only person who could scold in a sweet voice and not come off creepy. "Now, the three of you need to stick together, do you understand?" She told Sam, Michael and I, we all nodded, "yes, mom." She handed us each some money, "make it last, that's all I have until I get a job, which is what I'm going to go look for right now." And with that, she was off.
Sam sighed, "so what now?" He asked and Michael and I shrugged. "Whatever, I guess." Michael said. I could hear music off in the distance, something that sounded vaguely like Tim Cappello. Either way, it sounded good and I liked it. "I have something for us to do, come on!" I exclaimed, grabbing their wrists and dragging them along the boardwalk towards the sound of the music.
"Where are we going?" Sam asked, "I have no idea!" I called back over the loud music we were approaching, and finally we were met with a stage. Michael and Sam watched them play, probably making snide comments under their breath, while I was tapping my foot to the sound of the music and just listening.
That was, until a small hand tugging on my shirt caught my attention.
I turned around, seeing a little boy no older than eight, tears in his eyes and falling down his cheeks. "Hey, hey, what's the matter?" I asked, leaning down to his height - which sadly wasn't more than a foot or so. "I-I can't find him! My brother, I can't find him!" He exclaimed, breathing hard and I wiped the tears from his face, "it's alright, don't worry I'll help you find him." I promised, taking his hand and standing up straight.
"Michael!" I called over the music, and he snapped his head over. "This little boy lost his brother, I'm gonna go help him find him, ok?" I yelled loud enough for the distance and he nodded, "don't move, I'll be right back!" I added before leading him out of the crowds of drunks and headbangers. Once we were in a safer, less loud environment, I sat him down on a bench, leaning in front of him.
"Ok, what does your brother look like?" I asked, rubbing the back of his hand reassuringly. He went to speak but cut off, more tears running down his face. "Shh, shh, it's ok." I told him, wiping his tear-stained cheeks. "No more crying, ok? We'll find him." I said. He nodded, "h-he's... um... he's tall, with brown hair and eyes... he's kinda tan..." He described and I figured that was enough of a description for me to filter out. Besides, I was sure he would spot him before I did.
"Alright, and what's your name?" I inquired and he sniffled, "Laddie." He said. I smiled, "that's a great name. I like Laddie." I replied, "well, Laddie, I'm Sophie. Now let's go on an adventure to find your brother!" I exclaimed, and I saw that his lips twitched in the corners to a smile. We headed off down the boardwalk, and every guy I saw with the description he gave me I pointed out only for him to tell me it wasn't him.
Eventually we stopped for ice cream, something I thought would lift his spirits, even if it were for a little bit. I didn't know the kid, but I hated seeing him so sad. I could remember countless times I lost my mom in a supermarket, and as soon as I saw her I would practically bolt into her arms. "Dwayne!" Laddie screamed at the top of his lungs, and I jumped, noticing a group of guys on motorcycles turning their heads this way.
"Is that him?" I asked, and Laddie nodded, "yeah, come on!" He encouraged, pulling me along with him rather than letting go of my hand. I barely had enough time to throw my trash away before I was being dragged over there. "Laddie!" One of them called, getting off of his bike as we approached and engulfing Laddie in a huge bear-hug, despite the fact that Laddie was in fact still holding my hand in a tight grip. "Don't you ever leave me like that again, do you hear me?" The guy, Dwayne, scolded lightly and I couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks for returning the little tyke." Another one of the bikers, one with a blonde mullet-thing going on said and I nodded, "it wasn't a problem at all." I shook my head, pushing my bangs out of my face. I didn't really like how his voice sent my skin crawling, but I didn't say anything further.
I couldn't help but focus on Dwayne. He was tall. He had a whole foot over me and then some. He was muscular and had a sharp jaw that could probably cut glass. His hair was long and dark and thick, something you would want to run your fingers through. I shook my head, clearing those thoughts as Laddie let go of Dwayne and barreled into me, hugging me tight around my waist. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sophie!" He exclaimed and I giggled.
"It's no problem, feel free to lose your brother and come find me again sometime, ok kid?" I joked, pulling a spare napkin from my pocket. I wiped his mouth and nose, that of which were covered with chocolate ice cream. We bid our goodbyes, Laddie looking rather sad to see me go, and I met back up with Michael and Sam who were well over waiting for me.
But I couldn't help that I was intrigued with Dwayne. He definitely was something else.
