This is gonna be updated in bursts, because I'm stealing wifi to upload it. And before you say it, I keep killing Brittany, and I know, and I'm sorry and it seems like I hate her when I actually love her more than a little bit. So sorry.
"After that, we worked on a squid boat, and then we moved on to Los Angeles, to the pier in Santa Monica, I did portraits there for 10 cents apiece while Santana sang." She lights up when she talks about travelling, and we've been leaning on a railing for the past half an hour while she's been telling me about her travels, and her best friend. It's sad to think this is the closest I've had to a best friend almost my entire life.
"Why can't I be like you, Britt? Just head out for the horizon whenever I feel like it" I know I'm being ridiculous now, but I continue. "Say we'll go there sometime, to that pier, even if we only talk about it."
"No, we'll do it. We'll drink cheap beer, we'll ride on the roller coaster until we throw up. Then we'll ride horses on the beach, right in the surf. But you have to do it properly, not like those women who ride with their legs on one side, because you'll fall off."
"You mean, one leg on each side?" Something about that sounds preposterous.
"Yeah!"
"Can you show me?"
"Course I can, if you want."
"Teach me to ride like a man!" I laugh.
"And chew tobacco like a man!"
"And spit like a man!"
"What, they don't teach you that at posh school?"
"No!"
She grabs my hand, pulling me away "Come on, I'll show you!"
I pull against her "No, Britt, I can't!"
But she pulls me to the side of the boat facing the sea. "Watch me." She spits, and it flies straight out toward the sea. I'm both impressed and disgusted.
"Your turn!"
I look around, to see if anyone is watching, and spit over the side.
"That was terrible" she laugh, "you've really gotta try!" She shows me again, and this time it's a little better. However, on the third try, I hear someone gently clear their throats behind us. When I turn, I see my mother standing there, disbelief on her face. I hit Brittany in the arm and she turns, spit dribbling down her chin. She wipes it quickly off.
"Mother!" I walk over to her sheepishly. "May I introduce, Brittany Pierce."
"Charmed, I'm sure" comes my mother's stoic reply.
"The others were gracious and curious about the girl who'd saved my life. But my mother looked at her like an insect. A dangerous insect that must be squashed quickly."
"Well, Brittany, sounds like you're a good girl to have around in a sticky spot" Holly smiles at her. A trumpet sounds further down the deck. "Why do they always insist on announcing dinner like a damn cavalry charge?" I laugh, but it sounds forced.
"Shall we go dress, mother?" I walk away. "See you a dinner, Brittany."
"Sweetie? Do you understand what you're doing?"
Britt smiles, "No idea."
"I thought as much, you're about to go into the snake pit. What are you planning on wearing?" Brittany motions to the outfit she's got on, and Holly's eyebrows shoot up. "Figured as much." She takes Britt's arm. "Come on"