Chapter Five
The pier is alive and well tonight. It's bustling with teenagers and various families scattered about this humid early evening. Lights are flashing and games ding with new winners and losers every minute. Emily jogs along the rickety wooden planks of the pier, managing to dodge a bright yellow tram car in the process. She's just found Alison perched at a post with her left foot bouncing impatiently. Alison makes no effort at a proper hello when she spots Emily and drags her to the nearest food stand.
"I'm starving. I've barely eaten all day." Alison advises with gruff. She orders the largest funnel cake they offer and makes sure it's doused in extra powdered sugar.
"Are you trying to give yourself a heart attack?" Emily can smell the oil from here. She concludes that it means it's just going to taste that much better.
"I'm living, Emily." Alison digs her teeth in the first bite and then tears off a separate piece, offering it up to her friend. "You know you want some." It sounds close to flirtatious and the brunette is wondering if she's imagining her tone. She's held it up to Emily's mouth, hovering in anticipation. "Come on. Choo Choo."
"I'm not a child. I can feed myself. " Emily's eyes narrow and she huffs, but the air causes the powdered sugar to rise up and cover her chin.
Alison snickers and covers up her own mouth with a free hand. "You sure about that?"
"Stop laughing!" Emily joins in along with Alison's contagious laughter over her own clumsy action. She grabs her at the wrist, steadying Alison's hand as it moves with each of her giggles. She leans forward and snatches the edge of funnel cake with her own teeth. She grins even wider in satisfaction and maneuvers the piece into her mouth. She's gotten even more powder on her face and she knows it, but its worth all the joyous noises she's eliciting from the blonde.
"You look ridiculous." Alison's balancing the plate with one hand and begins to wipe the excess from Emily's chin with the other.
Alison's touch is gentle and precise and Emily releases the grip on the wrist she's entrapped. Alison's closer to her now and her finger tips accidentally brush Emily's lips with the last swipe. The whole scene is reminiscent of the cookie fiasco the other day, but so different at the same time. Emily swallows and if she had any ounce of confidence right now she'd kiss her.
Emily glides the tip of her tongue across bottom lip to make sure its rid of the stickiness. Alison doesn't fail to notice the shift in demeanor and Emily catches her sneak a glance at the action. Her index finger comes to the tip of Emily's nose, brushing off a small white remnant and she sends a light blow from her own pursed lips. "All better."
She smiles sweetly at Emily and her gut responds with an eruption of butterflies.
"DING DING DING. We've got a winner!" The nearby game sounds off loudly behind them. It alerts Emily back to reality and whatever tension she's battling within herself.
"Want another bite?" Alison holds the paper plate between them and Emily just nods.
She rips a piece off for herself and grins back. "So, what's the plan for today? Hot dogs, pretzels, fried oreos?"
Alison turns forward and begins walking inwards to the pier's attractions, Emily following. "As tempting as getting fat on fried foods really is, I thought we'd play some games. Ride some rides. Mostly to show you how masterful I am at balloon darts."
"I really pegged you more as a ping pong ball in a fish bowl type of girl."
"That too." She eyes Emily, mind ticking up a retort. "Let me guess, you like knocking those stacks of milk jugs down?"
"You know me so well. Love those jugs." She hears it come out of her mouth and if she could rewind time she would.
Alison almost spares her the ridicule and tosses the plate to the nearby bin. "Then show me what you got, Jugs."
She takes her to the balloon darts first, because of course she needs to show off for Emily. It's comical when she cracks her knuckles before playing.
"Watch and learn." She says with a wink as she turns to pay for the first set of darts.
Alison misses every single time and huffs as she immediately orders another round.
Emily raises a questioning eyebrow. "I thought you said you were good at this?"
"I am, I'm just having an off day."
"Fess up. You just brought me along so I could win you an oversized teddy bear, didn't you?" Emily tries to suppress a smirk, but fails.
"I can win my own, thank you very much. I'm a modern woman." She throws her final dart and the less than sharp tip bounces off the fluorescent colored balloon. "This game is rigged!" Alison shouts as she crosses both arms across her chest in contempt. She looks at Emily for sympathy, but turns back to shoot evil eyes at the teenager working the booth. "Are these balloons even real latex?!"
"Um, uh…" The poor pimply guy stutters and fiddles with his glasses. He turns to Emily, his expression also asking for any sort of sympathetic helpful action to get him out of this.
"Ok come on, Ali. Leave the poor guy alone." Emily begins to tug her away as Alison's still yelling at the teenager about the balloon quality. He looks so frazzled and scared that she peers down to his pants to make sure he hasn't wet himself. He hasn't and Emily isn't sure he'll last much longer if Alison keeps going.
"You're terrifying, you know that?"
"Sometimes it's necessary. I should have-"
Emily lifts a hand up to cover Alison's mouth and the blonde's eyes shoot up in surprise. "Don't kill me for this, but let it go. Now, I'm going to remove my hand and you're not going to yell at me. Promise?"
Alison responds with an eye roll and a reluctant nod yes.
Emily removes it with slight hesitation. They're in front of a new game now, more steered towards Emily's abilities and Alison takes note of this. "Now you're just going to rub salt into my wounds? What kind of friend are you?"
"A good one." Emily pays for her set of balls and hurls the first one at the set of bottles. It doesn't move. Same happens on the second and third.
"Not so cocky now?" Alison teases.
Emily ignores her, the same competitive spirit possessing herself as she pays for three more. This time however, she knocks down the set with the first ball.
"This is so unfair!"
The attendant hands Emily a small teddy bear for her win and Emily graciously accepts. She spins back toward Alison, whom is still pouting with crossed arms.
"You don't like losing do you?"
Her pout deepens. "Nope."
It's too adorable for Emily to take seriously, so she bops the teddy bear nose against Alison's. "I won this for you, cranky pants."
Alison tries her best to keep a straight face. Her resolve melts and she reluctantly accepts the stuffed animal. Because how could she not after that? "This isn't life sized, but I guess it'll do." She hugs the tiny plush bear to her chest. "I'll call him Jugs in your honor."
Emily grins. "Really? Jugs?"
"Well, what else am I going to name him?" She mimic's Emily's action and bops the bear against Emily's nose this time. "Not so terrifying now, huh?"
The brunette's not sure she can take much more of this as blue eyes shine back at her. The cuteness is too overwhelming and if-
"Well isn't this precious." A voice barks from nearby and Emily doesn't recognize it. From the look of recognition that registers on Alison's face though, she surely does as they both turn towards the intruder.
Noel Kahn shuffles up, placing an arm around Alison's shoulder. He is quite clearly ogling the two of them without any mask of respect. Emily decides then and there that she doesn't like him.
There's another boy following behind him, shaggy brown hair and skinnier, but lacking the same pompous confidence.
"Where have you been all week? Cece said you disappeared on her."
"Busy. I don't always have to hang out with you guy's."
"I can see that." He eyes Emily from head to toe and she does the same, but clearly not in the same manner. "And who is this babe?"
Emily runs a rolodex of excuses through her head to get out of this situation.
"Emily, this is Noel. Noel, Emily." Alison holds a hand to her mouth to shield Noel from hearing, but obviously wanting the opposite effect. "He hits on anything with a pulse, so feel free to ignore him or kick him in the balls at any point."
The other boy laughs before being elbowed in the stomach by Noel. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Emily. This idiot over here is Holden."
They exchange polite nice to meet you's and Emily has settled on an excuse to get rid of them, but Noel's too quick for her.
"I see you ladies are out here winning prizes. How about I show you the proper way to win balloon darts?"
Emily knows he's said the magic word and Alison's eyes light up at the opportunity for redemption.
"Bring it, Kahn!"
"Oh, great." Emily mutters sarcastically under her breath. She watches as Alison slides an arm around Noel's waist and his is still draped around her shoulders.
Holden catches her comment, but refrains from probing further. Their sauntering away from the two stragglers and Alison directs him to a different stand than the one from before. "So, how do you know Alison? I haven't see you around before."
"We just met last week. Have been hanging out ever since. You?"
"The three of us all go to school together. Known each other since we were little. Did you grow up nearby?"
"No, just visiting my grandma." She gives a polite closed mouth smile as they continue to trail behind their two friends.
They reach the new booth and Noel begins to roll up his sleeves like it will help somehow.
Alison hands the bear over to Emily to hold with another wink. She's full of them tonight. "Keep Mr. Jugs safe."
"Mr. Jugs?" Holden asks with a chuckle.
"Don't ask." Emily shakes her head, amused.
"So what do you like to do, Emily?" His hands are stuffed in his pockets and he seems just about as uncomfortable as she is.
"Swimming, hanging out, going to the movies…you know the usual stuff most teenagers like to do."
"Cool, cool." He's nodding his head and she can tell he's just waiting for her to ask about him. She glances at Noel and Alison still battling amongst latex balloons. The two of them are both failing miserably and she dreads the verbal abuse they'll hurl at the attendant.
"How about yourself?"
"I'm really into Korean martial arts…" Holden drones on, going off into whatever epic match he's participating in or has participated in. Emily tunes him out, not able to take her eyes off the two in front of her.
After not winning a damn thing, Emily sighs deeply and steps up to the counter to end this. She's got the bear in one hand and the dart in the other, popping all three balloons with each throw.
The three of them stare at her in awe. Emily turns to Noel and smirks as the attendant asks what prize is to be chosen. "He'll take the tiny monkey."
"Where did you find this girl? I think I'm in love." Noel holds a hand to his heart in faux adoration.
"Lay off it, Noel." Alison hits him in the stomach in the same fashion he had to Holden.
"So…pizza anyone?"
Emily realizes she isn't going to get rid of these two anytime soon and continues to follow along to pizza reluctantly. Holden's still going on about some karate tournament as they order slices. She watches Noel hoover in about four of them into his oversized mouth as he tries terribly to flirt with Alison.
She finds herself being quiet as they finish up with their food before Noel guides them back into the sea of people.
Alison looks back at Emily on the way to the next ride and sends a look between her and Holden. She raises eyebrows up and down suggestively like some cartoon character. Emily can't help but grimace back at her. Like she would ever.
Alison's confused at the reaction, but turns back to continue onward.
"Let's hit the ferris wheel." Holden pipes up.
Emily stops and palms clench inward as a light sweat begins to grace her brow. The velocity and grandiose metal contraption spotted ahead overwhelming her senses. "Uh, I think I'm gonna sit this out."
"What? Why?" Holden asks.
"I kinda sorta have a thing with heights."
Noel leers smugly. "Holden can keep you safe."
Emily whimpers, writhing both hands together as they make way to the front of the line. Noel and Alison are first, of course, and hand over their perspective tickets to the attendant.
Emily knows what this means. She's seen enough movies to know this ass hat is going to try and make out with her. Why else would you ever go on a ferris wheel? That's it. Before she can comprehend what she's doing, her body stomps forward and pushes herself in front of Noel before he can even sit down.
Alison and Noel both stare at her like she's grown two heads.
Emily doesn't care, she needs to get everything on her mind out of her system. "Noel, please just let me ride this with her. Its important."
"Let's go kids! You're holding up the ride!" The gruff man running the ride shouts at them. She's surprised he doesn't have a cigar dangling from his mouth. "Stupid kids."
"Ok ok. I'm going." Noel holds two hands up and backs up to where Holden is standing utterly confused.
Emily hops in and the conductor just rolls his eyes before starting the ferris wheel again.
It wobbles with the movement and Emily remembers why she didn't even want to get on in the first place. "Oh crap." She really should have sat this out.
"What's up with you? You've been acting weird since we got pizza."
It rocks as it climbs higher. Emily breathe's in deeply to calm her fear and nerves all at once.
"Don't puke on me, please!" Alison requests, eyes wide as Emily's complexion whitens.
Emily hadn't thought she'd be sick, but the mere mention just may make her. "Fuck. I don't know if this was such a good place to do this, but I can't just bottle any of it up anymore." She clenches her eyes, hands gripping the bar tightly. "I'm sorry, I may actually puke and I hate ferris wheels and heights, but my god I'm gay. I can't stand Holden and I'd rather endure this anguish. If I have to hear about karate one more time!"
They've stopped at the top now. A cool breeze lightly blowing and Emily dares to open her eyes back up. Bad idea. Bad idea.
"Oh." Alison's surprised at the outburst, but throughly amused at the same time. She almost dares to wobble the cart on purpose, but realizes she would rather not risk the upchuck. "Guess we have to ditch those two losers then."
Emily's mind is elsewhere and Alison might as well be speaking gibberish. "Listen, if you want to stay with Noel-"
"I d-" Alison starts, but Emily's already on a tangent.
"It's totally cool, I'm just gonna head home. I should really start packing anyway."
"Would you shut up for a second. I don't want to hang with him. I see him all the time. When do you leave?" Alison questions.
Emily swallows, willing herself to open her eyes yet again and look at the blonde. "A few day's."
Alison peels away one of the terrified brunette's hands from the bar and holds it in both of her own. "Whatever you want to do tonight, I'm doing."
"You really don't-"
"Will you stop blabbering!" The ferris wheel continues to tick down slowly and their due to get off next. She entwines her fingers with Emily's and she squeezes back with an encouraging smile. "We're going to hop off and just start running. Karate boy can eat our dust."
"Okay." She breathes in an out in some aide to calm herself.
Alison's rubbing a thumbs on the back of her hand and she's not sure if its helping or making it worse. "You really hate ferris wheels, don't you?"
"This is a hellish torture."
It finally ticks down to the original position and the man lifts the bar to let them out. Alison squeezes her hand to signal and tugs her out of the seat, pulling her at steady speed. They pass Noel and Holden who look beyond bored to be in one another's company. "Sorry Noel. Gotta go, lady troubles!" She sends a wave with her free hand over her shoulder, not bothering to even look back. They start taking off into a jog before either of the boys can ask any questions. She's pretty sure she heard one of them mutter a gross in there.
They're giggling like little kids as they sprint off. Alison's dragging her in the direction to get off the pier and down towards the street. Instead of pulling her the way she thinks they're going, Emily's tugged underneath the pier and taken further than where they just came.
Vast array's of shoed feet trudge along the wooden planks above them. It's colder and damper down below, the cool ocean breeze that whistles through makes them shiver. "How pissed off do you think they're going to be?"
"Who cares." Alison's still pulling her and it gets quieter the greater the distance they go.
Emily has no idea where she's being taken and she doesn't care. She'd follow her to the ends of the earth at this point. They pass two teenagers who look like their eating each others faces off and Emily notes to never ever kiss like that. Ever.
She almost knocks into Alison's back as she stops abruptly. Alison let's go of her hand and assess each wooden pole carefully with a narrowed gaze. She digs behind a tiny marsh and pulls out a bottle of vodka accompanied with a beaming smile. "Shall we?"
"How did you know that was there?"
"I put it there the other night." It's very matter-of-fact as she snags Emily's hand into her own again, leading her in the direction of the barren dark beach. "I hope you like vodka."
It's completely abandoned and even darker than where they just came from. They can still hear the noises radiating off the pier, but there's not a soul around them. The neon lights give them barely enough see ahead, before Alison decides they've arrived where they should be and sits down. She pulls Emily down with her and finally lets go of the hand she's been hoarding.
Emily is handed the bottle of vodka, its a bit warmer than it should be but she swigs it anyway. She tries not to cough as it goes down at first and then takes another big gulp before passing it back.
Alison hasn't said anything about "the gay thing" yet and the brunette won't dare bring it up again. She's pretty sure she heard her, right? Shit. Emily thinks, what if she hadn't? She grabs the bottle again and repeats the same action of swigging and passing it back.
"The karate kid must be upset about his failed date."
"He wishes it were a date." Emily rolls her eyes with a scoff. She's already forgotten about him. "Wax on, wax off."
Alison laughs audibly and holds a hand up immediately to her mouth to keep from spewing her drink everywhere. Clearly not expecting the clever quip from her. "Nice one."
Emily digs her finger into the sand, making random patterns to distract from her nerves. They continue to pass the bottle back and forth as Alison admires her work. It's nothing to write home about, but its better than talking about the elephant in the room. She makes sure to etch the finished project with an E.F. at the end.
"Pretty." Alison approves and adds some curves of her own before adding a '+ A.D.'.
Emily stares at the new etching and seeing their initials together makes her palms sweat. All she can picture is adding a heart around it and decides she is officially okay with declaring herself creepy and insane.
Alison notices her frown and takes it in the entirely wrong way. "Did I ruin it?"
"What? No." Emily reassures, completely wrapped up in thoughts she can barely process.
Alison sends a skeptical look before she stands up and Emily thinks she's about to start stomping away. She opens her mouth to apologize, but instead, Alison's hands reach to the hem of her shirt and she's lifting her top over her head.
Emily can barely compute what is happening and gets the shirt thrown at her. When she peels it from blocking her view, Alison's stripping down to her underwear and she's sure she may have stopped breathing. "What are you doing?!" Did she bang her head?
"I want to swim." Alison tosses her shorts absent minded into the air and prances towards the ocean like she just stepped out of Baywatch.
Emily bites her lip in thought and then takes a large swig of the bottle of vodka. It burns like before, but delivers her a whole new set of liquid courage. She tears her own clothes from her body and neatly puts the garments off to the side as she heads to the water. Deeply in contrast to Alison's that have been haphazardly strewn about.
"Ali?" She splashes about, but it's silent and she just knows the girl is up to no good.
She feels a large splash getting her from behind, followed by a boisterous laugh.
Emily's jaw is dropped as soaked strands fall to her face and drops of salt water fall into her eyes.
Alison hops on her back and immediately dunks her before she can even muster a proper rebuttal. When she resurfaces for air, Alison is hanging on her back, arms draped around her neck. She's feeling vengeful so she propels them both backwards, this time dunking them both underwater.
They both resurface with an abundant amount of laughter between them, Alison still holding onto her from behind. She rubs her vision back into place as they float around a bit. Alison's still gripping onto her like a koala.
"So you're gay, huh?" Alison mutters into her ear and Emily may die. It's not judgmental or laced with malice. A tiny simple inquiry, but it's uttered soft enough to stab Emily in the gut in the best of ways.
"Yeah." Emily replies, sheepish. "Is that a problem?" She's almost glad she's not facing her and looks up to the sky with a frown.
'"No." Alison is making no attempts to move as her head leans against hers. "Would I be here if it was?"
Emily's a bit buzzed from the alcohol and is feeling everything right now. From the way her goosebumps form with each warm breath that hits her ear, to the half naked body that's draped behind her and pushed loosely against her back. Boobs. It's all she can think about and she wonders when she's turned into a thirteen year old boy. Maybe she's just as bad as Noel Kahn. Nope, never.
"What's the biggest difference?"
"What do you mean?"
"Kissing."
"I'm pretty biased with my preference." Emily swallows the large lump in her throat, unsure of where this is going.
"I've never kissed a girl."
Emily's head is swimming more than her body. "A lot of people haven't."
"Hmm." Alison releases her grip from Emily neck. She floats back a bit and splashes her playfully again, but it's so small it barely registers.
Emily turns back around in hopes that it's easier to read face to face."Would you want to kiss a girl?" She dips her head into the water, so that only her eyes are visible. She's being bold, but doesn't want to give too much away, so she lifts her mouth above water again to add to her question. "Hypothetically."
Alison is contemplative, but doesn't take long to formulate a response. "Depends."
"Depends on what?''
"If the person wants to kiss me." Alison's eyes are hooded, with a hint of mischief in her inflection. "But you know, hypothetically."
"Yes, of course. Hypothetically." Emily wonders if she'd taste like pizza or funnel cake. Or if by some magical occurrence it'd be fresh minty mouthwash.
"We should get out of here before the police officer does his patrol." Alison splashes her again and starts the short swim back to shore. "We can't get arrested and leave our son an orphan!"
"Our son?" Emily calls back to her as she swims tandem.
"Jugs!"