AT LUNCH break, Adda took the opportunity to ask Travis if he knew about the very likely hang out at the park attraction, crossing fingers that his mother had refused to carry her with them.
Yup. My mom told me this morning, so I guess It's official... Well, I mean the date, just the date.
Adda felt a jolt of joy in hearing that. If none of them wanted to go, they could ally to screw It over. And even better, she wouldn't feel guilty for letting him down...Again.
Well the-.
But don't worry, I'm pretty sure we can make the day worth It. I mean, I don't want to marry yet, but we can slow the process and see how It goes. I'm sure as long as we play along they'll understand that we need time.
Her smile dropped instantly. She was disconcerted and caught off guard without anything to reply with, so she stayed silent while her friend poked her amicably.
Well, at least now we are gonna be able to hang out more, uh?
Yeah.
Oh! And don't tell It to anyone in school, okay? I still want to get some action, if you know what I mean.
She nodded, her soul and remaining hopes on the ground. It was gonna be a terrible month, and the worst of It all was that It didn't seem like there were going to be any improvements after that.
• • •
Hey, the lions are on the right!! What are you doing?!
The little boy complained.
I know.
Did you get distracted again?
No, Ben, it's just... I want you to see another cool animal before that!
The kid frowned and hummed, but willingly followed his sister after stating, one more time, his interest in seeing his favorite felines before finishing the party trip. Adda marked a slow pace as a result of the little attention she was dedicating to the track. Her eyes were drawn to the mobile phone screen, texting her friend.
Ben was throwing bits of food that the zoo offered to the visitors for them to feed the animals to the bears. Meanwhile, Adda had been able to sneak out and was now talking with Tania not too far away from the bears' parade.
Yeah, that's cool. Um...Can I ask you something?
Her friend nodded.
You know I'm fine with your brother being here, right? It's true I already have to take care of my siblings at home buram fine with It, if It means I can see you.
Well... Don't take me wrong, but I don't want my brother seeing us together. He's like a spy at the order of my mum. He cannot stay quiet or keep a secret and my mum's...
I getit! Don't worry, it's fine. I'm just worried you are stressing out to try and maintain that little guy entertained.
Her bright smile overflooded Adda with calmness, reassuring the young girl that her words were sincere. Adda had been really nervous for a couple of days, thinking of possible case scenarios that would likely never happen; she didn't want to mess up this meeting. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes, sending her negative thoughts about her date with Travis away.
The two girls had been talking for quite a while by the time Adda realized her brother had left the place. Her heart jumped and started beating faster than a racing car could speed. There were so many places were he could have gone, so many horrifying causes why he wasn't there anymore... Luckily, before panicking, she found him standing right infront of a red-and-white stand, were a man with a greasy apron and a kind smile was selling popcorn for the visitors. Ben was looking mesmerized at the popping corn that turned into a white and irregular shape before dropping to the base of the machine.
Her sister, who still hadn't shook off the fear from her body, grabbed his fragile wrist and took him away from where he was while the little boy wailed.
Noooo! I wanted! I wanted It! I wanted to see It! Nooo!!!
Stop acting up! We are going home now!
Nooo! We haven't seen the lions!!!
We would have seen the lions if you hadn't ran away from where you were standing!
I was close!!! Noooo!!! PLEASE!!!
The boy had already started sobbing, big blops of tears running down his soft rosed cheeks, when Adda started to calm down a bit. Then, she realized she couldn't return home with an angry birthday boy.
<
Listen-
Nooo!!!
Take my hand, we are going to see the lions, but you have to promise to stick with me all the time, ok?
While she didn't want to seem soft, Adda had to swallow her pride and anger and play nice this time. But, even if her brother could be far too annoying, deep inside she felt guilty, after all she was the one that left him alone to meet with Tania at the zoo. There was no time to reflect, so she guided him to his favorite destination before heading to the car, back home, wishing Ben wouldn't dare to bring up a single word about the punishment Adda wanted to implement on him earlier.
_________________