Page 38 of Faking Forever 1
I look at his hand, watching him walk away, leaving me to stand there, completely astounded at his self-control. I felt like I had none. I’ll compare it to a very confusing, yet fun, roller coaster that I desperately need to get off of. Unluckily, 87
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thisoperator doesn’t care too much to stop the ride.
* * *
Josh, Sierra, and I carried different items while walking from the large parking lot to the vast field that held tons of rides.
There were tents so far back that it wasn’t worth trying to count. Some big rides protruded high enough to the sky that they didn’t seem real. All in all, I have always loved fairs, but I think I forgot how big the event was. Especially when you’re helping make it happen.
Sierra carried boxes of flowers that had been tied into single bouquets of three. She had plans to sell them for four dollars each at her parent’s tent. My mom, dad and I planned to stay stationed at Rich’s tent to keep his business going while he and Josh played a big man in charge. I don’t mind, though. I knowhow much this means to Rich, but I can tell Josh took it just as seriously. I can’t be mad at his passion. It was nice to see him focused on something and feel important finally.
He had dressed really nicely for the occasion. Though it was fair, he wasn’t there for fun. So, in return, he wore a pink button-up dress shirt and paired it with khaki shorts that made him look like a kid from prep school. It wasn’t intentional, but I happened to match it with my lacy, white baby doll dress that had a pink bow in the middle of the back. What tied it together was the fact that we both wore white Converse. Maybe I just like pointing it out, but it’s worth mentioning that we’ve always been clear that the soul connected us, at least in my eyes.
Josh looks at the massive amount of rides as we approach 88
BAD IDEA
them, then Sierra and I.
“I can’t believe they’re paying formorerides when there’s a boardwalk full of ‘em down the road,” Josh complains, also finding his statement comical.
“They wanted more. What’s the big deal?” Sierra teases him.
“It’s the complete opposite of being Eco-friendly, Sierra.
Should I mention the multiple people that will littereverywheretonight?”
I turn to face them both, wondering if this will become one of their bickering contests. As I do, a small girl holding a large ice cream cone runs past us, pulling her mom. In the process, her scoop falls smack dab onto the concrete, and her face distorts into the beginning of a horrible tantrum. Josh looks at Sierra.
“Look. What did I say?” he bites his lip, refusing to let a smile form.
“A kid just dropped their ice cream. That doesn’t make you the next Nelson Mandela.” Sierra gives him a comeback,
“And why do you care so much all of a sudden?” she asks, now sounding genuinely curious.
“Because I have learned a thing or two about what the earth is experiencing, and I don’t think it likes us very much,” he says, broadening his shoulders.
I bet she thinks that’s corny. To me, it wasn’t. He made sense, and it was the truth. Earth is literally falling apart underneath us. I won’t blame the little girl and her ice cream, though. That’s probably a bit too harsh.
“Oh, Pea, that’s code for, “surfing camp changed me for the best.” Sierra laughs, mocking Josh’s thundery voice.
“Okay, laugh it up, but your parent’s pretty little flowers 89
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would be nothing without our precious environment, smart ass.” Josh cracks a smile.
We all approach his dad’s tent, setting our boxes down on the table. Sierra’s parents weren’t too far from us.
“Josh. All you listen to is the local college station, which is full of pretenders, might I add. They only talk about the news to look cool and seem big-headed.” Sierra says.
“For your information, some of us like to know what’s happening in the world, okay?” Josh responds, taking a few things out of his boxes. “It happens to come from some pretty intelligent people, too. Intelligence can be cool. What gives?”
“Guess I need somecoollesson then, huh, Paisley?” Sierra begins to giggle, looking at me.
Shaking my head, I belly laugh quietly at their debacle.
