Stick together

 

‘Hi! Thanks for coming out and meeting us.’

‘No problem. I figure you’d rather not look after four kids on your own.’

‘The others are coming along later. They just had some errands first, so I offered to go on ahead. Anyway, all we have to do is watch from a distance.’



‘Ooooh, it’s Raya’s friend!’

‘…Or not.’

‘Hi!’



‘Hey, nice to meet you.’

‘I should introduce this lot. This is Carmella, and the boys are Tristan, Zeus and Charon.’



‘Is he your boyfriend, Raya?’



‘Um, no. He’s just a good friend.’

‘Aww, that’s a shame. When are you gonna get a boyfriend?’

‘Probably not any time soon… Why does it matter?’



‘Because it’d be really sweet! Aria said she’s never getting one, so that means you should.’



‘No way! If she gets a boyfriend, she won’t spend as much time with us!’



‘Hey, I’ll always have time for you lot.’



‘C’mon guys, I wanna go skating.’

‘Yeah, why don’t you do that? We’ll watch you.’



‘Alright! Last one to the skating rink smells of poo! And Zeus smells of poo anyway!’



‘You’re such a jerk, Tristan!’



‘Be nice to each other!’

‘…Wow. I bet they’re kind of a handful, huh?’

‘They sure like to bicker.’



‘Are you gonna skate at all?’

‘Well, I could, but I might fall flat on my face.’



‘Hey, I’d catch you if that happened.’

‘Haha, I’ll hold you to that.’



‘So what are your plans for after school? You didn’t apply to uni, did you?’

‘No, I didn’t. Edward’s a bit disappointed, since Aria didn’t either. He thinks we’re wasting our potential.’

‘Well, you’re obviously smart to be in the top classes at school.’



‘Thanks.’

‘Why aren’t you going, then?’

‘Same reason as Aria. I guess I’m afraid to move out of the area and not be near the triplets.’



‘It’s your life too, though. You can’t put it on hold for the triplets, even though you do care about them. That’s what their mum’s for.’

‘It’s not their mum I’m worried about.’

‘…Raya, if you think he’s badly hurting them, don’t you think it needs more than just you sticking around?’



‘I don’t think he’s hurting them. He’s nicer to them than he ever was to us, I know that much. But they need someone to come to if that changes. Someone who understands. And nice as Roxxi is, she buried her head in the sand when we came to her with… the truth.’

‘Yeah, good point… How can she stay with someone she knows treated his older kids like shit?’

‘I think she’s trapped, Logan. Ellis said she was really worried about being on her own. Her parents wouldn’t support her. And I believe it. I met them, they were weird. Nobody normal happily marries off their nineteen-year-old to a man in his forties.’



‘God… he’s kinda gross, isn’t he?’

‘Tell me about it.’

‘Sorry, Raya. I didn’t mean to upset you.’



‘It’s fine. But it explains why I don’t feel comfortable going. Besides, there’s opportunities here, I’m sure of it. I’ll just look for other local courses and jobs. I like cooking, maybe I could find something related to that. And plenty of jobs can be a career, right? With promotions, and stuff.’

‘Yeah, good point.’

‘So what about you? You applied, didn’t you?’



‘Yeah, but… well, I also applied to the fire service.’

‘The fire service?’

‘…I’ve always thought it’d be good to be a firefighter. It’s a really necessary job. I’ve been working a lot on my fitness. So if I get in, it’ll be a great opportunity.’



‘Well, good for you. That’s really brave…’

‘Thanks. I might not even get it, but hey… Are you alright?’

‘I won’t lie and say fire doesn’t terrify me. And the thought of you being in that position terrifies me even more. But if it weren’t for firefighters, I’d be dead, so…’



‘…Y’know, you called me brave, but I think you’ve been just as brave.’

‘I wouldn’t willingly go into another fire, though.’

‘Nor should you. I’m just saying, I couldn’t begin to imagine what it was like. And maybe I’ll be able to prevent people going through what you did.’



‘Logan… I’m glad people like you exist.’

‘Well, thanks. That means a lot to me.’

‘…Maybe none of it’ll matter anyway, if your band makes it big.’



‘Oh, yeah. That’d be the best thing!’

‘Though I’d miss you guys if that happened. Always going away on tour.’

‘Well, if that happened, we could just take you with us on tour. As a caterer, or something. If you ignore the whole triplets situation, anyway.’



‘Yeah… it’s a nice thought.’

‘It’ll all work out. We’ll find a way to stick together. If it’s uni for me, I’ll still be local. And if it’s the band… By then the triplets might be all grown up anyway.’

‘Good point. I can barely believe they’re nearly ten.’

‘Besides, it takes a long time to break into the music industry, if you ever do manage it. It won’t be the end of the world if we don’t. It’d be great, but having the band just as a side gig would be fine.’

‘It’s good to have a realistic backup plan.’




‘Hey, sorry we’re late. Are they behaving?’

[

‘About as much as normal.’

‘So, mostly, then.’

‘Yep.’



‘Go on, we’ll take over. You two go off and do something fun.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yeah, go on.’



‘Maybe we should try that skating after all.’

‘Well, it’s either that or dancing, which I’m not great at either. And I’m not going to subject anyone to kissing me at that booth, so…’

‘I’m sure someone like you doesn’t need to pay someone to kiss them…’



‘Oh, thank you… Alright, let’s skate, then.’




‘He seems a nice young man.’

‘Yeah, I think so too. Good job, really, because I think he quite likes her, and if he wasn’t, I’d have to come after him.’

‘I think she quite likes him, as well.’

‘Looks like it.’



‘Bless her. It’s weird to think she’s rapidly approaching adulthood. Where did all that time go?’

‘I wish I knew.’

‘It feels like life is passing me by, sometimes. But what time do I even have, after work and childcare?’



‘You do have time, you just spend it online. Whether that’s a good use of it, only you can decide.’

‘It’s easier to connect with people on there… They’re usually into the same things as me, and I don’t have to explain to them about being a single dad.’



‘God, why am I saying all of this? Sorry, I’m coming over all gloomy.’

‘I understand, though. I know what you’re saying. But look on the bright side: at least one of us is gonna be well-adjusted.’

‘Yeah, and I’m really grateful for how mature she’s turned out. I just hope she hasn’t aged too prematurely. God knows the girl needs to have some fun now and again.’



‘She’ll be fine, Ellis. We’ll make sure of that. We always do.’

Planning for prom

‘You sure you’re feelin’ better? You still don’t look great. No offence.’

‘It’s fine. I just haven’t slept well, that’s all.’

‘If you’re sure. I don’t want you to come back too soon and end up worse.’



‘You don’t need to worry about me.’

‘Hey, I’d be a shitty boss if I didn’t care about the health of my employees. And a shitty friend.’

‘If I thought you were either of those things, you’d know about it by now.’

‘Good point!’



‘Anyway, about your vote…’

‘C’mon Aria, you already know what it is.’

‘Are you registered to vote?’

‘Yep. I’ve lived here a while, you know that.’



‘Good… Sorry, I just can’t stand the idea of him winning.’

‘Me neither, man. Is that why you’re on edge? At least, it don’t feel like it’s just the illness.’

‘…Yeah. Does it seem petty to you?’



‘Petty? What part of that’s meant to be petty?’

‘You know, when we were telling people down at the pub not to vote for him, and that Wayne said I shouldn’t treat my dad like that and ruin his chances just because we don’t get on.’

‘Hell no, Aria. That guy’s a fuckin’ creep, anyway, I wouldn’t listen to him.’

‘I could’ve worked that out when you told me he runs a strip club.’

‘Yeah, and from what you told me ‘bout Tate, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was one of the patrons.’



‘That’s a lovely thought, Stan. I’m so grateful.’

‘Sorry… Though, uh, I can’t talk. I’ve been before. Not to that one, but a different one.’

‘Don’t ruin our friendship like this.’



‘Not for a dance or nothin’ like that, though! And I wouldn’t do it if I was taken.’

‘Don’t do it at all. Gross.’

‘It was my cousin’s stag. I couldn’t really back out, it was in Italy and I didn’t wanna ruin the night. Anyway, it wasn’t that good. The novelty wears off quickly. Besides, my grandpa came along too.’



‘…Your grandpa went on a stag do? To a strip club?’

‘He don’t miss a party.’

‘Wow.’

’Yeah. And then my grandma told him after if he wanted to see a woman strip, he could’ve stayed home.’

‘Okay, I’m gonna stop you there.’




‘Ah, shit, I just remembered. I was meant to be handing in my payment for prom!’



‘We can go before the end of break.’

‘I did mine last week. Still need to drag Aria to help me go dress shopping. She’s got a good eye for these things.’



‘Mind if I tag along, or is it a sisters only deal? I don’t ever wear the things, but I figured I should get into the spirit of it. At least, I’m not really the suit-wearing kind of lesbian.’

‘No, that’ll be fine. A girly shopping trip is nice now and again.’

‘Cool! What about you guys? You got your outfits sorted?’



‘Not yet. I’ll have to get my mum to help. I’m not convinced I can pick out a good suit on my own!’



‘Uh… I don’t think I can make it.’

‘What? But you have to go! It wouldn’t be the same without you.’

‘Look, I can barely afford the ticket, let alone a suit. There’s no way Mum would pay for it, so it’d come out of my pocket money, and… Those things are expensive.’

‘That’s not fair! She wouldn’t do that for you, to have a good time? It’s like our last hurrah. Before real life comes along and kicks us in the face.’

‘It’s my mum, Ive. Her budget towards me having a good time is pretty non-existent. I know, it sucks. I really wanted to go.’



‘God… Even Ellis and Aria managed to squeeze some money out of Tate for prom… Though they did go to Roxxi for it.’

‘I was gonna say, Tate having a moment of kindness?’

‘Too good to be true.’



‘Surely we can find you a cheap suit?’

‘I dunno. It might be too late, anyway.’



‘We should find a way, man.’



‘Thanks. It’d be cool if we could. Otherwise, you’re just gonna have to be the cool dude with a girl hanging off each arm!’



‘Hmm, think we can manage that, Raya?’



‘Yeah, I think so… what about you?’

‘Sure, why not. But if Heath comes, I guess I’ll have him, and you can get Logan all to yourself!’

‘I guess I will…’



‘Or we can just go as a foursome, because nobody actually does the date thing.’



‘No offence, but you three are the last people I’d have a foursome with!’

‘Not that kind of foursome!’

‘Actually, it’s probably better not to go in couples.’



‘Because I’d have to have you?’

‘Hey! You offered to have me!’

‘I was being kind to Saraya.’



‘Damn. Hope Heath brought his burn heals to school.’

‘You think he’d be able to carry enough? They’d probably be used up by mid-morning…’

‘I think you’re onto something there, Raya!’



‘You guys are assholes. No, I meant because it doesn’t usually work out, does it? Imagine if I’d ended up having to come with Lisa. If I do manage to come, I’d much rather not have my memories of it tainted by having a shitty person as a date.’

‘Right, but none of us have future sight, do we?’

‘Exactly. Better not to risk it.’



‘Aww, Heath! I was only kidding, y’know. You’d make a great date for someone. You’re not giving up on people, are you?’

‘For good? Nah. Until we leave school, damn right. I can at least set my sets higher by virtue of not looking for people in this shithole.’

‘Valid point, but you’d better not be including us in that!’

‘Like I said, the three of you are pretty sexy in your own ways, but my dick’s going nowhere near it.’



‘I think there’s some good people here… But you’ve gotta get the awkward questions out of the way first. If you manage to get past that and it still goes wrong after that, well, that’s life. You can only do so much. Either way, I don’t blame you for wanting to wait. You can start slutting it up when we’ve graduated, right?’



‘Yeah, much as I’d like to imagine that, I’ll probably just be a virgin playing video games in his room.’

‘You and me both, buddy.’



‘You two are gonna have an easier time of it than me, that’s for sure.’

‘But you’re, um, a good-looking guitarist in a band…’



‘Oh, um, thanks… But you know what the obvious issue is. Y’know, that thing we talked about the other day.’

‘Ah… I guess… But some people won’t mind.’

‘Yeah, I hope so…’



‘She’s right, my dude. It’ll all work out.’