Chapter 28 Mailview’s Most Respected Bachelorettes — And The Boys Beating Stuff With Sticks
Mailview’s Most Respected Bachelorettes — And The Boys Beating Stuff With Sticks
We are welcomed by my aunt and by Emily, who were laughing in the kitchen.
“Let’s go, girls.” Miss Patty quotes Shania Twain — perhaps unknowingly — as soon as she steps into the kitchen. My aunt and Emily clap and cheer.
After this, I took a shower, Allison got home, we set the table, we all sat down, we ate, we told stories, and we watched a movie while Paige was braiding several people.
“Is anyone understanding this movie?” I turn to the women all around me.
“Kind of.” Allison responds, tilting her head to the side as dogs do. Like that could help her understand.
“Maddie, I already told you, read Pride and Prejudice!” Miss Patty scolds.
I know I should read it, but I never wanted to. I already have the book, but whenever I’m about to grab it, I sigh and throw myself onto the bed. I just love to read funny little romances that aren’t considered a cultural stamp, you know?
“Am I the only one who loves Jane?” Emily asks out of the blue. We all love Jane. She’s very lovable. It’s the only thing I understand from this movie anyway.
“I don’t like Mr. Darcy.” Alana lets out, with her hands in the back of her head, while resting against the couch.
“Yeah, what is the deal with him?” My aunt asks. We all look at Miss Patty, and she looks at us and sighs.
“You tire me, young people.” She says.
My aunt and Emily look at each other and smile.
“We’re young!” They double high-five and chuckle like teenagers.
“Can you all be quiet? I’m trying to see the movie.” My sister complains.
“As if you’re understanding anything.” I roll my eyes, and she imitates me with an annoying voice.
“Shh!” Miss Patty finally shushes us, and I don’t know if it is the fact that she is a librarian, but all of our mouths are shut in seconds.
“What do you think the guys are doing?” Alana questions, and we all look at each other, thinking.
“Probably beating random stuff with sticks.” Miss Patty responds in all seriousness, making us all smile.
We see the rest of the movie, and it could have been better if I had understood it, even though I clapped and shouted Oh yeah when Mr. Darcy came to declare his love for Elizabeth, and crossed the field with fog around him. Very cinematic. Also don’t think I didn’t die inside after that hand-flex.
Afterward, the movie ends, and Allison and I leave the others in the living room to go to our room.
“I have too much energy right now.” I say as we enter the room.
“Me too! Oh my god, I was afraid you were going to want to sleep, but I’m glad.”
We stay silent for a bit, and suddenly our eyes turn wide open, and we turn to each other.
“You know what I’m thinking?” Allison questions.
“I most certainly do.” We pause and then say at the same time.
“All nighter.”
“What movie? Or what series? Or what game?” I ask.
Allison is thinking, and then she slowly moves her face upwards, and a child-like grin fills her face.
“For old times’ sake, I’m so down for Anne With an E.”
I go to my laptop, command Allison to put our twin beds together, and go turn off the lights.
I put the show on, and we’re three episodes in and half when Gilbert Blythe appears, and Allison and I giggle like little school girls.
Some things never get old. She and I might be fundamentally different, but deep down we understand each other on a level most people can’t seem to understand.
Sometimes, not even I understand how a social butterfly who thrives in improv and YOLO gets along with an introvert who spent most of her school life with earphones plugged in her ears, so as not to start insignificant small talk with randos.
But maybe I lack small talk in my life. Sometimes there are situations where you have to be prepared for small talk, like a life tool.
I’ve always thought I would be the same person for as long as I could.
If someone threw me and 12-year-old me the most controversial topics in the world, we would, for all eternity, agree with each other.
But I don’t even agree with a basic thing like her favorite color being purple right now, let alone the big questions.
Maybe I’m not as socially awkward as I always thought I was. Maybe partying and staying out until late are not necessarily bad things. And maybe I’m more open-spirited than I ever gave myself credit for.
To believe you will always be the same person from the moment you were brought into this world until you leave it is foolish. Besides, why wouldn’t you want to live a thousand lives besides the ones within the book pages?