Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

4

"Hey, Ma! I'm going to go down to the beach for a bit." I yelled as I ran down the stairs in my bikini top and a pair of running shorts. A large comfort colors shirt with waves clung to my figure as I swung my keys on my finger.

"Its eight o'clock at night. Like hell you are." I frowned, walking into the kitchen a canvas tote bag around my shoulder.

"I wasn't going to go into the water, they have a small pier with nightlife." I informed.

She looked at me contemplating my comment. Her lips pursed as she held onto the kitchen countertop. She sighed before slapping the wooden top and pointing towards the door.

"Go have fun," my eyes widened as I beamed, "go, before I change my mind."

"Thank you, Ma!" I shouted as I exited the house into the garage where my gear was.

"Yeah, yeah, just be super careful!" She shouted just before I closed the garage door.

I quickly yanked on my jacket and gloves. My helmet in hand as I walked over to my bike. I unlocked the seat compartment and shoved my tote bag inside.

I carefully peeled away from the garage and took off down the street. My red high top converse contrasting the black metal of the bike as I rode out to the pier.

I saw the lights before I saw the parking. Once I found a wooden pole I could lock my bike around I parked. I shoved my gear into the seat compartment before taking my tote bag and walking towards the loud pier.

I saw children of all ages running around the small carnival set up. It was a smaller version of the Kemah Boardwalk back in Texas. Had a carousel, two rows of pop-up booth games (no doubt rigged), a small stage where people were performing a skit, a few food vendors, then a small Ferris wheel off to the side.

I couldn't help but grin as I paid the ticket booth with cash I had nabbed from my father. Once I got the blue wristband, I took off towards the booth games. I only had enough patience for three games, so I chose them carefully.

"Good evening, young lady! Welcome to Popaluza, for five dollars I'll give you five shots at popping these balloons here. If you pop three out of five of them, you'll get one of our small prizes. If you pop four, a medium prize, and if you manage to pop all five, you could take home one of those large prizes you see up there!" I smirked entertained at the young adult who seemed extremely passionate about this booth.

"Alright, you've got me. Here's five." I passed the man the cash. "Hey, Reggie, you got any tips?" I asked as I gathered the darts in my hand. The slightly dull tips disappointing as I weighed one of the darts in my right.

He seemed shocked but quickly recovered. A smile on his face as he began to talk me through his strategy with this game. I couldn't help but grin as I got him talking, giving me enough time to locate the balloons that had more air in them.

"So you just throw them like you're playing darts? But instead of straight at them you try to hit them on the downwards fall of the dart?" I asked just to make sure I got everything.

"Yup. Give it a go." I threw the first one to test my range and how much of an arc I needed. "Oh! So close, I bet if you give it a little more you'd pop it." I listened to him as I did just as he said.

Pop.

"Two more for a small prize!"

Pop.

"Wow, you're pretty good." Reggie commented as I popped the second balloon.

"Just listened to some good advice." I saw his cheeks darken slightly at my comment. I chuckled a little as I threw the next one.

Pop.

"You could get a medium prize! Just one more." Reggie was more excited then myself as I lined up my next target.

Just as I went to release the dart, something smacked right into my upper back. I jerked causing the dart to fall short of the balloons.

"Oh darn it, but at least you get a prize." I wasn't paying attention to Reggie as I turned to see a slightly deflated basketball at my feet. I looked around before finding the booth it belonged to.

"That son of a bitch." I hissed as I recognized one of the males in a gaggle laughing at something, a basketball in their hand.

"Um, miss?" I picked up the basketball and my tote bag before turning to Reggie.

"Call me Xena, I'll take the small horse up there." I smiled kindly even though I was furious inside. Reggie grabbed the bay colored stuffed animal and handed it over to me. "Thanks for the tips, Reggie."

"Thanks for playing, Xena." His words fade as I shove the horse in my tote bag before walking up to the basketball booth where the teens were standing in front of. If I wasn't suspicious of them already, then their giggling stares weren't helping them.

"Sir, I think you've got some really bad shooters." I spoke as I handed the deflated basketball, back to the shocked gentleman running the booth. "Clearly they have no idea the ball is meant to go in the hoop." I rose my voice a little so they could hear me.

"Oh, thank you for returning the ball dear. They've been mucking around my booth for the last hour. I hate to say it but you aren't the first person to return a ball to me." I frowned at the older gentleman. He looked exhausted.

"You want me to take care of them?" I asked quietly, my fists aching for some action. The older gentleman shook his head softly.

"Pier closes in an hour, I'll survive. But thank you for the offer. I'll come find you if I decide to take you up on it." He winked as I tapped the top of the booth and began to walk away towards the Ferris wheel.

I went towards the group and rammed my shoulder into the dirty blond from The Wreck.

"Oops, so silly of me, I shouldn't be walking on my phone." I held up my phone which was shut off as I walked away smirking, not missing the pure irritation on the guy's face when he turned to look at me.

Bitch

I mouthed as I turned the corner around the booths.

"That's it."

"Whoa, what are you gonna do, Rafe? Hit a girl?" One of the guys asked the angry male.

"No, I'm just going to have a nice chat with her." I chuckled to myself at Rafe's words.

"Dude, she's literally a tourist. Chill."

Yeah, definitely not a tourist.