My Life as a Teenage Rebel

Chapter 29: Paintball or PAINball

Ky Madison

CHAPTER 29 Paintball or PAINball

“Paintball, huh?” I ask Griffin with a mischievous grin. “Sounds fun,”

“Sounds painful,” Evilyn scowls. “And the last time something weapon-like was put into Kelsey’s hands, someone almost lost an ear!”

“I said I was sorry!” Kelsey exclaims.

“I thought I was going to die! ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t good enough!” Evilyn snaps. Kelsey pouts.

“Evi,” I coax, “you can be on Kelsey’s team, that way you’ll barely get hit.” And then I lean in and murmur under my breath: “And you’re very welcome to use Andrew’s groin area as a target.”

A wicked grin spreads across Evilyn’s face. She claps her hands together. “Paintball sounds fun; when do we leave?”

Griffin chuckles, “Anyways, it’ll be at the river, right around the place where they rent out the rafts.”

“Got it, we know the place.” Andrew nods.

I have my chin on my hand. I muse, “Hmm…” The river, huh?

Kyle wraps an arm around my shoulders, lightly pulling me into him. “Whatcha thinkin’, sis?” he asks me.

“I’m thinking that they’ve got a lot going on along the river; not just paintballing.” I tell him.

“That’s true,” Madelin says, and Kyle and I give her our immediate attention, “we went on a picnic over there during the summer and they had people bungee jumping off the bridge.” I catch Evan gulp at the mention of jumping off bridges. Dude’s scared of heights alright.

I nod. “Exactly, that’s why I’ve decided to make tomorrow…” I stand up; Griffin gets what I’m doing. He lifts me up on his shoulder and I point dramatically to the sky as I exclaim: “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day!”

“Hurrah!” everyone cheers, pumping their fists in the air (with Madelin giggling as she does).

Evan, with a confused expression, looks up at me as I hold my position and asks, “What the heck is ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day’?”

“Evan! You’re ruining my declaratory moment!”

. . .

“Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day is a day where when we see a fun opportunity we take it no matter the cost or the time inconvenience.” Evilyn tells Evan as she laces up her combat boots; her leg hanging out of the car as we stand around her. Kyle and I keep Madelin between us, the two of us having begrudgingly agreed to let Madelin fend for herself out on the battlefield today, per her request.

“So…basically it’s a day where you’re completely irresponsible.” Evan asks wearily.

“Uh, wow, kill-joy much?” Kelsey raises an eyebrow at him as Evilyn stands up and brushes herself off.

Evan sighs. “And why is it called ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day’ again?”

“Duh, cuz it’s fun to say.” I answer him with my eyebrow cocked as well. “Seriously, dude does there have to be a reason for everything with you?” He doesn’t answer as we start our walk to the paintball area Griffin told us about.

When we reach the designated paintball area I see a couple of members of the football team, almost all the members from last year’s basketball team, and cheerleaders. And when they see us I remember to draw myself closer to Evan.

“Hey guys!” Griffin waves to us with a big grin. “Okay, everybody’s here, so listen up!” Griffin calls as we surround him. “No head-shots ‘round here; especially from Garcia,” and Kelsey grins as Griffin gives her a pointed look. “The paint is environmentally-friendly, so if you jump in the river afterwards you ain’t gonna hurt no little fishies.”