Die In California

59

Devyn's POV:

The rest of our day was spent at Castle Park, where Casie and Kells were allowed to run freely, while JP still stuck by my side like a little lost puppy. As if laser tag hadn't worn them out, they still seemed to carry a whole load more energy and chaos. They were the definition of Energizer bunnies, I swear.

We started off with a little wander in an attempt to keep the boys calm after dinner, but as soon as we walked through the entrance, we lost Kells, Casie and JP. Of course we fucking did. The one time my boyfriend decides to leave my side, I find him seemingly dancing on one of the bridges with Kells. Well, apparently they were 'sword fighting' because 'Rook is the baddie' and Kells was 'saving' the damsel in distress that was Casie. Well, I suppose you could say Rook is a baddie...

Arms were making air jabs at each other, and one stepped forward as the other stepped back. Meanwhile, Casie was cackling by the side of the bridge, watching on with wide, shining eyes. I burst out laughing at them, and of course took a video, then turned to admire the magical scenery that was within the grounds of Sherman Oaks Castle Park. 

The bushes were uncharacteristically green and bushy, the grass magically had stripes along it throughout even the worst of weather conditions. The walls were almost too stone-like, the flags were somehow standing up without wind. The water that rushed down the rocks, and slipped down the winding river, was somehow the brightest blue I'd ever seen. 

It was too perfect.

But Casie didn't seem to notice, and the boys were too distracted by each other to notice - screw me and my observational self. Thankfully, my attention wasn't on the almost plastic-like stones of the little castle walls for long; JP suddenly grabbed my arm and almost yanked it out of place as he dragged me over to one of the waterfalls.

Before he could get too carried away and drag me throughout the whole park, Ashleigh thankfully ushered Kells, Casie, JP, Baze, Slim and I over to the mini golf shed. The others had decided to waste their money on the trash arcades that never gave you shit, and probably start a fight with a little kid over a fucking keyring. They weren't to be trusted on their own, but there weren't enough adults for the amount of children we had.

We each grabbed a club and a ball, before heading out to the first hole. Already, Kells and JP were being far too competitive. They'd try to put each other off, were analysing the course the ball would have to take, and brushing any stray leaves off the green. They were holding us all up, for sure.

Because of that, AJ ended up stepping in to hold them back, letting the rest of us get ahead so that Casie could actually play without feeling the pressure of her competitive dad and uncle watching. She definitely seemed a lot happier when she couldn't feel their irritation of having to wait. They had to wait their turn? Shocker!

We thankfully made it around the course with very few arguments between Kells and JP, before heading over to the arcade to find the others. It seemed the two brothers (one being my boyfriend) had some pent up energy after the 'unbelievably slow' game of mini golf. So, with that, we sent them off to the batting cages, letting them get it all out.

I have to admit, it was pretty hot watching JP swing that bat full force - putting far too much power into it than it was designed for. Kids used them, for gods sake. And he was mercilessly slaughtering each ball that hurled his way. But fuck me, it was hot! 

Kells' friends somehow miraculously won a few stuffed animals (it was to be expected with how much money they spent), and ended up giving one each to Casie and myself - probably as a peace offering for me. I was grateful for the gesture, and was tempted to shove it in JP's face that he'd never managed to win me anything, but thought that I was already walking on a fine line with his temper so opted not to.