Before You Go | A Prequel

1.2 | The Park

- "STOP! Ellie, stop it! Nico, tell her to stop touching me!"

"I'm not touching her!"

"Yes you are, you keep pushing my foot— stop!"

"No, I'm not! I just went like this!"

"That's touching me! NICO!"

Nico sighed as his eyes flicked up at the rear view mirror, where a disgruntled Leena squirmed as she sat squished between the twins' booster seats.

"Ellie," He began, "Please stop touching Leena if you're touching her—,"

"She IS touching me!" Leena protested, to which the younger girl shook her head with a fervent and drawn out, "No, I'm notttt!"

Nico was relieved when he saw their saving grace in the form of the Porterfield Park arches coming into view at last. The trip hadn't even been a long one by any measures. From their home to the park was maybe seven or eight minutes tops. However, the bickering had ensued from the very moment their mother's SUV had reversed out of the driveway of Floyd Manor, and it hadn't let up for single moment since.

"Alright guys," He sighed as they turned into the parking lot, "You know the drill. Please, be on your best behavior and just—,"

"EWWW!"

The vehicle jolted to a stop when Nico slammed on the brakes, startled by the shriek which pierced his eardrums. Even Cas, who'd been silently drawing in the passenger seat looked back, alarmed at the noise.

Nico turned in his seat. "Who just screamed like that?"

"Gus stuck his finger in my ear!" Leena blurted out. Both hands cupped over her left ear as to protect herself from the accused, whose lip poked out as if he were about to cry.

"But there was a thingy on your headband! I was tryna get it for you!" The little boy pleaded his innocence. A tiny finger pointed at her head. "It's still there—,"

"Do not touch me again!" She lurched away, "Your fingers are wet! And they're always wet cause you're always putting them in your mouth like some baby!"

"Nuh unh!"

Leena sucked her teeth before straightening up and shouting, "Nico! Nico, Gus tried to give me a wet willie!"

Nico had only just opened his mouth when two impatient beeps honked from the car which had pulled up behind the Floyds', still halted at the entrance of the parking lot. Feeling his own patience thinning, Nico pulled forward, eyes scanning for any open space. It was busy today. Crowded— as he should have expected for a Saturday morning in the dead of Summer. It was glaringly clear they weren't the only family seeking refuge from the stuffy confines of their home.

"Nico-oo!" Leena whined from the backseat once more. "Nico, Gus gave me a wet willie!"

"Okay. I heard you," We all did. "Just let me find a spot to park—,"

-"But he's being gross!"

-"Leena, bro shut up. You're such a tattle tale."

Nico's jaw tightened when he heard Claudia chime into the conversation, despite his secret agreement. A silver car backing out of a space far ahead sparked a glimmer of hope in him, and he inched forward, silently cursing when he was forced to wait for the couple casually crossing the lot with a slew of dogs on leashes— at least four or five. Nico couldn't imagine having to pick up that much shit. But there were certainly times in which he wondered if barking would be easier on the ears.