"Welcome to Bama and the world of tailgating, Jules." I said as my dad drove our RV into our parking spot. "Three hours later, we're finally here." We had towed Mom's car behind us. The Taylors and Clawsons would be arriving soon too.
"Robert. Help me get everything set up, please." My dad said after leveling the RV.
"Yes, Sir." I got up from the couch I was sitting at with Juliana and followed my dad off the RV.
"Get the awning out, and also the folding chairs out of the doors on the other side."
"Okay." I got back in the RV long enough to push the button that let the awning come out. Juliana was helping my mom get the food together.
***
I was sitting in my usual chair, and Juliana was on my lap, playing with my hands.
"Thumb war?" She asked, her hair whipping me in the face as she spun around.
"Yeah." I held out my hand, and she stood up. I guessed she was probably just trying to get in a better position to play. "You ready?"
"Mhm." She nodded her head.
"One... two.... three... four... I declare a thumb war... five... six... seven.... eight try to keep your thumbs straight."
Our thumbs danced around each other for a little bit. She almost got me three times, but I was able to pull away at the last second and then pin her down.
"You dog." She glared at me.
"What can I say?" I shrugged my shoulders. "The cream rises to the top, darlin'."
"In that case, best two of three then?"
"I'm down for it."
We played again. This time, Juliana pinned my thumb down, and it was a lost cause. Her grip was tighter. I couldn't get away. I winced inside once she said the word 'ten'.
"Last time." I wiggled my eyebrows. "You beat me, you win. I beat you, I win."
"The latter is most unlikely." She stuck her tongue out at me. "I am definitely going to win this."
"Nah. The best always wins, and I'm the best thumb warer around. I could probably win the national championship..."
Juliana laughed, and we were just about ready to start the last round of this thumb war when Mom came over.
"Family picture time, guys. Come on over." I stood up and offered Juliana my hand to help her get up off the ground.
"Can we just get this over with?" I groaned.
I hated taking pictures mainly because Mom was convinced everyone had to look perfect in them. The matter of the fact was that when you get five or more people together, somebody was always not going to look their best.
"It won't be that bad, Robbie." Juliana said grabbing my hand.
"You obviously have not seen my mom when she takes pictures then."
"Alright.... Robert... I want you next to Juliana. Juliana stand in front of Robert and Samuel. Be next to Allie basically. Tyla, I want you to come forward one more row." Mom pointed her fingers in all sorts of directions before everyone was finally in place.
YOU ARE READING
Juliana
Teen Fiction*FIRST DRAFT FINISHED* Being blonde, pretty, and young made Juliana every cliche Robbie knew he wanted to stay away from. Once she opened her mouth though, things changed. Juliana, unlike most other girls, enjoyed working hard and was serious about...
