✨It Doesn't Even Matter✨

Quick Trip

May 28th
"Are you excited to be going to the Poconos with your friends?"
"Yeah, it should be fun." Mama was helping me pack for my school trip to the Poconos and I was excited to get some space. Lately, I've been feeling suffocated with going to parties, pretending to be happy that I'm at events, things like that.
"Don't forget to pack some sanitary items."
"I know, just in case. Not like anything would happen anyway."
"You can never be sure."
"These shorts are cute, right?"
"Definitely. So, would you want us to drop you off to school that day?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I?"
"The paps, I don't want you or your friends feeling uncomfortable."
"But what is there to snap, I don't get it."
"Anything is picture-worthy in their eyes, you and I both know that." Mama gave me a kiss and we finished packing my little suitcase together.
"Before I get started on dinner I'd love to have a little chat with you."
"Can we save it for after dinner? I'm kind of hungry." She laughed and nodded.
"What are we having tonight?"
"Bolognese."
"That's one of my favs. I'll be down to help in a second." She closed my door and I texted some of my friends on my phone.
Chelsea: I'm soooo ready for the Poconos, we're going to be roomies! Did you pack?
Me: Just finished. How many swimsuits did you pack?
Chelsea: Like 3. I'm guessing you did the same?
Me: Gotta be prepared :)
**************
Dinner With My Kids (Mariska's Perspective)
Peter was in Germany on a press trip, and I happened to be home with the kids as the recent season of Law And Order: SVU has been completed. This dinner with the kids has made me realize just how much I've missed.
"Mama, you missed my recital. It was really nice." Amaya informed me.
"I know, I'm sorry Maya. I'll make it up to you." I fixed her hair and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I just realized, Amaya and Andrew are starting middle school in September. Isn't that weird?"
"I'm really excited. Mom said she's getting me a blue binder, and I get to go to classes on my own!" Andrew said to Amaya.
"I'm going to get a purple one, and Madison and I are going to get our nails done before school starts."
"Who gave permission to that one?" I asked jokingly.
"You will...and Allison will help me because we're going to the same school!" She rolled her eyes playfully and poured more lemonade into her glass.
"I'm sure Allison will be a wonderful older sister to you at school, isn't that right?"
"Well, if she isn't annoying me."
"I don't annoy you."
"Yeah, you do! All the time these days."
"Well, you can keep being ultra boring."
"Amaya."
"I'm teasing."
"Allie, when you get back from your trip it'll be Marissa's birthday, give her a call."
"Sure thing." She cleared her plate and stared at her fingernails.
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. August, do you wanna do a face mask with me?"
"Yes, it makes my face just luscious and soft."
"Your skin would look a lot a better if you took better care of it, but you're as stubborn as I am so that's not gonna change." She joked. We were starting to clean up for the night and I looked outside at the bright evening sky and I washed the dishes with Allison.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, honey."
"Something is wrong."
"What is it then?" She scrubbed the bowl and then put it on the drying rack.
"What is it?"
"Never mind, forget that I said that. I'm going to go get ready for bed." She went upstairs quietly and I wondered what she was nervous to talk to me about.
**********
June 3rd (Allie's Perspective)
"Bye Allie! Be good, and listen to your teachers, call me as soon as you get there. And if something happens tell an adult. Do you understand?"
"Yeah."
"Good Morning, Mrs.Hermann!"
"Good Morning, girls! You guys have a safe trip up there, no sneaky business."
"None at all!" I gave Mama a hug and I went onto the coach bus. As we pulled out Mama blew me several kisses. I was hoping this trip would be good for me for two reasons. One, to give me some space from my family. Two, more time with my friends and boyfriend.
"Allie, come take a pic!"
"PERIODT!"
"You know, I brought my Polaroid so we can take some really cool pics of the sunset and stuff like that."
"I brought mines too! Ugh, this trip is gonna slap."
"And, I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me up when we've reached." Leila said.
"All you ever do is sleep."
"That's why I'm growing!" I flicked Leila and she got all fake upset, saying I interrupted her sleep.
"Good night baby Lei." So for the rest of the two-hour ride, it would be Joy, Chelsea, Claire, and I.
"I'm hoping that at least we gotta more space on this trip. Since we're not as "problematic" as the classes that have come before us."
"We probably will. Are we pulling an all-nighter tonight?"
"I got soda."
"Soda isn't going to do much, we need coffee."
"Coffee stunts growth. So, I didn't bring it!"
"She isn't wrong, we'll just survive on Dr.Pepper all night."
"Joshua?" I turned around and gave him a swift kiss.
"Who are you rooming with again?"
"The boys."
"Oh."
"Why do you seem so down."
"I'm not down, I'm fine. Just a bit of a long morning." I said with a small smile.
"It'll be worth it when we get there."
"Yeah. It will be."
*************
7 pm (Mariska's Perspective)
"Allison still hasn't called me."
"They're probably out doing things right now."
"I know, but I specifically told her to call me as soon as they got to the Poconos." I sighed internally as I watched my phone.
Allison🦋: 1 attachment
"I've got something." It was a picture of Allison and her friends enjoying themselves in a hot tub. She's fine. I just needed confirmation.
Me: Have fun! I love you!
"See, she's fine. Stop worrying Mariska."
"I can't help it, I'm glad she's having fun, but this is the first school trip she's ever been on. It's hard for me."
"There are many more trips to come, just gotta get used to it. When is Peter coming back?"
"He's supposed to come back tomorrow, I never gave him the heads up about the trip, so this one should be interesting."
"Think he'll be mad about it?"
"I don't think so, but I don't think his trip to Germany went so well this time around, he may not be in the best mood when he comes back. The kids and I are going to clean the house up a bit and make lunch for him.
"How sweet."
"Mama, you're still filming aren't you?"
"Yes, for two more hours and then we'll go home and have dinner."
"Can we just buy dinner instead? Wouldn't that make more sense."
"Buy dinner from where?"
"Chipotle."
"Your sister started a bad habit with you."
"Yay! I get a burrito for dinner!"
"The kind of things that you get excited for Amaya, just make my heart smile."
"I make your heart smile all of the time, so it shouldn't be anything new to you." She said cutely. Gosh, where has the time gone? 11 already.
*************
The Poconos, Pennsylvania (Allie's Perspective)
"Cannonball!" Joshua wet me and I waited for him to come back to surface.
"Josh!"
"Loosen up, Allison Maya."
"Shut up!"
"Guys, stop splashing and stuff for a second. Let's do something." My friend group got quiet for a moment and we all got out of the pool and sat on the concrete together. We all talked as I tried not to cuddle with Josh because the teachers were watching everyone and not allowing and physical affection. Boys and girls weren't even allowed in the same room for Christ's sake. I heard it's because a while ago a girl and a boy went on the Poconos trip and got caught getting busy. The story makes sense. They even taped our doors!
"Let's go grab something to eat." The perks of being in a private school on occasions like this are their outstanding ability to constantly provide the best on trips. But then again, when your parents are paying 50k for your tuition every year, you must be given the best of the best.
"Guys, I love you all. I'm so glad that I've met you guys since coming here. I know I came really late, in fourth grade and all, but you guys haven't treated me any differently. I feel like we've been friends since kinder."
"We love you too, Allie."
"Allie always has to make someone emotional with her speeches." We all belly laughed and talked about our memories together. This trip just started, and I was loving it already.

To be continued~