the outbreak ☣ 1d

Chapter 2: The Plan {FIXED}

Recap:

 We stared at her glumly, and then she finally gave up trying to cheer us up and sat down next to us on the couch, sighing.

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~Gina's Point of View~

 “But, hey, at least we can still be together, right?” Taylor looked at us expectantly, waiting for us to reply. She sighed and as she sat down, resigned, Stephanie immediately spoke.

 "We're not babies anymore. Why can't our parents understand that? Huh? We're adults, it's not like we're 4! So what? When will we ever go to London?" she asked rhetorically as the rest of us stared at her in surprise, "when we're 80 years old? Why do our guardians think we're going to die or get raped or get kidnapped? We're not that irresponsible, we're old enough to care for ourselves! And–" Stephanie ranted on. She was really angry. I wasn’t angry. I was upset. I was despaired. I was heartbroken. I was falling into my own river of devastation and frustration.

 I didn’t want to blame our guardians. I wanted to scream out to the heavens in frustration, yes, but not because of them. I was more upset with myself. It’s the fact that they think I’m not responsible enough to travel by myself (with the accompaniment of my four best friends) and they think I’m not ready. I was always more reliable than my older brother by three years, they admitted that themselves a long time ago. But I wasn’t reliable enough.

 They don’t trust me, that is most of the reason why I’m upset. Of course, just like the rest of them, I was depressed because after getting our hopes up, we get slapped down, with just one word, a simple ‘no.’

 But knowing that my parents think I’m dumb enough to become a stripper in London? Don’t they even know their own daughter? All my life, I’ve had a liable character. I thought that when I asked them if I could go, they would see and remember that character and let me go. They didn’t.

 Of course I understand they care for me and want the best for me, but right now, I’m just trying hard not to fall apart.

 Stephanie suddenly banged the table in irritation, and let out a groan of annoyance. I jumped and clicked my tongue.

 "Stephanie, the adults have spoken. We can't go... Unless we sneak out or do something equally crazy," I suggested sarcastically, and then laughed bitterly. I imagined us sneaking out and winced.

 Stephanie dropped her fork to the table with a clang and stared at me, her mouth wide open. My eyes widened.

 "What's wrong, Steph?" Taylor questioned, snapping her hands in front of Stephanie's face. Thoughts flooded my mind with horrible but possible things that could be happening to her. I shook my head, as if the thoughts would go away.

 "..Oh my God," she finally breathed, pushing Taylor's hand away quickly. "Gina, you're a freaking genius," she told me, her eyes shining. I imagined a question mark on top of my head, like in those comics.

 "We'll sneak out," Stephanie explained slowly, as if I was a 3 year old who needed to be lectured on manners.

 "What?" I gasped in disbelief. "I was kidding! We can't sneak out! The time we come back, our parents will be so angry at us! They’ll say that we’re irresponsible and...” I rambled on.

 "I for one, agree. With Stephanie.” She looked at me apologetically. “Sorry, Gina. I just think it's a great idea. If we come back safe and sound, then our parents will know that we can go anywhere we want because we're really dependable. I can sneak out, just as long as someone pays for me." Elissa reasoned out, then giggled. I frowned. This is a bad idea. I never should have said anything..