This Can't Be Good

Chapter 43

Spring break was around the corner so naturally the school was a buzz with who was going where. For some reason it was always a competition to see who had the best vacation spot. I had no idea why people cared so much, but they did. We usually never went anywhere too extravagant. The boy’s birthdays were the week before so usually we threw a giant party that week and just relaxed over the week of no school. Not to mention we usually had the town to ourselves. I figured we would be doing the same thing again this year so when the boys announced what we were doing for their eighteenth birthdays I was in shock.

“So as you all should know our birthdays are coming up,” Jayden said to our lunch table. Today it consisted of the six of us.

“We usually throw some party and everyone gets stupid,” Parker continued.

It was the truth. Neither of the boys were too heavy into drinking but their friends were. Last year someone ended up puking in the middle of the carpet.

“But, since we’re eighteen we talked the parents into letting us do something a little different,” Jayden teased.

“So instead of having some stupid party, over spring break we, and I mean all of us, are going to California for the week,” Parker finally said.

I was probably the first one to freak out as usual. I had been to California once with my parents as a child. I had absolutely no memory of it whatsoever. Then I stopped freaking out and realized something. Parker said all of us are going. It hit me then that we were taking Max and Ava with us.

“How’d you guys pull that one off?” Max asked in astonishment.

Even more astonished was Ava. From what we gathered her parents were rather strict on where she was allowed to be and who she was allowed to be around.

“It wasn’t easy,” Jayden said, “but, after talking it over with all the adults they agreed as long as we follow ground rules.”

“Like girls in one room, boys in the other and we have to call them. Oh and we can’t get arrested,” Parker listed off our restrictions.

“We’re seriously going to California?” I asked still in disbelief. They nodded their heads and I went on to freak out for the second time.

The week went by super fast after the vacation announcement. Our parents made a point to be back in town for the boys birthdays. On Thursday we all went out to Jayden’s favorite restaurant to celebrate. After dinner Jayden stopped at a local liquor store to buy lotto tickets and scratchers. He waited to do the scratchers until Friday. On Friday we celebrated Parker’s birthday at a different restaurant. Just like Jayden, he bought lotto tickets and scratchers after. When we got home they scratched them off together. Combined I think they won five dollars. It wasn’t about winning in that moment though, it was the fact that they could legally buy them.

It was crazy to think that they were legal adults now. It was also really terrifying. Jayden couldn’t even make toast without almost setting the toaster on fire and Parker well Parker couldn’t do anything in the kitchen. I feared for the safety of the world. I don’t know how they’re going to survive next year.

Our parents left Saturday morning and we spent the day packing. I figured Cass was coming with us on this adventure so it surprised me when she wasn’t packing for her and Lexis. Turns out that her and Trevor had more wedding details to go over. Their wedding was next month and there was still so much to do. When Lexis caught win that we were leaving she had a mini meltdown. I had to promise to bring her back as much stuff that would fit in my suitcase.

Packing for California was difficult. I had no idea what the weather would be like. It didn’t help that the boys never told us where exactly we were going. All I knew was that California's weather can change in a minute so I packed all kinds of clothes. I had so many clothes that I had no idea how I was going to bring home any souvenirs.