The Life and Lies of The How-To Manual

It was loud. Very loud.

Counting every step from the bus to the amusement park entrance, I took careful note of the streets I crossed, the people that bumped into me (which was not many, thankfully), and the sounds of an arcade. Mike, Vic, and Jaime would be in the arcade. Tony, Autumn, Zack, Rian, Jack, and Alex would be at a park. They never specified amusement park from boring-swings-slide-whole-shibang park. I assume they mean the amusement park, but one could never be too careful.

“Oh, sorry.” I mumbled as someone brushed against my shoulder. I had my hands stuffed into my sweatshirt pockets, trying to pretend I was normal and be invisible in the thin crowd. I turned my head, as if “inspecting” a window to a kitchen appliances store. Without moving my eyes, I assessed the blurred colors at the edges of my vision. They seemed a little sharper out in the brisk air.

There was a swirl of green and blue hoodies as a group of teens turned into a large parking lot. Okay, that’s where the amusement park was! My cold left hand brushed against my wallet. Money, phone, and sunglasses. That’s all I need!

But maybe I should invest in getting a seeing eye dog, just for safety purposes. About four streets ago, I nearly got hit by a car….I think.

I mean, what do I know? I can’t see!

Well, for the most part.

I turned and quickly walked towards where the teens had turned in. There was a loud jumble of confusing sounds that gave me a minor headache. I nearly bumped into a small child while adjusting myself in line.

“Sorry!” The kid chirped. I looked down and smiled.

“Oh, no worries, buddy!” He laughed at the name. I couldn’t help but grin. As I jumped up in the line, patiently waiting my turn, I formed a plan. The big group might possibly be at the amusement park. If they did in fact turn out to be here, I would have to avoid them. It’s a little hard when you’re blind, but you know what? I’m here to have fun! They can’t bring me down, I’ve got my feet on solid ground. That’s all I need.

When I got up to the counter, the man sounded exhausted, although it was barely noon and I couldn’t help but think the park had only been open for barely three hours.

“Welcome to Elitches Adventure Park. It’s going to be fifteen dollars for a day pass, ma’am.” He politely, but sleepily, declared. I fumbled for my credit card and handed him the one that I hoped was right.

There wasn’t any complaint, so it must’ve been the correct one. I couldn’t help but feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I had a feeling the boys (and Autumn) were close by.

“TONE! STOP BEING SO DIFFICULT!” Autumn screeched. I could hear here from miles away.

“Stop messing with my beautiful hair!” He whimpered back.

“Jack, you’re making things worse.” Alex sighed. I bit my lip in worry and ducked my head, turning slightly so I could hear (and see the tickets).

“What? I wanted to make him into a unicorn!” Jack complained. Quickly swooping up my tickets, I muttered a thanks and scurried towards the gate. I had to be sly and smooth. If I made too much of a scene, then their attention would focus on me…

I made it through the gate. This Elitches brought me back memories of the old Elitches at my house. I hope my mom was doing well…

There was a little shaded gateway until the large park opened up. My teeth chattered from nervousness. However, I knew how to blend into a crowd. I had a superpower-being invisible. I could turn invisible to every careless wanderer if I just found the right place to hide…

First, I had to find a group, preferably a pretty large party. There seemed to be about ten kids clustered by the candy shop near the sign pointing to Twister Two. The noise was just loud enough to tell me that it was fairly big cluster of teens. I headed in that direction, keeping my pace even and not hurried. Lifting a finger to adjust my sunglasses, I kept them perched over my nose. Once I was on the edge of the group, I pressed myself close, but not too uncomfortably present.

Next, I became sufficiently interested in an orange tube of Pucker Powder. It was important to seem interested in things besides watching the people pass by. If someone caught you staring, you gained more unwanted attention.

Finally, I knew I was invisible. No one will remember that girl in the blue shirt and black basketball shorts. No one will pay attention to the curious customer that scanned rows of candy and flavored pops. They may notice me, but they will never remember.

I might not be physically invisible, but I was easily just as nonexistent.

But then, I felt that stiff prick at the back of my neck. Throwing my interest deeper into the assorted varieties of candies, I focused in on six voices that happily gurgled above the others in the park. I turned my head, just enough to make out the blurred colors of Turtle’s jacket arm linked with Autumn’s. Her blue hair stood out against the grey sidewalk.

“Come on, guys! Don’t be weenies!” She cheered. I bit my lip in sadness. I wish I could be with them, not just on the outskirts. I was supposed to be locked in the bus, wasn’t I? I guess I just wasn’t allowed to share in their fun.

“But I hate rollercoasters.” Jack whined. Alex squeezed his hand. It took all my mental strength to focus on the colors and not the major blackness.

“It’s okay, Jacky. I’ll be with you.” Alex nudged his side playfully. I nearly wept at it. They were nearing my hiding place, so I threw myself further into the store, immersed in the sweet scents of freshly made fudge.

“Let’s get candy!” Rian suggested. Oh, the boy. He was such a kid at heart. I should’ve known he would want to go to this exact store. And of course….I had to pick the candy shop to hide in. Maybe I could’ve gone to the fake tattoo parlor?

“Yeah!” Autumn and Tony cheered. Zack grumbled something about Rian being a little kid before I tried to hide deeper in the store. I bumped into someone and my lips twisted into a grimace.

“I’m so sorry.” I whispered.

“Hey, you’re the nice lady from the line!” The kid smiled. I turned my head a little to look at his face. I saw a mane of curly brown hair atop a freckled grin. He had on a striped green shirt and tan shorts. I smiled down to him.

“Yeah, I am. And you are…?” I questioned hurriedly. I heart the all too familiar heavy steps of Rian excitedly entre the open store. The boy looked to where I was trying to see.

“I’m Toddy. What’s your name, miss?” he asked politely. By the sound of his voice, he couldn’t be more than eight or nine years old. So mature for a little kid!

“I’m Willow.” He shook my hand gently. We both turned at the sound of something.

“Willow? Did you say her name, Alex?” Autumn asked. I pulled Toddy, trying to duck behind an aisle. It didn’t help being (mostly) blind.

“No, did you hear her name?” Alex responded quickly. There was more murmuring. Footsteps neared us.

“Who are they?” Toddy asked. I squeezed his hand, still entangled in mine.

“People I need to avoid. Do you think you can help me?” I asked him. He shook his head and agreed. I smiled thankfully.

“Do you need to escape?” He asked softly. I nodded anxiously. Zack was going to peer around the corner at any moment.

“Quickly!” I hushed. Before I knew what was happening, he was leading me through the aisles, quickly adjusting his position. I don’t know if I should really trust this kid, but he seemed to know where he needed to be.

A quick gust of air slapped my face. It was colder than the store. We must be outside. I saw more people edge around the corner of my vision. Toddy continued to lead me around until we were well away from the store.

“Thank you, Toddy.” I smiled as he pointed out a bench. We both sat down. I rummaged for some money in my wallet. I needed to thank the kid with ice cream, or something!

“Oh, it’s no problem, Miss Willow! I’m glad I could help.” He giggled happily, swinging his legs off the edge of the bench.

“Do you want to get ice cream or something?” I asked awkwardly. My nerves were on high alert from the almost encounter. “Pizza, maybe?”

“Oh, I’m fine, thank you. I don’t think eating before going on rides is a great idea.” He chuckled softly. I nodded, blinking back rays of harsh light. There was more silence. I thought about his parents. Where were they? Did they think I just kidnapped their kid!?

I guess I had just started my life as a felon. Everything is going downhill from here.

“Do you need to get to your parents?” I asked him. There was no response. I tried to focus on the edges of my vision. Did he leave? No, his mane of soft curls was still at my side.

“Nah, they’re at the smoke shack. They won’t worry about me. They said to meet them back there at four.”

“But that’s….like four hours from now! Did they really let you run around on your own for four hours?” I asked in shock. I’m no parent, but honestly, I would never let my eight year old out of my sight for four hours.

“Yeah, they just didn’t want to have to deal with me.” He sighed softly. My face fell. This poor kid! He has great manners and is like a tiny gentleman. How could someone leave their kid for four hours!?

“So, you’re all by yourself?”

“Yep.”

“Oh, do you want to hang out at the park with me? I’m all by myself as well.” I asked hopefully. This wouldn’t only give me a great disguise, but he would help me not run into things.

“Really? You mean it?” He asked, his voice full of hope. I nodded and he jumped up, fist pounding the air. I laughed at the antics I could see.

“Yeah. Toddy, I’m blind, so I need help getting around the park, alright?” I asked him. He nodded and took my hand.

“I kind of figured that. But I’d be happy to help!” He grinned. I couldn’t help but match his smile. Before I knew it, he had me off the bench and running towards the fastest rollercoaster he could find.

When we got in line, I pulled out my little notebook, quickly sketching out a list to quell my fears of rollercoasters. I’d always wanted to ride one with Jaime, for him to hold my hand while I shook through the ride. Coasters always scared me. I’d wanted him to help me through it.

But you know what? He had locked me in a bus! He was just going to leave me! Screw him….I don’t know some stupid traitor. I love him to death, but seriously, I won’t let him do that anymore. So he lost his chance at something we could do together.

If you see Jaime Preciado anytime soon, let him know he lost his chance to ride a rollercoaster with me. Let him know that he lost that special moment to a true gentleman, a true eight year old gentleman.

Thank goodness I had Toddy with me.

Notes

Hello everyone! Sorry that it's been so long! Finals and Christmas have been very busy. I hope you liked this chapters. I had tons of fun writing it. The next few chapters will be very exciting as well! I can't wait for you to read them.

Don't forget to leave a comment, and if you HAVE SUGGESTIONS, SUGGEST A FREAKING SUGGESTIONS.

MAY I REPEAT THIS: YOU MAY SUGGEST SOMETHING FOR ME TO WRITE INTO HER HOW-TO MANUAL!

Something funny, serious, anything. (Ex: How-to talk Klingon, How-to kiss you boyfriend, How-to Be a Jalex Unicorn....Okay, I might have to do a Jalex unicorn thing XD)

I'll just write a chapter on the How-To's that I like. I want more stuff for Ding to do, but I want your opinions! So suggest away!

However, if there is something you want me to write into her how-to manual, just COMMENT IT FOR THE LORD'S SAKE, JUST COMMENT WHATEVER YOU'RE THINKING!

Okay, love you all. Rant over.