A Long Winter Break

Chapter 2

Lyla and Stella began to eat, and breakfast was quiet. Neither of them wanted to address the new clothing they found themselves using, but it felt too awkward to talk about something else. 

Eventually, Lyla spoke up. 

"So," she said, "looking forward to the rest of winter break?" 

Stella nodded nonchalantly, as if she didn't care all that much about being away from her class. Maybe she was just glad to have a break, maybe there was another reason she was so uninterested. Lyla didn't think much of it. 

"Are we gonna stay home all break long?" Stella asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing. 

"Actually, I was gonna talk about that." Lyla stated, before double checking her cellphone. 

Stella tilted her head for a minute, curious about what Lyla was implying. 

"I wanted to see if you were interested in going to the carnival tonight," Lyla started, "Obviously we wouldn't be buying loads of merchandise or anything like that, but our grandparents just sent in some extra money because of our predicament."

Stella thought about it for a second, and came to a slightly unpleasant realization. Usually, Carnivals have a portable outdoor restroom. However, Stella never liked them. They felt too public and were always unsanitary. But what if she chose to bring a diaper, and a friend showed up to the Carnival? Before she could think about it too much, Lyla began speaking once more. 

"On that note, we are to limit what we spend. Part of this money is meant to cover the repair fee." Lyla said. 

"I see.." Stella said, sipping her orange juice, "how far is the carnival from here?"

"Not too far, they were finishing setting up a few streets away from the store." Lyla answered, beginning to stretch. 

Without much to say in response, Stella nodded. 

"I'm down I guess."

So with that, Lyla went through the money they had been sent and budgeted how much they could put aside for the carnival and how much was necessary to keep for the repair and other monthly expenses. After accounting for seemingly everything they'd need, Lyla estimated that they'd be able to spend roughly a hundred dollars each, after entry fees. 

They both ate breakfast in silence, unsure of what else to speak about. Once they were done, Lyla cleared the table and set the dishes in the sink, meanwhile Stella headed to her room to relax. 

Upon entering her room, Stella sighed and let herself fall into her beanbag chair. As usual, boredom overcame her and back she was, scrolling through her cellphone. Days had gotten repetitive, or so she felt, as beyond school all she really did was use her phone. Not too long later, a notification pops down from the top of her screen. It was a text message from one of her best friends, Kaylee. 

It wrote: "Hey! My friends and I are going to the carnival tonight. Wanna join us?"

This wasn't much of a surprise to her, with the carnival being one of the best things to do when it popped up in their area. Of course, Stella accepted the invitation. 

"Sure, what time should we all meet up? My sister and I plan to be there at around seven tonight." 

"Sounds good to us. We'll meet by the Ferris Wheel." 

"Welp," Stella thought, "guess that decides it. I'll have to use those stupid portable toilets."