"Welcome to Bama and the world of tailgating, Jules." I said as my dad drove our RV into our parking spot. "Three hours later, we're finally here." We had towed Mom's car behind us. The Taylors and Clawsons would be arriving soon too.
"Robert. Help me get everything set up, please." My dad said after leveling the RV.
"Yes, Sir." I got up from the couch I was sitting at with Juliana and followed my dad off the RV.
"Get the awning out, and also the folding chairs out of the doors on the other side."
"Okay." I got back in the RV long enough to push the button that let the awning come out. Juliana was helping my mom get the food together.
***
I was sitting in my usual chair, and Juliana was on my lap, playing with my hands.
"Thumb war?" She asked, her hair whipping me in the face as she spun around.
"Yeah." I held out my hand, and she stood up. I guessed she was probably just trying to get in a better position to play. "You ready?"
"Mhm." She nodded her head.
"One... two.... three... four... I declare a thumb war... five... six... seven.... eight try to keep your thumbs straight."
Our thumbs danced around each other for a little bit. She almost got me three times, but I was able to pull away at the last second and then pin her down.
"You dog." She glared at me.
"What can I say?" I shrugged my shoulders. "The cream rises to the top, darlin'."
"In that case, best two of three then?"
"I'm down for it."
We played again. This time, Juliana pinned my thumb down, and it was a lost cause. Her grip was tighter. I couldn't get away. I winced inside once she said the word 'ten'.
"Last time." I wiggled my eyebrows. "You beat me, you win. I beat you, I win."
"The latter is most unlikely." She stuck her tongue out at me. "I am definitely going to win this."
"Nah. The best always wins, and I'm the best thumb warer around. I could probably win the national championship..."
Juliana laughed, and we were just about ready to start the last round of this thumb war when Mom came over.
"Family picture time, guys. Come on over." I stood up and offered Juliana my hand to help her get up off the ground.
"Can we just get this over with?" I groaned.
I hated taking pictures mainly because Mom was convinced everyone had to look perfect in them. The matter of the fact was that when you get five or more people together, somebody was always not going to look their best.
"It won't be that bad, Robbie." Juliana said grabbing my hand.
"You obviously have not seen my mom when she takes pictures then."
"Alright.... Robert... I want you next to Juliana. Juliana stand in front of Robert and Samuel. Be next to Allie basically. Tyla, I want you to come forward one more row." Mom pointed her fingers in all sorts of directions before everyone was finally in place.
Around a million pictures later, Mom finally had a picture she was happy with. Thank God. I was sick of pictures. Juliana and I started walking back to where we were earlier.
"You know..." She kicked a loose rock across the asphalt. "Your mom is an awesome photographer! We should totally have her take some pictures of us. I mean, we're matching right now. Perfect time to do it."
God, no. There was no way in hell I was taking any more pictures today.
"Jules..."
"Wobbieeee.... pleaseeeee...." She tugged on my hand. "I need a cute profile picture for Facebook."
"But I hate when my mom takes pictures..." I groaned.
"You'll deal with it for me though. Right?"
I just glared at her. We had stopped walking, and we were halfway between where Juliana and I were playing Thumb War earlier and where my mom had taken pictures.
"I don't wanna." I mumbled.
"It'll make me happy..." She chirped. "Come on, Wobbieeee." She rocked back and forth and side to side at the same time.
I hated when Jules pulled out 'Wobbie' because she knew that I knew that when she says it, I know she really wants me to do something that I really don't wanna do.
I let out an exasperated sigh. "Fineeeeee."
"Yay! You're the bestest." She got on her tip-toes and gave me a peck on the cheek.
***
This time I was really done with pictures— not even Juliana using 'Wobbie' could get me to take any more. Juliana and I were sitting down on the rug that was laid out in front of our RV.
"Last round now?" I held my hand out.
"It's on."
Juliana counted us in, and I immediately wrestled her thumb down. Ten seconds later, I was the champion.
"Beasted." I pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
She giggled. "Congrats. There will totally be a rematch later."
***
"See that guy..." I pointed down at the opposing team's quarterback on the field. "We want him to get sacked by our guys. That makes them lose yards, usually, and it counts as a down."
Juliana nodded her head.
"It's third and twenty six right now. That means the ball needs to go twenty six yards."
"And if it does?"
"Then the downs are reset. We don't want that while their offense is on the field. We do want it while our offense is out though."
"Makes sense."
"Yeah. Football is pretty logical, actually."
"Different guys are coming out now?"
"That's our Special Teams. Defense held 'em to a punt."
"What happens now?"
"We get the ball unless our guy returns it for a TD, then they get again."
"Interesting."
"It's a lot easier to explain when you're watching it on TV. They have a first down marker and stuff. It makes it a lot easier to understand."
***
Later that night, we dropped Juliana back off at her house and came home. I was sitting on Facebook, updating my profile picture. Mom had sent all the pictures from earlier to both Juliana and I. I groaned inside when I saw that Kylie had 'poked' me.
And then there was a notification that she had commented on my profile picture. I was scared to look.
Kylie Owens: Only problem with this is that SHE is in it with you instead of ME! Still as hot ever though, Robbie! xoxoxox LOVE YOU!
Wonderful.
Robbie Patterson: -_-
I had to do something about this before it exploded into a giant mess. I messaged Juliana.
Me: hey. i just thought i should let you know that nothing is going on with me and kylie. she's just still creepily in love with me O_o lol love you jules. glad you forced me to take those pics. they turned out well. ;D
Juliana: No worries. :D Ahhh. I can't get over how cute these pics are. Can't decide which one to use for my profile pic! Had a blast at the game. Love you! Going to sleep now though.
I wished her sweet dreams and goodnight back before shutting my laptop down for the night. Thank God Juliana had been so understanding about everything. Tomorrow was a new day, and I was going to free both Juliana and I from any more Crazed Creepy Lunatic Girl. Enough was enough.