Chapter 2

The Carnival

“I must attend the carnival, I can't afford to miss it, what do I do? What do I do?” Jane ponders to herself. As she ponders, she receives a text from one of her friends, Vanessa, popularly known as hotty, asking if she's parked.

“Not yet hotty, dad didn't give me the chance to ask for his permission, he was rushing to go to work," Jane replies but gets no reply from Van.

A few minutes later, the bell rings,

“Go get the door,” Anna sends one of the maids. It's Vanessa, she's come to talk some sense into Jane. Vanessa is a spoiled brat and a bad influence on Jane.

“Your welcome mam,” the maid greets Vanessa, rather she looks at her from hair to toe and snobs.

“Where is she?” Vanessa asks the maid, chewing her gum snobbishly.

“Jane? She should be in her room,” the maid responds respectfully.

Vanessa goes to see Jane. Jane's happy she came but looks worried because their plan doesn't seem to go as scheduled.

“Hey, why are you putting on a long face?” Vanessa asks Jane, showing some concern. “It's dad, I promised him earlier I'll be good, but I want to go to Rio with you guys, can't afford to miss it, I…” Jane replies, but is discourteously cut short by Vanessa!

“You what? Jane come on, you're not a kid anymore, you need to start making your own decisions, you're above 18, the law says you can make decisions about your dame life” she speaks raising her hands out of frustration. Vanessa realizes Jane is adamant, she goes close to her and places her hand on her shoulder.

“Look, Jenny, Your dad has to wake up to the reality that we're in the 21st century, where dads can't control their grown-ups like teenagers” Vanessa utters,

“I think you're right hotty, dad has to know that I'm old enough to make my own decisions,” Jane speaks up with hope.

“You know what?” Jane continues,

“Tell me” Van replies.

“The plan stands, we leave tonight, tell your boyfriend to pick us up by 9 00 pm” Jane responds seeming exhilarated

“Yey,” Vanessa utters feeling thrilled.

“But what about Anna? Won't she try stopping you?” Vanessa asks curiously.

“By 8 30, they all will be in bed, and dad will be home late, so don't worry about that,” Jane responds with a smile

Vanessa excitedly texts Olivia, one of the friends with whom they'd planned this trip, asking her to be at Jane's place with her boyfriend (Tyler) by 9 00 pm, so they take off. Vanessa calls her boyfriend (Greg) who is to drive them to Brazil. They'll rather drive, as they believe there's more fun in driving. All of Jane's friends have boyfriends but her, and they're all going to the carnival.

At night, whilst everyone else is in their rooms, Jane arranges pillows on her bed in the form of a person, to make it appear like she's in bed. As they park their stuff, Anna knocks at Jane's door, Jane hurriedly hides her box in the closet. “Come in” Jane calls. Anna has come to remind Jane of dinner,

“I'm not hungry Anna, don't worry about me, Go to bed ok, if I feel hungry, I know where the kitchen is," Jane replies with a smile, but with a little weirdness in her behaviour.

“Are you ok, dear?” Anna asks

“Yeah sure, I'm fine,” Jane replies weirdly.

“You took a little longer than usual to ask me in,” Anna utters.

“Oh, I was, I was, mmm on the phone,” Jane dubiously responds.

“OK,” Anna replies. Anna Figures out there's something fishy, but can't quite place her hands on it, so she decides to ignore her instincts. She wishes her good night and heads for her room. Vanessa sometimes spends the night with Jane, so she can't suspect they're up to something.

As she goes to her room, Jane opens the door to peep if she's gone. After confirming, Jane changes into her blue jeans and black top. Vanessa had asked her boyfriend to come along with her stuff.

A few minutes later, they receive a message from Greg, that they're waiting at the gate. He's there with Olivia and Tyler. Vanessa helps Jane to carry her valise, while Jane holds her purse in one hand and shoes in the other hand.

Jane and Vanessa tiptoe out of the house close the door gently as well as the gate and head for where Greg had told them he'll park. It was a little further from the gate, to ensure no one sees them.

As they get to the car, Greg, Olivia, and

Vanessa gets out to greet them both, they're all very excited about the carnival. Vanessa hugs and kisses Greg idyllically as she's filled with so much excitement.

“You guys can romance after, let's go, my dad might be back anytime," Jane mutters entering the car, followed by Olivia and Tyler. They sit in the back seat, reserving the passenger's side for Vanessa.

“Yo let's go,” Vanessa screams as she enters the car, followed by Greg.

“Do we have everything?” Greg asks as soon as he enters. Vanessa immediately looks behind and smiles at Jane,

“Now we do,” she replies.

They take off, all so excited. As they get further from Edmund's house, Greg plays The choice is yours by Black Sheep. They're all waiting for a particular part of that song to join in.

Tyler brings out the bottle of Jim Beam Bourbon he'd brought, with 5 tiny whiskey glasses.

“You're always so thoughtful bb, that's why I love you,” Olivia tells Tyler, kissing him on the lip. Jane seems a little distracted, she's worried about her dad, she'd promised to be good. Tyler notices and pours her shot first.

As they all sip, the song gets to the part they've all been waiting for, Greg and Tyler start singing from “engine, engine number nine” whilst the girls pick up from

“back on the scene, crispy and clean." The track seems to have brightened Jane's mood, as she joins her friends in singing gaily.