Chapter Eight: Festival Night:

By evening, I heard a knock on my door. I lifted my head from one the books I pretended to read.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Brianna?” Noiz asked on the other side of the door. “You still awake?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Can I come in?”

“Okay…”

Noiz opened the door and shoved in a light blue and purple yukata on a hanger. A puzzled look came over my face.

“What is that?” I asked.

“A yukata,” she said.

I tilted my head at the outfit. “What for?”

Noiz poked her head into the room. “You have to put it on.”

“But why?”

“Why?” Noiz asked. “We’re going out to the first night of the festival tonight.” I gave her a blank stare.

“We are?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, right now.” She shoved the yukata in my hands. “Hurry up and get dressed.” Noiz clapped her hands to hurry me along.

“Okay, okay,” I said. Noiz turned and walked out of my room as I started changing clothes. Though I have to admit, the yukata was really cute. I modeled it off in the mirror. Not bad. Not bad at all. I looked up when I heard a knock on my door again.

“Brianna?” Noiz asked on the other side. “Get a move on, it’s time to go!”

“Okay!” I shouted back. I turned and hurried out the door. Everyone stood downstairs waiting for me. Noiz put her hands on her hips.

“What took you so long?” she asked in a joking way.

“I just liked the yukata,” I said.

“Let’s get moving!” Akira spoke up. “The stalls will be open in twenty minutes.” He led the group out the front door.

--------

The booming in the sky made me jump. I looked up in the sky and saw brightly colored fireworks exploding in the sky. Someone patted me on the back. I turned to see Tommy grinning at me.

“Never seen fireworks before?” he asked. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Yes, I have,” I answered.

“Tommy, Brianna!” Noiz shouted. “This isn’t the time to be gossiping like little schoolgirls! Get a move on!”

“Yeah!” Tommy shouted. We raced to catch up with our group. Akira led us downtown where all of the buzz was taking place. My jaw dropped at the stalls and people dressed up for this festival. I felt like I had stepped back into time. Fish banners gently blew in the evening breeze.

“Where shall we go first?” Kyoko asked.

“Gold fishing!” Tommy shouted.

“Shooting game!” Akira cheered.

“Fortunes!” the girls shouted. Kyoko put up her hands.

“Slow down! Slow down!” she said. “We’ll get to each one of the stations of the weekend.” We all went quiet. The hostess took in a deep breath.

“Alright,” she said. “Here is what we will do: you will all break into groups and go off to the stations that you want. What time should we meet back here?”

“Midnight,” the adults answered. I looked around at everyone. That late? Kyoko pushed her bangs from her face.

“Perfect,” she said. “We’ll meet back here by midnight. Go off and have fun everyone one!” As we all shattered to our chosen locations, I still tried to understand our time to meet up.

“Is there a problem?” Mosh asked. I looked up from my thoughts. I shook my head as he grinned at me.

“I’ve never been up past midnight,” I replied.

“That’s fine!” Noiz cut in. “You’re with us and not in States!”

“So?” I asked. That wild cat leaned in so close that the tip of her nose touched mine. I jumped back, flailing my arms.

“What the hell?!” I shouted. Noiz stood up straight, giggling.

“You’re with us on this island for the rest of the weekend,” she answered. “Don’t worry about silly things like bedroom.” She grabbed onto my arm before I could say another word. “Away we go!” she shouted. My cousin dragged me further into the festival, laughing with Mosh trailing behind us.

I didn’t expect to have so much fun at the festival. I ended up with two little goldfish and I named them Billy and Ronny. Noiz treated her boyfriend and I to beef noodles and cotton candy. I didn’t think that I would have any more room to eat. After my second candied apple, I had to wave the white flag of surround for the night. My cousin laughed at me as I dragged my feet to keep up with her and Mosh.

“Oh come on,” she said. “This is only the first night. Keep up with us, girl!” I tried to laugh it off as I wanted to tell her to shut up. By the end, I tried my best to fight off sleep. That would only be night one for the weekend.