Year 3 – Shift 1 – Bowling For Group – Wynter

Wynter sat on the bench she always sat on after class. It was in the next quad and filled with beautiful wildflowers that tickled her heart every time she had come since coming out. It had been a week since Sara and Raven went missing and she was running on fumes trying to bring them home. Today, though, it was a day she had come to look forward to for weeks, but this would be the first time it would happen as herself.

A soft frame sat on the bench next to her and placed two takeout boxes between them.

“Your favorite.” Simone said softly. “Ham, Swiss, and sour cream and onion potato chips on a Hawaiian roll.”

Wynter’s heart sang. “Simone! We haven’t had these since the Ohio Ren Fest! How did you remember?”

“We were drunk on Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill and smoking what we thought was the best weed we’d ever had.” She responded. “You told me for two hours straight how much this sandwich meant to you.”

Wynter took a box and opened it. Inside was gorgeous. It was stacked high and had just the right amount of crushed chips falling around the side. “Aww! You scrunched it down!”

She chuckled and kicked her feet. “Yeah.”

Wynter noticed she wasn’t herself. “Everything okay?”

She stared past the flowers out into the streets. Etokuso at ground level was always a bustling, thriving marketplace with green space everywhere. “Beastmister shouldn’t bother the East Warrens anymore.”

Wynter noted the deflection. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” She sighed. “He tried a Coca-Colar Bear. And, as everyone knows…”

“Coca-Colar Bears don’t like anal. Of course.” Wynter nodded at one of their oldest understandings of the world. “Did Kaori get any animals out?”

“She had a scheduling conflict.” She steadied her hand as it reached down to itch. “Cody came and scared them worse. They got out. But to who knows where.”

Wynter chuckled and put the box back down. She reached into the new purse that one of her students, Morgan had made for her and pulled out a small jar. “Here you go. Draggin’ tallow!”

Simone lit up and she snatched it out of her hand and opened it instantly, taking a deep whiff of the potent concoction. “Oh my gash! Thank you, Wynter!”

“There she is.” Wynter smiled.

Simone deflated instantly and tucked her chin to her chest. Her hand went to work scratching an itch Wynter couldn’t help but think tended to be present mostly near her. “Julian broke up with me.”

Wynter didn’t say a word. She didn’t even look over. She just threw an arm around Simone and pulled her close, their sizes not so dissimilar now. She didn’t say anything. She just held on.

“He…” Simone trailed off. “Says he wishes me well, but he can’t be with someone obsessed with someone else. Like he even gets it.”

Wynter breathed a long, slow breath in and released it with just as much deliberation. “Remember going to Patrick Stewart’s Undeniable Seamanship?” She posed. “Just about a month after we got here? Do you remember what you said to me in the sauna?”

She looked into the distance and sighed. “No. I say a lot of things in saunas.”

“Kill me before I die a single dick girl.” Wynter recalled with perfect clarity. “Big ones, small ones, ones I need my feet for, just give me more dick. Like a clown car full of dick to be precise.”

Simone nodded slowly. “Sounds like me.”

Wynter waited for it.

It took a little while.

But Wynter was sure she would get it.

Completely sure.

“Fuck.” Simone lost all air pressure.

There it was.

“You’re right.” She shook her head and took a box of food. “I’ll get back out there. I just need a little time. Julian was really good to me.”

“Julian is really good to everyone.” Wynter smiled and took her box. “But you’re in Etokuso now. Nice is the default.”

Simone nodded and took a big, crunchy bite of the sandwich. Wynter took a bite as well and savored the flavor she would definitely put in her top five comfort foods.

“Oh, god.” Simone chewed. “Why is this so fucking good? This is absolute garbage but its so fucking good!”

Wynter smiled. “Only the best garbage for my little goblin girlies.”

Simone chuckled at the title Wynter had come to give those closest to her. “So, what’s the plan tonight?”

She finished her second bite, wiped her mouth, and sighed, her gaze trailing away. “Me and Shardi are pulling midnight shift. She’s out there. I just know it.”

Simone took Wynter's hand. “Please don’t burn out before you get to enjoy your new life.”

“I’m enjoying it now.” She met Simone's eyes and smiled so big it hurt.

Simone blushed and started to pull back but didn’t. “Me too.”

Wynter stood and put her purse over her shoulder and held her hand down to Simone. “Walk with me?”

Simone looked up with her eyes only for a moment then accepted and got to her feet. “Where we going?”

 “I have someone who would like to talk to you and they’ve asked me to arrange it.” She led Simone through the quad and into next. “Then bowling of course.”

“Who?” She asked.

Wynter stopped in front of an apartment right next to Franz’s Fruckin Fruitcakes. She turned back to Simone while knocking with the back of her hand. “You.”

Simone's eyes widened. “No. No Wynter.”

“I wouldn’t spring this on you if she hadn’t specifically asked, and if I didn’t think you were strong enough to say no.” She turned to leave when the door opened and Simone was faced with a mirror, but she wasn’t. She slouched, and it was clear she didn’t work out. Or take care of herself.

“Simone,” Wynter started the introduction. “Meet Alyssa.”

 Alyssa tucked her chin and shied away from looking at Simone. “Umm…hi.”

Simone softened at the sight of the timid girl. “Hi.”

“Alyssa wants to help,” Wynter said. “And, I’m going to let her. I just want you to have a chance to work through any heavy stuff beforehand.”

Simone looked at Wynter. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.” Wynter reassured her. “She’s also bowling with us.”

“Really?” Simone's eyes pulled wide as soon as Alyssa’s cheeks filled with color.  

“Oh.” They both said and switched expressions. “I’m sorry.”

There was an awkward pause and Wynter took the lead. “I have reservations in ten minutes! Let’s go!”

Without waiting, Wynter walked on. A door closed behind her and in two seconds, she was flanked by twins. She reached into her folded over sleeve and produced two four-gram joints and handed one to each of them, and then took one out for herself. She pressed it between her lips then stretched her arms to each side and made fire with her fingers to light the other joints before lighting her own and taking a massive hit.

Alyssa burst into a coughing fit. “That…holy shit…what the fuck kind of weed is that?”

“It’s a special Honored Brand release called Wynter’s Green.” Wynter let her draw out smoothly.

Simone struggled, but just hacked a little. “Holy fuck this is good. They did this for your coming out?”

“Yep!” Wynter took another long draw and spoke before blowing out. “I picked my favorite flavors. Menthol, Dr. Pepper, and peanut bacon.”

“Don’t you mean peanut butter?” Alyssa was staggering from her single hit.

“Nope!”

Wynter saw they were close to the alley. Too close for another three and a half grams. She wiggled her fingers and the joint split into three. She shapeshifted two more mouths and hit all three simultaneously and strongly, passing her background fort save. She held in the mass of smoke for as long as she could before she let it out like a chimney.

“Damn, girl!” Simone was about half done with hers and putting it out. “Has anyone outsmoked you yet?”

“Ha!” She laughed. “Oh yeah. Kaori makes me look like a novice.”

“Kaori?” Simone did a double take.

“Shit, yeah.” She stubbed her joints. “Girl is a monster with that con. Think she’s at like forty now or something. This damn leveling system is so borked.”

Alyssa coughed again as she finished her second and nearly deadly hit. “Wow. This is good stuff.”

“You don’t have to keep up,” Wynter said. “First rule of Wynter’s Green is surviving Wynter’s Green.”

“Thanks.” She snubbed it out.

“Put it in this.” Wynter handed her a small baggie. “Keep it for later.”

“Thank you.” Alyssa put the joint into the bag.

“Come on.” Wynter walked into the open air bowling alley.

“We’re on lane three.” She pointed. “There on the end.”

They all went to the counter and got a ball and shoes and went up to their lane. Wynter sat and typed all their names into the scoreboard, then pointed to Simone.

“You first.” She stepped back and took her wizard robes off, revealing a flowy green sundress.

Simone went up and grabbed her ball. She wound up and bowled. Strike. Of course. “Yeah!” She cheered toward Wynter, walking right by Alyssa, who visibly shrank.

Wynter gave her a high five as she passed and knelt down in front of Alyssa. She put her hands on her own knees and looked into her eyes with great care. There was an ocean of hurt inside. “Your turn.”

Alyssa shot a look up with her eyes and flushed. “Umm…I’ve never bowled before.”

Wynter smiled as deep as she could. “That’s perfect! First times are the best! Come on. Let me show you!”

She stood and took the ball from the return and gave it to Alyssa. “Put your thumb here…like that…and nope. Middle and ring. Yep. Perfect! Now. Up you go.”

Alyssa stood and approached the lane with Wynter just beside her. “Like this?”

She lined up took a step, and bowled. But she didn’t. She held the ball too long and it popped up and dropped hard very short and rolled slow.

“Oh no!” She covered her face and sank into herself. “I’m so sorry!”

Before Wynter could comfort her, Simone was there, gently taking the hands from her face. “Hey. Relax. We’re here to have fun. There are no expectations here.”

Alyssa melted under Simone’s touch. All the tension seemed to drop away as if it wasn’t even there. But she was still awkward. “Umm…ok.”

“Try again.” Wynter had her ball ready. “You get another one. This time, let go sooner and just aim for the middle pin.”

Alyssa looked again at Simone who met her with a smile of recognition and a nod. She reached out and took the ball and got back up. She took a deep breath and a step and let the ball go. She was still a little high and the ball plonked down, but it was moving fast enough to land her a spare.

“Yay, Alyssa! Go!” Simone jumped and threw her hands up.

Alyssa blushed and stood, unsure of what to do next. Wynter came up with her ball. “Great job! My turn!”

Wynter lined up, wound up, and bowled. Halfway down the lane, it pulled a wicked curve into the gutter and slid to the end with no score. “Ha! Better than my last start!”

As Wynter waited for her ball, Simone moved seats to sit next to Alyssa. The contrast in presentation was stark to Simone’s green flora vibe. Alyssa had black streaks in her golden hair and wore dark eyeliner. Her personal flora poked out from under heavy, dark layered skirts and accentuated with yellow flowers. Her vines clung to her like a child clung to her mother but with more fear. She smiled and took her ball, walked up and let it go. It sailed all the way down to the right and clinked out a single pin.

“One!” She cheered. “I’m a hundred percent above my score last game!”

She turned to see the two girls turned in to each other and smiling.

“Yay, Wynter!” Alyssa threw her hand up just as Simone got up to take her turn.

Wynter sat next to Alyssa while Simone began. Alyssa leaned in, full of nerves. “She’s…she’s being so nice.”

“That’s why we love her.” Wynter responded with a happy smile.

“That’s it?” Simone called back playfully over her shoulder.

Alyssa blushed and squished down. “Oh no. She heard.”

“She did.” Wynter said cooly.

“And she cares.” Simone bowled yet another strike before coming back and kneeling down in front of Alyssa. “If Wynter believes in you, then I do, too.”

Alyssa stared through fearful eyes for a long moment before she relaxed. “Thank…you.”

“Hey!” Simone smiled, stood, and held out a hand. “Your turn!”

Alyssa stared at it for a moment before timidly reaching out. As soon as they touched hands, Alyssa changed. Her posture suddenly straightened and her unease melted away. When she was up, the two paused and took an uncertain moment to lock eyes and hold hands.

“I was so scared you would hate me.” Alyssa admitted to Simone. “I was so scared you would be mean to me.”

Simone’s semi-tough façade broke. She melted all over the sad girl. “Aww. Please don’t be, Alyssa. You wouldn’t be the first face turn we’ve had here. You are welcome. You are home.”

Alyssa stood for a moment, emotion welling up inside as she trembled. “Thank you so much. I promise I will do my best!”

Simone smiled. “You already are, and I’m proud of you for it.”

Wynter held the ball out to Alyssa. “Welcome to the team.”