Restless, Ava and Lucy found it physically impossible to sleep all night. In under 12 hours they could be free as a couple for an hour or two with no watchful eyes judging every move that they made. No limits, no Martha, just them. The idea of that had been purely a fantasy for so long that it didn't seem real, almost like it was a hyper- reality they had dreamt all along. However, the posters and notice boards clarified it wasn't a delusion. Unexplainable joy had overcome the girls who were now blissfully ignorant of Charlie's absence. They could always see her another time, this would be their time.

Attempting to stay silent before breakfast, Ava pulled out her phone and researched the infamous pier they were visiting. She had been to Weston Super Mare many times before in her childhood for lazy beach days with her family when they couldn't afford to travel abroad but it had been at least 3 years since her last visit somehow, and this would be Lucy's first time. Lucy's sheltered childhood had prevented her from experiencing so much and now that she was free from her mother's tight reins she could explore. Loading the Pier's website, a buzz of excitement spread as Lucy scrolled down and noticed there was a theme park and arcade not even minutes away from each-other.

" Ooh, this looks fun. I don't know what this is though", she said puzzled.

"Which ride are you looking at Luce?", asked Ava.

Lucy pointed to the ground-breaking robot arm that admittedly Ava had always been too petrified to try. The mechanical silver arm's rotation had always made a younger and more innocent her feel disorientated, yet it appeared fun. With the website describing multiple options in terms of intensity and speed, it would probably be possible she thought.

*putting on a brave face* "The robot arm, it's very fast and goes upside down if you choose", she explained.

"Wow, that sounds cool. Can we do that?", pondered Lucy.

" Of course, but your choosing the level because I don't want you to be sick", joked Ava.

"Oh stop, I won't be a pussy", she claimed in return, knowing she's probably lying.

Their banter died down as the seconds ticked closer to breakfast where Martha started her rude awakening with her clunky ( and clumsily preformed) catwalk up and down the raggedy hallways. Fed up of her drill martial voice, Kiera subtly covered her ears as the usual shrieking began. Obeying the commands that they had been brainwashed into, all the girls went into the canteen where instead of the typical breakfast a fairly large buffet had been prepared and they were given strict orders to pack lunches with the supervision of Lauren or Kiera when they were finished. 

Digesting the over- indulgent meal, they lugged their bags towards the coach that was waiting outside for them and trampled onto the bus like the animals in Noah's Ark until it was loaded and the two hour journey could commence. Tucked cozily into the back of the bus, the girls discreetly snuggled up to each-other as they looked out the window. The road was vast with the golden sun reflecting onto the window, leaving a pastel glow on Ava's skin. The excited banter throughout the bus was a suitable distraction, allowing Ava to sneak a quick kiss on Lucy's neck before scrambling for her air-pods and finding 'Rick and Morty' on Netflix.

Happily dissociating to the character's voices and the vibrant animation, they managed to finish season 1 before passing the beach. Whispers of the girls complaining about a lack of crop tops and bikinis erupted, making Lucy laugh. She had never liked the sun really and quite frankly had been a nightmare whenever her mum had attempted to do church get-aways when she was younger so the thought of sunbathing had never been a concern for her. Ava agreed with her silently then pinched her gently to probe Lucy to start moving as the bus was halting to a stop and their bags were still dangling above their heads.

*Struggling with the bags* " Now I know why you chose the window seat huh", she remarked sarcastically.

"Of course, come on we have soggy sandwiches to eat again", replied Ava, imitating Martha's tone.

* Rushing off the bus towards the others who were crowded around some dusty benches, they squeezed into place and looked up at Martha. Kiera was looking back at them with an ounce of sympathy as she explained the instructions for lunch with a huge Tesco bag full of paper bags. She handed them out then started a timer on her phone and blended in with the girls, Martha pouting again*

"So what has everyone got today?", asked Kiera, desperate to start a conversation not involving her boss.

" Ham, it is gross", whined Ava. The others started listing off their lunches with disgusted looks on their faces, hesitantly opening the crinkly bags.

"How about we share a chippy or something instead if everyone is up for the challenge? No butter for a change, it looks rank even I have to admit that", suggested Kiera.

All the girls exchanged nervous looks then whispered between themselves, admitting that anything would be more appetizing. With a mutual agreement to the idea, they all collectively agreed so Kiera told an unamused Martha where she was going.

"That's against policy", moaned Martha.

" So is them not eating, see you in ten minutes", she snapped back.

" Well do you even have the money-", started Martha.

" Yes, yes I do and they deserve it. Bye", she replied coldly as she walked away, gazing down until she felt Martha's laser eyes stop burning.

*Buying a few bags of chips and some sausages/ fritters, Kiera returned to the apprehensive group of girls and re- started the timer once it was all laid out*

Helping each-other with comforting smiles in-between bits of the challenging meal, all the girls couldn't deny how nice it was for a change. The moderation that was preached everyday made sense, if the calculator in their minds could be disabled there'd be literally no issue with it.

Eventually granted the freedom to roam the pier for a couple hours, all the girls scurried towards the eye-catching attraction with their money clanging in their pockets. Ava latched onto Lucy's hand as soon as they were out of the staff's sight with a childlike smirk washed across her face. Running through the alternative entrance with her past jewelers and a breathtaking view, she slotted a couple quid in to pay for both of them then landed a smooth kiss onto her lips before playfully shoving her inside to start their first 'proper' date.

https://youtu.be/ASFMQFjTWJE

With the other approximately 20 girls scattered between the noise polluted arcade and the theme park, they were alone now. Biting her lip, Ava looked back at Lucy and was speechless for a few seconds.

"Ay creep", teased Lucy, kissing her then dragging her towards the arcade like an overactive toddler.

Ava giggled nervously, butterflies flying free inside her leaving her stomach in knots. She closed her eyes for a second then re-opened them, seeing a claw machine rammed with Disney plushies. 

" We can't afford to win these, these are always rigged Luce", said Ava

" Your safe to call me babe here, it's not like there's anybody watching us", whispered Lucy softly into her ear.

" Ok babe, damn that feels good", admitted Ava, a wicked grin practically engraved onto her.

" So what do you wanna do instead, I was thinking the fair and the slot machines or maybe the museum", gushed Lucy.

"Shh", uttered Ava. "Let's focus on us for a moment, just me and you".

*catching Lucy's full attention suddenly, a pale pink blush now coloring her cheeks*

"Ok, show me then", she proclaimed nervously in response.

* Without hesitation, Ava led her to the nearest bathrooms and locked the cubicle door. She looked back at Lucy and kissed her neck carefully before picking her up effortlessly against the wall. Lucy was in shock  but consented, only a couple minutes passed but it was the most rebellious act against her faith that she had ever done and it felt.... surprisingly good*

Emerging from the cubicle, the girls checked themselves out in the mirror. With Lucy's hair messily tangled, she massaged her hand through it as Ava just watched calmly.  Holding hands, they walked out together then headed towards the ghost train. Whilst waiting in the line, reality set in for Lucy and she went silent.

" You ok?", asked Ava.

" Yeah, I- did it. thank you, just thinking my mum would hate me right now but I don't care. And I- didn't care. I was just happy being me, thank you Ave", Lucy replied.

" Aw babe, I knew you could. Besides get over yourself there's ghosts coming after us", replied Ava.

"There can't be anything scarier than Martha, is she the jump-scare or something?", snapped back Lucy.

"Shh babe, her demons were too scary so they put carbs in instead", joked Ava.

They continued banter between themselves until it was their turn to ride, clinging onto each-other in their cage.