The Faire--Chapter Eight Posted

Chapter 6
The Faire, Chapter Six

Cassidy didn’t realize the problem until they were parked on the extensive grass lot outside the Renaissance Faire. 

She didn’t bring any street clothes to change into! How could she have missed that? Between the two sisters, Audrey was the only one carrying a purse with both girls’ personal items. With empty arms and no bag, Cassidy really should have noticed that something was missing when they got into the car. But she was too distracted by the bangs that Audrey had given her; throughout the entire drive, Cassidy had to deal with the new way her hair was brushing against her forehead. She tried to bring it up a few times as well, mostly to bitch about it, but Audrey just kept shutting her down and telling her to stop whining. It was already done. It would grow back. 

Cassidy’s sister had more or less the same attitude upon the discovery in the parking lot. “It’s fine, Cassie,” she said, “You look super cute. And we’re already here; just suck it up, okay?”

“Audrey-”

“Hush. You can go spend a bunch of money renting a costume, and then pay full price for your ticket. Is that what you want?”

Of course not. The whole point of putting on the horrid pink costume was to save money, and bailing now would mean that she went through the childish process of disguising herself for nothing. “No, but-”

“No ‘buts,’ sis. Do you want to take my car and drive all the way home? You can, if you want, but I’m not coming with you. We’ve wasted enough day already, and I’m ready to head in.”

“Well, no . . .” Cassidy muttered. Because her sister was right. That would be the biggest waste of time, and nothing was more frustrating than making a drive because you forgot something, especially when the round trip would take a full hour.

Audrey just made one of those ‘duh’ gestures with her hand. “I’m giving you options, Cassie. Be a cute fairy, rent a different costume, or change at home. Pick one, okay? Either way, I’m going to get my ticket.”

Cassidy bit her lip. It was less indecision, and more reluctant acceptance. If she blew all her spare money to rectify the situation, there wouldn’t be any left for the vendors inside. And driving all the way home would be such a pain. Which only left one option.

“I’ll wear this,” she sighed.

“Good girl,” Audrey said. She patted Cassidy’s head, then took her hand. “You’ll be the cutest little sister! Come on, Cassie.”

Correcting the immature nickname was getting more and more difficult. Now that Audrey had gotten on her case so much about whining, saying ‘It’s Cassidy’ over and over made her feel self conscious in a similar way. There were only so many times you could bring something up before it started sounding annoying. Even if she was in the right, and wasn’t particularly fond of the cutesy version of her name. And now that her entire look was cutesy, it was more difficult to protest. 

Buying their tickets made Cassidy nervous, of course, because she was a nineteen year old girl masquerading as a tween. It wasn’t until they were actually at the booth that it really hit her. The child tickets were for kids TWELVE and younger. She knew that before, of course, but seeing it right there on the sign was a different kind of realization. If this succeeded, it meant that she could pass as a girl seven years her junior. 

And it worked. Audrey did all the talking, and they were through the main gate without anyone batting an eye. Although Cassidy wanted to save money, part of her had hoped that this whole disguise thing would have blown up in their faces. Just for the validation of seeing that people knew she was really a college girl, rather than a little kid holding her sister’s hand like a lost puppy. She tried to take solace in what Audrey told her earlier–that it’s not like the minimum wage staff was looking that closely. 

The main area was as chaotic as ever. All kinds of people meandering about; mostly first timers who were getting their bearings. Some in costumes, some in normal clothes. Under normal circumstances, Cassidy would have broken off from the crowd. She and Audrey rarely had a game plan; the normal ‘strategy’ was to just start with the outer paths and get some shopping done before checking out a show or two. But her sister hadn’t let go of her hand yet, despite how Cassidy gave a small tug or two to hint that she didn’t need the patronizing contact. 

“Bathrooms first, little sis,” Audrey said, “Let’s get that out of the way first.”

What? That wasn’t what they usually did. “Later, Audrey,” she said. As in, when she actually had to go. Belated hearing the repetition of the phrase from outside, Cassidy scowled. “And don’t call me that.”

“Call you what? Little sis? Look at you.” Audrey nodded down at the girly, childish ensemble, then gave Cassidy’s hand a squeeze, “You’re going to be my little sister today, alright? That means I’m in charge.”

“Audrey, no. That’s stupid.”

“Cassie, yes. Or else I’m going to flag someone down and tell them that I found a little girl who lost her parents. I bet they have somewhere to hold kids who get lost until they’re reunited with their family.”

“Audrey-”

“You seriously think anyone will believe you over me?” Audrey winked, “Last time I checked, you don’t have anything to prove your real age. So what’s it going to be, little sis?”

Cassidy didn’t know what to say. Was this all a set-up?? Or was Audrey just taking advantage of the situation now that they were here? Either way, it was totally unfair. And not funny in the slightest. “Audrey-”

“Audrey! Audrey! Audrey!” she replied in a mocking tone. “I’m not kidding, Cassie. Play along, or spend the day with the other lost little girls and boys.”

With another squeeze of her hand, and a smirk, Audrey shifted to face Cassidy and looked down into her eyes. “What’s it going to be, sis?”

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