Chapter 17: Serena's POV:

"Did you have fun?" Roberta asked, once we had finished counting the money that we had made in the day. We had just finished our last day at the park. All the guests were gone, we had counted the money at Cash Control and turned it in, and all that was left was to put everything away for Winter. TopSpin's outdated music was still blaring around us and we could see other employees lazily cleaning up the park and their own departments. The lights from the games and rides were flashing all around us, lighting up our faces with odd colors. It was funny how everyone seemed so relieved to be done but at the same time everyone was nostalgic, taking their time to put everything away, as if not wanting it to end. It was bittersweet.

I leaned against the rail of Kiddie Climb. Turning back to Roberta, I smiled. "Yeah, I did. I didn't stay the whole time though."

"Why not?" Sarah asked, joining us, coming back from the bathroom.

I shrugged. "I guess I just wanted them to have their own guyish goodbye or whatever."

And, it was true. Michael and Nick's goodbye party had been full of friends and family, who I had all been introduced to but couldn't remember any names. The whole time though, Michael, Nick, Daniel, and Soup stayed together, talking and laughing. I didn't feel left out as they attempted to top each other with embarrassing stories of one another. But, I had decided to leave early and let them do their thing, especially since they had been friends for so long.

"They really get along, don't they?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah," I nodded. "They're like brothers. I actually talked with Soup that same night and he sounded so gloomy about them leaving."

"Well," Roberta grinned. "I know I'm going to be missing you; I can't even believe we're done!"

"It didn't come fast enough," Sarah muttered as she strode back to her game picking up the disinfectant and spraying her counters for the last time.

Roberta looked back at me with an amused look as we both started to clean our games. "What about you? You as happy as Sarah?"

I had to think about that. With everything that had happened this summer, I was glad that it was done. But, there was something about all the stupid drama that had ensued over the summer that I was realizing I would miss. Everything from Cara never being around to be the supervisor she was supposed to be to Angela so obviously using Antonio to try to make Isaac jealous, to Jasmine and Jenavive who I would avoid at all costs, and not to mention the whole Brianna thing, that had taught me so much about allowing myself a second chance at everything.

"I'll miss it," I finally said, picking up one of the last stuffed animals that we hadn't managed to get rid of and throwing it in the box with the others.

"You know," Roberta grinned, watching as Sarah almost fell from the counter, trying to reach a prize that was still hanging up. "We could always come back next summer."

I laughed. "It wouldn't be as fun. I heard a lot of people aren't coming back. I know for sure Isaac isn't since he's graduating from college this coming year."

"Ah," Roberta grimaced. "Sucks for him, going into the real world and all."

I nodded in agreement. "And, with Isaac gone, all of his employees are gone too because none of them can stand working for any of the other supervisor."

"That's true." Roberta sighed. "That's too bad. It really wouldn't be as fun. I don't even think Cara is coming back."

Sarah grabbed the microphone from TopSpin and flipped it on. "I'm definitely not coming back. I can't stand Derrick not doing anything but always trying to tell me what to do. I don't even think I should have taken this stupid supervisor position. He started being a huge pain in the ass once I took it up."

"Well," I said cheerily, "at least you won't have to worry about that anymore. We're done!"

"And you won't have to worry about Angela anymore!" Sarah replied with as much enthusiasm.

I laughed. "I know, right?!"

"You know," Roberta said. "I actually bumped into Marissa the other day in downtown."

"How'd that go?" I asked.

"Mostly that she didn't care that Angela and Antonio are dating but that she was mad that Angela would actually go behind her back and use her boyfriend to make another guy jealous. She said that if it hadn't been for her parents making her break up with Antonio, Angela would still be pinning after Isaac."

Sarah laughed. "Are you kidding? She still is! She's just using Antonio."

"Drew and Isaac think so too," I said. "I guess Antonio really likes her and figures he might as well take what he can."

Sarah frowned. "That's sad. He deserves so much more."

"But, Angela is what he wants." Roberta shrugged. "We should just support him, I guess. We're his friends."

Sarah sighed. "As his friends shouldn't we tell him this is a huge mistake?"

I thought back to what Brianna had taught me. Second chances came to everyone. What if, for whatever reason Angela did end up liking Antonio? We would never know unless we let this happen. I sighed. "Maybe we should just leave him alone. He's old enough to know what he's doing." I saw Sarah about to say something but I quickly cut her off. "Don't, Sarah. Just stop and leave them alone. We're done with all of this and I honestly don't want to think about Angela and her annoying personality or Antonio's depressing ways."

Sarah and Roberta shared shocked looks and then laughed. "Wow," Roberta took a deep breath. "That was a good summary of their lives. How nice."

"I do try," I smiled and checked my game. I was done cleaning it. "Are you ladies done?"

"Yeah," Roberta said. "We still need t do High Striker though."

"Let's do it!" Sarah laughed jumping out of her game. I watched as she flipped the lights off from the games, Roberta turned the music off, and I let down the tarps to cover the games from snow over the Winter.

We didn't say anything as we made our way out of Kiddie Land, though all three of us did stand looking at Kiddie Land, now deserted.

"Hey," Roberta said, holding up the women's hammer once we got to High Striker. "Did you ever test out your strength?"

"No," I said. "But if I'm doing it, put me on the little kid's setting. I don't want to look like I'm weak."

"You are weak," Sarah laughed, taking the hammer from Roberta. "Flip it on, Ms. Roberta!"

"Alright," Roberta laughed and flipped her microphone on as well. "You have three times to get the highest score possible! Go ahead when you're ready!"

I laughed watching as my coworkers started playing. The music from High Striker was loud compared to the now quite park. The lights were flashing and I breathed in the cool air. It had been cloudy all day, forcing us all to throw hoodies and jackets on. I snuggled deeper into Soup's hoodie. I had actually found it in his room one day and remembered it from when he had let me borrow it at the beginning of the season. It seemed so long ago. He hadn't said anything when I walked out of his room with it on and I didn't have any intent on giving it back. At least, not until it didn't smell like his cologne anymore.

"Hey pretty lady!" I felt Drew's arm drape around my shoulders. "Playing one last time?"

For the first time, I didn't push his arm away, instead I also draped my arm around him. "Yeah, we're being all nostalgic like. You better watch out. The tears might come at any moment."

Drew laughed. "Oh snap! Ima go then." I laughed and sat down on the floor too tired to stand any more.

"Hey!" Roberta said over the microphone. "You gonna play?"

Drew grinned. "Hell yes! I've been wanting to play this all summer!"

"You're up then," Sarah handed him the men's hammer.

As Drew lined up the hammer and was about to hit, we heard someone shout, "Miss!"

I turned to see Isaac laugh as Drew started throwing insults at him. "Hey," Isaac laughed, ignoring Drew. "Can I play?"

"NO!" Drew shouted and turned back to try again.

"What's up?" I said to Isaac who sat next to me on the floor.

"Oh, you know, last day and all." He grinned. "No more screaming parents."

"No more puking kids," I laughed.

"No more Derrick!" Sarah grinned, sitting on the floor next to us.

We played a few more times and let employees, from other departments passing by, play too. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and Sarah peeked over my shoulder to see who was calling.

"Awww! Roberta, look! He's calling her!" Sarah gushed.

Isaac grunted in annoyance and slammed the hammer down. He actually got 140 but didn't say anything. Instead he smiled (I ignored how forced it looked) and turned to me. "You better answer."

I got up and walked away, hearing Sarah and Roberta gush away at our 'cuteness.' Their word...not mine. "Hey," I said.

"Hi, Serena."

"Have you been waiting on me?" I asked, worried how long he might have been in his car waiting.

"I just got here. I was out with Daniel. I just wanted to let you know in case you want to leave now."

I turned back to see Sarah, Roberta, Drew, and Isaac laughing and finally putting everything away. "Yeah, I'll see you in a few minutes."

When I hung up, they had already put everything away and Roberta turned to me with a grin. "You want to do the honors?" She pointed at the plug for the game.

I looked at it, hearing the music echoing in the park, watching the lights flash on and off one last time. I unplugged it and it was silent except for the low upbeat jazz music playing in the park's speakers, but no longer was High Striker playing it's loud annoying techno beats that I had grown fond of.

"We should go," Drew broke the silence and the trance we had fallen in.

The ride on the shuttle to the employee's parking lot was full of laughter and stories being shared back and forth from the year. Employees from different departments were mingling and trying to top each other with a story of the worst guest of the season. It was fun to watch everyone, in their uniforms, laugh one last time, in our world of fun and frustration.

Once we got off, I saw Soup's car and I hugged Roberta, Sarah, and Drew. "We're keeping in touch," Roberta laughed. "I'm going to annoy you every five minutes."

"Me too!" Sarah exclaimed. "I'm going to miss you ladies and our fun moments of making fun of everyone else."

"Same here," I said.

Drew started to pretend to sob, throwing himself at me. "Ima miss you Ms. Serena!"

I laughed, stumbling back as his weight pushed against me. "Shut up Drew."

He stepped back with a grin. "I'm serious!"

I turned to Isaac with a grin. "I'll see you at home."

"Don't be too late." Isaac glared at me.

I waved to them and quickly made my way to Soup's car. "Hi!" I grinned and buckled myself in.

"Hey, hey," he said. "Ready?"

"Yup." I said.

"Sweet," he said, taking my hand in his as we pulled out of the parking lot. "How was your day?"

I grinned. "Good. It's bittersweet, you know?"

"I can imagine," he grinned at me. "But now you have me to distract you!"

"And Daniel," I muttered.

"And Daniel," he agreed with a laugh.

As we pulled away, I could see the Ferris Wheel's lights still glittering in the dark of the night but once we got on the highway, to get home, they shut off, along with all the other lights in the park and I knew summer was officially over.

A/N: So...it's over...and it makes me sad. Oh, but it does make me laugh that I kind of asked people not to review the last chapter and very few people actually did. I figured I would give you guys a free "Out of Jail" card...or whatever it's called. I haven't played Monopoly in a while. But, I actually liked this chapter so if you feel like reviewing...please do! Especially since it's the last chapter. ^_* (it's supposed to be a winking smilie. Did it work?)

Just a few quick things: I've been getting PM's and one review who actually tried to blame me about not being original and ripping off Adventureland. Which, pisses me off because 1) the publish date on this was WAY BEFORE Adventureland even came out and 2) I even acknowledged the problem before Adventureland came out in my author's note in chapter 12. I was going to delete the review but I decided against it because I figured that whoever left that review could come back and see that they look pretty stupid for being the ONLY person to leave me a review like that. Not to mention, I feel sorry for that person because they weren't even brave enough to log in or have an account where I could reply to them...not that I would because, I've pretty much ignored everything that people send saying I'm ripping Adventureland off. It they don't want to take the time and figure that stuff out then they're definitely not worth my time either.

But, on a brighter note, I have a new story up called Welcome to the Estrada Resort! So, I hope everyone reading this, goes and tries it out. I like it a lot and hopefully you will too! So go check it out and let me know what you think!....Please.

Next thing. I KNOW and I'm SORRY that I didn't reply to a lot of the reviews throughout the story. And, I know that as a reviewer I like getting a little thank you back from authors. So, I want to say thank you to absolutely EVERYONE who read this, whether you left a review or not. Just seeing the traffic flow in this is enough to let me know that people read this and were interested enough to follow it. But, to everyone who left a review, I especially want to thank you! Because you guys helped me finish this and everytime I came across a writers block I just read the reviews and I came up with something. Not to mention, you guys caught my break/brake mistakes...which annoyed me to no end. So thanks!

And, last but not least...HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! (well, to those of us who live in the US...everyone else can still have a happy 4th of July though. Make your day fun!Actually, I hope we all do that everyday). I'm about to go eat some hotdogs and burgers that my dad's making on the grill. Yay! for cookouts and fireworks!

Jinx89