Rita

Year: 2020

Chapter 1

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Samantha found herself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of a bustling carnival, accompanied by her close friends, Jennifer and Timmy. This event marked a remarkable and memorable day in Samantha's life. As she strolled through the carnival grounds, a sense of exhilaration and joy enveloped her.

The carnival was a kaleidoscope3 of colors and sounds. Brightly lit rides whirled through the night sky, casting mesmerizing streaks of light as they twirled. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of cotton candy and popcorn, creating an olfactory1 symphony that teased the senses. A myriad of carnival games, from ring tosses to shooting galleries, beckoned to the eager crowds, inviting them to test their skills and win prizes.

Samantha's heart was light, and her laughter filled the air as she explored the carnival with Jennifer and Timmy. The weight of her daily responsibilities and the pressures of life had momentarily faded away. She felt free, unburdened, and entirely herself.

What made this day even more special for Samantha was the absence of judgment and criticism. At the carnival, there was no one to criticize her choices, to tell her what to do, or to bash her for being herself. Samantha reveled in the liberty to be her true self without fear of societal expectations or the judgment of others. She felt liberated as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

This carnival experience allowed Samantha to embrace the purest form of joy, unfettered2 by the constraints and expectations that often characterize daily life. It was a moment of genuine happiness and authenticity, surrounded by the carefree spirit of the carnival and the unconditionally supportive company of her friends. This day would forever remain etched in Samantha's memory as a time when she could be her true self and have the funniest time of her life without any fear of reproach or criticism.

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Samantha, the 13-year-old Czech, clung to Jennifer, the intelligent 18-year-old from Northern Italy, seeking comfort and support. The age difference between them underscored the bond they shared, where Samantha looked up to Jennifer for guidance and companionship.

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As the roller-coaster soared through the twisting and turning tracks, Timmy's stomach rebelled against the thrilling forces of gravity. He couldn't contain the churning sensation any longer, and with a sudden lurch, he leaned over the side and expelled the contents of his stomach. The vomit sprayed out, leaving an unpleasant trail on the side of the roller-coaster, and some droplets splattered down below on unsuspecting individuals.

The roller-coaster riders were taken by surprise as they felt a sudden, unexpected shower of Timmy's regurgitated lunch. Laughter gasps, and screams erupted from those on board, creating a mix of shock and amusement as the ride continued its exhilarating journey.

Among the passengers, a young woman in her 20s named Rita from Britain found herself an unfortunate victim of Timmy's untimely release. Vomit had splattered onto her clothing and face, causing her to panic. Rita determined not to let the incident ruin her day, gathered her composure, and quickly assessed the situation.

With a sense of urgency, she excused herself from the roller-coaster and rushed to the nearest bathroom. Inside, Rita meticulously cleaned off the unwanted remnants of Timmy's stomach contents from her clothes and skin, all the while maintaining a calm and collected demeanor. She showed resilience in the face of an unexpected and unpleasant situation, displaying the British stiff upper lip even in the most unusual of circumstances.

The roller-coaster incident, while undeniably gross and uncomfortable, provided a memorable story for those on board and a tale of grace under pressure for Rita. It served as a reminder that even in the most unexpected and messy situations, people can find ways to cope and continue enjoying the amusement park experience.

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Jennifer tightly held onto Samantha, providing genuine comfort as they braved the intense ride ominously named "Death Bomb." Despite the thrill-seekers' adrenaline-fueled laughter surrounding them, Samantha couldn't help but shed tears, her emotions stirred by the exhilaration and perhaps a touch of fear that this nerve-wracking ride evoked. Jennifer's comforting presence offered solace amid the thrilling chaos.

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Following their roller-coaster adventure and the unexpected encounter with Timmy's vomit, Jennifer took the initiative to lead Tommy and Samantha to the nearby bathroom. As they entered the restroom, they were met with the familiar blend of antiseptic odors and the faint hum of hand dryers. Jennifer's quick thinking and maternal instincts kicked in, and she guided her friends through the process of cleaning themselves off and changing into fresh, clean clothes. This act of caring and practicality highlighted her responsible and nurturing nature.

Emerging from the bathroom, they found themselves face to face with a new acquaintance, Rita. Rita, a woman in her 20s from the United Kingdom, had been an unfortunate recipient of Timmy's stomach contents during the roller-coaster ride, just like Jennifer and her friends. However, Jennifer's reaction to Rita was unexpected.

Jennifer couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort in Rita's presence. It was as if an inexplicable aura of unease surrounded Rita. The incident on the roller-coaster had been messy and unpleasant for everyone involved, but Jennifer's reaction towards Rita went beyond the typical feelings of empathy and shared experience. She felt an odd sense of repulsion, finding herself unable to connect with Rita in the same way she did with her close friends.

This encounter left Jennifer in a state of inner turmoil, questioning the source of her unusual discomfort and struggling to interact with Rita as she would with others. It was a reminder of the complex and sometimes irrational nature of human emotions, as Jennifer grappled with feelings that she couldn't easily explain or overcome.

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Despite no visible signs of trouble, Jennifer was overwhelmed by an inexplicable disgust when in Rita's presence. This unexplained aversion left Jennifer grappling with her own emotions, as Rita, seemingly unaware of Jennifer's discomfort, continued to interact with her and their friends as if nothing were amiss. It was a perplexing and unsettling emotional experience for Jennifer. Rita just introduced herself and told them about her day, she seemed perfectly normal. All of the group were wearing gloves, Masks with air filters built into them, face shields, and six feet apart.

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Rita insisted on accompanying them on rides despite Jennifer's objections, and she continuously stuck with the group, much to Jennifer's protests. Surprisingly, everyone else in the group had a fondness for Rita and bore no resentment toward her. Samantha, in a moment of hospitality, shared her address with Rita, indicating a growing bond between them, even as Jennifer remained apprehensive.

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Samantha returned home to her parents. Her father's affectionate kiss on her cheek surprised her, while her mother observed this with amazement. Samantha, perplexed by their reactions, eventually retreated to her room, left pondering the unusual encounter with her parents.

A day after their first visit, Rita came over to Samantha's place, and the two began playing together. Their meet-ups soon became a regular occurrence, and their friendship continued to grow. However, one day, as they spent time together, Rita decided to take Samantha outside.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha was diligently wearing a mask, following safety guidelines to protect herself and others. Rita, on the other hand, chose not to wear one, displaying a more relaxed attitude towards the health protocols.

During their outing, Samantha suddenly led Rita into a bathroom, expressing a need to attend to something. While outside the bathroom stall, Samantha heard Rita urinate. When Rita emerged from the stall, she shared the misleading statement, "STDs are rare."

This statement was factually inaccurate. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are not uncommon, with some being more prevalent than others. Genital herpes, for instance, is a chronic illness that affects a substantial portion of the population, with statistics indicating that around 1 in 6 women may have this condition.

The encounter in the bathroom introduced a strange and somewhat uncomfortable dynamic between Samantha and Rita, revealing a lack of boundaries and a disturbing dissemination of false information. It was a moment that left Samantha bewildered and questioning the nature of her relationship with Rita.

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A chronic illness is a condition that persists for an extended duration, often lasting for years or even a lifetime. Rita has genital herpes, a chronic condition characterized by recurring outbreaks of sores or blisters in the genital area. However, Rita seems to have a dangerous misconception about her illness.

Rita casually mentions, "I have sex all the time and I never get sick," suggesting that she believes that she can engage in sexual activity without consequences. It's important to note that an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) is precisely what the name implies—a disease that is transmitted through sexual contact. Having unprotected sex with an infected person, like Rita, increases the risk of contracting the disease.

Disturbingly, Rita seems to engage in risky sexual behavior, having sex with various partners, and spreading genital herpes to those she sleeps with. This lack of responsibility and awareness about the consequences of her actions puts both her and her partners at risk.

Rita's misguided advice is even more concerning. She advises Samantha to "hide your STD," which is both misleading and dangerous. She also wrongly claims, "If you get one, you don't have to stop having sex." In reality, many STDs can have severe health implications and should be managed responsibly to protect both one's health and the health of sexual partners.

After Rita takes Samantha home and departs, Rita proceeds to visit her boyfriend, Jake's house. There, Rita convinces Jake to engage in sexual activity with Rita and, tragically, infects him with genital herpes. This sequence of events highlights the serious repercussions of irresponsible sexual behavior, including the potential transmission of STDs that can lead to long-lasting health issues and even the loss of life. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe and responsible sexual practices and the potential consequences of reckless actions.

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Samantha found herself at home with her father, a stern and authoritarian figure. He held a strong dislike for teenagers, influenced by the stereotypical image of rebellious youth that often pervades society.

Samantha's home environment under her father's rule was characterized by strict discipline and an adherence to rules and order. He had preconceived notions about teenagers, and these stereotypes colored his interactions with Samantha. As a result, Samantha often felt a sense of restraint and scrutiny, as her father's authoritative presence loomed over her, shaped by his apprehensions about her teenage years.

This situation created a unique and challenging dynamic within their family, where Samantha had to navigate her adolescence under the watchful eye of a father who was predisposed to view teenagers through a lens of suspicion and apprehension.

To be continued...