"Freedom at last!" Anna blurted out as she exited the gate. "No more exams, no more homework, no more snobby professors or scale requirements, or-"
"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Sitara interrupted with a giggle. "We still have another year."
"Party pooper!" Anna laughed, pointing a finger in an accusatory manner at her Indian friend.
"Yeah, Sitara! You're killing our buzz!" Grace agreed. "It's summer! And we're in Las Vegas! Sin City! This is the opportunity of a lifetime!"
"For what? Losing money?" Vanessa inquired. All four girls giggled. If you didn't know them you'd think they were drunk, but that's just them. They're just that silly.
The girls had known each other since they were eleven (almost exactly ten years now). They had been best friends since middle school.
Anna is meek and quiet, but if you got to know her you'd find she has a sharp mind and a great sense of humor. Her naturally curly, medium brown hair falls a couple inches past her shoulders giving her the nickname "Brownylocks" with her friends. That and her brown puppy-dog eyes made her look innocent, yet wise past her years.
Sitara was born in Madras, India, but moved to America when she was two. She speaks five languages fluently and is always at the top of her class, but, much to her traditional, Indian parents' concern, she is completely American. She speaks in an American accent, eats American food, wears American clothes and often cracks a 'That's what she said!' joke.
Grace often refers to herself as a 'dumb blond' but she managed 'A's' and 'B's' in all Honors or AP classes in school and is a sweet person.
Vanessa is just crazy, saying things most of us don't even dare to think. She has horribly frizzy brown hair and a shining personality. She often calls people 'hon'. Even professors!
Anna is currently attending an acclaimed music conservatory to become a middle school music teacher and work at her old middle school with her old teachers (who she had confirmed still work there). She is a virtuoso violinist and violist, but if you asked her she'd just say "I guess I'm alright..." Sitara is pre-med at the university that sponsors Anna's conservatory, so they rent an apartment together. They both agree it is leagues better than the dorms they offer there! Grace is working at a designer clothing store while she goes to school for design. Vanessa is doing her own thing. She has a serious boyfriend who she lives with that provides for both of them. But all they were thinking about at this moment was:
A) Getting there bags from baggage claim
and
B) Getting to the Luxor. The hotel they were staying at for their fourteen day trip.
It was hella expensive, but they each milked some money out of their parents and all of that pooled together was more than enough for the Luxor AND plane tickets. Not to mention the cash they were going to need for random things on the way.
The girls got their bags and took a cab to the Luxor. During the ride there they were ogling at the lights and all the buildings they were familiar with from TV, but the Luxor was, by far, the most magnificent sight. A huge beam of light came from the top of the glass pyramid. Breathtaking! They were all amazed, but when they walked in the amazement only increased.
"It's like a mall!" Grace's eyes sparkled as she said this.
"Looks like Grace feels at home already." Anna chirped as she stepped up to the check in counter. She emerged from the kiosk with two keys in her hands. "Okay, girls. We're all set."
"Let's get settled in and then we could donate some money to the slot machines" Vanessa suggested.
"Sounds like a plan." Sitara agreed and the girls locked arms and skipped towards the elevators as the busboy rolled their bags behind them, imitating a scene in the 'Wizard of Oz' movie.
THE NEXT MORNING
The four were eating a late breakfast in the food court after a late night gambling.
"How much money did I lose again?" Vanessa asked sleepily
"400 dollars, for the tenth time." Anna laughed as she replied.
"401.35, to be exact." Sitara corrected.
"Crap." Vanessa said. That was her response the other nine times, too. Anna started sipping her orange juice.
"Holy crap!" Vanessa exclaimed. "Oh my freaking God!"
"It's okay, Vanessa. It's not that bad." Anna tried to console her. Grace's eyes were fixed at a spot behind Anna.
"No! It's not that! It's-"
"Hello. Do you mind if I show you something?" A man whispered in Anna's ear. She immediately knew who it was and swung her entire body around to see him. If her voice recognition skills hadn't identified his voice his appearance would have. He wore his trademark chains around his neck, a tight t-shirt, jeans, had striped hair and dark eyes that locked onto hers.
"Oh, sure." Her friends were giggling behind her. It was Criss Angel! They all watched his show religiously and thought he was cuter than a baby panda.
"But first, could you tell me your name?"
"It's Anna."
"Anna. I love that name. It just rolls off the tongue doesn't it. Speaking of names, If you could think of a name. Any name. It could be for a girl, or a guy. Doesn't matter. Don't tell me. I'm just gonna ask that if I guess what you're thinking of correctly that you'll give me a little kiss on the cheek. Are you okay with that?"
"I think I can manage that." She said. Her eyes locked on his. A name immediately came to her. Her favorite name since she was little and what she was sure she'd name her daughter one day.
"Lily" She said in her mind over and over again.
"It's the name of a flower." He said, eyes closed. "One of my favorites." He paused. "Lily" He said as he opened his eyes.
"Wow! That's amazing!" Anna had never seen that trick before and, she had to admit, it was quite impressive. He looked at her expectantly as she remembered her end of the deal. Anna stood up. She moved to peck him on the cheek. At the very last second he moved his head so their lips met. They continued the kiss a little longer than necessary, but Anna wasn't complaining. The other three girls just looked up at them, amazed. He finally broke the kiss.
"I'd love to have dinner with you sometime." He asked with his face only inches away from hers. He was completely smitten by Anna. She had drawn his attention from thirty feet away. Talk about standing out in a crowd! He wanted to get to know her better.
"I'd be honored."
"Are you available tonight, Anna?"
"We'll make sure she is!" Vanessa cried behind them. Criss' eyes wandered behind Anna and he snickered at the other three girls.
"Thanks. I appreciate it." He laughed. Anna giggle a little, too. "How about I pick you up at your room at 7:00 tonight?"
"Sounds good." She said. "It was nice to meet you, Criss Angel."
"And you, too, Anna...what's your last name?" He was sort of embarrassed.
"Ward. Anna Ward." She said shyly.
"Perfect. I'll see you, Anna Ward, at 7:00 tonight."
"I look forward to it." She said. He took her hand and planted a gentle kiss on the top of it. He then turned around and walked in the direction of his production office.
"Wow. She's just...wow. Mom would definitely approve of her, too." He said to himself as he walked through the doors of his production office.
All of the girls had erupted in laughter as soon as Criss had left.
"Shush!" Anna whispered as if someone was watching them.
"Somebody's in love!" Sitara teased.
"No, somebody isn't!" Anna was used to being teased by her friends. Then Vanessa started humming 'Strangers in the Night' and Anna slapped her playfully.
"Sorry, it's not often that our best friend is dating a national superstar." Vanessa interjected.
"It's one dinner! We're not dating, well not yet." Anna speculated. "I'm going back to the room. Don't do anything stupid, 'kay?"
"We'll try!" Grace said.
"Don't think too many dirty thoughts about your new boyfriend!" Sitara yelled after her.
"Yeah, yeah." Anna waved her off as she pushed the 'Up' button for the elevator.
After a crowded elevator ride she made it to her floor. The girls' rooms were the more modestly priced ones. If you know anything about hotels you'd know that the less expensive rooms were on the lower floors and the more expensive were on the higher. All Anna could think of as she was walking to her room was how far away Criss' penthouse was. If she wanted to see him the elevator ride would be even longer, and with her claustrophobia it would be torture!
Anna swiped her room key through the lock and the light above it flashed green allowing her access to her and Sitara's room. She plopped down on the fluffy bed and lay down.
She was bored. She thought about reading, but then remembered she hated that. She was a music education major for goodness sake! She must've fallen asleep because the next thing she remembered after that was a loud knock on the door. Anna got up and stretched her arms.
"All be their in a sec!" She yelled towards the knocker, who hadn't stopped knocking. She threw her favorite sweater on over her tank top and answered the door.
"Hello. How can I help you?" She spied Criss' logo on the man's t-shirt. He was wearing all black. An intern, maybe.
"Mr. Angel wanted you to have this for tonight, ma'am." He handed her an atlas-sized box with a red bow tied around it.
"Thank you." Anna said graciously. "But if you call me 'ma'am' again I might have to go Chuck Norris on you!"
"Sorry, ma'..." She lifted her eyebrow. "Miss." He corrected himself to save himself from a roundhouse-kick in the face.
"Have a lovely day." She said, remembering her manners.
"You too." She closed the door and ripped the box open. It contained a periwinkle dress designed in the Grecian style and a letter written on Criss Angel stationary.
Dearest Anna,
I saw this at the store and thought it'd look lovely on you, even though anything would. I'd appreciate greatly if you would wear it tonight. I look forward to seeing you.
Yours,
Criss
"Awwww...how corny!" Anna sighed. "Like a little school boy." She giggled. Criss Angel. A schoolboy. She imagined him in a catholic school uniform. She had to remember that in case it worked out between them. It was a beautiful dress. Not at all like his usual floozies wore. It was a little longer than her knees and the color made her eyes popped. She checked the size. No one for the life of them could guess her size. The label read 'Size 6'. He is good! Most people would think she was smaller then that.
She read the clock on her cell phone. It was 4:30. Two-and-a-half hours was perfect to watch a movie and get ready. She watched the new Pride and Prejudice (one of her favorite movies) for the eighteenth time and cried at the end, like she always did but pulled herself together to get ready. She pulled the dress over her head and admired herself in the mirror. It fit like a glove. It showed just enough without looking slutty and MAN was she going to pay Criss back for it. She then put on a light layer of makeup and threw ballet flats on. The next step was familiar to all of her friends.
Anna paced back and for god knows how long, playing the entire situation in her head. Should she call him 'Criss' or 'Mr. Angel'? Should she welcome him with a hug or a kiss? She decided just to take things as they come just as she heard two knocks on her door. She took a deep breath and answered the door.
"Hello, Anna." He said. He kissed her on the cheek and they flamed red from embarrassment. He was dressed up in a blazer, what he'd usually wear to an awards ceremony, but of course his chains remained on his chest.
"Hi, Criss." She replied.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked, looking around her room, as if inspecting it.
"If you are."
"Let's roll. Let's take the private elevator. Much less crowded." He placed an arm on her back to guide her. The private elevator was, indeed, less crowded, not to mention cleaner.
"So what brings you to Sin City?" Criss was leaning against the rail on his elbows.
"Summer. We had to get away from college." She stood next to him looking up at his face.
"Oh, college. What's your major? What year are you?" He looked genuinely interested.
"I'm music ed major and I'm going into senior year."
"Music? I love music! It's my life!" She could never even think about dating a man who didn't like music. Their elevator reached the lobby floor and he gestured for her to exit the elevator.
"Ladies first." He whispered into her ear.
"Thank you." No man was ever this polite to her.
"Okay. If you hang right here." He guided her to his garage for his fleet of cars. They drove to the restaurant in his Lamborghini. Not a practical car, but pretty. The restaurant was a fancy Chinese place where he reserved a private room for them. She took note that he pulled out her chair for her when she sat down. He was a gentleman. They ate and talked about her life mostly, his life was mostly his illusions which were laid out for the public to see. She told him about her student teaching plans, her old teachers, her friends, her life in general. They both felt like they hit it off.
"How about you come back to my place."
"There's nothing I'd want to be doing more right now." He grabbed her hand, led her back to the car, drove her home, and took her to the private elevator, grabbed her hips and whispered in her ear.
"It's gonna be a long ride." She wrapped her arms around Criss' neck as he kissed hers, then his mouth came up to hers and he prodded at her lips with his tongue, requesting entrance. She happily obliged. They spent the next couple minutes exploring each others' mouthes and then the elevator made a 'ding' sound and stopped, opening the doors.