Note: I know the summary wasn't very descriptive, but I'm glad you decided to read my story anyway! As soon as I get a few more chapters up I promise a better summary. Also, the title won't make sense to you after reading just this one chapter. You'll see...you'll see...
Disclaimer: I no own.
A frosty breeze wafted through the small bedroom, lifting goosebumps along Rikki's skin. She snuggled deeper into the sheets, searching for the body of heat that had abandoned her. She came up empty, opening her eyes to stare quizzically at the empty half of the bed. In the dim, bluish light, she could make out her own heavily decorated room, quiet and untouched as it was when she had gone to sleep. The tiny sliding-glass window had been opened partially, and the curtains were billowing slowly. She squinted hard but couldn't find the infamous ghostly glow of the full moon.
"So eager to leave," Rikki mumbled to herself. Yawning, she crept out of her room.
The kitchen and the living room, tightly cramped in the same space, were empty. The front door was shut and the only perceptible sound was the ever-constant rumble of the ocean just outside the trailer.
"Zane?" she asked loudly, confused.
"Out here, sweetheart!" came Zane's muffled voice from the direction of the backyard.
She found him sitting on the porch just outside the backdoor, his Blackberry to his ear. "She just woke up---Yup, sitting right next to me." He grasped her arm and pulled her down to sit next to him. He continued to speak, shrugging out of his jacket. Rikki draped it over herself and leaned her head on her boyfriend's shoulder to listen to the conversation.
"…You should've seen me. I was glorious." Lewis said ecstatically from the speaker.
"Bet Cleo just told you that," Zane replied, putting an arm around his own girlfriend. "You just got lucky."
"You don't get lucky in this kind of game, mate. It takes skill and patience and confidence and---"
"Luck," Zane stated doubtfully.
"What's going on?" Rikki asked.
"Rikki!" Lewis cried. "Hey, Zane, let me tell her myself!"
Zane pushed the button for the speakerphone.
"You won't believe it, Rikki! I won one hundred grand! One hundred grand! In American dollars playing a game called Texas Hold 'Em two hours ago! Yeah! That's right! And guess what I'm gonna do? I'm sending you, Zane, Emma, and Ash to Vegas to join in the fun!"
Rikki laughed along with Zane. She was now extremely excited, for she had never been to America, let alone Las Vegas.
"Am I a good friend or what?" Lewis asked.
"You sure are generous," Rikki replied, "but---uhm---you do realize Emma and Ash are both still in college right?"
"I figured that out," Lewis said sheepishly, as he usually did when he got yelled at by Ash or Emma, who have been incredibly stressful since they both got into the University of Sydney. "Is it really five in the morning back home?"
"Yes," answered Zane, "but the moon's gone early."
"I don't know what time it is here. They don't have clocks in any of the casinos!"
"Sounds like fun," Rikki told Lewis. She looked to Zane. "Are we going?"
"I haven't got anything planned for the next few days. You?"
"Nope," Rikki chirped. Ever since they finished high school, a year ago, it's been nothing but partying together, traveling together, working various jobs (and quickly being fired) together, and living together. Mr. Bennett had kicked his son out of his house and destroyed all hopes of any financial inheritance for several ludicrous reasons, all regarding the protection of his business image and swelled up ego. Luckily, Zane and Mr. Chadwick had developed a sort of bond, not exactly father-son type, but definitely close. Mr. Chadwick allowed the eighteen year-old boy residence on the couch in the living room, though he always snuck into Rikki's, in return for the promise of supporting himself with his own job. You must understand, Mr. Chadwick was getting old and wasn't so serious about the world that had been hard on him for so long. He was easier to please, slower to anger, and his overall personality was, to not overly exaggerate, jolly.
Rikki and Zane absolutely adored living on the edge, doing spur of the moment things. They felt strange fetishes for getting into trouble, particularly the sort that required lots of risk-taking. It made them feel unstoppable, happy, and forever-young. A long time ago…about two months prior to this night…they had a conversation where they unexpectedly decided they would not ruin their perfect lives with college or marriage. They so firmly believed in living life to its fullest. No rules, no limitations. It was just them two, living like the king and queen of the whole damn universe.
Though it seemed as if Lewis and Cleo were also on a vacation of their own, they weren't. Lewis, the science geek he was, was accepted into Stanford University, a prestigious school in the US. He had his mind set on becoming a great scientist. All that kept him from doing this was the money needed for his Stanford tuition…which explains why he was in Las Vegas. Cleo tagged along because, though she never told anyone but Rikki and Emma, she had her mind set on marrying Lewis as soon as she could. Imagine!
"Rikki?" Zane asked gently, putting his phone down, "we could go now."
"Now? Now right now?" she murmured, her mind becoming fazed with thought. What would her father think? Sure, they traveled off to far places before, but never this suddenly.
She didn't need to know exactly whyZane wanted to leave so badly, his eyes twinkled with anticipation and eagerness. She was accustomed to doing things without thinking, and figured she'd play along if Zane was planning something. Funny how the only person she wasn't stubborn with was him. All she wanted to know was how they could get to the airport and expect a flight to Vegas when they got there. Then again, she wasn't too familiar with the power of money.
"I can arrange two third-class seats for us now and we could be in America by tomorrow. Lewis, of course, would take care of our hotel rooms. Uhm…" he trailed on, rubbing the back of his neck, "if you don't mind, Cleo says you shouldn't worry about bringing clothes. She wants to buy them all there."
"She's a shopoholic and I wouldn't have her any other way," Rikki said cheerfully, mentally acknowledging the fact that she needed a new wardrobe anyway.
Zane couldn't resist her smiling lips, planting a chaste kiss on her before she could say another word.
"But I think," Rikki said, then paused briefly to realign her swirling train of thought, "we should pack a few things, for the flight, you know…"
His girl was smart, Zane knew. He quickly texted Lewis: "book r room now b4 u lose all the $."
Rikki laughed as he pressed send. Then she pulled him back for another kiss. Life grew to feel more like a dream every second she was with him.
In no time at all, Zane had called a cab to the trailer and Rikki was finishing up a goodbye note:
"Dad,
Zane and I are going to Las Vegas. That's in America. Don't worry, we aren't getting married. We'll be back in no later than a week. I'll keep in touch, of course! We're meeting Lewis and Cleo and maybe Emma and Ash…Maybe.
No need to get mad at Zane. I'm the one who wanted to go=)
Please stay sane.
Love you!"
She quickly reread the note and stuck it on the fridge. As she crept outside the front door, she paused to listen to her father's hearty snore, which was only this loud shortly before he would wake up. Slinging her half-full backpack over her shoulder, she ran to her seat next to Zane and the cab zoomed off.
"Goodbye, ocean!" Rikki waved at the frothy sea as they left the coast and entered deep into the city. She had just learned from Zane that Las Vegas was in the desert.
"It's a cool place," said Zane, recalling his only visit to the city. "There's a lot to do. Nice shows, bars, and casinos. Lots of buffets… There're probably lots of pretty girls out there…Hmm…"
Rikki coughed.
"I'm kidding! American girls are hideous and slutty compared to you." Zane complimented this compliment with a kiss that lasted until the cab came to a stop.
"That'll be twenty-three dollars, sir," the driver stated gruffly.
Rikki giggled quietly as the hood of the car popped open and dark black smoke filled the periwinkle blue morning sky.
The driver preoccupied himself with loud, shocked cursing. Rikki and Zane made a clean getaway if not noisy. Many people stared at them as they ran, laughing raucously, through the crowds.
When the got caught up in long lines (to get tickets, scanning, boarding, etc.) the two were attached at the side, hugging each other tightly, and whispering nonsense into the other's ear.
The flight was…bumpy. Third-class was full of loud, angry people and whiny children. Rikki and Zane amused themselves by making fun of random people they caught sight of.
The LAX airport in Los Angeles was larger than the first airport they had gone to. The lines were longer, the noise was stronger, and they saw a substantially greater amount of crying, laughing, and other emotional outbursts. America sure seemed exciting.
They arrived at 7 PM and were found by the limo drivers Lewis sent at midnight, though the wait at the airport seemed much shorter. Zane apparently couldn't get enough of impersonating Americans.
"Cut it out," Rikki said when she saw the driver's sharp look the rear view mirror.
Zane cleared his throat before becoming perfectly civilized. "How much longer 'til we reach our destination, sir?"
"From Los Angeles to Las Vegas is about four hours if we can avoid traffic," answered the driver, his voice flat and boring. It instantly lulled Rikki to sleep in Zane's arms.
When she woke, the sky was lightening. Through her window she could see reddish rocks and round cacti. In the far distance she saw a thin line of flickering lights. Before she could bring herself to identify it, Zane's velvety voice whispered into her ear. "We're almost there. Go back to sleep."
She did as she was told, but woke abruptly to a familiar voice.
"Rikki! Oh my gosh, it's been so long!"
Cleo Sertori, appearing more stylish in a purple designer tank, was pressing her flawless face against the dark glass. Rikki could hear the echo of several cars beeping and saw that she was in a parking lot, waiting behind two other cars to be dropped off at the resort entrance.
Rikki rolled down the window. Cleo's shrieking only grew louder, so she hurriedly pushed open the car door and stepped out. Cleo dusted off her friend's wrinkled T-shirt.
"One year, three months, and two days and I still haven't stopped thinking about you," Cleo giggled, embracing Rikki lovingly.
"Missed you too, Cleo," Rikki said uneasily. Cleo's girlishness was just a little too much for her.
As she caught Lewis, just walking out of the crystalline entrance doors, she returned the funny grin. He appeared…older. Only a year had passed and he was wearing a brown suede suit and pulling his long yellow hair back with a shiny gel. It seemed that the khaki shorts and fishing hat wearing boy in her memory was a different person altogether. She could tell Lewis hadn't lied about the one hundred grand.
"Come here," said Lewis, his arms outstretched. Then there seemed to be a competition between the boys over who could give the girls the biggest bear hug.
The four entered the hotel after Lewis generously tipped the limo driver.
The newcomers watched Lewis saunter to the reception desk, cutting everyone in line. He flashed his credit card and recited, "A premier suite for my friends over there…Helen. Oh, and good you bring over some more pillows to my own suite?"
"Of course, sir. Pillows for suite 2214 and here are the keys for suite 2215."
"Thank you, Helen," said Lewis, giving out another large tip.
He, arm in arm with Rikki and Cleo, marched through the large, crowded passageways, a one foot made between them and the other guests wherever they went. Ridiculous-looking, yes, thought Zane, who was trailing behind quietly, also wondering if Lewis had forgotten about him. The proud look on his face read that there was nothing but air in his now enormous head.
Rikki gazed at the flashing slot machines, rows and rows of poker tables, and retro bars with desire.
"You guys'll have the room next to ours, on the twenty-second floor," said Cleo as they waited in the elevator. "You'll love it! It's huge!"
"That was an understatement," said Rikki with a gasp when she finally saw their suite.
It was more of a high-rise apartment, the furniture modern and elegant and a whole wall overtaken by sheer windows overlooking the bustling Strip. Lewis had bought his two friends a living room, two bathrooms, numerous walk-in closets, a dining room complete with small kitchen, and a cavernous master bedroom.
"Well," Lewis sighed. He dropped into one of the living room couches. "This is it. I hope you do love it."
"How much did you pay for this?" Zane asked.
"I don't know," Lewis answered honestly. "But I should have enough to pay for at least a week's accommodation here. Maybe longer if I hit the casino today."
"Oh no you don't," said Cleo reproachfully. "We're going shopping today, remember? A promise is a promise."
Lewis and Zane groaned.
"Actually, Cleo, I'm a little tired. I should probably stay here while you girls go," said Zane. "And I think Lewis'll want to stay to. Right?"
"Right."
"But Lewis," Cleo began. Then she stopped, remembering how much she hated arguments. Instead, she turned to Rikki. "I bought you a few things the other day. Come to my suite." She took Rikki's hand and led her out the room, leaving Lewis and Zane to make a run for it.
Cleo and Lewis's suite was substantially messier than Rikki and Zane's as well as filled with what looked like tons of shopping bags. Cleo shuffled through these and came up with a bundle of clothing. In Rikki's opinion, they were all too girly, bright, or expensive. Then, "Red is so your color," Cleo said as she handed her a small pink Victoria Secret bag.
Rikki peeked in for a second and was immediately blushing redder than a tomato.
"Oh, Rikki, it's not like Zane won't like you in it. Besides, we're in Vegas, babe! Anything goes here!"
Rikki didn't say a word.
…
Cleo was sipping a Coke in the kitchen when Rikki finally stepped out of a closet. She was wearing a sleeveless blue shirt, short-shorts, and flip-flops: what she usually wore back on the Gold Coast.
"Wear heels…and something tighter," Cleo said with a smile. "You never know who you might meet."
Rikki opened her mouth to speak in Zane's defense, but she was interrupted by a little voice in her head: "Wouldn't that be fun?"
"To make you more comfortable," said Cleo thoughtfully, unbuttoning her short cashmere jacket to reveal a lavender tube top, "I guess I could show a little skin too."
Both girls laughed, posing for Cleo's brand new digital camera, as they made their way out the hotel.
"Treasure Island, eh?" Rikki inquired, realizing the name of the resort and casino for the first time. "Did you choose this place for a specific reason?"
Cleo shook her head while swiftly paying a limo driver. "I didn't get to choose. Lewis did. I thought this place would have a pirate theme, but…" She pointed to a life-size, black marble display of a coven full of mermaids.
"Lewis," Rikki muttered. "I'm starting to think he likes the whole 'mermaid' thing more than we do."
"You can't blame him. How would he understand anyway?"
"True." The limo pulled out of the parking lot and onto the Strip, where Rikki was immediately captivated by the immense party scene. Youth everywhere and catchy music heard from everywhere, at noon? She couldn't wait until the sun went down.
"Rikki, can I ask you something?"
"Yes?" Rikki said cautiously. Remembering what was in the Victoria Secret bag, she gained the impression that the girl was far more mature than she was.
Cleo leaned in to whisper into her ear. "Are you still a virgin?"
Rikki pulled back, a bit afraid to answer. When Cleo wouldn't look away, she sighed.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Saving myself for the man I marry," Rikki explained half-heartedly. She really just didn't feel ready.
"Uhm," Cleo began doubtfully, "the man seems like Zane! Really, I bet this trip is the longest time you've spent apart from that boy in ages."
Her friend groaned. "And I take it you're not still as pure as I thought you were?"
Cleo flashed an evil grin. "We've done it everyday since we first got here," she disclosed scandalously. "I hope the same happens to you and Zane."
Rikki's face contorted into a look of disgust. "Am I really hearing this?"
"Really," said Cleo, nodding her head.
Rikki shook her head and glared. "Shameless."
Cleo laughed.
…
"I want to go to the best casino you've been too," Zane told his friend as they walked on the concentrated sidewalks of the Strip.
"Er," Lewis murmured, drawing his head up to see the sun beating down on them. "I'm only lucky at night. Besides…I'm getting hungry."
Zane, though surprised Lewis wasn't acting as ecstatic about gambling as he expected, shrugged his shoulders and said, "We passed by a hotdog stand a little while ago."
"Nah. I'm in the mood for Italian." He eyed the Venetian, a very Venice-themed hotel.
"If we're going to a restaurant, shouldn't we bring the girls?"
"No," Lewis stated quickly.
"Are you up to something?"
"Uh, no. I'm just---just really, really hungry."
Zane didn't buy it. "The Venetian doesn't seem like there are too many good places to eat right now," he said as they neared the hotel. There were elaborate stone sculptures and a long river which carried long, decorated gondolas. "Seems really fancy. Lots of shops I see, too."
"Oh, I know this place better than you do," Lewis said, bothered.
After a while, after Zane had seen the vast interior shopping part of the hotel, he threw Lewis a look and smirked.
"Alright. I'd take you to the casinos, but I have something incredibly…incredible for Cleo tonight and I'm, y'know, a bit delusional? I was going to come out here later myself, alone, but I couldn't help it."
"Easy there, mate," Zane said. Lewis was being a motor mouth. "I get the picture. You're going to reserve a place at a fancy restaurant, plan a big romantic song. You got the ring or what?"
"Sorry, man, I know you don't like shopping…"
"Hey, it's okay. I'm really happy for you."
"You really think she'll say yes?"
"Positive."
"Thanks," said Lewis, exhaling deeply, "I needed that."
…
Cleo had really outdone herself at the shops.
"I think I'm set for a lifetime," said Rikki, looking at the many shopping bags and boxes they'd acquired in just a few hours.
"Yeah, yeah. I just wanted to spend the money soon, before Lewis wants to play another game of poker. He just got lucky that one time, you know."
"Shouldn't he be saving for school?"
"I know, right? Hey, did I tell you I want to become a nurse?"
"Wow. You're going to put yourself through four years of college and who knows how long in med school?"
"I just said I wanted to be a nurse. That shouldn't take more than four, right? I want a job, Rikki, so I can support myself."
"I thought you wanted to get married to Lewis and be a stay-at-home mom?"
"Well…we've been dating for two and a half years…" Cleo stared into space, longing and disappointment clear on her face.
"Listen," said Rikki, sounding half-concerned, half-annoyed, "you guys are more compatible than peanut butter and jelly! He's never left your side, even when you got that tail. I can see it and so can everyone else; it's obvious, woman, you guys are perfect for each other. You've known each other since you were kids and you know him well enough to know he's gonna propose to you by the end of this month, so don't be ridiculous, you paranoid little…girl."
Cleo just looked at her for a long time. Rikki's expression didn't change; she was dead serious.
"Rikki, you don't know how happy I am to hear that," Cleo gushed, a single tear streaming down her face. "How am I supposed to repay you?"
"For what? It was nothing." Her phone started ringing. "Never mind. Tell you what, all you have to do is let me take this call."
"Oh, I have to use the restroom anyway. I'll meet you at the food court!" She walked off.
Rikki finally answered her phone. "Zane?"
"Rikki! Is Cleo around?"
"What a coincidence you called! She just left."
"Good. Look, I'm at the jewelry store with Lewis. He's getting her an engagement ring."
"Another coincidence! We were just talking about weddings."
"You were? Never mind. He wants me to tell you to tell Cleo to meet him at the Valentino restaurant at the Venetian. Tell her to dress up."
"Are we invited?"
"Let's leave them to themselves," answered Zane. "I have to go now. Love you, bye!"
"I love you too," said Rikki, and she hung up. She went to the restroom and caught Cleo just as she walked out the door.
"Why do you look like the Cheshire cat?"
Rikki held her grin and said, "Let's look for gowns."
…
It was nearly seven and the girls, with much effort, finally found a gown for Cleo. They took the limo to the Venetian.
"Are sure all he told you was for me to meet him there?" Cleo asked.
"Yup. Lewis said, 'Rikki, make sure Cleo's at the Valentino at the Venetian by 7 or else.' That was all." Rikki tried so hard to suppress her laughter. She took Cleo's arm and they walked to the restaurant. They stopped just outside. Rikki quickly called Zane while Cleo peered through the tinted glass into the fancy restaurant within.
"Hey, Cleo?"
Cleo looked to her friend.
"You look amazing," said Rikki sincerely. She gave her friend a hug. "I've got to meet up with Zane, so this is goodbye. I'll see you at the hotel."
"Oh, sure," said Cleo. Rikki watched her quickly pull out a mirror and fix her hair.
"Don't worry about a thing," she said, "but just in case, I've gotta say. Good luck with Lewis."
Cleo lifted an eyebrow and flashed her teeth in a devious grin. "Good luck with Zane."
…