Hello! As with Standing on the Edge, the majority of this chapter has been typed up for a loooong time. Again I'm not too sure of the chapter towards the end, but it's something just to get me back into the swing of writing again. If you like it or have any critisms then let me know. Thank you for your support x
Over an hour had passed since I asked Naomi to meet me at the front entrance of our hotel. I found myself sat once again on the same rock as earlier, only this time I didn't have a sexy blonde to keep me company. I'd had my reservations when I told her to meet me, knowing there was a very strong chance that she wouldn't show her face.
It was clear as day that she had been freaking out when she cautiously approached our breakfast table and practically dragged Cook away from Katie and I. It came as no surprise when Cook returned to inform us of Naomi's predicament. I'd half expected her to forget my name but that still didn't stop the disappointment from settling in. When she fled from the table, I didn't hesitate in going after her. According to Cook she was a master at concealing her emotions, and running away from certain situations was in her area of expertise. Well unlucky for her, chasing had always been one of my strong suits.
I'd observed her through the window of the entrance doors before making my presence known. Her lighter was shattered by the wheels of a car and it was obvious that she had been crying by the way she wiped at her eyes when she became aware of my presence. She seemed to have cheered up slightly towards the end of our conversation, and I could only hope she wouldn't back out from the day I had planned for us.
Just as I was about to give up and head back to my room, the electric doors sounded and out stepped the very same peroxide blonde that was occupying my thoughts. She didn't spot me straight away. Her back was facing towards me, and she took a quick glance at her watch before throwing her arms down by her sides, as if in defeat. I stood up, calling her name and she breathed a sigh of relief whilst running a hand through her wavy locks.
"I'm so sorry I'm late but apparently my mum thought it was a good idea to phone Cook's mobile, demanding to speak to me just five minutes before our date," she finished, taking a deep breath before her eyes widened when she realised what she had said.
"A date huh?" I grinned at the slight blush covering her cheeks. "I was thinking more of a friendly trip but if you want it to be a date, then a date it is. Shall we?"
She looked at me apprehensively as I held my hand out for her to take, and to my relief she did after a moment's hesitation. She started to walk straight ahead and jerked to a stop when she'd moved as far as our joined hands would allow. I was rooted to the same spot and simply nodded my head towards the direction of the car park.
"Erm, where are we going?" she asked, her curiosity clearly getting the better of her.
"Well unless you fancy walking to Boulder City? It's nearly 20 miles away so I wouldn't recommend it."
"We're really going to the Grand Canyon?"
"Yeah 'course. Ah there it is," I said, pointing to our transportation for the day. "I know you wanted to do the balloon experience but I phoned up and the next free slot is Monday. They said they'd call if they have a cancellation. But I have something else planned."
"No, no it's fine," Naomi smiled, walking around to the passenger side of the rental car.
The inside of the car was already boiling hot and the sun hadn't yet reached it's highest peak. Luckily, Katie had been insistent enough to get us a convertible, despite my protestations. It was too flashy for my taste but what Katie wants Katie gets. It's how it had, and would probably always be.
Instead of driving along in a stuffy car, I could simply retract the sunroof with the push of a button, and allow the light breeze cool to us down. Naomi seemed to appreciate it too. She looked nothing short of impressed when she saw the motor we would be cruising along in. Although I did love impressing her, I didn't want her to get the wrong opinion of me and think I'm materialistic. I'm far from it actually. The materialistic stereotype is more suited to the rest of the Fitch clan.
We hadn't been driving long when Naomi's eyes started to close slightly as the breeze blew through her wavy locks. She would occasionally open her eyes and glance around, taking in our surroundings. When the road ahead was clear, she was fine. She would completely relax, leaning right back into her seat, her arm hanging out of the window that was almost rolled down completely.
When we hit traffic however, I noticed she was a lot more alert. Sitting up rigid and shifting about in her seat, constantly checking the mirrors. She certainly wasn't looking at her reflection judging by the way her head would dodge about, as though she was trying to get a view of the cars behind us. She would eventually relax into her previous state, which I was grateful for as her behaviour was rubbing off on me, making me more anxious.
When it was apparent that Naomi was sleeping, or just in a blissful state of relaxation, I reached forward and turned the radio on, fiddling about until I found a decent song. My fiddling with the radio seemed to rouse the blonde and she looked at me drowsily, her hair sticking out at various angles.
"Is there nothing better on?" she asked, referring to the current radio station that was admittedly playing a rather bad rendition of a Michael Jackson number. Besides which the station was crackly, adding to the hideous cover track. Naomi flicked through various stations, smiling as she found the only working station. Her smile wasn't long lasting however, as the next song introduced was one of Katy Perry's well known songs. No it wasn't 'I kissed a girl,' although it struck me how her songs could be the soundtrack to our trip.
"Very apt don't you think?" I asked, grinning as the opening lines to 'Waking Up in Vegas' sounded out.
Naomi shot me a filthy look and rolled her eyes whilst reaching forward to switch off the radio.
"Forget it, just forget it," she sighed dramatically. "I've never liked Katy Perry anyway."
I ignored her and breathed a sigh of relief as we came up to a road sign, indicating we were only 7 miles away from our destination. After I'd noticed the road sign, I immediately recognised our surroundings, and knew that just after the bridge we were currently driving across, there was just one more long stretch of a road. If I had a favourite road then that one would be it. Apart from the occasional slight turn in the road, in was a straight drive where we could pick up a hell of a lot of speed. Seeing as Katie usually drove us around everywhere, I had never had the opportunity to be in control of a motor in Las Vegas, on our favourite road, and that was exciting and exhilarating at the same time.
"What the fuck are you doing? Wanker!"
I was broken from my day dream by the screeching from the crazed passenger next to me and nearly slammed on the brakes in shock. Naomi tucked her arm under mine and repeatedly slammed the palm of her hand on the car horn, sticking her middle finger up towards the driver in front. I came to my senses and batted her hands away before she caused too much trouble. The road was ahead was seemingly clear, the offending motorist having sped off ahead, so I took the opportunity to pull over, if only to calm my nerves.
"That fucking prick nearly hit us," Naomi stated, her breathing ragged as she calmed down from her outburst.
I had to admit, Naomi had the worst kind of passenger rage I had ever witnessed. Katie had her moments but nothing to that extreme. I'd thought Naomi was going to burst my eardrums when her voice reached to those decibels. I didn't tend to get road rage or passenger rage. Drivers make mistakes. I'd always found driving relaxing but I was going to have to re think that if I was going to be in a car with Naomi again. I unclipped my seat belt and escaped from the confines of the car, opening the boot to find the bottles of water it was loaded with. They were warm as expected, but as long as they did the job of hydrating me, I didn't care.
I slammed the boot closed and flopped down onto a log, stretching my whole body onto it. It was just the right width for my body to maintain a suitable balance. I lifted my head skyward with my eyes closed, savouring the heat from the sun. A shadow cast over me, and peering one eye open, I found Naomi standing awkwardly in front of me.
"Can I join you?"
I nodded and shifted my legs so I was straddling one half of the log. Naomi mimicked my position and flicked her eyes towards the water bottle, which I wordlessly handed to her. I couldn't help but stare at her flawless neck as she guzzled down the water. Well, flawless minus the marks I had branded her with, obviously. I didn't even try to hide the grin that formed as I noticed the necklace and the ring still dangling from her neck. I shook my head and played with bits of bark on the log, grin still in tact.
"What?" Naomi asked, self-consciously flattening her hair down and using the back of her hand to wipe at her mouth.
"I was just thinking about last night," I replied, which was half true. I quite liked the fact that she was still wearing the necklace. I didn't know if she had left it there purposely or not. It did have a bugger of a clasp after all. It took me long enough to take off last night, the 'minister' growing impatient when the damn thing wouldn't unfasten. I didn't want her to notice and ask me to undo it for her. Believing she had left it there on purpose held a much more promising prospect.
She cleared her throat and played about with the lid of the bottle, purposely avoiding all eye contact. I know which part of the night she assumed I was on about. The way she subconsciously brushed her fingers over the marks on her skin were a bit of a give away.
"What was that about back there?" I queried, swiftly changing the subject, getting a brief shrug in response. "You fucking shit me up. That's some road rage you've got on you, and you weren't even the one driving."
"I'm just a nervous passenger I guess."
"Are you always that angry …"
"I wasn't angry."
"Alright then, are you always so-"
"Can you just fucking drop it please?" she snapped.
"Okay, sorry," the tone to my voice made the reply sound rather petulant, but I couldn't help it. The sulky side of my nature coming to the surface.
Naomi sighed and softly called my name, pleading for me to look at her. I was determined not to cave in, and I knew that would happen if I allowed my eyes to lock with her blue ones. She couldn't turn all bi polar on people and then expect them to just bow to her every whim. I could be stubborn at times as Katie only knew too well. There had been several times on our trip so far that I had refused to talk to her, the latest time being the fiasco at the breakfast table this morning. I could be too sensitive at times and Katie had always maintained it to be my biggest downfall.
"You take things to heart too much Ems," is one of her usual catchphrases for me.
Being the in profession she was in, Katie had hardened up to any criticism or judgement thrown at her. I was still getting used to it, my ability to toughen up obviously being a slow burner.
"Emily, please just look at me."
I carried on peeling bits of the bark from the log, not noticing when Naomi placed something on my thigh. A very alive something. I started to scratch around the area on my thigh where the 'thing' was tickling me. My fingers eventually came into contact with a scaly creature. I spent a moment touching it before I averted my eyes from the log, only for them to fall upon a lizard. Tiny or not, I fucking hated anything of the reptilian variety. I squealed, flinging the poor critter towards Naomi, who was finding the situation hilarious.
"That's not funny," I shouted, playfully slapping her on her shoulder. "I have a phobia if you must know."
"The only way you can get over your fears is to face them head on, so hold out your hands," she demanded, her own cupped against each other. I wasn't stupid. It was obvious the hideous little lizard was inside, ready to make it's escape which would coincidentally be on me if the chuckling blonde had her way.
"No fucking way."
"Fine," she shrugged, contenting herself by sitting back down on the log, pulling at the various plants scattered about.
I shook my head and started walking the few feet back towards the car before I was stopped in my tracks. The sneak only pulled at the back of my top before throwing some plants down there. Although I knew it was only the plants scratching at my back, I couldn't help but screech, running around in a circle in attempt to shake them out. My first thought was that she couldn't possibly be cruel enough to put the lizard into contact with my skin once again.
The only thing worth it about making a complete tit out of myself was that I got to hear Naomi's laughter. She had seemed such a different person compared to the night before. Last night she was happy, always giggling at things, but I guess that is the effect that the alcohol had. Up until the 'lizard incident', she had been moody and sullen. I could also add a little mischievous into that mix.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Naomi exclaimed when she realised exactly how she'd be seeing the Grand Canyon.
"Pretty cool huh?" I commented, using my hand to shield the sun from my eyes as I watched the people above us squeal in delight.
"Pretty cool? I'm scared of heights."
"Scared of heights?" I asked incredulously, scoffing at the ridiculous statement. "The only way to get over your fears is to face them head on," I mimicked the words of advice from earlier back to her.
The woman who was willing to try the Cloud Nine Balloon Experience, where she would be hundreds, possibly even thousands of feet in the air, was scared of heights. She ignored me and raised her head, staring up at the people flying above us. I grabbed her hand and led her up the incline, stepping over the occasional natural rocks that littered the path way. Naomi cursed a few times when she tripped over one of the rocks, causing a smile to appear on my face.
Slowly but surely the small building that I was so familiar with came into view. I sped up slightly, releasing my hold on Naomi's hand when the figure of my dear friend Thomas came into view. I leapt into his arms as he spun me around, placing a kiss on my cheek.
"Emily! How are you?" he asked jovially when he finally managed to place me steadily on my feet.
"I'm fine thanks just here with my…" I hesitated being careful how to word my sentence. I turned my head to see Naomi stood there awkwardly, biting her lip in that sexy way whilst she looked towards the sky. "With my friend Naomi."
I waved the distracted blonde over and introduced her to Thomas, who was as welcoming as ever. Thomas and I had known each other for a fair few years, even before her met his fiancée. He worked at a club back in Bristol, which happened to be a usual haunt of mine and Katie's. He also ended up being one of Katie's occasional fuck buddies, but that came to an end when he got a scholarship to Harvard University in America. Katie was heartbroken for all of an hour until she met her latest shag.
"Wasn't too sure if you'd still be here," I commented, once all of the introductions had been made and Naomi had shyly shook Thomas' hand.
"Yes. It is a good seasonal job for me and what with the engagement, we decided to really start saving for the wedding."
"I'm pleased for you both Thomas," I said genuinely.
Naomi looked rather uncomfortable at the mention of marriage and diverted her interest skyward.
"So, you're here for the usual I assume and not just here to see me?"
"No actually, I'll be watching on the sidelines this time. Naomi here wants to see the wonderful sights of the Canyon."
Naomi widened her eyes and looked at me, as if questioning as to why I wasn't going up there with her. It was simple. When I first came here and experienced it, I hadn't wanted to do it alone, but Katie being Katie only accompanied me so she could have some 'alone' time with Thomas. Turns out alone time involved her fucking him senseless on his afternoon break. Doing it alone felt somewhat exhilarating. Besides my stomach was churning enough from all of the consumed alcohol from last night. The last thing I wanted to do was spew my guts up over the Grand Canyon.
"Don't look so nervous, Naomi," Thomas said, interrupting my thoughts. "Panda will strap you up well."
Naomi looked towards Thomas' fiancée, the bubbly, and blonde haired Pandora who was frantically waving at the both of us.
"It's a super duper experience, you'll flippin' love it. It's not as good as making monkey but it's pretty close."
Naomi raised her eyebrows and glanced at me, mouthing the words "making monkey". The questioning look on her face had me in a fit of the giggles.
Panda, oblivious to the reason behind my laughter carried on chatting away while she strapped Naomi up with all of her equipment. She tightened the straps one last time and gave Thomas the thumbs up.
"That's your cue" I warned Naomi. You're ready."
With one last terrified glance at me, she nodded, and got ready for a gut-wrenching, and probably the most exhilarating experience of her life.