AVA
Just as Lilith has said, we stopped by at least two companies, and we're all told to return tomorrow because all ATVs had been booked for the day. It is not like I even know how to ride the thing, or I am so thrilled about the adventure. The thing is, I've been stalking Leigh Instagram, and it seems he had a thing for all-terrain vehicles, that he actually was following a quite number of accounts.
I know it is my birthday, and I should do what I want best, but being with Leigh is what I want, so I want to celebrate it with him, for last year that was supposed to be my first birthday with him, he left off because I told him to. Therefore, I will relish every single second of this day with him, not caring about anything, for, as far as I know, nothing is wrong when he is around me.
But after those stops we made, I almost lost hope of having that excitement of him being delighted around those vehicles. However, as mom and Christian had promised to make sure I had everything needed today, they worked a miracle on the phone, and a man called Tobey invited us to W ann road.
I was too excited; I care less about everyone screaming at the game on the telly screen. Instead, my dreamy eyes watch Leigh shouting and hissing with his dad and Julian. At the same time, the commentator calculates yards of the ball carrier, and in a few seconds, announces unfortunate results, which causes everyone except Lilith and myself to groan and settle back in their seats.
"That was so close." Julian grunts.
"The dude is slow," Leigh complains. His knee was touching mine as we sat next to each other.
"I think he was caught up in a circle, and believe me, the adrenaline might have gotten to him." Said Princeton Claire with a giggle.
"No, he is just slow. There is always a way out." Leigh disagrees, and knowing him, I know for him there's always a good technique at worst times on the field when everyone had lost hope.
Christian was staring with pride at Leigh conversing with friends when he engaged himself in the discussion and told his son, "You know you are going to make this state proud when you become our professional quarterback and bring the cup home every year."
I have no idea Leigh wants to play here. Like live here and all after graduation?
"That would be cool." He smiles at his father.
"So Leigh, is it Las Vegas you want to play for?" Julian asked what was running in my head with hardened brows, seeming stunned too.
Before Leigh could reply, Christian picked up,
"Of course it is. Where else would he go? It's home, isn't it, son?" The certainty in the man's eyes was apparent as his gaze fixed on his son, and I immediately got the feeling something wasn't right.
"Yes, dad." Leigh sighed quietly and smiled small.
"Those days would be my proudest. I wouldn't mind taking my id cards along with me. That young version of me will be my free ticket around this city."
Everyone in the vehicle laughs, except for me and Leigh, who fidgets in his seat.
Okay, he didn't want to.
We stopped at IHOP for Lilith's takeaway breakfast. Next, at a typical English restaurant, Leigh once took me to, back then, my first Halloween in this country.
At that place, mom and Christian scratch that, everyone, including a greedy Lilith, ended up ordering some take-away for later.
Upon arrival at that familiar place that every employee knew, both Leigh and me, we received hugs and complaints, especially on me not showing my face anymore even though I was around town. I had apologised and insisted for them to forgive me, given it's my birthday while mentally I was reminiscing the countless times I've driven around here, not stopping because I was afraid to confront a memory I wasn't ready for.
When Leigh left, every single thing drove me back to those days he was around, to places he's been, things we did together and the pain wasn't any merciful, that parking at the school car park was so torturing, just as cheering on the school football field and practice at the same familiar gym where cheetahs football team do some training.
Well, arriving at the ATV touring place that Christian had worked out on his phone earlier, we all loaded down the comfortable car and headed into a place that demonstrates with giant letters what we are here for.
I tag beside Princeton Claire, who seems excited for the fun we are about to have, as Leigh and Julian keep bantering about the game they just watched on the vehicle. At the same time, Lilith, well being the attention haunter that she is, she is placed in between my mom and her father, chatting along with them, as though she is their only child.
"Are you okay? About yesterday?" Princeton Claire asked as we stepped into the compartment.
"I slept on it. I think I am good." I smiled at her, and she returned too.
I feel so bad she had to see me that way, but she's here and not going anytime soon. Also, Leigh probably told her a lot about me; that would sound way worse than me crying and running away. So whatever.
"Welcome, Mr Boyce. I am Carl. Tobey told me you would be here. We are glad to have you and your family." A man with a poorly groomed moustache received us, shaking hands with Christian.
"Thank you, Carl. This is my wife, Susan and the whole family."
"Nice to meet you." He said to mom but didn't attempt shaking hands with her for obvious reasons. I mean, the woman looks too fashionable; she easily intimidates most men that come across her.
"It's my youngest birthday, and we just want to make the day fun for her," Christian told the man and extended his hand towards me. "Ava, come here, please."
A little nervous at the sudden attention I was getting, as it wasn't only our company, but there were some unfamiliar faces around the room staring, I snuggled next to the sturdy man that was my mother's husband and peered at the man called Carl who was smiling at me.
"We can only get three vehicles for now due to the sudden notice, but we will make sure Ava's satisfied." The moustache man promised.
Okay, enough, he has a very irritating smile. Goodness, I hate to be so judgemental, but these days things are happening to me, and I can't control them. See, a lot of stuff annoys me, a lot makes me emotional, and Leigh, he just fires up my hormones.
"How many people does the ATV take?" Christian asked.
"Two."
That mean one among us has to stay behind as we are seven, including Leigh's friends.
"You guys go. This looks sickening anyway. I can't tolerate dusty places this morning and wet armpits." Lilith reluctantly slipped out since we both know this whole thing is and never will be her kind of excitement.
"You kids should go." Mom told Leigh, the responsible one and eyed his sister with her quizzical eyes. "Christian and I will be right here waiting and keeping an eye on this one."
Well, that was a good idea, I wouldn't mind. I think I will really do better having Leigh in some uninhabited location with no family supervision, but Lilith has other plans, so she crookedly tries to change their minds. "Dad, seriously? Take Susan up for some romantic ride of her life."
Goodness, she didn't just say that.
"Lilith," Mom warns her naughty stepdaughter, who's rolling her eyes.
"What? I am on your side... Jeezzzzz." She began saying and stopped, then went on exclaiming the moment her blown up eyes fell on some triple motorcyclists, climbing off some black and shiny culprits vehicles.
She slid out of mom and Christian's middle and around to pull me by the arm to some safe position where our parents wouldn't hear what stupid, sinful deed she was trying to propose.
"Those guys seem from a boy band." She whispered.
There we go again. Oh, did I remember to speak of the day from last year when Quinn met some upcoming artist at some hardware store and didn't notice only to come back the next semester and learn that the musician had five Grammy nominations. Since then, the girls had gone nuts, taking pictures with any stranger on the street who they believe had the prospect of fame.
"You don't know that. I mean, where are the instruments?" I shrugged.
"They probably left those home. They're on motorcycles. Ava." She argues, and I swear those countenances I am seeing isn't those of successful young men. No, it was jail and fraud, written all over their faces. I don't understand how those three looks like future famous people in her eyes. "I need you to push me." She stupidly suggested.
Laughing with my hands over my hips, for I assume she was kidding until her expression remained sternly stable.
Shit. She's really crazy.
"Okay, this is how it will happen." She began plotting. "Do you know how it works when a girl unexpectedly bumps into a guy, and she falls to the floor, and he crouches to see if she's okay?"
What?
"Then boom, they fall in love? Yes, I've seen those terrible movies, and they were all an epic fail." I interject the rush remark in a hushed tone.
Her face atomically scrunched in disgust.
"Eww... No, I didn't say I would fall in love with them or something. They are clearly not up to my standards. I can't believe you see very so low of me." She shook her head; her lengthy sleek hair flitted around her sides at the movement while she peers at me, the kind that spelt out unbelievable. "This is for me to get to know them and if they happen to be some famous band not famous enough for me to know yet. Guess what? A win." She ridiculously spoke.
"That's sad."
"Now, push me." She ignores my attitude and exchanges it with a glare when she insists. "And don't go anywhere."
As if I will let her unreasonable self around those probably prisoners alone.
Without warning, she pulled me by the wrist and stumbled on her own, in the process bumping into the back of one of her targets before crashing to the floor she would consider dirty if she wasn't being desperate.
"Unbelievable, Lilith. Unbelievable." I hissed.
"Ouch. My knee." She pretends to cry.
"You literally fell by yourself-" I started until she slapped my calves.
"Ahh." She unbelievably cried again.
"Shit! I am so sorry." The criminal panicked and knelt the instant. "Are you okay?"
"Why will you-" She dramatically started and stopped when their eyes met.
God of liars.
I stood there with a hanging mouth watching her guts.
"Oh my God. What are you?" The fellow flatters her in the most theatrically means he can.
"It depends, in what actual way you mean."
Now they're flirting, okay.
I should sit back in the front row and grab my popcorn for this absurdity.
"In a are you a human or a goddess way? Because God, your eyes shines as those crystals tales elders told us about."
Oh really?
"You are-funny." She pretends to blush.
Yes, pretend. For, believe me, there is no man that will ever meet the requirements of Lilith standards. Particularly these ridiculous guys with tattoos covering their skins and piercings all over their faces.
She's right; they are not her type.
"Are you okay? Can you stand?" The boy in everything black asked.
"I don't know; maybe you should help me up, and let's see if your strong physique hasn't broken my bones." She batted her long eyelashes, and he did as asked, wrapping his weird arms all over her and pulling her up.
I couldn't help feeling like vomiting as the entire fakeness.
"There you are. I guess you're good to kick in." He quipped when she was standing okay, but that wasn't enough for my cunning stepsister. She has more plans.
"Ouch, my ankle hurts." She let go of her weight on him.
"What can I do?" He promptly offers, holding her in his arm.
"I don't know. I was supposed to be the driver. My sister here doesn't know how to ride those things, and now I am afraid I am a waste to her." She sadly said. That was still pretence; minutes ago, she offered to stay back.
"If that is so, the boys and I would like to do the favor."
Okay, no, no. Just no.
"You shouldn't mind. We don't want to burden you guys." Lilith flutters her deceiving eyelashes.
"Not a burden at all to ride pretty girls like yourselves. It was my fault this happened. Please let us have this honor."
You've got to be kidding me.
I whispered under my breath, "Some coincidences isn't that inevitable."
And what I get is Lilith sharp glare pointed at me.
"This is Ava. It's her birthday today." She introduced, quite disgruntled.
I rolled my eyes, though, since I didn't care.
"Happy birthday, hot chick. Matt is the name." The pathetic one holding her held out his hand.
I stepped back nervously, pinching the hem of my skirt at the three boys intense scrutiny.
Remind me why I wore such little clothing again?
Oh yes, because I feel so hideous around Lilith and Princeton Claire-I mean around every beautiful girl I meet.
"Ashley." The one in the back snorts, knotting a small back rope in his hands.
But wait, did he say Ashley?
"Ashley?" Lilith asked what I intended, stifling a laugh, herself.
It made the rude one uncomfortable, and he began to correct, this time with no snort or any disrespectful attitude, "Call me Ash and forget about the last three meaningless letters."
Lilith giggles like the typical teenager she is while I try to cover myself with my arms.
The third one was about to introduce himself when Christian noticed what was going on.
See, this is what I had been praying for mentally, for someone to rescue me.
"Lilith, Ava, what are you guys doing?" The man closest to father I have right now called.
"Dad, we are off to the valley of fire. You can manage those ATV." Lilith foolishly informed her dad.
I jerk her shoulder to knock out the illiterate part of her that isn't reasoning, but she still remains in the stranger's-matt's arms, I mean.
Well, let's do it this way then because when it comes to my safety, I'm barely respectful or capable of considering how to talk or where to talk. So I tattled before the boys, "Are you insane? I am not going with them, can't you see the difference here? They have black clothes, just as their probably dyed hair. Not to mention the pins or whatever it is you call it. Who pierced their skins and have jewellery all over their faces?" I stomp my feet at my stepsister, huffing in her face.
"I heard some boys do it at the tip of their penis." She smirked, annoying me even further.
How can she be so irresponsible, casually spilling that out?
"What the? For bloody sake. You are unbelievable. I am not going with those rascals." My teeth grit, and my hands' ball into rigid fists. I turn around and run my fingers through my hair to calm myself down.
I swear I can not tolerate her.
Maybe I should blow her beautiful face, or perhaps I should just walk away and let these criminals do whatever they're good at to her while I safe myself. Besides, I am not responsible for her and her imbecility.
"Stop being a bummer, and let's get you started on this fun." She calls, causing me to face her again. "Where is free and wild Ava that I used to know? Bring her out, and who knows, you might end up having one of these guys liking you before the day end." She winked blatantly around the boys like I was some expired sweet corn.
"I have buried her back. So see, I don't want any of those things to like me." I scrunched my face when I looked at them, smirking at me. "Look at their sketched skins. They're probably going to die of skin diseases. Aha-aha, I am not getting involved." I said with evident disgust; I could taste it in my mouth. Granted, I know I am being so judgemental, which is wrong, but I was panicking.
She's pushing me to a limit I wasn't ready for. That kind of culture standing before me had always scared me; I didn't imagine myself hanging out with people similar to those, at some desert landscape, where I had nowhere to run.
So cut me some slacks.
"I have a future; I am not destroying it today," I added.
"Says the one who went to jail herself."
The fuck?
So she's now throwing me under the bus?
I heard the boys gasp, and one chuckled behind me.
Slag.
"You know we are right here. We can hear you."
"Thanks for embarrassing me." Yet, she gets to cry.
Oh my goodness.
"You are insane. You are probably going psycho. Your dad will kill you. Count me out of hanging with guys who ride motorcycles. Whatever you thought this was? Believe me; it has to be a cheap boy band, and soon you will drag your sorry butt back to me."
"What butt? Say ass and stop dissembling innocence." She accused freely in the boy's arm.
"Boy band?" Matt gaped.
Lilith, shoot me an I-swear-will-kill-you glare and turn to the boys, nervously laughing at my revelation.
God, will she ever grow up?
"She is mental. She talks things sometimes." She waves off her manicured fingers at me.
What the actual-?
And like a miracle, Leigh and Christian showed up, terminating my thoughts.
Leigh furiously tugged out his sister from Matt, and right there, I thank God for having a family. The weight of relief that left my shoulders was like I had been rescued from drowning.
"Are you crazy, don't fucking manhandle me." She fights Leigh.
"Don't make me kick your ass." He grumbled, and her mouth dropped at her brother's threat.
"Let's get going-" Christain instructed after shooting an intense glare at the boys looking everywhere but us.
"Dad, I told you we have a ride," Lilith complains, squirming in her brother's grip.
"You are unpredictable. Get going now." Christian angrily said to his stubborn daughter and grabbed my hand.
We began to turn when one of the guys uttered, "Can I get your digits?"
"Have you guys checked the machines?" It was Carl this time, and he was talking to the three boys.
Amused, I watched Lilith's mystery get solved.
"We are on it," Ashley mumbled and looked away from us.
"Check what? Aren't you in a boy band?." Lilith seemed garbled when she asked the flushed boys.
"They're the mechanics. I hope they're not giving you trouble?" Carl confirmed, and Leigh and I almost choked on our breath at Lilith's shocking face.
Christian shot us a warning, though, but it was hard not to laugh.
"I think everything is checked, and lucky for you guys, two more vehicles just returned," Carl announces, and Christian thank him.
"You still want a ride with your famous boy band?" Leigh taunts his moody sister, and she prods his ribs with her elbow and emphasises boldly at her presumed boy band, "I think I have a better mechanic."
Christian and I could only laugh while heading back to everyone.
Well, the day went by, having us enjoying the exciting tour. I had my own ATV, not that I wanted, but unfortunately, someone has to keep an eye on Lilith. Also, each of Leigh's friends took a vehicle of their own. Christian and my mom rode together.
And you should see Leigh; he was so excited when he started his engine and took off with his bored sister beside him, who kept criticising my choice of birthday but as soon as we arrived at the valley of fire beautiful road, all tendencies shifted, everyone started snapping pictures and screaming out loud from the perfect rapture.
I made my social media videos when we came around the historical caves, the remarkable red rocks and flat deserts.
There was a woman who narrated the history of the state park while we drove or sometimes hiked through the desert landscape.
To some degree, I began thanking God for my choice of dressing because the temperature was so harsh, it was so hard to hike around, that we all kept consuming a lot of water,
We saw the beehives, the seven sisters with seven boulders, and stopped by the atlatl rock to take some family photos and eat from our take-aways, where Leigh wore me his sunglass, and I thank him for noticing, for it is pretty sunny.
We get to pass through the fire crayon, which is said to be located in the centre of the park that none of us noticed we spent a couple of hours observing the incredible place, for the beauty and the history could not be ignored.
It was around five in the evening when we arrived back at W Ann Road and got back into our Mercedes, racing to plug our dead phones to charge.
Everyone was laughing and hailing our fascinating trip.
Lilith and Princeton Claire sat together, checking the pictures they had snapped while Leigh and Julian pleaded for me to choose another exciting experience for our following location.
That part got Lilith's attention, and she immediately shot her eyes to us.
"No, we are going shopping." She insists.
"She doesn't want to." Leigh opposes.
"She's a girl. Every girl likes to shop, mostly when there's an endless amount to spend." She retorted.
"Stop telling her what to do; let her choose." Said Leigh.
"I know her enough to know what she likes, you? There's not even any bond between her and you two years back, and then you weren't even here last year. What would you know?"
That, in particular, seems to etched a wound, and Leigh expression became unreadable; he didn't say anything else since then.
"Ha!"
"I've never had the chance to try the zipline thing, and most of my friends had; maybe we can do that?" I asked Christian.
For some reason, after that X-scream machine ride Leigh once took me to before our breakup, I wanted to prove to him I could face height; it was among the reasons I learned to climb the mountains. Not that I have ever done something like zip lining, but I am hoping I can hold.
"You've gotta be kidding." Lilith exclaim, flying her hand around. "Do you realize you are losing thousands or probably millions of dollars for a chance of perfect wardrobe?"
"Let me decide on what I want to do, Lilith."
"That would be fun; I've never done that too. I wonder if I will faint halfway." Christian joked, ignoring his daughter flopping back into her seat, and I smiled at him before tilting my head and looking up to Leigh, who was staring into nothing and was slightly tense next to me.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked, and he didn't even hear.
I had to nudge him and call his name to snap him out of whatever thoughts he was stuck in.
He smiles when his radiant green eyes meet mine, and he nudges my arm playfully.
Seeing him happy, that gave me a relief I didn't know I needed.
He is okay.
***
Our next stop was at Fremont Street, and looking up at people flying above up, ignited my heart, and I started sweating.
I doubt I am ready for this.
"Hey, can I talk to you?" Lilith pulled me out of the horror, and I turned to her instantly.
Her voice was soft, extra soft. It worries me she is up to something.
"Okay?" I nodded, and she looked around the crowded area with our family and friends walking ahead towards the giant slot machine.
"Seventeen-year mom is quite heated, right?"
I giggled and nodded, looking back at mom and Christian disappearing into the crowd.
"I wanted... I don't know if you-" She fumbled as she brought a folded paper from her crossbody bag and hand to me.
"What is it?"
"An actual birthday present."
"You've already given me a present." I remind her of her box of tampons.
"Open it, please." She nervously said the last part.
I don't believe her. The sheet of paper is already screaming trap and run.
I inspect her through sceptical eyes, and she rolls hers, folding her lips between her teeth and digging her hands in the pockets of her trousers.
"Lilith, you've given me an unnecessary package of tampons. I swear if you give me a paper sheet filled with penis drawings, I will kill you." I warned her.
"What is the threat all about?" She shrugged, tapping her shoe against the pavement. "But I hate that I didn't have that idea before you. It could've been cute." She smiled and awkwardly, I kind of felt relief. "Open it. It's not a bomb." She urged.
And I did, getting welcomed by a contract or something that says 'Boyce sisters clothing.'
"Oh my goodness." I gasped, tears sprung up in my eyes. "I don't get it. Why would you do this?"
I had stepped back, watching her with confusion.
"Because no matter how much I seem to like my villain attitude, there kinda lies a good in me." She jokes and softly added. "Besides, I honestly love you, Ava."
Not having anything else to say, as tears had blurred my vision, I open my arms and say, "Come over here."
Lilith laughs and closes the distance between us, hugging me right around tens-probably hundreds of pedestrians.
"It will be launched tomorrow if you're free." She announces in my hair.
So soon?
"What? Of course, I am." I giggled. "I can't believe this. I've always adored this idea, but I didn't know how to start."
I've seen people and families having their personal clothing brand, and I had always admired it, I didn't know how Lilith thought about it, but this is the most fantastic birthday present.
"I am glad you like it." She said.
"Cool and weird, you know? You hate me."
She pulled back her face from my shoulder, but her hands were still around my waist while mine was holding her shoulders.
"I don't hate you. I told you that." She quietly said, and before I could process the flash of emotion that flickered in her eyes, she closed the distance between our faces and what I felt was her lips on mine.
I blinked and gasped from shock, and she deepened the kiss even more.
No!
Breathing hard, I stepped back from her with wide eyes and a pounding heart.
I was shutting down at that moment. My fingers and toes were instantly freezing in summer.
"Wh-what was that?" I managed out, staring at her with fearful eyes.
"I-I am so sorry, it was a mistake." She blinked, breathing hard, herself.
It was then the sound of my ringtone broke through, and I looked down to my screen, and a twisting feeling tightened in my stomach, rising nausea in my throat.
Leigh.
No!
Breathing was hard. I begin retreating from my stepsister as though she was not real until I bump into someone from behind.
"Watch it." The person irritatedly exclaimed, their voice playing triple time louder than it was supposed to sound. It startled me and heightened my anxiety.
Every sound around the packed street came as an echo in my ears, and every picture seemed unreal. I swallowed and muttered, "Sorry." not sure to who exactly, before I swirled around and ran away with fear suppressing every ounce of me.
"Ava." I heard Lilith calling, but I couldn't look back.
No, this is agony and I am it dweller.
I was perishing slowly with brakes on; every time I get reluctant and let go, I am being pulled faster towards the hellhole that was ahead of me, and I knew I wouldn't make it out the moment I reached the final zone.