Across the Maps

Chapter 31

Mom informs us that we're going to leave around one thirty, which is good because I have time to take a shower, which I am really dying to do.

The hotel bathtub is smaller than I'm use to, but it's still pretty big. After waiting a while for the water to heat up, I step into the tub. After shampooing and conditioning my hair, I linger in the tub, letting the scorching water run over me. When I'm finished, I change into short black athletic shorts, a light purple shirt that has a neon green Nike sign on it, and some gray tennis shoes with blue and pink sholaces. I run my brush through my hair, untangling the large mess. I grab my hair dryer from my duffle bag and plug it in. After drying my hair for a long time, I shove the blow dryer back into my bag and zip it up.

"Hey," a voice above me speaks and I whirl my head around, banging it into Cole's jaw.

"Oww," he whimpers, rubbing his sore jaw. "Anyone ever tell you that you have a hard head?"

"Sorry," I apologize. "And actually no. No one has ever told me that."

"Well they should," Cole mutters. "You head is as hard as a rock."

"Sorry," I laugh, gazing at him. "Come on it's time to go. After the book signing, Mom's going to take us to the River walk and the Alamo. And tomorrow, we get to go to Sea World," I squeal and Col chuckles at my enthusiasm.

"Then I guess we better get going," Cole exclaims, grabbing my hand and intertwining it with his.

The book signing is at a local bookstore in town. The store is smaller and every inch is practically filled with people waving books around to be signed. The floor is a dark hardwood and the walls are a light tan color. There are tall bookshelves that almost hit the ceiling with books crammed in them.

I wiggle through all of the people, ready to get back into the open. Cole trails behind me, also eager to get away from the tremendous crowd.

I don't see how Mom puts up with all of this. I mean I would love to be famous, but I don't know if I want to be this worshipped and crowded. Plus it doesn't help that I get claustrophobic really easily.

Finally I mange to find an unoccupied corner and evacuate to it. Cole and I stay there until the book signing is over, scanning the shelves for interesting books and articles to read and then looking through them.

Finally, after a long time, the book signing is over and Mom saunters over to us, smiling. "Ready?"

Both of us glance at each other and then nod our heads. "Yes," our voices ring in unison.

After putting the books back on the shelves where they belong, we head to the car and Mom drives us to the river walk.

The river walk is a long river lined with stores of different sizes. People walk around the river on the sidewalks, large shopping bags clutched in their hands. They chat and laugh as they pass. Metal benches line the edge water, sealed into the cement. People sit at large round tables with colorful umbrellas shading them, drinks and food in their hands. Large trees tower above us, shading us from the blinding sun. Colorful flowers bloom all around, amazing people with their exquisite beauty. A small red ferry passes us with people of all ages, most of them staring at all the awesome stores and pretty views.

We tread down the cement; Mom in front of us and Cole and I side by side, our hands linked together as if nothing in the world could separate them.

"It's so big," Cole exclaims, glancing around the lit up shopping areas.

"I know," I smile, gazing around, taking in all the amazing sights. "It's so beautiful," I squeal.

"Yeah," he states. "It's the second most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Second? This place is incredible. What in the world could be the first most beautiful thing he's ever seen?

"What's first?" I ask, imagining all of the incredible sights and views he could possibly be thinking about it.

"You," his voice is sweet and gently. A large smile appears on my face and stays even though I try and shake it off.

"That's so cliche," I remark, stifling a laugh. "But sweet."

"Well," he smirks. "I never claimed I was original."

I roll my eyes. "So does this mean I'm gonna get more cheesy love quotes?"

"Maybe, maybe not. You may never know." I roll my eyes and giggle.

Even though Cole is cliche, it's the thought that counts. Right? Even though I have to put up with all the stupid stuff Cole says and does, I will always like him. For ever and always.

Sorry I haven't updated in a long time. I've been very busy and have had lots of stuff to do. But thanks for waiting! Please vote and comment! Thanks!