Across the Maps

Chapter 32

We visit the Alamo, which is incredible. At least I think it is. Cole just stands there as bored as a six year old at a high school graduation. After wandering around the Alamo and staring at the historic, monumental building, we tour the city, just walking around and taking pictures with our phones and cameras.

It's amazing, the large city. People crowd the narrow sidewalks, giggling and chatting. People sit outside restaurants in metal chairs, taking puffs on their cigarettes.

We stay outside, wandering around town until it gets dark, and then we room in a large fancy hotel for the night. It's a three room suite, just like the last one. However, this one is a little smaller. The floors are a sleek white tile and so are the walls. The couch is spotless white leather and the plasma screen television is mounted on the wall. A large desk sits in front of a large glass window.

My room is medium sized with beige walls and hardwood flooring. The bed is large with a simple white comforter and sheets. Tons of pillows lay on the bed in an organized fashion. A small bookshelf is in the corner, but there's only a few books on the mostly vacant shelves. On the outmost wall there's a large window that views out on the tremendous city. Cars occupy the road, passing from my view. Skyscrapers with large glass windows line the large roads.

I change into an oversized soft green shirt and comfortable shorts. I pull on my hoodie despite the warmness in the air. I stand at the window in my room, dazed by the fascinating city. I watch as the sky turns from light blue to reddish orange, and then finally to a deep blue. Time seems to slow down. All there is are the bright lights illuminating the large city.

I scan the gaze up at the small clock on the wall. It reads eleven twenty. I should get to sleep so I can be ready for tomorrow. I saunter over to the bed and get into it, pulling the heavy covers over me. Today was amazing, and tomorrow will be even better. Good night San Antonio.

I wake up to the bright sunlight streaming into my eyes. Blinking my eyes, I get out of bed, and stumble into the bathroom, almost running into the wall on the way there.

The bathroom is slightly colder than the room, and I shiver, rubbing my shoulders with my hands. When I look in the mirror, my hair is a mess, all in tangles and horrible curls. Grabbing my brush, I comb it through my hair until it looks presentable. Yawning, I tie it into a high ponytail, securely tying the black band in my hair.

After waltzing back into the room and rummaging through my suitcase, I find my bathing suit, which is a light blue bikini, and change. I throw some light blue and neon yellow Nike shorts and a pink shirt with white numbers that say 32 over the suit.

I tread into the large kitchen, running into Cole on the way there.

"Hey," he smiles.

"Hi," I reply, tucking a stray hair that won't go in my ponytail back behind my ear.

He pauses for a few seconds, taking in my features. Finally he speaks, "Your mom said we're going to leave in thirty minutes."

I nod slowly and he smiles. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah," I admit, and as if on cue, my stomach grumbles loudly, begging to be fed.

"Let's go down to the lobby and get something to eat," he suggests.

"Okay," I smile. I saunter into Mom's room and inform her that we're going to go eat and she nods okay. When I get back to the kitchen and meet up with Cole, I exclaim. "Let's go."

"Okay." He grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him, kissing my gently on top of my head and then linking fingers with me. "Come on."

We head down to the lobby, wiggling through janitors cleaning and people walking.

The kitchen is medium sized with tile floors, dull gray walls, and granite countertops. On the counters lay several large plates and bowls, each holding lots of food. I grab a medium sized plate and fill it up with eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a blueberry muffin. After getting our food, Cole and I sit down at a small wooden table.

After taking a few bites of his food, Cole speaks, "Are you excited?"

"Very," I answer quickly. It's true. I have wanted to go to Sea World for a long time. My family went when I was little and it was so much fun. I've been wanting to go back ever since last time.

We scarf down our food, ready for today's adventure. After eating, we head back up to the hotel room and get out stuff ready. Finally, we are ready to leave.

We pile into Mom's escalade, thrilled. The drive doesn't take very long. Most of it, I spend with my forehead pressed against the window, gazing at the sights. I know I have thought this like a million times, but this city is absolutely amazing.

When we get there, a lot of the parking lot is full so we have to park far away. But it doesn't matter because nothing can ruin this perfect day. Absolutely nothing.

The park is tremendous. Lots of colorful slides that spill into huge pools. There are large roller coasters and rides everywhere. Everything is huge, even the kitty pool is colossal. A wave pool, almost invisible with all the people in bright yellow tubes, is in far away but just close enough that I can see it. Several people swim around, laughing and splashing one another. The cement is soaking wet under my sandals from all of the water splashing out.

We find an empty table and set our stuff down I take off my shirt and shorts, leaving only my swim suit on. I grab the sunscreen and spray it over my body, the slight stickiness of it touching my skin. Cole does the same, dousing in sunscreen.

"Ready?" I question.

"Yep," he smiles. "Let's go."

"I'll be here," Mom informs us and we slowly bob our heads up and down in unison.

"Okay," we speak together, walking in no certain direction.

I'm not sure exactly sure what to do first, but I know one thing: whatever we do, we are going to have a blast. So let's do this.

Please vote and comment! Thanks for reading!