The train ride to California was definitely a new experience, and something that I would never want to do again. It all started when we walked on the train, dragging our bags through a two foot hallway wasn't easy. Plus the fact that Blaze and Clara where pushing each other, both trying to get to the stairs first. We passed by some bathrooms on the way to the stairs, lets just say they smelled worse then the port-a-potties after a whole day out in the field, when it's over 98 degrees. I wrinkled my nose at the thought of using them. After making our way past the bathrooms, we headed up the spiral stair case only to be met by the sound of soft snores and the occasional whisper. (it was 5 o'clock in the morning). As we made our way down the isle the train slowly started causing me to stumble into Emmett and him to bump into the seat beside him. Emmett and I crashed into the first pair of seats we saw, and Clara and Blaze in the seats across the isle from us. The seats looked a lot like those of an airplane, the chairs leaned back and the seat in front of us had a tray that could be pulled down. The only difference was the leg rest that extended from below the seats. And that's how our trip to California began.
What seemed like seconds later, everyone except my self were fast asleep. Blaze's face was smashed against the window drool falling out of his mouth, making him look like some slobbering dog. Clara's head was propped up against Blaze's shoulder, she would let off little snores every once in a while. She was always like that when she was asleep, almost dead to the world. You know those people who could sleep anywhere and everywhere, that was Clara. But me, I was the complete opposite. Couldn't sleep on my own couch let alone in front of a bunch of strangers. That's how Emmett and I were alike, he wouldn't do much sleeping either. No matter how much pretending he did. I look down at his "sleeping" form, his arm draped around my shoulder, head phones plugged in listening to that screamo music he likes. How anyone could even think while listening to that stuff. Me I would rather listen to Bon Jovi or Aerosmith, but that's not really the point. The point is that Emmett was a really bad actor and just plain stupid if he thought his "sleeping act" was really going to work.
"Emmett, psst Emmett." I whisper, poking him in the side several times.
"Huh?" He mumbles pulling out his headphones, "Raven? I was sleeping."
"You and I both know you were not sleeping." I say laughing pushing his head to the side
"Yeah sure...." He says leaning his back against the window, stretching his legs across his foot rest and onto mine. Kicking a man who was walking by causing him to spill his drink and let out a string of cuss words.
"Watch what your doing kid." Said the middle age man, letting out a alcohol filled burp and tripping his way down the hall way.
I gave Emmett an amused look, "That was gross, well I guess they sell alcohol here too." I mumble leaning back on Emmett's shoulder and everything slowly started to fade away.
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The next morning only about a hour later, I was sitting awake in a cart filled of sleeping people. My neck hurt and my legs were cramped. My bladder was screaming for relief, but I was to nervous to make my way down the stairs while the train was moving. It had taken me over a half an hour of me getting up ready to leave but then just to sit back down again, but finally I made my way down to the restroom. Reaching the restroom area I stood there in awkward silence as a group of Amish ladies and boys change in the hallway, with them constantly reminding me that the bathrooms were full. After waiting for over 15 minutes I got my turn inside the bathroom. Lets just say that is looked as bad as it smelled. It was closet sized, barely a foot of standing space and any bump we went over would send me into either the sink or the toilet. Gagging slightly I made my way back to my seat.
"Raven, Raven, RAVEN!!!!" Blaze chanted, standing over my seat. His signature puppy dog look on his face. "Lets go to the observation desk!" He pleads. It was useless to try to tell Blaze no.
"Fine." I sigh standing up from my seat. "I needed to stretch my legs anyway." That being said we slowly made our way to the observation car, a train car that was almost all windows and booths. Plopping down in the closest seat next to Clara I handed over her a deck of cards and she entertained herself with a game of solitaire. Sitting across from us was the Amish family talking in a low German, and cussing every other word. Giving them a weird look, I turned towards Emmett whispering in his ear about the Amish family.
And that is how the rest of the train trip went. Barely sleeping, cold soggy sandwiches, Clara and Blaze bouncy off the wall and drunk men hitting on us every chance they got. Arriving at our last stop, I pushed past everyone dyeing to get off this devil train. Falling to my knees I almost kissed the ground I had missed it so much. Dragging my suitcase towards my aunt's car muttering threats to kill Casey who had this brilliant idea to take the train. My mood lifted when my eyes landed on one of the hottest guys I had ever seen (in person) walked into the train station. Not even batting an eye in my direction he walks away. My smile stayed though as I quickly pulled Casey towards the car, I couldn't wait to have a shower and eat a hot meal. I gave my aunt a quick hug and a hello before diving into the front seat.
The train station was a good half an hour from aunt Debby's house, but it seemed to go by quickly and next thing I knew we were pulling up to a beaten up house. "I call first shower" I shout grabbing my bag and sprinting towards the house. Impatiently waiting for my aunt to unlock the door. It was official, the best vacation ever had just begin.
