I reached a street corner and pushed the button to cross.
As soon as I crossed the street I spotted the shop. It was warm and inviting. I ordered the daily special to drink, so I didn’t have to decide from the huge menu, and a plain bagel with cream cheese. We had those at school sometimes and I liked them.
Taking my food I found an empty table and sat down. The place was packed. I felt a little guilty taking a whole table with four chairs to myself, but there wasn’t anywhere else.
“Nice hair,” said a deep voice.
I looked up and found myself looking into the warm brown eyes of a familiar face, but I couldn’t place it. His face was the color of my coffee and he had a wide smile, something about him oozed friendliness.
“Thank you.”
“Do you mind if I sit? There’s no other place.”
“Go ahead.” He had a tray full of food and a huge drink. He spread out so that he took most of the table.
“I’m Jason, what’s your name?” He took a big bite of a sandwich.
Jason. Holy smokes. He was the boy that was with Puck the night I arrived. It seemed like ages ago.
“Naomi. But we’ve met before.” I brushed my hair back behind my ears.
He paused mid-bite.
“No way, I’d have recognized that hair.”
“You and your friend Puck picked me up two days ago and gave me a ride to my aunt’s hotel.”
“The Amish girl? You’re not her.” He put down his food and studied me.
“Yes, I am. Puck gave me my fifty dollars back yesterday. What did you guys do to the cab driver?”
“No effing way. Puck’s gonna shit a brick when he sees you. He’s having a party tonight, you have to come with me. I wanna see his face when he finds out what you’ve done with yourself. How do you like Vegas?” He relaxed again and took another bite of his sandwich.
“It’s loud,” I admitted.
“That’s what makes it so great. Where you from?”
I told him about Arkansas and the quiet life I had there. He was a good listener and he asked a lot of questions.
“Why come to Vegas?”
“My parents had some things they needed to deal with so I came to stay with my aunt.”
He finished all his food and I still had half a bagel left. Most of the drink was gone and I was feeling a little jittery. I didn’t drink much coffee at home. He nodded and took another drink.
“What are you doing today?” he asked.
I shrugged. “My aunt is at work today and my friend won’t be up for awhile. I was supposed to go find some plants for my room, but the hotel clerk didn’t believe that I was Ginny’s niece so she wouldn’t order me a car and I’m scared to take another cab.”
“I’ll take you. I’ve got nothing going on today.”
Ginny told me not to get in a car with anybody I didn’t know. But I knew Jason, right? I didn’t think I could survive another day without my plants.
“That would be amazing. Thanks. But first I’ll need you to help me with something else.” I took out my phone and handed it to him. “Can you show me how to use this?”
“Sweet phone. And it has a great camera.” My ears perked up at that. I hadn’t had my hands on a camera since school. And I’d never had the ability to use it outside of school.
“A camera?”
“Yeah.” He showed me how to find the camera button and how to take a picture. I took a few goofy pictures of him. Suddenly Vegas didn’t seem so daunting. I could capture the whole thing with my phone.
When I was done experimenting with the camera, Jason helped me figure out how to make a phone call. He was extremely patient with me.
Finally, I had enough confidence with the phone that I called Jo and asked her where the nurseries were. She was cordial and short with me, but she gave me the names and addresses of three places. She said Alejandro preferred the first two, but found unique plants at the third. I thanked her and handed the addresses to Jason.
He whistled. “These are all over town. This will take us all day. Better get going.”
Jason’s truck looked more like the cars we had at home, but newer. McDonald’s wrappers littered the floor.
“Sorry about the mess,” he muttered.
We spent the day in and out of nurseries. It did take nearly all day. Not only did I spend ages at the nurseries, I also made him stop every five minutes so I could take pictures of things. I expected him to get annoyed, but most of the time he just laughed with me. It was so nice to have a friend. We ate lunch at a strange burger place called “In and Out.” Jason said they were the best burgers on the planet, but Mother’s burgers were better.
Jason pulled up to the hotel at about six thirty. I got five bushes and a couple of cuttings. I also purchased a few wide pots that Ginny would like so that the plants would blend in with her decor. Jason looked at the doors with disgust.
“I suppose I would be a total ass if I made you carry all those roses yourself.”
“You don’t have to...”
He grimaced. “Naw, I’m coming. The hotel’s a big place, surely I won’t run into her.”
He popped the door open before I could ask who “her” was. In seconds he was back to joking about the cupcake ottomans in the foyer. But he was still jumpy. When he spotted Ricki’s handprints all over the elevator he rolled his eyes, but didn’t say anything.
I was laughing at something Jason said when I waddled through the door with a large rose bush in my arms.
Ginny sat at the bar, her eyes red and her mouth in a tight line.
“Where have you been?”
“Getting roses. I thought you said it was okay if I did that.”
“Who drove you?”
I pointed to Jason.
“I told you not to get in any cars with strangers.”
Jason interjected. “I’m a friend of Puck’s. Naomi and I met the night she arrived.”
“How do you know Puck?”
“He’s the one who gave me a ride over here after the cab driver stole my money.”
Ginny didn’t crack a smile. She frowned at Jason. “It’s time you left. Naomi and I need to have a talk.”
What did I do wrong?
“We still have some things down in his truck.”
“Have the concierge bring up the rest.”
I nodded and sat at another stool. But first I said goodbye to Jason. “Thanks for everything, I had a great time.”
He smiled. “Me too. We’ll have to catch up with Puck another night. Take care.”
“Where is your phone?” Ginny asked as soon as Jason shut the door.
I pulled it out of my purse and handed it to her.
“Why is it on silent?”
I shrugged. “I don’t really know how to use it. I’ve never had a cell phone before. Jason showed me how to make a call, but that’s all I’ve done.”
“I called you no less than fifteen times and I sent you at least that many texts. I’ve been worried sick. You can’t get into cars with strange boys. I thought we talked about this.”
“But I know Jason and Princess wouldn’t order me a car.” I clapped my hands over my mouth. Talking back deserved a slap across the cheek. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to talk back.”
She snorted. “That wasn’t talking back. Princess told me that some strange green haired girl pretended to be my niece and Ricki said she hadn’t heard from you. We had no idea where you’d gotten off to.”
“I’m sorry.”
The rules here were so hard. I hated not knowing where I stood. At home, I knew the lines very clearly and I only crossed them on occasion and usually when I knew my parents wouldn’t find out. But here I was crossing lines without even knowing it. I thought I’d gotten used to guilt at home, but here it was worse because not only was I feeling guilty for disobeying my parents, I also felt guilty for not doing what Ginny wanted.
She sighed. “It could’ve been a lot worse. I’m still mad, but don�
��t be afraid to tell me things. Come on, Ricki wants to take you out tonight and I promised her I’d get you ready.”
Once Kai started visiting me I became obsessed with kissing. It was so new and fun. In my catalog I have circled several new roses. Summer’s Kiss, Kiss of Desire, Kiss Me, First Kiss, Golden Kiss. Now as the memory of those kisses fade, I picture them dying on my doorstep.
GINNY DRESSED ME IN A SHORT purple dress that, to me, looked more like an oversized tank top with frills on the bottom. She put a loose belt around my waist and layered several bracelets. Then she stepped back to survey her handiwork.
“Hmm, something is missing.” She snapped her fingers and raced from the room.
“Try this. The scarf will bring out the color in your hair and eyes. Leave it hanging like that.”
Then she started on my hair and makeup. While she worked, she talked. “I know you’ve never been out in a city like this, but Ricki promised me she’d take care of you and bring you home if you get uncomfortable. I’m not naive enough to believe that you aren’t going to do some stupid things occasionally, but do be careful tonight. No alcohol until you’ve been here awhile. Since you’ve never had any before you’ll get drunk fast. And no drugs. Ever.”
She paused and thought for a moment. “Sex. I didn’t think about that. We’ll have to get you in to see my OB, what kind of a parent would I be if you got pregnant here? Bet your mom never talked to you about that.” She grinned.
I blushed. I knew the mechanics of sex. Health class covered it, but she was right. Mother never bothered with it.
Thirty minutes later my hair curled perfectly, my eyes looked huge and Ginny was pleased. Ricki waltzed into the living room wearing a very short black and white strapless dress and ankle breaking heels.
“We’re going to be late. Let’s go.”
“Wait, I want to get a picture,” I said.
Ricki posed and I had Ginny take a picture of us both.
Then Ricki tugged me out the door.
“Where are we going?” I asked while Ricki inspected her fingernails.
“To a party. Try not to embarrass me. Don’t talk. You look decent enough, thanks to Ginny, but you still sound like a hick. And put the camera away.”
We walked down the strip to the Venetian in silence and I tried not to think about what I was getting into. A party terrified me. Somehow I’d have to figure out what to say and who to talk to and try not to get drunk or worse. I kept pace with Ricki and tried to make conversation.
The Venetian was amazing and it was all I could do not to bring out the camera. But Ricki was too fast for me. She practically sprinted through the halls and hopped on the elevator.
The party was held in a large suite and a couple dozen teenagers milled about in the wide living room. The music boomed throughout the room and I lost Ricki in the crowd. I had expected the room to have a smoky haze, but instead the air was clear.
Laughter surrounded me and people moved with the beat of the music. Giddy with the atmosphere, I wanted to join in, but was unsure of what to do. Dancing was not something I’d ever been allowed to participate in.
The suite was clean and had several low couches spread across the room. A few oversized chairs sat in corners. The stark white walls had strange paintings that looked like paint splatter. There was a tension in the air, anticipation.
Across the room I saw Jason and I heaved a sigh of relief. This must be Puck’s party. Jason beckoned to me and I zig zagged my way through the room to talk to him.
He grinned as I approached, showing large straight teeth. He gave me a big hug and I flinched. But it didn’t hurt at all.
“How’d you escape? I thought for sure your aunt was pissed.”
“She was, but Ricki wanted to take me out, so here I am.”
Jason frowned. “Ricki’s here?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know where she is.”
“Let’s keep it that way. Come on, let’s go talk to Puck.” We wound our way around the room. Jason knew everyone. He introduced me, but just as quickly I forgot names. One boy winked at me and said, “Save me a kiss.”
What was that supposed to mean?
Jason ignored the comment and kept walking.
Then, out of nowhere, Ricki appeared next to Jason. She snaked her arm through his and looked up at him like a lovesick puppy.
“Jason, I see you’ve met Naomi. I need to talk to you.” She tugged on his arm, but he stayed put and shook free of her.
“We’ll talk later. I’ve got to help out Puck.” Then he disappeared.
Ricki stood there staring at his back like she wasn’t sure if she should run after him or sprint.
“What?” she asked. She tapped her heeled toe and began talking. To me, I assumed.
“He’ll get over it, right? He has to. I know I was a bitch, but if I give him time, he’ll get over it. Right?”
She continued to blather about him getting over it. She blinked rapidly and I could see a few tears escape.
“I’m sure he’ll come around,” I said.
“Who asked you?” she snapped.
Then Jason was back by my side. He handed us each a blindfold with a number printed on it. My number was eight, Ricki had ten.
“What’s this?” I asked.
Ricki rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a prude, Naomi.” And she took off, not looking at Jason.
Jason, answered, but he avoided my eyes. “This is no ordinary party,” he said.
“Yeah, I figured that.” I didn’t know much about parties, but blindfolds were not normal.
“Okay, remember your number because you won’t be seeing it for a while. Girls are even and boys are odd. After you put your blindfold on, when they call your number you raise your hand. They’ll pair you with a boy. Then they’ll turn the music on. After three minutes they’ll turn the music off and you take your blindfold off.”
“And what do I do for three minutes?”
“You kiss. It’s a little middle schoolish, but the boys show up for the girls and the girls show up because they want to kiss Puck.”
I wasn’t as freaked out as I thought I would be. Kai kissed me for weeks before I knew who he was. This couldn’t be that bad. It might even be fun. Besides, I missed kissing.
“Hey everyone.” Puck stood on a chair near the door. His hair was a wine red and stuck out in spikes all over his head. He wore all black and his eyes were lined.
The Goth gear should’ve been off putting, but instead it made him more attractive. The other girls seemed mesmerized. I itched to take out my camera to see if the picture matched the magazine pic at home. I was ninety percent certain that they were the same person, but I needed to do some comparing. Plus, he practically begged to have his picture taken with looks like that.
“I know there’s a few newcomers so I’ll explain how this will work. Jasmine and Jason will be our cupids tonight. They will pair you up. Make sure you raise your hand when your number is called.” He twirled his blindfold around on his finger and hopped down off the chair.
“Blindfolds on,” he called.
I knew it would be risky, but I was already looking at least a dozen punishments. What was one more? Besides, I had already kissed Kai, what could a few more kisses do?
I obeyed and waited. When my number was called, along with number three, I raised my hand. Soon I felt a hand take mine and I was led to a couch. The cushion moved a little and my knee bumped someone else. Then the music turned on. A soft melody, nothing like the music Ricki listened to.
A few giggles floated around me and the person sitting next to me moved closer. I could feel his breath as his lips met mine. They were soft and moved easily. His hands rested on my cheeks. After about thirty seconds I realized I was still waiting for the feeling I had when Kai kissed me. This was pleasant, but was missing the wow factor. Like a rose with no scent.
The music turned off and a voice called, “Blindfolds off.”
A tall blond boy sat next me. He winke
d as he got up and moved back over with the rest of the boys.
Blindfolds went back on and the whole thing happened again. This time I was assaulted by onions and peppers. I tried to keep my lips sealed, not wanting to taste this boy’s dinner.
The third boy wasn’t much better. Well his breath was, but he slobbered all over me. After a while they seemed to be the same, missing the thing that made kissing enjoyable. Kai was different. I always knew there was something fantastical about him. The way he always kept me locked in sleep. But I didn’t realize that his kisses were different from normal boys. He ruined the chances of me ever finding a kiss enjoyable until he came to get me. For some reason, that really bothered me. I wanted more than anything for Kai to be here. To whisk me away from this silly party and take me to dinner downstairs. Then we would take a gondola ride in the fake river and Kai would kiss me and nothing would matter anymore.
After eight kisses, I was tired, my lips were sore, and I missed Kai more than ever. And Puck, the one boy I had been looking forward to, I hadn’t kissed. My blindfold went back on and I sighed, wishing I could go home.
The music started and warm hands ran up my arms, caressed my neck, and wove into my hair. I shivered. Soft lips pressed against my right cheekbone, then my left. He hesitated and then brushed my top lip with his lower one. Gentle warmth flowed from my lip throughout my body. The taste of rich vanilla ice cream cooled my tongue and in my head I could see a cozy living room with a roaring fire. This is what I’d been waiting for. This boy was different, like Kai. I kissed back wanting more. His lips pushed harder against mine and my hands began to tingle. All thought lost, I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me into his lap. Time disappeared. I vaguely registered the music stopping, but he didn’t break away and neither did I.
The Thorn Chronicles-Books 1-4: Kissed, Destroyed, Secrets, and Lies Page 11