6. Lucia
D riving onto the Vegas Strip was an experience in itself. I was glued to the window as I took in everything. I’d never seen one street have so many amazingly designed buildings or lights. It didn’t even feel like night because the street was so brightly lit. It was like Bourbon Street on steroids. “Oh my God,” I whispered in awe.
“This is insane,” Elise agreed. “There are so many people.”
It took us a ridiculous amount of time to drive to our hotel. We had to stop several times to let crowds of people walk across the street.
Elise wanted to be right in the middle of the action, so we booked a room at the Linq.
When we finally parked, Elise exhaled a breath of relief. “I thought we were going to be stuck in the car forever.”
I laughed as we started walking to the elevator. “Me too. I can’t believe how many people are here.”
Once we got in the elevator, I yawned. “I hope you’re not planning on going out tonight. I’m exhausted.”
She yawned too. “Same. I want to get a good night’s sleep so we can make the most out of the other days we’re here.”
Elise had booked us three nights, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay that long. “Good idea.”
The line to check in was crazy long, as well. We didn’t get up to our room until almost two in the morning. “I can’t wait to get in bed,” Elise said as I opened the door. “By myself.”
I laughed. “Hey, no one said you had to do this ridiculous sex checklist.”
She clicked her tongue. “Whatever, Penny Prude.”
I scoffed but was too tired to argue back that I’d had sex in a bathroom in New Orleans. Instead, I yawned as I opened my suitcase and got my things to get ready for bed. Elise barely kicked her shoes off before she crawled under the covers of one of the beds.
I smiled at my best friend as I went into the bathroom. Even though I gave her a hard time, I was so grateful for her. I wasn’t sure I would’ve been able to actually pull off my escape plan without her. “Hey, Elise?”
Her eyes were closed as she replied, “Yeah?”
“Thank you for doing this with me.”
Opening her eyes, she turned her head toward me and grinned. “No problem.”
Elise was asleep by the time I’d finished getting ready. Another smile curved my lips as I crawled into the other bed and turned off the lights.
We slept until a little after noon the next day. As we got ready, Elise asked, “What do you want to do first?”
I shrugged. “I think we should do the Grand Canyon tour. I saw one that lands on the canyon floor where we’ll have a champagne picnic.”
“That sounds romantic. Are you trying to make a move on me?” Elise joked.
“I love you, but not like that,” I replied with a chuckle as I put some concealer under my eyes. I wasn’t sure how many full nights of sleep I would need for the bags to go away, but I knew I wouldn’t be getting nearly enough until I was safe in Seattle.
She laughed. “I know. But that sounds pretty cool. Send me the link, and I’ll book it.”
After a few minutes, Elise closed her laptop. “Done. They’re going to send a car to pick us up at two.”
“Great!” I checked the time on my phone. “Let’s grab something to eat now. We only have an hour and a half before they get here.”
After eating, we went to the designated location for the tour operator to pick us up.
“What do you want to do tonight when we get back?” Elise asked as we waited.
I chuckled. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
She scoffed. “You are always thinking ahead.”
I pursed my lips as my mind combed through all the different activities and places I’d seen while researching Vegas. “We could go to the Sugar Factory for dinner like Sapphire suggested.”
Elise nodded. “That’s a good idea. Then Fremont Street after?”
I smiled as a van with the tour operator logo pulled up. “Sounds like a plan.”
It took us a little over half an hour to get to the Boulder City Municipal Airport where the tour helicopters flew out of. Once there, the tour guide completed a safety briefing before we boarded the chopper and prepared to take off.
My stomach was doing flips as I bounced my leg anxiously. I was excited and nervous at the same time. “I can’t believe we’re doing this!”
Elise grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Me neither.”
I closed my eyes when we started to take off, gripping Elise’s hand for dear life. The rhythmic thrum of rotor blades filled the air as the sleek white helicopter lifted off. My stomach dropped as we ascended, and I hoped I didn’t throw up during the ride.
“Are you afraid of heights?” Elise asked with a laugh.
I opened one eye to look at her. “I didn’t think I was, but I’ve never had an experience with heights before. Sheltered, remember?”
She laughed again. “I would say don’t look down, but then you’ll miss what we’re doing this for.”
Some of my nerves started to ease. I inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. “I’ll be fine.”
The guide described all the major landmarks we flew over, including Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. Everything was so amazing to look at, but when we reached the Grand Canyon, my jaw dropped. “Wow.”
Beneath us, the landscape stretched out in a vast expanse of rusty reds, earthy browns, and sandy yellows. The horizon shimmered with the midday sun, and it was breathtaking.
I leaned forward, my face practically pressed against the large window. My eyes were wide, taking in every detail of the sight before me. “This is even better than I imagined,” my voice crackled over the intercom in our headsets.
“Holy shit,” Elise gasped, grinning from ear to ear. She adjusted her headset and glanced out her side of the helicopter. The jagged edges of the canyon walls came into view, revealing layers upon layers of ancient rock, each one telling a story of time that stretched back millions of years.
“I can’t believe you get to do this for a living,” Elise said to the helicopter pilot, who laughed.
“Definitely a perk of the job,” he replied.
The helicopter banked gently to the right, offering us a sweeping view of the canyon’s vast interior. The Colorado River snaked through the bottom like a gleaming green ribbon. Tiny specks moved along the river’s edge—hikers and rafters, no doubt marveling at the grandeur of the canyon from below.
“You ever think about how small we are compared to all this?” I mused, my voice quiet. “I mean, look at it. Millions of years of history carved into the earth, and here we are, just flying over it in a tin can with blades.”
It made my problems seem insignificant.
Elise smiled. “Getting philosophical on me, huh? I get it, though. This place makes you think. It’s humbling.”
The helicopter descended slightly, bringing us closer to the canyon walls. The layers of sediment were more distinct now, each stripe of color representing a different era. Our pilot pointed out a prominent formation known as the Vishnu Schist—one of the oldest rock layers in the canyon, nearly two billion years old.
“Two billion years,” Elise repeated, almost in awe. “That’s hard to wrap your head around.”
“And it’s still changing,” I added. “Wind, water, time—it all keeps shaping this place. Nothing stays the same forever.”
The helicopter hovered near a cliff edge, then slowed, giving us a chance to take in the full scope of the canyon’s majesty. Shadows played across the landscape, adding depth to the already stunning view.
We descended farther, and soon, we were hovering just above a wide, sandy clearing near the banks of the Colorado River. The pilot set the helicopter down, and the rotor blades slowed to a quiet whirr. “This is where you ladies will enjoy your picnic.”
Stepping out onto the ground, I was immediately struck by how different the canyon felt from that perspective. The towering walls loomed above us, and the river’s gentle rush provided a calming soundtrack to the scene.
There was a ramada with picnic tables on the banks of the river, and our champagne and two individual picnic baskets were set out.
“These are adorable,” I said as we sat at the table set for us.
“I have to take a picture,” Elise responded, taking out her phone.
I couldn’t stop myself from looking around as we ate. “Seeing it from above is one thing, but being down here? It’s a whole different experience. There’s something about being this close to the river, feeling the canyon walls around you. It’s like being a part of it instead of just looking at it.”
Elise nodded, glancing around at the scenery. “It really is something.”
We had thirty minutes to explore the area before we had to get back on the helicopter. I lost count of how many pictures we took, and I knew I’d never forget the experience.
The whole trip was the best decision I’d ever made in my life.
“I’m so glad we did this,” I commented as we ascended back in the air.
Elise grinned, bumping my shoulder with hers. “Me too. I’ll never forget it.”
When we got back to our hotel, we decided to change and get ready for our night out. I wanted to look cute but also be comfortable because I knew we would be walking a lot, so I decided to go with some tight, holey jeans and a halter top that showed off all my curves.
The Sugar Factory was a literal adult candy store with a bar and restaurant. “Look at all the ducks,” Elise pointed out with a squeal.
I laughed. As we were led to our table, over-the-top drinks, extravagant desserts, and mini rainbow sliders dotted the bartops and other tables.
“The food looks so fun,” I said as we sat down.
“I know. I can’t wait to order,” Elise agreed.
I looked at the drink menu, and my jaw dropped. “Oh my God, those goblet drinks are forty-five dollars.”
“It’s Vegas.” Elise shrugged. “Wanna share one?”
I scrunched my nose. “I don’t know. That’s more than some of the food.”
Elise waved me off. “C’mon, we’re in Vegas for the first time! You only live once.”
Even though my dad was involved with the cartel, he didn’t move up in the ranks until recently, so I didn’t grow up with money like Elise did. She never cared how much anything cost, even if she spent money on someone else.
“Okay. The Watermelon Sugar one sounds yummy.”
“Watermelon Sugar, it is.” Elise smiled. “And we have to get an order of those cute sliders. It comes with a free rubber ducky.”
I giggled. “The spicy chicken penne alla vodka sounds good.”
“We can share that, too. It says it serves two,” Elise suggested.
“Sounds good to me,” I replied as I closed my menu and set it down.
“Um, you have to look at dessert, too. Did you see those shakes when we walked in?”
I arched a brow. “You think we’ll still be hungry after the sliders and pasta?”
“Well, maybe not, but it’s about the experience,” Elise said as she continued to look at the menu. “I’m thinking either the Cookie Monster or Rainbow Brite milkshake.”
“Are we sharing again?” I glanced around at the different tables and saw various huge milkshakes. “Because those things are gigantic.”
“Why not? We’re sharing everything else,” Elise replied with a shrug.
A server came to our table and greeted us with a smile. After we put in our order, we talked about plans for the night.
“Do you want to take an Uber to Fremont Street from the hotel?” Elise asked.
I nodded. “Definitely too far to walk, and I don’t want to have to find parking there or once we get back.”
Elise groaned. “Ugh, that was a nightmare. I don’t want to touch the car again until we leave.”
I chuckled. “I think we should definitely get one of those really tall drinks you see everywhere in Vegas.”
Elise gasped. “Oh, yeah. I read about a bar down there designed like a carousel. It has the horses that actually go up and down. They have those drinks there.”
“That sounds fun. We’ll go there first,” I decided.
“We have to do that zipline, too. It’s a must down there.”
Our server arrived with a giant goblet full of pink liquid, sour watermelon gummies, hard lemon candy, and smoke coming out of it. Elise took out her phone to take a picture once the server set it down. “That’s so cool.”
“I’ll be back with those sliders soon,” our server said with a smile.
“And some waters, too, please,” Elise added. She pushed the drink toward me. “You first.”
I eyed the smoking drink. “Do you think I should wait until the smoke goes away?”
Elise laughed as she grabbed a watermelon gummy and popped it in her mouth. “No. Drink up, lightweight.”
I took a drink from one of the straws and was surprised by the balance of tangy and sweet with a slight bite of alcohol underneath. “That’s really good. Better than I expected.”
Elise pulled the drink to her and took a sip. A smile curved her lips. “Yummy. We might have to get another one of those.”
I shook my head with a laugh. “I don’t know about that. We should pace ourselves if we’re going to be drinking all night on Fremont.”
Elise frowned, scrunching her nose. “I guess you’re right.” She pushed the drink back toward me. “Always so responsible.”
The server returned with the five rainbow sliders, each one with buns dyed a different color: red, yellow, blue, green, and purple. A little yellow rubber duck sat next to them. Elise took another photo, then grabbed the duck. “So cute.”
“I hope these don’t stain our mouths,” I said as I grabbed the red one, eyeing it suspiciously. “I don’t want to be walking around Vegas with colored lips and teeth.”
Elise grabbed the purple slider and took a bite. Once she finished chewing, she opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue. “So? Is it purple?”
Thankfully, it wasn’t. “No. Thank God.”
She took another bite as I took my first bite of mine. “Pretty good. Nothing special besides the aesthetic,” my best friend commented.
I nodded in agreement. “I’ve heard a lot of things in Vegas are like that. All about the aesthetic.”
Elise took another sip of our drink. “Okay, so we’re pacing ourselves now, but once we get to Fremont, we’re getting wasted, right?”
The thought of losing control made me anxious. I bit down on my bottom lip. “Maybe?”
Elise groaned, then smacked her tongue at me. “C’mon, Luz, live a little. You are finally free of your dad and we’re in Vegas. This is the place to have fun.”
I sighed. “I know, I know. You’re right. I just don’t want to get drunk and lost in an unfamiliar city.”
Elise reached out across the table and took one of my hands in hers. “We won’t. We’ll be fine.”
I knew I was being excessively cautious, so I tried to relax. “Okay. But promise me we’ll stay together. No hooking up tonight.”
Elise smiled sweetly. “I promise.”
Our server set our entree in front of us, and the plate could definitely feed two and then some.
“This looks and smells amazing,” I said.
We both grabbed a fork, then took a bite. Elise moaned as she chewed her food. “This is so good.”
It was really good. “Way better than the sliders.”
“Definitely,” Elise agreed.
As I expected, we couldn’t finish the meal. “I’m so full,” I stated with a groan.
“Me too. But I still want that shake,” Elise replied.
I laughed. “I might be able to take a few sips, but I’m not making any guarantees.”
We decided on the Cookie Monster shake, mainly because it was so cute and we could eat the donut and cupcake later.
When our shake came out, Elise took another picture. “I’m so glad we came here. Thank you, Sapphire.”
Elise slid the dessert to me and I shook my head. “You first. I can’t even think about ingesting something else right now.”
My best friend rolled her eyes, then took a sip. Her blue eyes widened. “That is so good. Not overly sweet, and super creamy.”
She took another sip before sliding the frosted mug back over to me, and I came face to face with the Cookie Monster donut. “I’m stuffed, Elise,” I whined.
“C’mon, we’re in Vegas. You’re going to walk it off tonight anyway.”
I smacked my tongue at her. She was a brat sometimes. I took a sip of the shake, even though my stomach protested. I raised my brows. “That is really good.”
“I told you. Now drink up,” Elise urged.
I took a couple more sips before pushing the mug back to Elise. “I’m done.”
Elise took a few more sips, managing to get the shake down to half. She eyed the drink up and down. “I wonder if they can put alcohol in this, and I can take it to go.”
I laughed. “You’re ridiculous. We’re going to have plenty of alcohol later.”
“I know, but this is so good, and I don’t want to waste it,” Elise responded.
We got boxes for what was left of our pasta, donut, and cupcake. We walked back to our hotel, marveling at the packed sidewalk and lights now that it was dark.
“This is insane,” Elise commented, her voice almost getting lost in the chaos of the sounds of music, laughter, and traffic.
“But in the best way,” I added, gazing up and around me while trying to take everything in. “The day versus night difference is crazy.”
“For real,” Elise agreed.
We dropped our leftovers off at our hotel, then got an Uber to Fremont. And when we got out and started walking, I could definitely see why Sapphire had said that Fremont was an experience in itself.
Fremont had the same feel as the Strip, just smaller. People were everywhere, including street performers with just pasties on, and people soliciting strip clubs and escorts. The buildings weren’t as tall, but they seemed to have just as many lights as the casinos on the strip.
Elise linked our arms together. “Let’s find that carousel bar and get that drink.”
I smiled, excited for the night ahead. “Let’s.”