LIAM (Book Two)

NINE

Day two at Big Bear, staying at Grandma Birdie's place. It's a Thanksgiving morning, and I decided to practice my lines for a while before we head out for another family outing before dinner at Mark's place. I brought all my homework on this trip because I can't be left behind even though I'm on break for a week. It sucks, but that is what I get for being a good girl. I was all dressed up to go out.

I heard a chime from my phone while it was charging. I rushed to it, placed the script down, and saw a text from Clark. He would be going home soon from his early holiday and asked where I was; I replied, stating that I was at Big Bear with the family. He told me that he couldn't reach Effie, then I told him that she stayed with her family at Morongo Casino for Seth's birthday and added that it probably has low reception.

I laughed when Clark sent a sad emoji indicating he felt left out. I texted him back, ranting about him leaving us on his early holiday. It must be nice to be rich. I said that already, didn't I?

"Lily, honey?" Grandma Birdie entered my room, "We are leaving soon."

"Okay, grandma," I placed my script back inside my backpack and grabbed my boots.

Grandma nodded and closed my door while I put on my snow boots. Today planned to go on a helicopter tour to see the views of the winter scenery across Big Bear Valley, then later a zip-line tour, and lastly, Mark is going to meet us at the ski resort at Bear Mountain to hit the down slopes. It's been a long time since I snowboarded, so that I might be rusty.

I checked my outfit in front of the mirror on the wall, making sure nothing was open, ripped, or embarrassing to show, and grabbed my mini backpack with my GoPro and the equipment.

The drive didn't take long to stop on our first stop, the helicopter tour. The first time I rode it was when I was very timid about heights, then once I was in as the helicopter rise from the ground made me hyperventilate. Dad suggested canceling the tour, but I wanted to see above the world, so I swallowed my vomit and cleared my mind.

Since it's been a long time, they made us sign a waiver to ensure our safety. Once signed, and picked out the tour package and went with touring the 20-minute ride and 33 miles distance. It's pricey but worth it.

They put us into two different helicopters because the capacity was three, and since there were four of us, Daddy decided to divide us into two. My dads are in one, while Birdie and I are in the other.

We wore helmets and microphones to communicate with the pilot and the tour guy as she told the historical facts. I pulled out my GoPro and turned it on record, capturing everything below the helicopter. It's beautiful, and my eyes went wide; it's been a long time seeing what Big Bear looked like beneath us. You could see the snow on the mountains, green areas in some places, and the large lake as it glittered.

Twenty-two minutes later, we drove to the zip-line tour. That one is much more fun than the helicopter ride because it's a zip-line. I had fun riding with no platform to sit on, only the straps holding my ass when the cold air hit my face as I glid down a strong thigh rope to the other side. I was having a blast with my family. Dad was concerned with his hair getting messed up in the wind, and when it got fried and damp because of the freezing temperature caught in his hair, it turned into an afro. We all laughed, and Dad grunted at us.

Morning activities were done, and next was shopping. Of course, the stores at the mall will be crowded, and a long line would be a hassle to get the latest and best price of certain items. But since it's a holiday and the mall is open, few people are around.

Dad was excited and just ran off with Daddy catching up to him. I bet he went to the name brands first. Grandma also decided to finish her shopping list and won't take me along with her. She wanted to surprise us at Christmas. I was having that vibe of wanting to know but didn't ask. I let her go off as I stayed alone.