EIGHTY- EIGHT

Mack and I grew closer. We both knew that we liked the same girl, but that was the surprising fact that brought us closer.

We were still competitive, but in a friendly way and Mack protected me from Xander, who also liked Ruby, and Rose.

The womanising jerk didn't want to choose.

For Geography one day, my whole class was sent on a field trip across the country to the Grand canyon. We were to split in teams of three and explore the huge place.

Sketching rock formations, giving hypotheses on how they may have been formed and how old they were.

Stating the main type of weathering they were experiencing.

Naming the type of rocks we found, their formation processes and composition minerals and more about them.

I was in a group with Desmond, a dark guy like me. His dad owned a game producing company in Canada and Velvet, a girl whose parents started a huge clothing manufacturing company in India from scratch.

We looked at the Kaibab plateau, which was made of several layers of different types of rock.

We wrote our project based on the knowledge we already had about rocks. By the end of the field trip—three days later—thus was our assignment;

The plateau was made of layers of sedimentary shale, compacted clay and several other minerals, limestone rocks and sandstone on its surface.

On top of an aged layer of igneous Vishna schist was a layer of Tapeats sandstone. It was made up of clastic sedimentary sandstones, it was dark brown and distinct from its surrounding rock.

The next layer was Bright Angel shale. It was made of siltstone and shale. It had numerous colours, most definitely green.

The next layer was Muav limestone. It was grey and relatively thin when compared to the other layers.

The next was Red wall limestone. It composed of dolomites and marine limestone, showing that the plateau was previously submerged in deep blue waters. It was between 500 and 550 feet tall. The iron oxide runoff from the upper layers gave it its colour and name.

There were a few more layers though but we couldn't identify them. We got a group A+ for our presentation and we're proud of it.

The next week, Ruby was completely better and was showing us the spectacular view from the Dubai frame.

I said,"The view is amazing!"

"I know right! I'm totally going to make a concert there one day."Lucille said.

"Meh, been there, done that."Mack said.

"Buzz kill."I said.

Ruby rolled her eyes while Lucille giggled when Mack and I started arguing, again.

She went shopping for souvenirs for us after going to Aladin city.

She tried her best to buy what each of us will most desire.

Zeina helped her to choose.

She first went to an electronics shop to buy gadgets for me to tinker with, and of course the store Clark was stupified, she didn't like that one bit. That was the reason she quit her job as a runway model, she didn't like being stared at.

The Clark crossed the line when he tried to flirt with her and give her items for free to be on her nice list.

She was glad when she was out of there.

She next went to a cosmetics store to buy expensive perfumes for Lucille and the best hair and skin care products for Ms Lucy.

She next went to a provisions shop to buy spices for Mark as she knew he loved to cook.

Zeina helped her to pick the best, not necessarily the most expensive.

She then went to a market to buy a traditional mat for Mack. It was expensive as it had over a thousand and fifty different coloured threads including pure gold and silver, and was handmade.

She also bought some traditional clothes for all of us according to our sizes, no one knew how she knew them.

For Lucille, she got a pink Galabeya—as Zeina called it—with a matching Shayla. For Miss Lucy, she got a red Shayla and Galabeya.

For us, the males, she got pure white Ghutras and Egals, with Kanduras and Kerkushas.

She went back to the hotel and for once, needed the guards to help her carry everything.

Ruby was training in her hotel room.

She spun her bo staff and hit it on the floor and ran on the wall, using it for support.

She then jumped off and balanced herself on one arm, on the tip of the staff.

She then descended and did a Monkey climbing up the tree. She heard clapping and was startled and fell off.

She safety rolled and spun the stick then pointed it at the person who clapped in a defensive manner.

Zeina raised her hands and Ruby calmed down and apologized. Zeina said,"Wow, you are really agile."

"Thanks, my parents taught me Kung Fu when I was growing up."

Zeina was impressed, this girl was smart and strong.

I was in the gym in the penthouse. I ran and did a front handspring off the pommel horse and landed then did a back handspring and stayed on the thick board.

My legs were pointing in front of me and I raised them above my head one by one. I then did a gymnastic flair with my legs together.

I spun and did a split to throw myself into the air for a split second then landed on one arm and hopped off and did a double backflip and landed but stumbled.

I wasn't as good at multiple flipping as Mark yet, who was watching and judging. He said,"Wow, you're getting better."

"I know right! And I only broke three ribs, my pubis symphisis and my tibia while I was learning this!"

Mark placed his hand on my shoulder and said,"I'm proud of you, big bro."

I smiled.