Without You Part 2

         The days to follow our adventure on the mountain were filled with memories that I would never forget. We surfed, ate a lot of food, hiked, went snorkeling, explored the reefs, but the best part was doing it all with her. She helped me step out of my comfort zone. Last year, I never could have seen myself surfing especially in Hawaii, but she pushed me to do it because she knew how much I would love it. She was right. It felt like I was on top of the world for the two seconds I was able to stay on my feet. I heard her cheering me on, laughing at me all the way until I smacked the water. Once I was ready, she took me farther out and joined me on the waves instead of just watching.

https://www.hawaiidiscount.com/
tours/helicopterrides.htm         

          However, as brave as Alaina was, she refused to take a helicopter ride. She loved planes and adventures, but there was nothing I could do or say to get her to ride a helicopter, except surf. I promised her that I would go surfing and we have been going every day since. She swore that she would go on a helicopter ride since I went surfing, so we got ready at seven in the morning on Wednesday, June 30. Who knew what that day would have turned into. 

          "So where does this helicopter take us?" Alaina asked on the way over. 

          "It's a surprise, but I promise you are going to be okay." 

          "But what if..." 

          "Look at me Alaina. Would I take you on an adventure that would kill you? You are going to love this, I promise you. I am going to be there with you. Nothing bad is going to happen. Do you trust me?" No answer. "Alaina, do you trust me?" 

          She shook her head yes and flashed a weak smile. I continued to talk to her about everything but the helicopter. I knew heights scared her to death, but I also knew who Alaina was. She loved nature and being outside. We couldn't come to Hawaii and not go on a helicopter tour, I was not going to let that happen. 

          "Look," I said pointing in the distance. Her jaw dropped. 

          "I hate you so much," she was smiling.

          We walked towards the shack and were greeted by a friendly looking man.

          "Good afternoon sir," he shook my hand and then turned to Alaina.

          "I hear you are not too happy about this ride. Don't worry nothing has ever gone wrong with me flying."

          After listening to a safety speech on what to do in case of an emergency, we finally got on the helicopter. As we were fastening our seat belts, tears filled her eyes. I took her hand and wrapped my other arm around her clammy shoulders. I held her until I felt her muscles relax and noticed that she had finally opened her eyes. She was speechless, we both were. Incapable of finding the right words to truly capture the beauty that surrounded us, we both just sat there in awe. The mountains went on for miles with endless amounts of blue surrounding them.

         She turned her head and locked eyes with me. "Thank you," she whispered. I wanted to take her face in my hands and kiss her forever. I wanted to wake up every morning and reassure her of how much I loved her.

https://www.ohanafun.net/activity/air_
maui_west_maui_molokai_45m/

         "Over here on your left, you will see the West Maui Mountains, one of the tallest mountains on the island," our tour guide said.

          We quickly snapped out of the daze that it seemed both of us were trapped in. We sat silently for the rest of the tour, but I would risk looking over at her. Sometimes we would make eye contact and sometimes we wouldn't. Her jaw muscles were constantly clenching every time I looked. The thing about being best friends with someone for so long is you know everything about them, even their nervous habits. That was one of hers.

       

          Around twelve o'clock that same afternoon, she dragged me on the beach saying she was craving a good surf. I rested on the sand being too lazy to surf and let the sun warm my skin. I rested on my elbows and watched her do what she did best. It was quiet that day; the waves were fairly calm, but still good enough for surfing and there was a lack of people enjoying Hawaii's beauty.

         She caught many waves and it still amazed me, even after all of the time I spent watching her, that she was able to stay up for so long. She rode one almost all the way in, her farthest one yet.

         "One more!" she called out. "We are getting food after this. I'm starving!"

         She paddled back out and managed to glide so gracefully over each wave that appeared like it was going to crash right on top of her.

https://www.ksbw.com/article/great-
white-shark-attack-in-santa-cruz/10290927

         After waiting for the perfect wave to come, she finally caught one. I wasn't watching, but I could hear her screams of joy as she quickly approached the shore. The world went quiet, and I assumed she was going to sneak up on me again. I opened my eyes and sat up, expecting to see her beautiful figure slowly creeping up on me. Except there was nothing. No Alaina, no surfboard, just the ocean's crashing waves.