by Cylin Busby
Get back on the T-bar and head up to the harder slope.
Stay where you are and meet Travis.
Chapter 22
“Maybe the T-bar is a little much for me,” you admit. “I’m going to go wait for the chairlift instead,” you tell Mitch.
“I’ll go with her,” Travis says, and Mitch looks over at him with a smirk. “What?” Travis asks, looking right at Mitch. “You know I hate the T-bar.”
“Do whatever you want,” Mitch says, and turns his back to you both—obviously, he’s not happy.
“Come on,” Travis says, leading the way, and you two take your place at the end of the long line for the chairlift.
“So,” you say, trying to make conversation with Travis, “does Mitch like going to school at Marshall?”
“I think he misses some stuff from his old school,” Travis says, pushing the snow around with his boot. “I’m sure you already know this, but he used to have a crush on you.”
“Really?” You try to act surprised. “Yeah, when he first started at Marshall, he used to talk about you all the time,” Travis goes on.
Even out here in the cold, you feel your cheeks start to turn slightly red, and you look away so that he can’t see. “What kind of stuff did he say?” you can’t help but ask.
“That you were cute,” Travis says, moving forward with the line. “And he was right,” he adds quietly.
You find yourself looking right into his dark eyes for a second before he glances away. “But then he started seeing this really popular girl and he stopped talking about you,” Travis admits.
“So that’s what’s going on. I was wondering if maybe he was mad at me or something.” The guy running the chairlift motions for you to step up. After you both sit, Travis leans across you to lock the bar into place, his hand brushing across your knee for a second.
“You okay?” he says, sitting back and taking off his hat. You’re busy taking in his super-short dark hair, his intense eyes…. When he catches you staring at him, you quickly turn your head.
“Look at that!” you say, pointing to the top of the mountain where the chairlift is taking you. You can see the dark peak poking through the snow, and skiers all over the trails, zooming down.
“This is the best part of skiing, I think,” Travis says. “I’m glad you didn’t want to take that stupid T-bar.”
“I know, right?” you agree. “We would have missed all this!”
“And I would have missed seeing it with you,” Travis says quietly. The way he’s looking at you, you can tell he’s about to kiss you. The moment is beyond romantic, but are you ready to move on from Mitch—with his best friend?
If you want to kiss Travis, go to Chapter 28.
If you feel funny about kissing Mitch’s best friend, go to Chapter 50.
Chapter 23
You forgot your gloves, so you go back to the room to get them before making your way out to the “bunny trail” for the ski lesson. When you do get there, the lesson has already started. The first person you notice is Bryce Karr—he’s tall and really tan, with blond curls poking out of his knit hat. “Hey, girlie,” he says to you with a wink, “here for the ski lesson?”
All you can do is nod as you look around for your friends. You see Heather standing with a group of girls and go over to join her. “Hot enough for ya?” she jokes, motioning to Bryce.
“Beyond hot,” you agree. “And also way too old for us!”
“Maybe for you,” Heather says, and you both start giggling.
“Seriously, he was in the Olympics before we were born!” you point out.
“I know that, but check out his ‘assistant,’ would you?” You look over and see a really good-looking guy with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, standing by Bryce.
“He’s okay,” you say, just as Zac sees you and waves.
“Hey!” he says, excited to see you. “Ready for the lesson?”
You can tell that Heather is annoyed that he’s there. “I have a question for the instructor,” she says, “I’ll be right back.” She scoots off toward Bryce.
“Listen,” Zac says, sounding a little embarrassed. “I wanted to ask you something. If you don’t have plans tonight, there’s going to be karaoke in the lounge—all ages. I’m going, if you want to….” He trails off.
“Yeah, maybe,” you say, just as Bryce asks everyone to line up in a row.
“Let’s all try to point the tips of our skis together—make a triangle by turning your knees and ankles in,” Bryce starts off.
Heather slides into place beside you and whispers, “Bryce and his assistant, Jon, have invited us to hang with them tonight! How awesome is that!” Her cheeks are flushed—and it’s not from the cold.
You look up at Bryce as he walks by you, checking your ski position. “Good, let’s just turn this one in a bit more.” He adjusts your right ski. “This is how you put the brakes on, so you want to get it just right—otherwise, it’s a total yard sale out there.”
As his assistant comes up behind him, Heather says, “What’s a yard sale?”
Jon laughs. “It’s a wipeout where you lose all yours tuff—you know, your skis, poles, gloves, everything all over the mountain. Looks like a yard sale or something.”
“I get it,” you laugh. Heather was right, Jon is actually adorable close up, with warm brown eyes and honey-colored skin. He moves over to Zac to help adjust his skis next, and Heather whispers to you, “So, you’ll come out with us tonight, right?”
You look over at Zac for a second. He’s a super sweet guy, and you know you’ll have fun if you go to karaoke with him. But hanging out with Heather is always great, too—and who knows, maybe Jon has a friend for you?
You want to do karaoke with Zac.
You’d rather join Heather and hang out with Bryce and Jon.
Chapter 24
When you’re in your rented snowsuit, you head out to meet Molly and Sierra. As soon as you step outside, you’re pretty happy that you rented something warm to wear.
“It’s freezing out here!” you exclaim as the cold air hits your face.
“I know, they said it’s one of the coldest days this year,” Sierra says, pulling her knit hat down over her ears. “Brrrrr!”
Just then, something smacks you in the back with a wet thud. “Huh?” You spin around. “What was…”
Another snowball smacks Molly in the leg. “Hey!” she yells, and you all look over and spy a couple of guys hiding behind a snowbank, laughing at you.
“Hey, ladies!” one guy taunts as another snowball whizzes by your head.
“You missed!” Sierra yells. “Could they get any more immature?”
“I say we get ’em,” Molly says, leaning over to pick up a handful of snow.
“I came here to ski, not play snowball fight with a bunch of little boys,” Sierra says loudly. “How about you?”
“Well, there was this ski lesson that Zac mentioned, and it’s starting right now,” you say, looking over to where everyone is lining up for the lesson. You see Zac in line, and then notice that Heather is there, too.
“Come on, are you going to let these losers win?” Molly says, firing off a snowball. “Help me!”
If you want to get the boys back in a snowball fight, go to Chapter 32.
If you’d rather go join the ski lesson with your other friends, go to Chapter 23.
Chapter 25
Even though you are a little cold, you decide to stay in your outfit. “Let’s do another run, then,” Sierra says, and you all ski over to the chairlift. As your chair goes up over the mountain, you can look down and see all of the skiers below you on the slopes. “Look at that guy,” Molly points out. “Nice moves!”
“He’s good,” Sierra agrees. “And check her out.” She points to a girl in a bright yellow snowsuit, zigzagging her way down the mountain.
“I have an idea!” Molly says, her eyes sparkling. “When we get to the top, let’s do the trail that runs practically right u
nder the chairlift—that way everyone coming up can check out our stuff!”
“That’s a really hard trail,” you say. “It’s steep and looks icy.”
“But those hot guys who were behind us in line would have to notice us if we skied down it,” Sierra reasons.
As the chairlift carries you higher, you feel your wet jeans practically freezing onto your legs— you’re so cold, even your thighs are starting to feel numb! “You okay?” Molly asks. “Your teet hare chattering!”
“I might need to get off at the first stop and just ski down to the lodge to warm up,” you say sadly.
“And miss your chance at hotdogging it down the slope in that amazing outfit?” Sierra says.
“Come on,” Molly says. “There will be plenty of time to warm up later tonight—once we’ve met those cute boys!”
You’re just too cold for the dangerous slope.
You decide to give the steep slope a try.
Chapter 26
You have to ski uphill to get to the next stop for the T-bar—not an easy task—but you do it and finally get yourself up to the trail where Mitch is about to head down. “Hey, wait for me!” you yell over to him.
He’s surprised to see you. “I thought you wiped out back there,” he says, smiling. You’re so glad to see that his mood has improved now that he’s skiing.
“I did,” you admit. “But I got back on and here I am, ready to go.” You slide into position next to him and then look down the slope in front of you— and get dizzy! “Whoa, that’s…”
“I know,” Mitch says. “It’s a black diamond trail called ‘The Plunge.’ I didn’t know you were a good enough skier to go down this one.” He’s obviously impressed. So it kills you to have to set him straight.
“Actually…” You take another look down the mountain. “I’m, um…”
“Hey!” Someone slides up beside you—it’s Zac!
“I thought I might run into you on the slopes—but not here!” He motions to the steep precipice.
“Yeah, we were just talking about that,” you laugh.
“I already skied this one once and totally wiped out, so I’m headed over there”—he points—“to a slightly less crazy slope.” Zac takes one look at your face and can tell you’re terrified. “If you want to join me—,” he starts to say, but Mitch cuts him off.
“No way. She’s doing the black diamond trail with me, right?” You love the fact that Mitch is finally paying attention to you, but you’re just not sure you can go down that dangerous slope. Mitch is looking at you so expectantly—do you dare to let him down? You take one more look at the skiers going down the black diamond trail and decide to…
Ski the hard slope with Mitch.
Ski the easy slope with Zac.
Chapter 27
You ski carefully over to the beginner trail and wait for Travis. When he gets there, you expect him to make a joke about how you wiped out, but instead he quickly asks, “Are you okay?” He looks at you so sympathetically that you almost laugh.
“I’m fine—just a slightly bruised ego!”
Travis smiles. “I knew we should have skipped the T-bar. I hate that thing!”
There’s something about the way he says “we” that makes you grin—it’s like you’re a couple or something. “Ready to tackle this trail?” he asks you.
“I guess so.” You move into position next to him. “I just feel wobbly today.”
“Here.” Travis puts both his ski poles into one hand and holds out his other hand to you. “You just keep your eyes on the trail. I’ll hold your hand on the way down, okay?”
Your mind instantly goes to Mitch—what would he think if he saw you holding hands with his best friend? Then you remember that he’s been a jerk to you all day—and as far as you know, he’s got a girlfriend.
“Hold your poles like this,” Travis says, putting both of your ski poles into your left hand. He takes your right hand and holds it firmly. “You’re gonna be great. Don’t worry,” he whispers as he pushes off from the top of the trail and pulls you with him. It definitely helps to have him there holding you up— even though you still almost fall a couple of times!
At the bottom, you see Heather waving, waiting for you. When she sees that Travis is with you, she makes a weird face. “He’s a friend of Mitch’s from Marshall,” you explain, before she can even ask.
“Well,” she says, “I was just looking for you to see if you wanted to sign up for a ski lesson—looks like you could use one!”
“With Bryce Karr?” Travis asks. “I hear he’s great—he skied in the Olympics.”
“And he’s gorgeous.” Heather giggles and nudges you—you want to joke with her, but you can tell she’s making Travis feel totally uncomfortable.
“Guess I’m going to head out,” he says to you. “If you decide that you need a ski lesson, just know that I’m available, too. I may not be an Olympic champ, but, well…you know where to find me,” he says as he skis off.
“’Bye,” Heather calls after him, then grabs your arm. “Are you going to do the lesson?” You can’t help thinking about Mitch again—are you ready to totally give up on him? And even if you are ready, is it right to move on with his best friend? Maybe you should just take the ski lesson with Heather. Why does Travis have to be the nicest, cutest boy you’ve ever met? You don’t know what to do!
You decide to let Travis give you a ski lesson.
You’d rather take a ski lesson with Heather.
Chapter 28
As soon as you feel Travis’s lips on yours, you know you made the right decision—he sends shivers down your spine. But in an instant, your mind is back on Mitch, and feeling guilty.
You pull away from him for a second. “I have to tell you something. Until today, I had a big crush on Mitch. And last year, something almost happened between us—,” you start, but Travis cuts you off.
“Actually, I know all that. Boys talk, too, you know!” Travis explains. “What I’m trying to tell you is that Mitch has moved on, and I think you’re ready to move on, too. Aren’t you?” he asks, searching your face.
You look up and meet his gaze; the answer is clear. “I am ready,” you admit. “I just hope he won’t be mad at me.”
“You let me deal with that,” Travis says, putting his arm around your shoulders. “Right now, let’s just ski and have fun, okay?” he asks as the chairlift starts to descend.
“Okay,” you agree.
When you get off the chairlift, he holds your hand as you ski over to the slope. “Oh, and one more thing,” he says, sticking his poles into the snow hard. “If I beat you to the bottom, you have to be my date to the movie at the lodge tonight.” He grins at you and—whoosh!—he’s gone.
You have to laugh as you start, slowly, down the mountain behind him. Even though you can’t wait to see him at the bottom, this is one race you don’t want to win!
END
Chapter 29
“You think you’re ready to do this?” Mitch asks from the top of the black diamond trail.
The trail is super steep, but you nod your head, and he gives you his classic grin. You can’t help but smile back. Even if Mitch does have a girlfriend, there’s still a chemistry between you two—you hope that you’ll always be friends.
The two of you head down the trail next to each other, and you’re doing great…at first! But as you build up speed, you feel unsure of yourself, and near the end of the trail, you wipe out, skidding on your butt as your skis pop off! Mitch slides to a stop, too.
“What happened there?” he says to you, still out of breath. He reaches down with one hand to help you up. But when you grab it, you pull down too hard, and he falls down—almost on top of you! He rolls over in the snow. “Very sneaky!” he says through a smirk.
“It was an accident,” you say, tossing a handful of snow at him.
“Oh yeah?” He picks up some snow to throw at you, and before you know it, you’re wrestling in the snow. Mitch finally pi
ns you to the ground and leans over you, laughing so hard he can barely talk. “No more throwing snow!” he says. “Promise?”
“Yes!” you laugh, but as soon as he lets go of you, you grab a big handful of snow and shove it down the back of his jacket. “AHHHHHH!” he yells, hopping around, trying to get the snow out of his coat. That’s when you notice a girl with long blond hair watching you two. She has her arms crossed over her chest and she doesn’t look very happy.
“Hello, Mitch,” she says in a voice that could freeze icicles.
“Oh, uh…,” he says, the smile gone from his face. “I thought you weren’t coming on the trip.”
“Obviously,” she says, staring at you. “This is my girlfriend, Hannah,” Mitch says to you quickly.
“Make that ex-girlfriend,” Hannah snips as she turns on her snow boot and storms off. Mitch grabs his ski stuff to chase after her—forgetting that you’re even there.
“Hannah, wait!” he yells, racing behind her. Oh well, so much for “just being friends.”
END
If you want to rethink skiing with Mitch, go back to Chapter 21.
Chapter 30
When you get down to the lounge that night for karaoke, you realize you’re late. “I thought maybe you weren’t coming,” Zac says with a scowl when you show up.
“Sorry, I…” You hesitate, trying to think up an excuse.
“Don’t worry about it,” Zac says, looking up at the stage, where a girl is about to sing a Madonna song. “I’m sure you’re very busy.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” you ask him. “I don’t know, you seem pretty popular. I’ve seen how guys act around you.” He looks away from the stage for a second and meets your eyes. “I’m sure you think I’m just some kid who has a crush on you or something.”
