Together Forever (6 page)

It’s been a few months since school started. Everything I guess is, okay.
You Lie
Okay fine, maybe not so okay. Ryan and I barely had time with each other. We barely talked. We only saw each other in classes we had with each other, and even then we didn’t have anything to talk about.
This is how our classes went:
I walked into performing arts and sat down in my regular seat. “Afternoon,” I greeted Ryan as he walked in.
“Hi,” he simply smiled at me. I frowned, expecting a kiss from him. I never got it. He just ignored me the whole time.
This is how our weekends went:
“Hey babe, you think we can grab some lunch after school?” I asked him.
“Sorry, I have practice,” he told me, and hung up. No bye, no nothing.
Thanksgiving, we spent with my brother and his sister who came down and even they felt a tension between Ryan and I. It was weird. Even when we talked on the phone, he wouldn’t sweet talk me anymore, I couldn’t feel the butterflies anymore. What the fuck?
We were drifting apart, and it scared the shit out of me.
“Heeeeey-zel-lyn,” Audrey sang.
“What’s up?” I half smiled.
“Oh nothing, excited for the vacation,” she chuckled.
“Oh?” I acted interested. “What’s up this vacation?”
“The football team and the cheerleading team are going to spend a week of it together,” she cheesed.
I instantly frowned. Why didn’t Ryan tell me about this? He probably wasn’t planning to go. I can just imagine him saying ‘It doesn’t matter. If I told you, you’d want me to go and not hold me back from socializing’. I smiled at the thought. “Awesome,” I smiled.
“1 week, 7 days,” she paused. “I really don’t know how many hours, minutes and seconds are in a week,” she smirked. “All I know is that I’d have that time with Dolciani.”
I frowned. “Oh? He’s going?”
“Totally.”
“Where are you guys going?” I asked successfully keeping the hiss off my voice.
“We’re going to Tahoe,” she grinned. “I heard that Jay snowboards, I’m gonna ask him to teach me.”
“He’s not that good,” I mumbled.
“What?”
“Nothing. What resort?”
“Sierra at Tahoe,” she told me.
“Ooooh, don’t go there,” I told her. “They have the worst powder,” I lied, when the truth was that it was the best resort ever. “I rode there one time. Go to Mt. Rose in Reno,” I grinned. Hey, I need to show off my skills too.
“I’ll let them know, thanks,” she smiled widely at me.
“You’re so welcome,” I smiled. Fuck heads.

~/~/~/~/~

“You’re going to Tahoe with the team?” I asked Ryan. I called him up after my last class, Friday.
“Yeah,” he said boredly.
“Are you with the guys?”
“Yeah.”
“Figured.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing, it’s just that when you’re with them, you act like a total dick.”
“Oh,” he slightly chuckled.
“Call me when my Ryan comes back.” I growled and hung up.

~/~/~/~/~

The Christmas break just started. I’m relieved that I actually have some time to myself. I was thinking of going to apologize to Ryan and spend some actual quality time with him but he left for Tahoe already. It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve last talked to him and it’s driving me crazy. He doesn’t even give a shit!
“Are you okay?” Samantha asked kneeling in front of me on the bed. I was sitting pretzel style just staring at out in space.
“Yeah,” I smiled at her.
“Don’t lie,” she told me.
“I’m not,” I shrugged.
“You lie!”
“Fine, I’m going snowboarding,” I told her and stood up.
“Just like that?”
“Just like that,” I smirked.
“Can we come with?” she asked me.
“Sure,” I smiled and went to the closet. “I’m going to Tahoe though, do you have your board?” I asked.
“No,” she frowned.
“Let’s go shopping,” I shrugged and grabbed my keys and made my way to my Range Rover.
We then arrived at Any Mountain in Fremont. I walked in and made my way towards where the boards were at. “Hey, Sam, you board right?” I asked her.
“Kind of. Kyle has taught me a few times,” she told me.
“Do you know what size do you use?” I asked her.
“I’ll call Kyle and ask him,” she said taking her phone out and dialed something.
I pulled out my phone as well and dialed a familiar number. It rang about three times before somebody picked up. “Squid!” I grinned.
“Lyn, you up for a first run?” he asked, excited
“Yes! Wanna go to Alaska?”
He laughed. “No, we’re not jumping off a helicopter.”
“Who’s jumping off a helicopter?” I heard Lago form the back.
“Scotty!” I screamed, making Samantha and the hot helper in the snowboarding department look at me. I sent them apologetic smiles and walked out the store.
“Lynieee!” he cooed.
“I wanna try going Heli-boarding!” I told him
“Fuck no. I don’t want you to die! Jay would kill me!”
“I don’t think he’d care at his point,” I frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ll tell you when I get there, where are you right now?”
“Mount Rose.”
“Awesome, I’ll meet you there tomorrow.”
“Okay. Here’s
John
,” Scotty said and I heard some shuffling.
“Lyn?”
“Yessiiree. Hey, can you get us a room for three please?” I pleaded.
“Sure thing? Jay and your bro? In one room? Haven’t you learned your lesson last season?”
John
chuckled.
“Shuttup,” I mumbled clearly remembering that Ryan and I had to sleep in different beds. I had to share a bed with Tristan, who made me a pillow and drooled on my hair. Talk about gross. I had to sleep in Scotty’s room.
“Well, we actually got given a cabin here, it has 8 bedrooms, so I can spare you two,” he said.
“Oh awesome! I’ll see you tomorrow! Thanks
John
y bear,” I smiled.
“You’re welcome Lynie-bear. Oh fuck, I’m not on speaker am I?”
I laughed. “Don’t worry, even if you called me ‘babe’ nobody would care,” I smirked.
“You have to tell me about that tomorrow” he told me.
“Indeed.” I nodded.
“Oh and Lyn?”
“Uhuh?”
“Nice to hear from you,” he chuckled. “Bye. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.” I said ending the call as I walked back into the store.
“Who was that?” Samantha asked.
“A friend,” I said. “So you talked to Kyle?”
“Yeah, he said a 149 would be good,” she nodded.
“Okay, cool. I’ll go get a set up and I need to grab new boots, new bindings, a new jacket, new pants, new goggles and a new helmet. Oh and gloves,” I said listing it at the top of my head.
“So you need everything but a board,” she laughed.
“Pretty much. Plus, I need to get your stuff too,” I grinned at her and went to look for my stuff that I needed.

~/~/~/~/~

“Are you really making me drive to Fremont by myself?” Kyle frowned.
“Yes, I don’t wanna sit in a car for another 30 minutes!” Sam whined.
“Oh fuck it, I’ll go with you,” I sighed. “Why didn’t you just tell us what you needed?”
“Because, I need to try it on, thanks for going with me,” he hugged me. “Shame on you girlfriend,” he said to Sam in a girly voice. I couldn’t keep myself from laughing.
We then went back to Any Mountain and entered again. “Back for more?” the guy that worked in the snowboard department asked. Kyle excused himself and made his way towards the boards.
“He needed company,” I chuckled as we walked towards where he was.
“Oh, I’m disappointed,” he smirked.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I thought you might’ve came back to ask what time I got off,” he smiled playfully.
“Maybe,” I grinned at him.
“Marcus,” he said putting out his hand.
“
Kate
,” I smiled.
“Matches your eyes,” he smirked.
“That’s how I got my name,” I chuckled.
“So, he your boyfriend?” he asked
“No. That’s -the other girl I was with- ‘s boyfriend,” I smirked.
“Oh, so you’re single.”
“Maybe,” I smirked.
“Flirt,” he accused.
“I know,” I grinned. Hey! It’s not cheating. Plus, he didn’t give me that weird guy vibe, he was being friendly.
“I like you, you’re cool. We should be friends,” he offered.
“Totally.” I smiled.
“So, are you from around here?”
“Nah, I go to school in Palo Alto,” I informed him.
“Stanford,” he stated. I gave him a questioning look. “Sweater,” he pointed out. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “Smart, sexy and sporty, my type,” he winked. I laughed.
“You’re funny, I like you,” I said to him.
“I try,” he grinned back
We kept making small talk while Kyle was making his decision. After awhile, I decided to help him out and with Marcus, went towards Kyle. “Made your decision?”
“I’m indecisive,” he frowned.
“I know,” I grimaced.
“I think I’ll get them all,” he frowned.
“All dude?” Marcus laughed. “Damn.”
“Trust me, he’s like this,” I mumbled. “His basement is full of unused stuff,” I sighed.
“Damn,” Marcus shook his head again, a smirk tugging at his lips. I smiled. Somebody called for Marcus and he gave me a sad smile. “Duty calls, but give me your number and we can hang out some time,” he smiled. Kyle gave Marcus his number and said that they’ll communicate. “Awesome, nice to meet you both, we should all ride together sometime this season.” He offered as he was backing away.
“Good plan, we’ll hit you up,” Kyle said throwing a peace up and Marcus disappeared from our sight.
We paid for the stuff and went back to the car, shoving everything in the back of my Range Rover.
“And you’re gonna hide that from Ryan, how?” I finally asked
“You’re gonna hide it for me,” he smiled and hugged me.

~/~/~/~/~

“Fuck you sir,” Kyle mumbled.
“Babe, I couldn’t decide!” he whined.
“And you bought,” she paused and looked at the floor. “3 boards, 2 bindings, 2 boots, 2 jackets, 3 pants, 2 helmets, 4 goggles and 2 gloves?” she counted. Yes, he did buy that much. Indecisive.
“I couldn’t decide!”
“See! That is why I don’t leave you two together!” Sam let out an exasperated sigh. “Now where are we storing all this?”
“Under your beds?” he asked hopefully.
“You agreed to this missy?” she had her hands on her hips.
“I can't let Ryan know,” I said quietly. Then something hit me. “You’re dumb Kyle,” I sighed. He gave me a questioning look. “Ryan left for Tahoe today,” I rolled my eyes. “You told me this morning.
“Why am I with you again?” she asked Kyle.
“I am dumb,” he said smacking his own forehead.
“See?! I told you!” I pointed at him.
“I’m indecisive, plus, the 3 boards and the bindings, are depending on our terrain,” he shrugged.
“We’re driving there, dumb one,” I said to him.
“I’ll take Jay’s commander,” he shrugged.
“You’re so, difficult,” I rolled my eyes and we started setting up our stuff for the next day.
…. We’ll see each other there ….

“
JOHN
Y!” I grinned and ran towards him.
“Lyniee!”
John
chuckled and ran towards me too.
“You guys are gonna die if Jay sees that,” Kyle said from behind me.
“Out of all the people Kyle, you’d know best that he wouldn’t give a damn,” I sneered at him. He looked taken aback. “Sorry, I sighed. He nodded understanding me, and smiled at the guys, hugging each of them.
“You shall introduce us,”
Josh
said from behind
John
, and everyone else behind him.
“I shall,” I grinned.
“Guys, these are my friends from Santa Monica. Kyle and his
girlfriend
Samantha. They’re
both
taken,” I chuckled. They all let out playful groans. “Sorry guys, Kyle doesn’t swing your way,” I said to them. They all again let out playful grunts. We all laughed and it was the guys’ turn to get introduced.
“Sam, Kyle, these are the guys. Professional snowboarders. They’re in a group called Frends. With no I,” I smiled. “This right here is
John
, the ass hole behind him is
Josh
, the weirdo behind him is Kevin, the other ass behind him is Jack, that dumb fuck is Danny, and that Loser at the very back, is Scotty,” I introduced.
“Hey!” they all protested.
“How come
John
didn’t get a mean name?”
Josh
pouted.
“Because I’m awesome, bitch,”
John
laughed.
“Whoa shit, it is them,” Samantha mumbled.
“What do you mean?”
“I thought I was dreaming.”
We all laughed. “So, I guess you’re a fan?” Lago asked.
“Hell to the fuck yes Lago!” she grinned widely. “Your Olympic run? Epic,” she commented. He did a bow and smiled.
“Oh fuck,” he mumbled and hid behind Danny. “Her boyfriend is glaring at me,” he whispered loudly, causing all of us to crack up.
We all went to the Cabin to drop off our stuff. It was within the ‘village’ of Mt. Rose, which was awesome. We then made our way to the marketplace, where we grabbed stuff to cook, since the guys wanted
Kate
to cook. Lucky
Kate
right? Right.
Everyone was getting along well, which was never really a problem for me. As everyone was eating breakfast, and it was still around 7:30, and lifts don’t open until 9, I walked outside and out the balcony.
“Hey, you going to tell us what’s wrong?”
John
asked, with Lago behind him with chairs.
I eyed the chairs. “I was thinking it was a long story,” he smirked at me and set down the chairs.
“It’s Ryan…,” I sighed and began to tell them.
By the time I finished they had blank looks on their faces. “I’d say you’re lying, but I doubt you’d lie about things like this,” Scotty said. I pursed my lips and sighed.
“Lyn, I’ve seen how much Jay loves you. They way he looks at you, the way he acts around you. How protective he is of you. I know you love him more than anything else, besides snowboarding of course, but if he’s hurting you, then I don’t know if he’s good for you,”
John
sighed.
“I know,” I mumbled. “But I can't let go of him,” I looked at both of them pleadingly. They gave me sympathizing looks.
“I’m sorry
Kate
, but may I be completely honest with you?” Scotty asked. I nodded. He took a deep breath and looked at me straight in the eye. “Love is like snowboarding in many ways. When you look at somebody snowboarding for the first time, or even doing a trick, it looks easy and you say that it’s easy. But the truth is, it’s very hard. You strap into that board for the first time and you try to stand up. The truth is, you WILL fall. It is hard. You realize that. Just like love. You look at everyone and it seems to be that love is the perfect thing for you, that it’s easy and carefree but there are so much more stuff that comes with it.
“First time snowboarding, and getting that courage to strap yourself on that board, it makes an automatic decision that you will try it. Like love, when you step into it, you get into that whole mess. When you try something in snowboarding and you get it, you learn how to do your S turns for the first time, you master it, and you’re happy. You land that trick you’ve been working your ass off on, you feel top of the world. Just like love, when you get the person you want in your arms, it’s as if nothing can destroy it, nothing can ruin your day.
“As time passes by, you wanna try something new in snowboarding. Either you want to progress in the terrain you are riding in, or you want to learn Torstein Horgmo’s triple corkscrew. You don’t know if you’d be able to land it on the first try, most likely you’d fall flat on your ass, or maybe do a
face plant
. But you never know, you just
might land it. You keep trying because maybe the next time you try it, you’ll land it.
“And just like love, you try something new, say something new, let that person know something new about you, and you never know where that could lead. You’re scared in both scenarios.
“When you don’t land that first try of trying out your trick? What do you do? You get up right? NO matter how much you’ve fallen flat on your ass, how many
face plants
you’ve done, how many involuntary somersaults and
back flips
, no matter how many sprained wrists and ankles, no matter how many broken bones, no matter how many trees you’ve run into, what do you do? You get back up and try again. You try and try again. Just like love, no matter how much it breaks you down, no matter how much shit it puts you through, you get back up and fight for that person.
“Have you ever realized why you get back up and try again,
Kate
?” he asked me.
“Because I love snowboarding,” I simply said.
“Exactly. And because we snowboarders, at the end of the day, we know that it’s worth it. The pain that we go through, it’s worth it, because we love the sport. Just like love, no matter how much the person hurts you, puts you down, throws you around, you get back up and try again, together. Just like the relationship between your board and you. You’re ONE, you have both feet strapped onto your board, not just half. You work TOGETHER with your board, and not just you alone. Your bond is within your binding, without your binding, you can’t work together with your board, and depending on what binding you have, whether it’s strong or not, is like the bond between the two of you. The binding is like your love for each other,” He said to me and took a deep breath.
“What I’m trying to say is, that we do all these things because it’s worth it. Is he worth it
Kate
? Do you love him enough to go through anything with him?” he asked. I just looked at him. He smiled softly at me. “You don’t have to answer me now. It’s a lot to take in and a huge decision to make. But right now, we have a mountain to rip up, an audience to awe and snowboards to bond with,” he smiled, standing up.
He held out a hand for me and I took it, standing up with him. He smiled at me and walked back inside, leaving me with the younger Mitrani. “When you’ve made your decision, don’t hesitate to come to us, we’ve got your back Lynie, no matter what,” he said grabbing me for a hug.
“Agh, I love you,” I smiled at him and hugged him back to.
“Love you too girly, now go get ready. We’ve got a mountain to shred,” he smiled at me and pushed me inside.