Shattered Asylum

Chapter 42

Kristina and the twins invited me to go snowboarding today. It hasn't snowed yet, but this place is indoors, and the temperature is cold enough to make its own snow.

I'll admit, I was surprised when Grayson texted me about hanging out. I didn't think he'd want to see me so soon after what happened.

There's a strange shift between us now, like the walls I've kept up are starting to crumble. Vulnerability feels foreign, and I'm not sure how to handle it.

I tug at Kristina's snow pants, which are snug but manageable. "these are a bit tight," I mutter, zipping them up. She's already hanging me her old board, saying she's grown out of it.

"Fuck! I'm going to eat shit," I whine, pulling on my black coat.

"I did too at first. You'll have a helmet and goggles on so no one will never know it's you." She says, trying to calm my nerves.

I glance out the window at the crowd of snowboarders and skiers, feeling my stomach twist with nerves. "There's hundreds of people here." I'm going to die, why did I agree to this?

"They will be too busy concentrating to notice." She says, putting on her gloves.

Grayson and Ethan emerge from the bathroom mid-argument, as usual. "Stop! you're so fucking annoying!" Grayson snaps, smacking the back of Ethan's head.

Kristina chuckles, shaking her head at them. Meanwhile, my eyes linger on Grayson. He looks effortlessly good in snowboarding gear, his goggles perched on his head, his snow pants fitting just right.

It's unfair, really.

I try to distract myself by stretching, determined not to pull anything. Grayson notices and plops down beside me. "Have you gone snowboarding before?"

"No," I say, bending my back. "It looks hard as hell."

"I'll help you out, it's easy once you get the hang of it," he offers, strapping on his boots.

"You have way to much faith in me, I'm so uncoordinated." I sit down next to him and put on my gloves.

Kristina already helped me put on my boots. I'm physically ready to go. Mentally... not so much.

He grins. "I'm a pretty good teacher."

"We'll go on the bunny hill first." Kristina says, grabbing her board.

We all make it outside, the crisp winter air dancing around my lungs with every breath I take. We sit down once we make it to the base of the small hill.

I watch as they strap their feet into the board with excitement. "Need help?" Grayson asks before getting on his knees and crawling in front of me, strapping my feet in. Butterflies form in my stomach at the simple gesture.

"Thank you," I mumble, brushing snow off my gloves.

I blow out a shaky breath as I study the small slope."You ready?" He asked, his warm smile slowly melting away any doubts. With a small nod he shows me how to get up.

"Make sure to keep your board up, or you'll eat shit." He says before getting up and showing me how to keep the front of my board off the ground.

I put my hands on the ground and try to lift myself up but the board slides out from underneath me, causing me to fall flat on my ass.

The second attempt goes better. Once I'm up, he grabs my hands to steady me. "Find your balance," he says, his voice calm and steady. "Bend your knees slightly and keep your toes up."

We start down the hill slowly, his hands guiding me. "Atta girl, there you go... Just like that." He praises as we make our way to the bottom.

He continues to teach me the fundamentals of snowboarding: how to control my speed, make turns, and navigate the terrain.