One Last Time

7

Maddie

Maddie felt ridiculous standing at the bottom of the mountain in her oversized pink snow pants. Nobody could tell though, not with her scarf wrapped around her neck, practically suffocating her. And her giant ski goggles didn't help. She looked like "Bob" from Minions, a new favourite movie of Jee-Yun's and probably Chimney's too.

She wished they could've chosen a more calming activity. As soon as Maddie had taken a single bite of breakfast, Bobby was pushing everyone out the door.

They had driven to a ski hill a little ways past their hotel. It was accompanied by a fancy lodge– which Maddie wished they could've stayed there instead-but the prices were ridiculous.

Does anyone know how to ski?

She didn't think so. Athena was heaving two pairs of skis over her shoulder. Buck and Eddie carried their pairs from the rental shop, followed by Chimney, Hen and Bobby.

"Are we really going all the way up there?" Maddie asked her index finger in the air, tracing the zig-zagging pattern of the ski hill.

Buck placed his skis on the ground and locked his ski boots into place. He smiled, showing his bright white teeth. "Of course we are, all the way to the top!"

Maddie shivered. From the cold? No.

Bobby spoke up, "Don't worry, I'll show you the easy way down." He turned to face the whole group of them. "Anyone else know how to ski?"

For a moment they all chuckled together, admiring their ridiculous outfits and their inexperience. Eddie shifted forward on his skis. "I do Cap."

Buck's jaw dropped open halfway. "Great," Bobby continued. "We have a professional skier and medic on board." Eddie nodded with pride.

"Just lean back when it comes," Chimney told her as the chair lift swung around. The worker in a bright orange vest chuckled. He had messy brown hair and looked to be in college. He shot Maddie an emboldened nod.

"First time?" he insinuated.

"Hopefully not last," Chimney joked. The worker laughed as he grabbed the moving chair. Maddie felt a drop in her stomach as she was caught by the swinging chair. She was pressed between Chimney and Buck. Buck wrapped his arm around her, keeping her secure from the vigorous rocking of the chair.

"That wasn't so bad," Buck said, grabbing the safety railing from above. Maddie felt her ankles burn as her heavy skis dangled off the side. They rose higher into the mountains.

"Not at all," she replied. The skiers below sprayed snow from behind. They gracefully danced their way down, effortlessly. She could already picture herself tumbling down.

As they approached the end of the chair lift, she saw another lift going even higher. Sending a silent prayer that Bobby wouldn't make them go any higher, she noticed Eddie and Hen carefully exiting their chair. Turns out getting off was just as hard as getting on.

"Make sure your ski tips are up," Chimney said, nudging Maddie with his elbow. She braced herself as the tiny ledge came closer. Buck threw open the safety bar. She felt the heavy skis meet the slushy snow. Chimney guided her away from the chair.

Behind her, she heard a loud "CRASH!"

Buck was lying on his hands and feet, skis tangled up like two straws stuck into a milkshake. She tried to approach her brother, yet she couldn't move with her heavy ski boots. Eddie glided over as the man in the booth stopped the lift.

"Jesus, Buck, are you alright?" Eddie asked, kneeling next to Buck. Buck paused, staring into Eddie's eyes and then looked at Maddie. He turned back to Eddie, his cheeks bright red, to blame on the cold.