Dannies, Death, and Dates

Chapter 4

Dani hissed out a cloud of vapor in irritation. Resigned to a lift ride with a stranger, she slowly turned to her unexpected seatmate. He was a teenager with a snowboard dangling form one boot. His mouth and nose were covered by a grey scarf, but his amber eyes were crinkled in a smile.

"Boyfriend ditched you last minute?" he asked.

"No no. That was my brother," she clarified. Brother was much less complicated than 'The older male clone of myself.'

He nodded, holding out a thickly gloved hand to her.

"I'm Gage. Basically a full time resident here."

"Dani... first time," she admitted, awkwardly shaking his hand.

Gage's eyes widened slightly.

"This is your first time and you're going up to the peak? You're braver than I thought."

"And how brave did you think I was?" Dani teased.

He gave an awkward laugh, not sure of how to respond. They lapsed into silence, the churning of the lift filling the quiet air. To distract herself for a moment, Dani looked down at the mountain. The crowded slope was criss crossed with long ski tracks, brightly dressed people, and small jumps. Fat snowflakes drifted around her. A light dusting was already forming over her crossed arms.

"So... uh, what brings you to Glacial Gulch today?" Gage asked. He sounded nervous that this might backfire too.

"My parents just thought it would be fun for us to go. They wanted to hear more about the avalanches that have been happening too. They like that kind of stuff" she shrugged. She didn't mention the unactivated ecto reader in her pocket or the downsized Fenton thermos tucked inside her jacket.

"What kind of stuff do you like?" Gage asked, looking relieved that the conversation was rolling now.

"I really like astronomy," she said. "If everything works out, I'm hoping to apply to NASA."

Gage nodded thoughtfully.

"Ah. A science girl."

"How about you?" she asked, ready to change topics.

He shook his head ruefully.

"I'm just your dime a dozen skater. Never gotten higher than a C since fourth grade. I tried but... I just couldn't get into any of it."

Dani nodded understandingly.

"I don't really like any of my other classes, but my family really stresses good grades. My brother and I can't even go hu-... hang out until we've finished homework."

What little of Gage's face she could see looked horrified.

"And you put up with that?" He said incredulously. "Can't you sneak out?"

Dani considered for a moment. If she could hack the ghost shield controls then climb out the window...

"I guess so. But my parents are just doing what's best."

It makes a nice change, she thought privately.

Gage looked at her thoughtfully and nodded.

She looked away from his gaze.

"What music have you got to listen to on the way down?" Gage asked, sensing that the subject was over. Dani twirled the earbud cord and replied,

"A rock mix of everything except Ember,"

Gage's face lit up.

"You too? I was starting to think the entire world had flushed it's taste in music down the drain. If you said you were rocking out to Ember, I might have jumped off this lift."

Dani laughed, and they spent the next few minutes happily comparing bands. Gage was more of a Twenty One Pilots fan, while Dani favored Fall Out Boy. But they found common ground on Yellowcard.

"Lift station coming up," Gage said, finally emerging from the debate. 
"You got anyone waiting for you up there?"

Dani shook her head.

"Want me to come? You shouldn't go solo on a first run."

Dani almost said no. She was used to finding her own way, independent of others.

"Yeah, okay," she found herself saying.