Masked Risks

Chapter 11

I looked at the trees zooming past us as we continued ascending up the mountain. Erik’s black Range Rover on the road enclosed by the metal barriers contrasted the natural beauty of the bright, clear blue sky above our heads.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked for the tenth time since he picked me up at my house. “If you’re planning on driving me off a cliff, can you at least tell me? I mean, I don’t want to die at 17, but I’d like to at least say goodbye to my family.”

He laughed and reached for my hand that was resting in my lap. “I promise, I have no plans to kill you. Not on your birthday, at least.”

Yes, it was my birthday. I had survived the two days in Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the week in New York, which was amazing.

In Chicago, Zack’s family showed us around the city. I was sort of stuck with Zack and Owen for the day, which wasn’t terrible, but Zack was acting weird again, which made it awkward.

At the benefit, I didn’t see Zack again, which was fine. I didn’t really want to talk to anyone, anyway. As the next day progressed, I found out that he was only quiet because he was hungover.

“So where’d you disappear to last night?” I tried getting the story.

We were in the gift shop of the Art Institute of Chicago, waiting for our parents to finish browsing. He picked up a key chain in one of the many buckets wrapping around a large table in the center of the store.

“One of my friends threw an after party,” he answered, not arguing.

Zack was never one to get drunk to the point of a hangover the next day. I mean, we’re still underage, but let’s not pretend teens don’t drink at parties.

“Looks like you had fun,” I commented.

He glared at me. “I don’t really want to listen to this right now. Please stop talking.”

“How much did you have to drink?” I didn’t see him as acting rude, but I think it was the headache from the dehydration talking.

“Can you please stop with all the questions?” he replied harshly.

I was asking a lot of questions and it didn’t really matter whether I knew the answer or not, but I didn’t really want to be there either. I was also tired, and the only reason I was there was because of a little reunion for our families. As someone I used to call my best friend, maybe it would’ve been nice if he tried to find me later in the night instead of leaving me sitting at the bar alone, sipping on Shirley Temples and chewing on extra cherries.

“Fine,” I said and walked away.

For the rest of the day, I did everything I could to pointedly not speak to him, even as his spirits lightened and he came back to life. I spoke to Owen and Zack’s parents, but Zack wanted me to leave him alone, so I did.

Perhaps it was a bit extreme and put a damper on the trip for a little bit, but I wasn’t in the mood either. I was tired and wanted to be in New York City instead.

At the airport, when we said goodbye, Zack hugged me and wished me a happy early birthday. I thanked him without even bothering to ask if he really remembered or if he had some help from Facebook.

Then I was off to my real vacation.

When I came back from New York, I gave my friends the typical New York trinkets, like snow globes, miniature Statues of Liberty, key chains, and t-shirts that say “I <3 New York.” The morning of my birthday, Erik and I exchanged souvenirs before he took me away for my birthday afternoon. My parents insisted on going out for dinner as a family, both because of my birthday and because it was our last full day with Owen.