Crash

Chapter 1

The day my world came crashing down was a day that I will never be able to forget. It was the day of the Ski Trials for the Canadian National Team, which would determine whether or not I would ski with the team, and possibly qualify for the Olympics, a day that I had been waiting for since before I could remember.

"Are we there yet?" Maya sang from the middle row, fiddling with the controls on the radio.

"Not yet Maya." my dad said, sighing. "Laura, how much longer?"

My mom looked up from her phone and glanced at the GPS. "4 more hours." she groaned.

Maya threw her hands up in the air and slouched down in her seat. My little sister Hannah looked over at her, and giggled, showing her missing teeth. I leaned forwards from the back row and poked my head in between the middle seats.

"You know Maya, you didn't have to come," I said jokingly.

"Are you kidding me?" she said incredulously. "I wouldn't miss this for the world Maddie."

I grinned and settled back into my seat, then leaned against Jacob. "What about you, boy wonder? Would you rather be at home?"

"Never, Mads." he grinned, "I wouldn't be anywhere else, and I'm pretty sure that Maya is more nervous than you about this, and she isn't even competing."

"It's true," Maya cut in, holding up her hands, showcasing her bitten nails, "my nail beds are proof."

Everyone burst out laughing, and I relaxed, snuggling up against Jacob.

"Just wait until you're up on those hills, boy wonder." I murmured into his side. "I'll be right at the bottom cheering you on."

"Hey, I have until the end of this school year, remember? I gotta finish first. There is no way my parents will let me homeschool." Jacob said, kissing my forehead.

"Okay, whatever you say." I said, closing my eyes and letting him wrap an arm around me. I drifted off to the sound of Maya and Jacob bickering, while my mom tried to hush them and my dad laughed.

***

"Wake up Maddie."

I leaned off of Jacob and yawned, sitting up. "What?" I asked groggily.

"We're here." he said, ramming a toque on his head. I looked outside, and my heart leapt into my throat as I saw the giant hills and mountains.

My dad pulled the minivan into the nearest parking spot and got out, then opened the doors. Maya leapt out first, picking up a handful of snow and tossing it into the air.

"Finally! Land!" she shouted, pulling my sister out of the car and dancing around. Their cheering caught the attention of a few reporters, who hurried over as Jacob and I got out, stretching our legs.

"Andrew Chassey!" they shouted, trying to get the attention of my dad as he handed me my ski bag.

"Not this again." I muttered.

"As a retired Olympian and ski coach of future athletes, what will you be looking forward to today?" one of them asked, pushing her way to the front of the queue and shoving a microphone in my dad's face.

"No questions please." he said, waving them off. He maneuvered his way through the crowd of people waving papers, photographers, and reporters and their cameramen. My mom picked up Hannah and walked away, and Maya followed them. The reporter turned in interest to me, and stuck some microphones in front of me.

"Maddison Chassey, how do you feel about competing today?" a man asked.

"I feel great!" I said, smiling.