This is it. This is my chance to show them, once and for all, that I'm not the dorky loser Madeline knew in middle school. Or whatever she saw me as back then, which can't be good. If I can show her- show them- that I can beat them at their own game, Jenny and her friends will have no choice but to be impressed. I suppose the big climb coming up will be just as good of an opportunity to do that, but why not get a head start now? It's as good a time as any.
Plus, how totally lame would I look if I refused?
Summoning what little confidence I have left, I look Jenny dead in the eye and say, "You're on!"
Mads and Christine whisper to each other. I bet they're talking about how they didn't think I'd accept. They must really think I'm bad: not just a loser, but a cowardly one at that. They aren't entirely wrong, because I still do get anxious around Jenny's crowd sometimes, but I like to think I'm improving on that.
Jenny flashes me a smile. I've never felt more accepted and rejected at the same time. Meeting my gaze, she declares, "Let's do this."
Mads and the others scramble to prepare for the climb. Jenny, however, remains calm as she tightens her belt around her waist and sips from her water bottle. When she's ready to go, she asks me if I'm all set. A new wave of nerves rolls through me as I fumble through the last of my preparations and say yes.
I take a deep breath, then another. I wipe my already sweaty hands on my shirt (the faded Mario one, why did I wear that today?) and try to convince myself that I actually have a shot at this.
Jenny's gathering her little group together. "Stay behind the two of us, okay?"
YOU ARE READING
The Crimson Climb
Fiksi RemajaThe cool kids of Clarence City are taking summer fun to new heights - they're going rock climbing. To top it off, middleman Matt has gotten himself invited! Worried that he'll come off as a newbie in front of the rising tenth-grade in crowd, Matt ta...
