Where Do I Begin

Chapter 2

Another hour goes by quickly as we make our way down several smaller slopes.

Gia's taken on the role of snowboard instructor. She demonstrates, I mimic. I ask questions, she gives me tips on where to make adjustments. Sometimes she does some jumps and a couple of small tricks which look pretty awesome.

As we walk towards the rental returns near the exit, I glance at my phone to find no notifications–shocker–and find that it's a little past one thirty in the afternoon.

"Damn, it's almost two." I say looking up from my phone.

Gia's eyebrows shoot up, "Wow, already?" she says pulling out her phone. "Huh, this was fun." she says, glancing over.

"Yeah, it was. Thanks again for helping me out."

"No problem. We should hang out and do this again. Next time, I'll show you how to do some turns." she adds.

"We should," I agree cheerfully. "When do you wanna meet up? Tomorrow?" I inwardly cringe. Oh man, I sound desperate. Chill out dude, it doesn't mean she wants to be friends.

"Probably not tomorrow," Great she does think you're desperate. "Your body's gonna hate you dude trust me, you're gonna need the rest tomorrow." she chuckles.

"You're lying." I say, slightly worried about the amount of discomfort my body will be in.

"I'm not," Gia shakes her head, finding my disbelief amusing. "I come here every weekend with my brother, Luca, so next week?"

"Uh, yeah, next weekend sounds good."

"Cool ducks, I'll text you when I'm here. Gimme your number." she demands holding out her hand.

Using my phone, Gia calls her own, ends it right away, and adds it to her contacts. She returns my phone and not a second later I receive a text, 'this is Gia'

Something in my peripheral vision causes me to look up to see an obnoxiously good looking guy standing next to Gia. 

He has dirty blonde hair that's buzzed on the sides and combed over on top. His twinkling green eyes shift to me and his pretty boy face breaks into a ridiculously perfect smile. 

"Why Gia, aren't you gonna introduce me to your friend here?"

Before Gia can open her mouth, he turns toward me, his smile shifting into a smirk and his twinkly eyes shift into what I believe is his version of a smolder. 

What the hell is this guy doing? Does he think this is supposed to make me swoon? What an idiot. 

"Hey, I'm —"

"Constipated? The bathrooms are right there." I point over, just to mess with him. Wow, how bold of me.

His eyes widen and his smirk drops. Gia begins to laugh and he scowls at her before turning his scowl on me. Shaking his head, he chuckles. "Good one, I like you. I'm Mason."

I offer a small wave and a polite smile, "Liana." 

"I should get going," I tell Gia. "It was nice to meet you, Mason."

"Oh it was a delight to meet you, Liana." he grins.

After a quick goodbye to both, I start toward my car in the lot. 

Gia shouts, "You should stretch when you get home!"

I flip her off without giving her a glance and I hear her and Mason's laugh in the distance. My lips curl up as I smile to myself, I think I've made a new friend.