"I think the chair's falling" KC announced quietly. Brian began to whimper like a puppy.
"Please, don't start, KC. This chair's not gonna fall. As Nick said, it's as solid as a rock" Laney assured. Brian continued to whimper.
"I wanna get off" he whispered. Laney looked over at Brian. He was staring at the chord above them that held the chair. Another creek sounded. This one was louder and longer.
"Oh God" Laney murmered under her breath. Nick began to panic.
"KC's right. Our chair's falling. We're gonna die! We're way too young to die! Please do something! Brian, you're the leader! Do something!" Nick cried. Laney muttered a curse under her breath. Brian's breath became irregular. An alarm went off in Laney's head. His heart! It's his heart!, she thought.
"Are you okay Brian?" KC asked. It wasn't just Laney's imagination, KC heard Brian too. Brian shook his head.
"I wanna get off. I feel sick. Please God!" he whimpered. Laney felt herself lose control. She looked forward and her eyes lit up in fear. The chair in front of the began to swing; it wasn't windy. A ripping sound filled the silence. Brian looked up at the chord of their chair. It was still intact. Suddenly, the chair in front of them bounced. The chord was breaking. Laney watched in horror as the chord snapped and the chair disappeared from her view! They sat in silence, in shock.
"It was the chair in front of us that was creaking. It wasn't ours" Nick stated. A wave of relief rushed through Brian's body. He wasn't going to die. He'd live to be an old man, with a beautiful wife, and 3 kids. He'd retire early and live happily ever after. Ahead of them, the lift had reached its destination. Laney bit her lip and closed her eyes, hoping to get off the lift alive. She lifted her skis up when the snow appeared at their feet. Laney pushed off the seat and glided to the open area. The others followed. Brian was still shaky. Laney linked her arm through his.
"It's okay Brian. We're safe" she assured. Brian sighed loudly. There was a bench a few feet away. Laney led Brian to it and sat down. Brian put his head in his hands and huffed.
"I thought I was gonna die up there" he looked up at Laney. "Thanks for being so calm. I needed that." Laney looked at the white snow. Nick and KC were impatiently waiting a little ways off from them. Brian stood up, grabbed his poles from the ground, and straighted his blue hat. Laney stood up too. They joined Nick and KC.
"Can you do me a favour?" Nick asked them. They nodded. "Do you think we can keep this between the four of us? If the other guys find out, I'll be bait for jokes. Especially from AJ" he pleaded. Everyone agreed that everything that had happened on the lift would be kept a secret.
Laney was surprised at how long it took to get down the hill. She'd been skiing for almost 10 years, so she didn't have any trouble. KC was a different story, she fell most of the way down. That was half the reason it took so long, because Nick insisted that the girls to e in front of him. And everyone had to stop when someone fell. Brian was a better skier than either of the girls thought. Sure, he wasn't as good as Laney but he was a happy medium. Nick fell a few times, but nothing too much.
"I'm not going on that lift again" Brian whimpered when they reached the bottom. Everyone agreed. There was a double seater lift to the right a little. They headed for it.
Nick and KC went in front of Brian and Laney. To keep an eye on them was Brian's reason.
"If this chair creaks, I'm jumping" Brian said as they boarded the lift. Laney smiled.
"Brian? Can I ask you a question?" se asked quietly. Brian looked at her and smiled.
"Yep" he said. Laney made sure she knew what she wanted to say.
"Why did you want to ski with me?" she asked, looking straight ahead. She looked over at Brian. He wasn't looking at her. A few minutes later, he turned to her.
"Laney, I like you" he said. Laney's heart bounced to her throat.
"Wha -- what?" she stammered. Brian smiled, "I like you. I just wanted to be closer to you" he replied. Laney closed her eyes and smiled. Brian leaned into kiss her.
"Laney, Laney" a voice was calling. Laney opened her eyes and looked around. She was still on the lift, Brian was beside her.
"Laney! Did you even hear what I said?" he asked. Laney shook her head, noticing that it had all been one of her daydreams.
"I said I think you're cool. That's why I wanted to ski with you!" Brian explained. Laney nodded and sighed. Brian eyed her, confused.
"What's wrong?" he asked, putting her arm over the chair. He seemed to be getting used to the height of the lift.
"I was just expecting you to say something else." She looked at Brian. "So we're friends, righty?" Laney replied, hopefully. Brian smiled and cocked his head to the side.
"Of course!" he exclaimed. Laney smiled.
"So...what do you think of Ash and AJ?" she asked. Brian fixed the gloves on his hands, and looked to the side.
"They're cute together" he murmered. He suddenly sounded not very happy and Laney knew he was holding something back.
"What is it?" she asked curious. Brian shrugged, when he saw the look in Laney's eyes and bit his lip.
"Laney. Can you make a promise for me?" he asked. Laney nodded.
"I want you to promise not to tell anyone what I'm about to say." He paused for a moment. "I'm in love with Ashley" he said. Laney immediately pinched herself to see if she was dreaming. She wasn't. Laney cleared her throat.
"You love Ashley?! But...but...but...you don't even know her! She's with AJ! She loves AJ, and she doesn't love you!" she yelled. Brian was confused.
"What's wrong with you Laney?! I can't control who I fall in love with!" he yelled back. Laney looked away. She suddenly burst in to tears. Brian began to panic. What did I do?!, he thought.
"Don't cry Laney, I didn't mean to yell" he said gently. Laney rested her forehead in her hand and shook her head.
"It's nothing like that" she whined, still crying. Brian groaned.
"Then what is it?" he said. Laney closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she saw the lift drop-off in the distance. Laney took a deep breath.
"Ashley gets all the attention!" she screamed. "She's the one everyone stares at when we're together! I've never even had a boyfriend!" she continued, losing control. Brian raised his eyebrows.
"Now, I find that hard to believe" he replied. Laney tried not to blush.
"Well it's true" she mumbled. Brian grabbed her shoulders roughly.
"Laney! You have no reason to be jealous of Ashley! You're just as pretty as her. You're funny, sweet and you're really fun to be around. I can't control who I love. I want you to stop putting yourself down. Jealousy gets you no where" he explained, still holding on to her shoulders. Laney looked into Brian's eyes and smiled; he wasn't lying.
"Thanks Brian" she whispered. Brian grinned at her and lifted the safety bar.
"Here's our stop. Remember what I said" he said. Laney nodded and whiped her tears.
