Summary: Mike is afraid of high speeds, Charlie is unsure, and Veruca bets 5 dollars, and we all hope she will win!
Chapter 4: Challenges
They saw a large boat, formed like a dragon without wings. It reminded Charlie of ancient ships of Vikings from some historical book. It was pink, though, and had a nice sweet smell of candy. Charlie wondered if this huge thing was made out of caramel. The oompa-loompas in the boat were cackling rather disgusting.
-What's so funny? – Veruca asked, irritated by the noise of laughter.
-I think it's all because of endorphins. By the way, do you know kids that chocolate helps making endorphins? They make you feel like you're in love!
Charlie didn't quite catch the idea about these endorphins, but he felt just great, who cares why? Mrs. Beauregarde smiled widely, looking at Mr. Wonka. She obviously liked this man a lot.
Violet made a huge double-salto and jumped into the boat.
-that was nice, trophy-girl. – admitted Veruca. –Will you teach me how to do it some day?
-No. – answered Violet. –But you can sit next to me if you want.
Mrs. Beauregard looked flirtily at Mr. Wonka, that's why she sat near him and grandpa George. Charlie had to find himself a place, and he went to the part where girls were sitting.
-Hey, Charlie, don't even think about it! – the little boy looked around and saw Mike sitting alone in the middle of the dragon.
-Why not?
-Because, little freak, if you sit in the further part, our boat will turn over! Wrong center of gravity!
-Are you sure of it?
-Of course I'm sure. Physics!
-So what am I supposed to do?
-Stay right here, Charlie, ok? – Mike said quietly.
The little Bucket smiled and took a seat near the TV boy.
The oompa-loompas started to move the oars quickly, so quickly that the boat speeded up immediately. Mr. Wonka and all others behind him and Mike didn't say a word. They looked at the chocolate riverbanks with curiosity. Willy Wonka himself looked somewhere distracted. "Must be dreaming."- Charlie thought.
While her Mom was trying to win the heart of chocolate factory owner, Violet was talking to her new "best friend".
-Is it true that you never lose, trophy-girl? – asked Veruca.
-Yeah, I win all the time.
-How about a challenge?
-What's the catch?
Veruca looked at her neighbor slyly, leaned to her and somewhat began to whisper:
-See these two guys behind us?
-Charlie Bucket and Mike Teavee?
-I think they're completely at each other.
-Are you crazy, Salt? They're still children, like us! Boys don't usually love each other at 13! They don't even like girls!
-Well I bet five dollars that in the end of the excursion they will be kissing each other like a bride and a groom!
-You're on, rich brat. And you're going to lose.
They swam so fast that Charlie could feel the wind playing with his hair. It was cool, exciting, and a little bit scary. Suddenly the boat turned roughly to the left. Mike Teavee put both his hands on Charlie's shoulders. Was the turn that sudden?
-Are you all right? – Charlie asked quietly, with a concerned look in his eyes.
-Oh… have you ever heard about phobias? -Mike asked, blushing.
-No, what is it?
-Well, scientifically, it's a steady psychological complex shown in the hypertrophied instinct of self-preservation, but in your case… - Mike looked at Charlie as if he was a complete idiot. –It's a fear of high speeds. This ship moves way too fast for me. I know it sounds stupid, but if you try making fun of me I swear I'll tear your tongue out and tie it around your neck!
-Doesn't sound funny to me at all, Mike. I promise I won't laugh at you and I won't tell anyone.
-Good for you, Charlie Bucket. I still feel rather humiliated.
-Actually, I think all people are afraid of something.
-Well, what are you afraid of? – Mike asked rudely, but he was in fact quite interested.
-That I won't have any friends. I'm already 14, and I don't have any except my family. All my schoolmates hate me because I'm so poor and I never have any money.
-Believe me, Charlie, the last thing you need is friends. Being alone is much better.
Charlie looked forward, listening distracted as Willy Wonka pointed to the cow on the right bank of the river and explaining something. He still had Mike's hands on his shoulders, and it felt so nice as if he was holding a golden ticket in his hands. From what moment had he began to treasure moments shared with this boy?
Mike felt a strange feeling in his stomach, like there were butterflies in it. But he didn't pay any attention. "Maybe I should eat more often than once a day."- he thought. He gave a glance at girls whispering, and then at the little Bucket sitting next to him, smiling.
During the whole boat trip Veruca watched the boys, noticing with satisfaction, that Charlie's face was so delightful as if he won a million dollars and Mike's cheeks were burning red.
-Still don't believe they are at each other, Violet? – she smiled to the gum chewer.