Guess My Fantasy
Chapter 9: New Friends or Enemies?
It was confirmed to Allegra by Viggo that the main man and former creating of the SSX circuit was Steven Rechtschaffner, the very man who currently was standing before her. Allegra's eyes lighten up as she looked at the man - she was so happy to finally be here, and the fact he's one of the judges makes her even more anxious to be here because he had chose her and given her a change to complete. Throughout the day Steven explained to the competitors about how the circuit was going to work this year. This wasn't a world tour anymore, which saddens many competitors, but Steve guarantees this would be fun.
He also told them about various things they'll have to deal with such as the transportation. Everyday at least one of them will have to wait in line for a gondola, since helicopters and gondolas are limited here. A few competitors complained but most them where okay with waiting, after all, they could just jump over the lift lines, problem solved. Then he talked about the media, and how SSX was getting extremely known while only on its third year. He reveled that as competitors, they will have to have their blood tests, and have their body measurements - basic DNA info. He said interviews were shortening, which made several competitors happy, and that taking group shots was required. He also mentioned something about answering questions some of the fans had, something about answering a trivia and making them into trading cards to buy. To some, this kind of fame was nothing new, but to Allegra -she almost felt so overwhelmed to hear there would be photo shoots, interviews, and then some face time with fans! Everything sounded great; fantastic to her, until she heard the word 'roommate.'
"What?" Moby, almost standing from his seat, looked at Steven as he also disliked the word roommate.
"That's right." Replied Steven, who took Moby's outburst to be very amusing; he kind of had an idea to why.
"Anyway, I asked a buddy of mine to do me a favor while being up here." Steven took an M-COMM out and held it up. Mac took out his anxiously; finally he was getting to the good stuff. "Any further information regarding your way around this mountain will be sent to you through this M-COMM. But keep in mind there's also a radio there located in the far end." Many competitors turn on and off the M-COMM, trying to find this radio.
Steven's smile lighten up as he watch the competitors. "You'll also be receiving information regarding your peers through listening to Radio Big.
Many of the competitors did not like this idea. "What why?" Especially Elise, she thought hearing personal information about herself was off limits. Many agreed and didn't want things going on in the circuit shared with others, including fans.
"Clam now. Atomika, the host of the radio is a friend of mine, and I assure you all he won't take it far. He'll just be doing competitor spotlights and what not, nothing major."
But most of the competitors did not seem please. In the end, they gave in and gave up. The meeting ended around 6:30 in the afternoon and most of the competitors were too tired to snowboard. Steven have told them to meet up into two groups tomorrow, the helicopters would be dropping them off the first Peak's back county for some free riding or if they wanted to get ahead and start scheduling your events, he said that was fine too. However, the tournament would begin a week from today.
So most of the competitors took this remaining time to catch up or meet new riders. Allegra had only met the other two new competitors, Griff and Nate, who were sitting a few seats away from Elise. She thought Nate was nice, but he looked at little too into Elise for her tease. So she decided to live their group and join Kaori's group. She introduced her to old competitors such as Brodi Ford, Eddie Wachowski, Seeiah Owens, and Marisol Diez Delgado. Allegra knew instantly she would get along with these guys, especially Marisol, since she also shared a dislike towards Elise.
Mac, not interested at all in catching up, took off and decided to explore the Mountain alone. He did everything from skateboarding downtown to checking out the hottest clubs. A few hours later he bumped into one of the newer riders, Nate Logan. The two bumped into each other as Mac failed to grind one of the park's rails correctly. As shock as Mac was to see Nate in a skate park, he didn't ask and seemly followed along.
"So your a Mountain guy, aren't ch ya?"
Mac took a sip from his soda pop and looked at the newcomer with interest.
"Yeah, living in the mountains will always give me the upper hand. I've won several competitions up in Colorado, but I thought it was finally time to bring it up a notch."
Mac grinned at Nate's comment. After hearing a little background info on Nate, Mac had no doubt he would be good competition. But something still kept wondering around Mac's head.
"So uh, Nate, why are ya here in a skateboarding park anyway? I mean you don't look like..."
Mac's words begin to fade as Nate's expression went serious. He then chuckled and patted Mac's back.
"I'm not here for me kid! I'm here with Griff."
"Griff?"
Just then, the small frame of a boy came running from the distant. He wore a blue t-shirt with a long sleeve underneath. The small boy waved at Nate as he began to run towards them. Mac's eyes looked puzzled, and a thought had crossed his mind.
"Nate, you do know your not allowed to bring your kids right?"
Mac chuckled at his comment but realized Nate wasn't laughing.
"What are ya talking about? Griff's not my kid!"
Mac looked at Nate with confusion.
"He's not? Then that means…"
Nate chuckled and shook his head.
"Nah silly, Griff is competing with us! Isn't that great?"
Mac's eyes began to twitch as he rephrased Nate's words carefully. He looked up at Nate and gave him a puzzled look.
"You mean to tell me this kid is competing in our circuit?"
Nate was about to respond when suddenly Griff's appearance startled him.
"Hey! Who are you calling a kid?" Griff, crossed arm, stood right in front of Mac, with a solid face. Mac gave the little newcomer a dark look, as he examined him carefully. "How old are you?" He asked, as he carefully continued to study him. It seems as if Griff had forgotten what had happen moments ago as he stood up proudly.
"12, I am 12 years old."
"WHAT?" Mac nearly jumped up from the bench he was sitting as he heard Griff's respond. "Why you little sq-"
Nate grabbed Griff by the hand and pushed him away from Mac, as Mac was beginning to look at Griff forcefully. Nate laughed nervously and stood up.
"I think it's time to go now Griff..."
Griff nodded as he stood behind Nate's tall body, a bit confuse about knowing more about Mac.
"Okay."
The two then started to head towards the entering gates of the park, which were also the exiting gates as well. Mac watched them leave and wondered how old Griff really might be; he was hoping he was at least over 15, even though he highly doubted Griff was lying.
Kaori looked at her watched as she went into the village to look for Mac. It was nearly 9:30 pm and Kaori had been looking around for Mac a while. Finally, something crossed her mind as she sat outside a Skateboarding Store. She deiced to go inside the skateboarding store and ask if there was a skateboarding park located anywhere near. The owner was kind enough to give Kaori the exact directions making it easier for her to follow. Luckily enough the Stake Park was only about two blocks away so Kaori had hope Mac would be there.
As she was right away the corner now, she spotted two familiar faces from the meeting held earlier today.
"I tell ya Griff, I broke that guy's nose like -"
"Um, excuse me, your Nate Logan, right?" asked Kaori, as she made her way towards Nate and Griff, who were just outside the Skateboarding Park. Nate looked up a bit shocked, knowing well who Kaori Nishidake was. Griff's eyes lighten up as he too knew who she was.
"Uh, yeah I am...Your Miss Kaori Nishsidake, right?" Kaori smiled warmly as she greeted Nate's hand firmly.
"Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you Nate. We didn't really get a change to meet each other earlier did we?"
She ended her statement with a small giggle. Nate chuckled as he rubbed his shaved head and return the warm smile.
"Got that right, Griff here wanted to check out the Skateboarding Park."
Kaori looked down at Griff, who was still looking at Kaori and Kaori only. Kaori smiled as she looked down at the boy.
"Hi there Griff..." She paused, as she was having a hard time pronouncing his name.
"I've heard about you, you're really brave for a 12 year old."
Griff smiled broadly as he heard those words coming out from Kaori Nishdiake herself.
"Well, I try not to brag."
Griff straighten posture, standing broadly with his head held up proudly. Nate sighed at the boy while Kaori remained smiling.
"It's nice to meet you two."
Kaori soon remembered why she had gone to the skateboarding Park and asked Nate if he had spotted anyone from the circuit there.
"Well, uh..."
"We spotted Mac Fraser!" Burst out Griff. He looked like he was more excited then before. Kaori blinked in shock before kneeing down towards Griff. "Is that so..." Kaori sighed as yet another thought crossed her mind. She was really hoping Griff and Mac haven't met during the hours she was searching for him. The Japanese girl stood right up and looked up at Nate.
"Did Mac happen to meet you two?"
Nate's expression changed from considered to curious as he heard Kaori's words. "Yeah...why ya ask?"
Kaori smiled warm-fully at the two as she began to walk pass them and into the skateboarding area. She giggled softly before turning her head to face them. "Let's just say, Mac doesn't settle for the second best."
Kaori's comment left both Nate and Griff wondering what she had met. Nate was about to call her back when suddenly she turns completely around and waves at them.
"It was really nice to meet you two! I can't wait to go up against you soon! Bye Bye now!"
And with that Kaori ran in towards the skateboarding area.
Kaori looked around the area in hopes of finding Mac near by. The park was nearly empty, and the darker it got, the harder it was to look around. Finally, light poles lighten up and you can spot Mac sitting next to one on a bench. Kaori smiled as she spotted him.
"There you are, Mac-kun." said Kaori, as she now was standing right next to him. Mac looked up a bit surprisingly, but nevertheless smiled at the slight of Kaori.
"Hey Kaori, haven't seen you in a while."
He grinned happily as he wrapped his arms around Kaori playfully who was now sitting beside him. She laughed as she pushed Mac away slightly - enjoying the warmth of his body.
"Haha hai hai Mac-kun I missed you too!"
After a while of small talk Kaori deiced to cut to the chase.
"So Mac, have you met any of the other riders?"
Mac swallowed hard as the image of Griff crossed his head.
"Uh, yeah...I met Nate already." Kaori looked at him curiously. "And? Aren't you missing someone?"
Mac sighed knowing perfectly well who Kaori was referring too.
"Your talkin' about Griff aren't ya?" Kaori smiled playfully, sending him her peace sign and looking slightly guilty yet enjoying his indifference.
"Yup yup."
Mac, now looking annoyed, sighed and looked elsewhere.
"Yeah I thought so...that little squat is only 12 years old! Did you know that?"
Mac turned to look at Kaori who had a duh look upon her face. Mac turned to his position and sighed. "I thought no one would beat my age in, at least, not in a few years..." Kaori noticed the sudden disappointment in Mac's voice and smiled sweetly at him. She placed her index finger right in front of her lips to get Mac's attention. "Mac-kun, you may not know this but Griff actually looks up at you, quite a lot."
This brought Mac's attention to Kaori even more as he heard on. Kaori continued.
"Is it not better to have someone admire you now then later? When I first met Griff a while ago I saw the excitement in his eyes as he said your name." Kaori placed her hand down and cheerfully looked at Mac. Mac looked at the ground and thought about what she said.
"..I guess so. But I'm not someone to admire, I haven't done anything productive with my life yet."
This caused Kaori to look down at him in curiosity. She finally smiled and decided to let him figured this one out on his own.
"Hey Mac-kun, have you done any DJ work yet?"
Mac looked up in surprise as Kaori continued.
"The Dayshack is in need of a DJ, and well, I haven't heard you DJ since we were 15..."
Kaori looked up to find a grinning Mac.
"Dawg, my DJ skills have improved since then. You'll be amazed with what I could do with a mic." Kaori's expression soften as she watched Mac's face lighten up.
"Are you considering taking up DJ as a career if snowboarding doesn't work out?"
Mac looked down at her and shrugged. "Maybe. I've always wanted to have a steady job, but having to DJ would be too hard." Kaori smiled.
"Did you know, I've started designing my own backpacks and accessories now?"
"Huh?"
Mac looked at her curiously. Kaori went on.
"I don't know why, but I think that's an interest of mine that I can live by forever."
Kaori's bubbly expression changed to a daydream look.
"I think helping my father with his show really paid off! And he use to say my designs sucked, tee he."
Mac watched Kaori look up into the starry night and played her words over and over...
"An interest you can live by..."
