Chapter 15
Ryan, Eric, and Roy were scheduled to arrive the next day in the evening. Griff and I had meanwhile gotten all of our stuff situated in one room, and had agreed never to touch each other's belongings ever again.
Griff and I both had a show-off event at the Junction that night after my family was to arrive.
"Who are we going against anyway?" I asked Griff, who was waxing his board.
"Everyone including Allegra," Griff said, "I don't like Allegra, she's too quiet,"
I nodded, "Yeah, I don't think she likes me anyway,"
"You're right, you know. Viggo told me,"
"Viggo?"
"Yep, Viggo and Allegra get along pretty well if you ask me," Griff emphasized the word 'pretty'. I giggled.
"So you've been talking to Viggo?"
"Yeah, I mean, the guy talks, you know? Allegra doesn't really like me that much anyway, but I hear she really detests you and Kaori,"
"Why? Does she have something against Japanese people?"
Griff shook his head, "No, it's not that...it's just that...well..."
"What is it? You can tell me, you know,"
"Well, I dunno if I should, but Allegra hates me anyways so I guess I could." Griff paused, grinning evilly, "She hates you because she just plain hates you and hates Kaori because she has a crush on Mac,"
I gasped and covered my mouth, "You're kidding, right?"
Griff smiled and shook his head, "Nope. That's exactly what I heard from Viggo,"
"Viggo told you that?"
"Yeah, you don't think Allegra told me herself, did you?"
"But...Mac and Allegra got in a really big argument last night!" I protested, "How can she like Mac?"
"Well, Allegra likes to show her feelings in odd ways, or so I hear,"
"If Allegra has a crush on Mac and argues with him consistently, that must mean that the evil glares she gives me every time I see her means she wants to be my friend," I muttered, "She's weird,"
Griff shrugged, "She's a tomboy and she's mean. She just doesn't want anyone to get under her shell, if you know what I mean,"
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, "You're telling me she has a soft spot?"
Griff sniffed, "For Mac,"
Griff and I laughed, "Griff, it's good to have you as a friend again,"
"Same here, Yuri,"
***
I ran outside with my board flung over my shoulder to see the crisp snow. The boarding conditions still weren't all too good, but that wouldn't stop me from boarding! Besides, Atomika had said he was going to announce if I had beaten Mac or not!
I turned on my M-comm and strapped on my board.
"And welcome to another beautiful day on Peak One, all you riders out there! It's your favorite DJ, Atomika is on the air! I'll be announcing later today who won the backcountry showdown between Yuri and Mac! Good luck you two! Now, to start your day, I'm gonna play some Ceasers for you,"
Okay, not bad, but I really wanted to hear who won! Suddenly, the doors to the lodge burst open and out came Kaori, laughing all the way. I spun around and gasped. "Kaori...what the hell did you do?"
"Not me, Psymon!"
Kaori had pink hair.
"Er...very...pink..."
"No!" Kaori said, smiling, "Not pink, magenta. Psymon says it is magenta!"
"Since when did you and Psymon do each other's hair?" I said, "Or was it a prank?"
"No, no," she shook her head, "Psymon was going to do it as a prank, but I wanted pink hair so I let him!"
I laughed, "You're kidding, right?"
Kaori shook her head, "No, remember when Psymon made my hair blue? I told you about that, right? Well, he was going to make it pink!"
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF SNOW PATROL!?!" I heard Mac bellowing back in the lodge, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO WITH MY BEANIE!?!?"
Mac came out after Kaori, huffing.
Kaori gasped, "Mac! You're beanie! It's magenta!"
"Magenta..." Mac whimpered, "It looks more pink if you ask me..."
Kaori and I looked at each other and murmured "Psymon" simultaneously.
Griff came spilling out of the lobby after Mac, with a video camera. "And this here is the once self-proclaimed boss of Peak one, Mackenzie Fraser. As you can see, folks, he isn't so 'manly' as he claimed to be!"
"You little punk!" Mac dove after Griff, who only ducked and scampered back into the lodge. Kaori and I exchanged looks. We both began laughing at the same time, clutching our belly as we bent over and laughed.
"Griff is a very cute 12 year old boy," Kaori giggled.
"He's more like a dork if you ask me," I mumbled, still fighting off my fit of laughter.
"You like my new hair, though?"
I nodded, "It's very...different...just don't go blonde on me, okay? I've seen Japanese blondes, Kaori, and trust me, they don't look good!"
We both snickered.
"Alright, kiddies, now for yesterday's announcements," Atomika said over the radio.
"Wait, wait, they're going to announce whether I won or not!" I shouted, "MAC! THE RESULTS ARE IN!"
Mac came spilling out once again with his 'magenta' beanie still on. He swiped one of the ear phones from me fixed it in his ear. "Well, dammit, Atomika, speak!"
"Yesterday, while the rest of the boarder's were out on training all over Peak one, Yuri Yoshioka and Mac 'Smack' Fraser were busy duking it out on the Happiness course, rippin' it up for points. Mac Fraser came in with a total of 172,534 points, shattering newbie Allegra's record she held over Mac. It seems Mac has taken control over his throne once again with a new record to beat,"
I let out a sigh and tried to ignore the look of triumph on Mac's face.
"However," Atomika continued, "the victory Mac has will be short lived, as Yuri Yoshioka now dominates the course with a shocking record of 201,094 points, pounding Mac's fresh victory into the dirt."
I began screaming immediately. Mac brought his hands up to his ears on instinct to shield him from my screaming and Kaori only jumped up and down with me to celebrate.
"You vets gonna let a 14 year old newbie become the boss of Peak one? I don't think so..." Atomika clicked his tongue in mock disapproval, "Congratulations, Yuri, all awards and trophies will be given out at the end of the circuit, so be patient. Well, well, now let's see..." I could just imagine Atomika grinning evilly, "in other news, tonight's Junction event promises to be trick-worthy. The following competitors will be scheduled to head up to the Junction tonight after special guests of the new 'Queen Yuri' show up. Yuri Yoshioka, to defend her trick throne; Allegra to get her throne back; the young and energetic Griff Simmons to just annoy the hell out of everyone; Psymon Stark, to prove that Peak One is heaven compared to his Peak Three terrain; Elise Riggs, even though her tricks suck and she's all speed; and Kaori Nishidake, to show everyone her tricky, tricky ways."
Kaori squealed. "He said my name? I am due to the Junction tonight?"
I nodded. "Yep, I have to face Allegra, too. And it seems I am the new boss of Peak one trickwise..."
"Which is bullshit," Mac snorted. "Dammit..." He stalked back into the lodge after kissing Kaori's crown and throwing me the nastiest look I had ever seen.
"Don't worry about it, Yuri," Kaori whispered, "Mac doesn't take well to losing. It's nothing against you...it's just that Mac thinks he has to prove to himself that he is the best..."
I nodded. "Yeah, right. Where's Nate? I wouldn't have won this without Nate, Kaori! I have to go tell him!"
***
"You!? You're the new boss!?"
I nodded.
Nate was quiet. I grinned, waiting for his reaction.
...
"YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON! YURI WON! I TOLD YOU SO! I KNEW YOU'D WIN!!!" Nate bellowed as he embraced me. He hoisted me up in the air and paraded around the room, shouting, "SHE WON!"
I giggled, my attempts to get free were futile. Nate was just too strong!
Kaori smiled, "Everyone! Come in here! We have a new Peak boss to beat!"
Griff flew in with Zoe on his tail and was panting heavily. I was now sitting on Nate's shoulder and grinned happily. "Griff! I beat Mac in the show-off event! I can trick! Thanks to Nate! He helped me practice!"
"Coolio! Yuri's a boss!" Griff high fived me and turned his attention to Nate, "Yo, man, can you help me out?"
Nate laughed, "No problem, but we all have to get ready anyway. It's late and Yuri's family should be arriving soon,"
The lodge door burst open and Psymon stood in the doorway. "Guys,"
We turned our attention to Psymon, who didn't look too happy.
"We're packing up,"
"Packing up?" Zoe said, "What do you mean 'packing up'?!"
"I mean we're leaving." Psymon muttered darkly, leaning on his board for support. "We're heading down to the blue station to compete at the Junction. We'll be staying at the lodge over there. This lodge were now staying in was apparently booked for tourists, and if you want to share this lodge with a bunch of rotten tourists, then go ahead and stay. But," Psymon added hastily, "If you want to have your own privacy, then Atom-Man says we gotta get packed up and head for Blue Station's lodge and transport sector,"
Griff scratched his head and paused thoughtfully, "Alright, Captain Squirm, you can tell Lieutenant Jumbo that we'll be in the transport sector by sundown before the wiggle people can catch sight of us on the pass!"
Ryan, Eric, and Roy were scheduled to arrive the next day in the evening. Griff and I had meanwhile gotten all of our stuff situated in one room, and had agreed never to touch each other's belongings ever again.
Griff and I both had a show-off event at the Junction that night after my family was to arrive.
"Who are we going against anyway?" I asked Griff, who was waxing his board.
"Everyone including Allegra," Griff said, "I don't like Allegra, she's too quiet,"
I nodded, "Yeah, I don't think she likes me anyway,"
"You're right, you know. Viggo told me,"
"Viggo?"
"Yep, Viggo and Allegra get along pretty well if you ask me," Griff emphasized the word 'pretty'. I giggled.
"So you've been talking to Viggo?"
"Yeah, I mean, the guy talks, you know? Allegra doesn't really like me that much anyway, but I hear she really detests you and Kaori,"
"Why? Does she have something against Japanese people?"
Griff shook his head, "No, it's not that...it's just that...well..."
"What is it? You can tell me, you know,"
"Well, I dunno if I should, but Allegra hates me anyways so I guess I could." Griff paused, grinning evilly, "She hates you because she just plain hates you and hates Kaori because she has a crush on Mac,"
I gasped and covered my mouth, "You're kidding, right?"
Griff smiled and shook his head, "Nope. That's exactly what I heard from Viggo,"
"Viggo told you that?"
"Yeah, you don't think Allegra told me herself, did you?"
"But...Mac and Allegra got in a really big argument last night!" I protested, "How can she like Mac?"
"Well, Allegra likes to show her feelings in odd ways, or so I hear,"
"If Allegra has a crush on Mac and argues with him consistently, that must mean that the evil glares she gives me every time I see her means she wants to be my friend," I muttered, "She's weird,"
Griff shrugged, "She's a tomboy and she's mean. She just doesn't want anyone to get under her shell, if you know what I mean,"
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, "You're telling me she has a soft spot?"
Griff sniffed, "For Mac,"
Griff and I laughed, "Griff, it's good to have you as a friend again,"
"Same here, Yuri,"
***
I ran outside with my board flung over my shoulder to see the crisp snow. The boarding conditions still weren't all too good, but that wouldn't stop me from boarding! Besides, Atomika had said he was going to announce if I had beaten Mac or not!
I turned on my M-comm and strapped on my board.
"And welcome to another beautiful day on Peak One, all you riders out there! It's your favorite DJ, Atomika is on the air! I'll be announcing later today who won the backcountry showdown between Yuri and Mac! Good luck you two! Now, to start your day, I'm gonna play some Ceasers for you,"
Okay, not bad, but I really wanted to hear who won! Suddenly, the doors to the lodge burst open and out came Kaori, laughing all the way. I spun around and gasped. "Kaori...what the hell did you do?"
"Not me, Psymon!"
Kaori had pink hair.
"Er...very...pink..."
"No!" Kaori said, smiling, "Not pink, magenta. Psymon says it is magenta!"
"Since when did you and Psymon do each other's hair?" I said, "Or was it a prank?"
"No, no," she shook her head, "Psymon was going to do it as a prank, but I wanted pink hair so I let him!"
I laughed, "You're kidding, right?"
Kaori shook her head, "No, remember when Psymon made my hair blue? I told you about that, right? Well, he was going to make it pink!"
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF SNOW PATROL!?!" I heard Mac bellowing back in the lodge, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO WITH MY BEANIE!?!?"
Mac came out after Kaori, huffing.
Kaori gasped, "Mac! You're beanie! It's magenta!"
"Magenta..." Mac whimpered, "It looks more pink if you ask me..."
Kaori and I looked at each other and murmured "Psymon" simultaneously.
Griff came spilling out of the lobby after Mac, with a video camera. "And this here is the once self-proclaimed boss of Peak one, Mackenzie Fraser. As you can see, folks, he isn't so 'manly' as he claimed to be!"
"You little punk!" Mac dove after Griff, who only ducked and scampered back into the lodge. Kaori and I exchanged looks. We both began laughing at the same time, clutching our belly as we bent over and laughed.
"Griff is a very cute 12 year old boy," Kaori giggled.
"He's more like a dork if you ask me," I mumbled, still fighting off my fit of laughter.
"You like my new hair, though?"
I nodded, "It's very...different...just don't go blonde on me, okay? I've seen Japanese blondes, Kaori, and trust me, they don't look good!"
We both snickered.
"Alright, kiddies, now for yesterday's announcements," Atomika said over the radio.
"Wait, wait, they're going to announce whether I won or not!" I shouted, "MAC! THE RESULTS ARE IN!"
Mac came spilling out once again with his 'magenta' beanie still on. He swiped one of the ear phones from me fixed it in his ear. "Well, dammit, Atomika, speak!"
"Yesterday, while the rest of the boarder's were out on training all over Peak one, Yuri Yoshioka and Mac 'Smack' Fraser were busy duking it out on the Happiness course, rippin' it up for points. Mac Fraser came in with a total of 172,534 points, shattering newbie Allegra's record she held over Mac. It seems Mac has taken control over his throne once again with a new record to beat,"
I let out a sigh and tried to ignore the look of triumph on Mac's face.
"However," Atomika continued, "the victory Mac has will be short lived, as Yuri Yoshioka now dominates the course with a shocking record of 201,094 points, pounding Mac's fresh victory into the dirt."
I began screaming immediately. Mac brought his hands up to his ears on instinct to shield him from my screaming and Kaori only jumped up and down with me to celebrate.
"You vets gonna let a 14 year old newbie become the boss of Peak one? I don't think so..." Atomika clicked his tongue in mock disapproval, "Congratulations, Yuri, all awards and trophies will be given out at the end of the circuit, so be patient. Well, well, now let's see..." I could just imagine Atomika grinning evilly, "in other news, tonight's Junction event promises to be trick-worthy. The following competitors will be scheduled to head up to the Junction tonight after special guests of the new 'Queen Yuri' show up. Yuri Yoshioka, to defend her trick throne; Allegra to get her throne back; the young and energetic Griff Simmons to just annoy the hell out of everyone; Psymon Stark, to prove that Peak One is heaven compared to his Peak Three terrain; Elise Riggs, even though her tricks suck and she's all speed; and Kaori Nishidake, to show everyone her tricky, tricky ways."
Kaori squealed. "He said my name? I am due to the Junction tonight?"
I nodded. "Yep, I have to face Allegra, too. And it seems I am the new boss of Peak one trickwise..."
"Which is bullshit," Mac snorted. "Dammit..." He stalked back into the lodge after kissing Kaori's crown and throwing me the nastiest look I had ever seen.
"Don't worry about it, Yuri," Kaori whispered, "Mac doesn't take well to losing. It's nothing against you...it's just that Mac thinks he has to prove to himself that he is the best..."
I nodded. "Yeah, right. Where's Nate? I wouldn't have won this without Nate, Kaori! I have to go tell him!"
***
"You!? You're the new boss!?"
I nodded.
Nate was quiet. I grinned, waiting for his reaction.
...
"YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON! YURI WON! I TOLD YOU SO! I KNEW YOU'D WIN!!!" Nate bellowed as he embraced me. He hoisted me up in the air and paraded around the room, shouting, "SHE WON!"
I giggled, my attempts to get free were futile. Nate was just too strong!
Kaori smiled, "Everyone! Come in here! We have a new Peak boss to beat!"
Griff flew in with Zoe on his tail and was panting heavily. I was now sitting on Nate's shoulder and grinned happily. "Griff! I beat Mac in the show-off event! I can trick! Thanks to Nate! He helped me practice!"
"Coolio! Yuri's a boss!" Griff high fived me and turned his attention to Nate, "Yo, man, can you help me out?"
Nate laughed, "No problem, but we all have to get ready anyway. It's late and Yuri's family should be arriving soon,"
The lodge door burst open and Psymon stood in the doorway. "Guys,"
We turned our attention to Psymon, who didn't look too happy.
"We're packing up,"
"Packing up?" Zoe said, "What do you mean 'packing up'?!"
"I mean we're leaving." Psymon muttered darkly, leaning on his board for support. "We're heading down to the blue station to compete at the Junction. We'll be staying at the lodge over there. This lodge were now staying in was apparently booked for tourists, and if you want to share this lodge with a bunch of rotten tourists, then go ahead and stay. But," Psymon added hastily, "If you want to have your own privacy, then Atom-Man says we gotta get packed up and head for Blue Station's lodge and transport sector,"
Griff scratched his head and paused thoughtfully, "Alright, Captain Squirm, you can tell Lieutenant Jumbo that we'll be in the transport sector by sundown before the wiggle people can catch sight of us on the pass!"