Chapter 20

"What're you talking about!?" I screamed. I knew I was beginning to attract more attention, but that only fueled my anger. What...Ryan was doing...

            "What do you mean 'What am I talking about'? I love her," Ryan replied. Allegra only covered her face and retreated the back of Griff's side of the room in hiding. Griff was staring at Allegra in shock, and Roy was making what he liked to call 'lovey-dovey' faces at Ryan. Eric was just staring at me dumbfounded, glancing at Ryan every so often.

            "Love!?" I shouted, "What do you know about love, Ryan!? You're 17! You're only seventeen! You're telling me you're in love with a girl you just met 20 minutes ago?!"

            Ryan glared at me dangerously, "Don't you dare treat me like I'm your son, Yurioki. I'm your older brother. I'm the one that looks out for you, you understand?"

            "She's my rival!" I said defensively, "My rival, and you're making out with her in MY room!?"

            Griff nodded, "That's harsh, dude, like getting a girl pregnant in your mom's bed,"

            Ryan glared at Griff.

            "Shut up." Ryan retorted.

            "Hey!" I barked, "Leave Griff alone! He did nothing to you and you're going to yell at one of my friends!?!"

            Ryan rolled his eyes, "Oh, here we go, Yuri! You always have to act like you're the mom, you're the adult, you're the responsible one, huh? Well guess what?" Ryan muttered, "We don't have a dad, Yuri! We don't have a mom, either! I'm my own person now!"

            "Don't turn this on me!" I screamed.

            Griff put a hand on my shoulder, "Yuri, calm down, please,"

            I ignored Griff and glared at Ryan, "You're so stupid! You haven't changed and you never will! You meet a girl, and you're making out with her 10 minutes later in my room! The only difference is that SHE'S ALLEGRA! THE GIRL THAT TRIED TO CLOBBER ME!"

            "QUIT ACTING LIKE DAD!" Ryan shouted, his face growing bright red, "YOU'LL NEVER BE MY DAD!"

            "And you'll never be what dad wanted as a son," I muttered fiercely and stalked off.

            "Where're you going!?" Ryan called from my room, "It's nearly midnight!"

            I pushed my way gently past Moby and Zoe, who were staring at me in horror. I walked briskly by Mac, who was blinking blankly. Kaori was frowning with sympathy and whispered, "Panda..." when I ignored her. Psymon was staring at me with shock, his eyes widened. But what hurt me the most was looking at Nate. Seeing his eyes and how he was looking at me.

            "Yuri...you gonna be okay?"

            "I just need to get out of here." I whispered, choking back my tears.

            I grabbed my board and bucket hat and marched outside, where it had begun to snow lightly. Griff ran up to me from behind. "Bad snowing conditions," he said casually, "You sure you just don't wanna chill tonight?"

            I looked over at Griff and offered a weak smile, "I'm sorry you had to see me upset like that,"

            Griff only grinned, "Its okay. I'd be pissed too,"

            I sighed and hesitantly leaned over and brushed my lips across Griff's cheek. I could see through the white snow his red cheeks and his lazy grin on his face.

            "See you later," I said as I strapped on my board and coasted away.


***

Nate was following me.

            I pushed forward, jumping over various logs and rails on the way. I was nearing the Junction, and the second race for Peak One. It was dark out, and the lamplights that burned dimly seemed to be my only light. Nevertheless, I was in a reckless mood, so I continued to push my limits, speeding down over benches and trees. I wanted to see if Nate could keep up with me. Sure enough...

            "Yuri! Please, slow down! It's Nate!"

            I grinned triumphantly, slowing my speed until I coasted to a stop. "Why're you following me?" I said to Nate when he stopped to where I was at.

            "Because," Nate said, "I wanted to talk to you,"

            "About what?" I asked. I already knew what he was gonna do. He was gonna talk to me about my brother...

            "Stuff," Nate said hastily, C'mon, Yuri, its midnight and we're out boarding in the dark,"

            I sighed in defeat, "Okay, let's go back," I turned to leave—

            "Wait," Nate's hand shot out and grabbed my shoulder, "There are some lit benches up ahead just there. I really need to talk with you,"

            "But—"

            "Please?" Nate's eyes seemed to grow as he pleaded. I frowned, but nodded and reluctantly followed Nate with my board swung over my shoulder.

            "Yuri," Nate sat down and let his board down carelessly, "I thought you wanted your brother to be here,"

            "I did—er—I do!" I said desperately, "It's just...Ryan...he's different..."

            "Different?"

            I nodded and fumbled with my hands. I felt like a child who was being lectured, a child that was talking to the principal—Nate, even!—about why they hit Susie with a basketball. It was like every time Nate sighed and shook his head, it seemed like the principal was slowly dialing Roy's parent's number, to tell on me. "Ryan always thought he was better than us. Not snowboarding wise—that's Roy—but Ryan always just seemed to think that he was just cooler than Eric, Roy and me,"

            "So...Ryan seemed to think he was better?"

            "Yeah. Ryan has a...a...a history with girls," I said quietly, keeping my eyes glued to the snow. The lamplights were dimming, and my feet swayed over the snow, not even disturbing the crisp layer that had just fallen. I felt so humiliated. I had behaved like such a child, yelling at my brother in front of Nate like that...

            "A history?" Nate raised an eyebrow.

            I nodded silently.

            "Like what?"

            "Ryan...follows his own rules," I murmured, still unable to meet Nate's eyes. Nate was sitting with his legs apart and his arms leaning on his knees. His hands were folded and he was leaning over to get a better view of my face. I would only scoot further away, or look another direction. Nate was making me so uncomfortable...

            "His own rules, huh?"

            "What bothers me is not only that Ryan has a kid, it's that he meets a girl, and five minutes later he's all over her!" I said defensively, "And the worst part is that he's in love with Allegra! Allegra! Allegra hates me!"

            Nate couldn't help but grin, "Allegra's a bit of an outgoing girl," Nate draped his arm around me as we walked towards the lift that would take us back to the lodge. "Don't worry about it. You're trying to take responsibility for him, Yuri. Just worry about yourself,"

            I managed a half-smile, "Thanks, Nate,"

            "What're friends for?"

***

            "Yuri!" Griff jumped up from the couch were he was sitting sulkily with Viggo. He ran towards me and embraced me, "What happened!? Are you okay!?"

            I nodded as Eric stared at me.

            "You okay?"

            I nodded again.

            "No," Eric said slowly, putting a hand on my shoulder, "I asked if you were okay?"

            I giggled, "Yes, I'm okay,"

            "You promise?" he raised and eyebrow and stared at me long and hard, "I know things with Ryan are...a bit...tangled...but, I want you to know that we're here for you,"

            "I promise...I'm okay...and Ryan's problems don't concern just me, Eric. They concern you too,"

            Eric glanced at Roy, who was lying on top of his sleeping bag, reading a similar book for the fourth time. "Hey, Roy...Yuri's back,"

            "Spectacular." Roy mumbled, not even bothering to look up.

            Nate and I exchanged looks, but I shrugged. The only people remaining awake were me, Nate, Roy, Eric, and...

            "Yuri?"

            I looked over at the hallway leading to the rooms when I saw Viggo standing there, staring at me.

            "Yeah?"

            "Can...can I talk to you?"

            I nodded slowly as I followed him into the kitchen.

            "I've been meaning to talk to you..." Viggo mumbled, "About Ally..."

            "Allegra?"

            He nodded, "I like Allegra. A lot."

            "And you don't want Ryan with her, huh?"

            He nodded again. "It just seems...wrong. Ally isn't the type of girl to just fall for someone she barely knows."

            "Well...I know Ryan is the type of guy to pull off something like this..." I mumbled.

            "We have to split them up somehow..."

            I glanced at Viggo, "What? I-I...I dunno..."

            "Think about it, Yuri," Viggo said as he stepped away. "I just don't want to see Allegra get hurt, you know? Well, I have to catch up on my sleep for tomorrow, huh?"

            I smiled, "'Kay. G'night, Viggo,"

***

"Yuri?"

            The kitchen door opened and I found myself staring at none other than Atomika. His purple tinted sunglasses were still on and his slick gelled back brown hair was still the same. He was wearing his heavy blue sweater and black jeans.

            He leaned against the doorframe, "What're you doing eating breakfast at this time?"

            "Atomika...its 8o'clock in the morning. I think I have a right to eat breakfast at this time," I mumbled.

            Atomika blinked blankly, and then glanced at his watch. "Oh man...it's already eight?"

            I nodded.

            "Shit..." Atomika rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Tonight is the second wave at the Junction, right?"

            "Yeah,"

            "Oh! Hey, Yuri! Congratulations, huh?" It was like Atomika had snapped out of it, "You know, that's pretty cool! You beat Kaori and Elise!"

            I smiled brightly, "Thanks, Atomika,"

            "I can't get over that...man, I mean two newbies and a vet win...how awesome is that?" Atomika pulled out a chair and straddled it, leaning his chin down on the table as he watched me eat. "Guess I picked the right people, huh?"

            "Hey...Atomika, why're you late?"

            "Whoa..." Atomika said, bringing his hands up in defense, "hold the questions...besides, I heard some things about you, Yuri, and I need to talk to you."

            "Talk to me about what?" I asked quickly. Oh no...this wasn't about Allegra, was it?

            "Hmmhmm..." Atomika folded his and paused thoughtfully, "How about...hmm...your family?"

            I stiffened absentmindedly and held my breath, "Family?" I breathed, "What do you mean?"

            "I interviewed your cousins and brother," Atomika started, "...as you may already know..."

            I nodded, still holding my breath.

            "Well, when I interviewed them individually, one of your cousins caught my eye,"

            I sighed. Okay...this wasn't about Ryan.

            "Roy, is it?" Atomika asked, "Well, anyway, Roy said that he could beat you in a race,"

            My heart pounded. Yes, Roy was spectacular at racing, but I still didn't think he could beat me. He got me in the tricks department, however. Well...who knew? Maybe, since I had been practicing with Nate and had won third place at the Junction, I was better...

            "And...?"

            "Well, I wanted to know if maybe you'd be interested in racing Roy today. In a televised session, I mean," Atomika added hastily, "If he beats you, we might consider him for the league instead of you."

            I was at a loss for words.

            "B-but...you picked everyone already and..."

            Atomika laughed, "I'm just kidding! You don't really think he can beat you, can he?" Atomika leaned forward and stared at me contently. I couldn't meet his eyes.

            I glanced at my half-eaten toast and shrugged. "Roy and I have always been rivals ever since..."

            "Really? Well, that should make it all the more exciting, eh? How about we do this today?"

            "No, Roy, Griff, Eric and I are gonna race this morning."

            "Oh..." Atomika trailed off and stared down at the table. "Okay, well, how's this...Roy and you swing by the course Happiness and we'll have a little friendly race, okay?"

            "To Roy...it won't be friendly," I mumbled miserably.

            However, Atomika seemed to have been so wrapped up in his plans to have even heard me as he walked out of the kitched, "Okay, well, gotta go!"

            I glanced at him and sighed as I took another bite of my toast. Roy was gonna beat me. I knew it.