A/N- Finally finished chapter 5 lol. Been in and out of hospital for the past few months so haven't felt like writing. It's nice to have finally completed this chapter though! Hopefully will become more consistent with uploads. Aiming for every other Friday so I can write 'A Twist of Fate' at the same time. The next chapter for 'A Twist of Fate' will be uploaded next Friday. Enjoy!

Chapter 5- A Proposition.

"I was thinking about dinner tonight. Me and you."

I blink away the haze that had fallen over me as he was speaking, looking back over to Peter. He waits for my response, anxiously flickering his eyes towards Nita.

I think over my plans for the evening. I'm heading to the pool after class, then I'm free. I shake my head, "Busy."

He huffs, falling back into his seat. "You're busy for the whole evening?"

No. But I was hoping he wouldn't push. I resist sighing, my eyes locking on the back of Nita's head. "I'll be free after 7."

He grins widely, pushing his chair out from under him. "It's a date."

He walks back over to his seat, and I watch as Nita's head tracks his every move. Sitting in the seat in front of me, I know she's heard the whole conversation.

I had hoped to have a Peter free day today.

It hasn't been terrible. Peter is fine. We get along well enough. But there's a billion things I'd rather do, and pretending to be interested in him is at the bottom of it. And knowing Peter, Nita will have made plans at this restaurant, meaning this act will have to stay up for the entire meal.

He's been badgering me to put more effort into this act. It's been harder than I expected, and I worry it's starting to show. I find myself zoning out a lot when he talks to me, which isn't how early couples usually operate.

Even though I complain, my main goal has been completed already. Al hasn't tried to make any more moves. He's a sweet boy, Al. I know he wouldn't encroach on someone showing clear signs of not being interested. I just wish I had the guts to tell him outright, instead of now becoming Peter's puppet.

"Tris!" My name hisses through the air. I slowly turn around, following the sound.

"Myra?" I ask.

"Hey." She replies, a curious smile dancing across her lips. "A date with Peter, huh? I didn't think you two would sort through your differences after you dumped him a few years ago."

I shrug, trying to act natural. Grabbing the dainty necklace around my neck, I twist it between my fingers. "What are you getting at, Myra?"

Looking taken-aback, she stutters. "Oh, uh, you know, just curious."

"Right," I draw out, "No harm in curiosity."

Before she can push further, I give her a sickly sweet smile and turn back around. I just catch Nita's head flip back to facing the front as I do. Perfect.

...

We head down to the pool after class, and find it mostly empty. It doesn't take us long to change, shower, and hop into the warm water. Being short, the water nearly comes up to my shoulders, keeping most of the heat in.

The sun has already started to set, and the night temperatures are beginning to creep in, leaving the air a few degrees below freezing. I try to keep a mental note to dry my hair properly before leaving the building.

We hang around and chat for a while, mainly catching up with Shauna. Uriah and Zeke don't stay for the conversation, instead playing chase around the pool like they used to do on holiday when we were younger. I look over my shoulder at the exact time Zeke catches up to Uriah and dunks him under the water. Will and Al decide to swim over, helping Zeke finish his attack.

"It'd be nice if he'd just slow down a bit." Shauna sighs, leaning back against the side of the pool.

"I don't think it's in Zeke's nature to slow down." I say.

"He's promised me Christmas day, that's it." Shauna rolls her eyes.

Christina laughs, "That's not going to happen. They'll be spending the whole day together. If anything, Christmas day will be one of the worst."

"So, are we doing secret santa this year?" Mar asks. "If so, we better get on it, it's not too long away now."

"Of course we are!" Christina exclaims. "It's tradition."

"I'll write up the names when we get back to the lodge," Shauna confirms. "I wonder if Four would be interested in joining?"

I'm shaking my head before she's even finished. "No way, Shauna. Maybe if it was just you three."

She looks over to me, straightening up, "Has he not warmed up to your guys yet?"

I look at Lynn and find her already looking at me. "I mean- he hasn't been as bad as he was the first week?" I say. He seems to be tolerating us better.

"Yeah," Lynn agrees, "Monday morning, seemed like a different person- well, a different person in relation to himself. Think I saw his lip twitch at something stupid Uriah said."

"Must have had a decent weekend." Marlene smirks, raising her brows.

My mind unconsciously flips back to last Friday. I've not been trying to think about it. But annoyingly it's always there, nagging at me to give it a bit of attention.

It's been less than a week since we had that chat on the hallway floor. I can hardly remember what we were talking about. All I know is he was loosened up, and I was sure he was leaning in. To do what? I shouldn't let my mind wonder. It was probably the measly amount of alcohol I had drank. I doubt he was even leaning in. I must have hallucinated it. I must be the world's biggest lightweight.

Shauna hums in disbelief, "I doubt it. I haven't seen him entertain anyone longer than a polite conversation, and that usually ends quickly." She lowers herself down, bending her knees so her shoulders are under, "Maybe he's just getting used to you guys."

Lynn and I both look at each other at the same time, again, and I know the expression on my face is mirroring hers. She shakes her head, "Yeah, I don't think so Shaun."

Shauna shrugs, not looking too interested. "Whatever the reason is, I'm sure we'll never know. That boy will take every thought to the grave."

"Hey, Shauna!" Zeke shouts from the other side of the pool. "Come time how long I can hold my breath!"

She rolls her eyes, but also smiles humorously over at him, "Alright."

...

I leave soon after, needing to meet Peter at the restaurant by 7. I had quickly showered, but had no time to dry my hair. I've been regretting it since; the icy chill of the wind infiltrates the damp bun on the top of my head. I had hoped to have some time to go back to the room and clean up a bit. I may not be interested in impressing Peter, but I know I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb in the quaint restaurant with my wet hair and joggers.

I pull my coat tighter around my neck as I walk down main street, trying to fend off the gusts. Walking swiftly, my destination becomes visible in the near distance. I stay under the warm street lamps, with them giving just enough light that I can see a few metres in front of me. I pass by a few poles, not taking much notice of such mundane structures. But by the third lamp, the flapping paper attached to it catches my attention. I stop, and take a closer look at the incessant flyer.

I cocked my head to the side, interest flooding in. A snowboarding competition.

"You thinking of entering?"

I jump back, my heart suddenly flying to my throat. My head spins to the voice, coming face to face with Four.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I accuse, hand to my chest.

He shrugs, then moves closer to the flyer. He rips it off the pole, skimming the information. "Didn't realise you snowboarded as well."

"I don't." I've never even stepped foot on a snowboard. "Can you?" He nods nonchalantly, and I roll my eyes, "Don't know why I even asked."

My phone starts to vibrate in my back pocket, and I'm reminded that I was supposed to be heading to meet Peter. I'm about to grab it when a question pops into my head. "Are you going to enter?" I can't see why he wouldn't. If he's as good at snowboarding as he is skiing then he'd be stupid not to. He may as well be given the prize money now.

One hand reaches for the back of his neck as the other points to the small print at the bottom of the flyer. "You need a partner."

My eyes widen in disbelief. "And you're unable to find one?" Who wouldn't want to pair up with an advanced skiing instructor? He looks at me then, his eyes almost black in the dim light. I raise my eyebrows, "Sounds like your friends are missing a few brain cells."

He huffs out a laugh. It's a nice sound, something I didn't even think he was capable of until last Friday. I grin back, happy with myself for dragging it out of him.

My smile doesn't last long. Instead it's replaced with a frown as my phone starts to vibrate again. This time, it grabs Four's attention. "You should probably get that."

I nod half heartedly, grab my phone out of my pocket and look at the lit up screen. The time jumps out at me first. 7:15. I know it's Peter without casting my eyes down any further. I decline the call, shoving the phone back into my pocket.

When I look back at Four, he looks confused, but also amused at the same time.

"What?"

"No one important then?"

I sigh, already done with the evening. "No, but he's waiting for me, so I better head off."

I watch as he morphs back into that unreadable, detached self. He nods once.

I do one of those awkward, tight lipped smiles. "Alright. See you tomorrow…" My voice trails off as he's already turned around, walking away. I watch him for a few seconds, once again feeling thrown off. I try not to dwell on his aloofness, instead making myself turn around and walk towards the drain of my energy.

...

"We're going off peak today. Follow me to the lifts up west."

We follow Four, carrying our skis as we make our way through the compacted snow. It's been a few days since the last snowfall, so it's gotten pretty dense. Not prime conditions, but usable.

"-and tonight, it'd be great if you actually turned up on time. It's like you've forgotten how to act in a relat-"

"Alright, I get it." I look out before me, making sure the rest of the group is far enough away to not hear us.

"Do you get it though?" Peter insists, "I'm surprised she's even falling for this act. Most of the time you've been coming across indifferent to it all."

He looks down on me, and I know he's actually upset. I guess I didn't realise how much he actually liked Nita. Which is stupid of me, I know; who goes to this extent to win over a girl?

"I'll try harder," I end up getting out, "but when is this plan going to move forward for you? How are we going to go from being in this 'relationship' to you moving on to Nita?" I can see the thoughts running through his head, and I know he hasn't thought this far ahead. I shake my head, the silence going on for too long. "You better think of something, Peter, or she's going to give up if we drag this out for too long."

We come to the lifts, joining the rest of the group. Lynn looks over at me, raising her eyebrows. I try to ignore the look, not wanting to add to her suspicion.

"It's great of you two to finally join us." Four says sarcastically. I smile innocently, and watch him roll his eyes in return. "Let's not waste anymore time, everybody on."

...

The morning flies by quickly, and before I know it our lesson is over and it's time for lunch.

"I heard it's pizza on the menu." Lynn says unenthusiastically.

I groan, thinking of the last time we had their pizza. "Maybe we should have skied over the Italian Alps, you know, where they don't put pineapple on their pizzas."

I move my skis under my other arm, my whole body feeling the brunt of today's lesson. I had forgotten how demanding off peak was on your body.

Uriah nods his head as he trudges through the snow in his heavy ski boots. "You can't beat the real deal," he turns to me, face scrunched, "has your parents said anything about going over there next year?"

We enter the boot room as he asks, finding it empty once again. It's not unusual to find us finished first. "Yeah," I reply, "Mum said she'd speak to your Mum whilst we're away."

"Good. I'll need it."

I laugh as I take off my thick coat, "You've got a while to wait, Uri."

When we finish up, we head upstairs. Peter has already gone up, saying something about trying to make a low key move on Nita. It's a nice break.

Just as I go to follow Uri and Lynn out of the door, I hear a voice call my name. Four's voice.

He's just made his way into the boot room, still in his skiing gear. "Can I have a word quickly?"

Unnecessary nerves rush in. What could he want to talk about? "Uh, yeah, sure."

I wave off the other two, then go towards him. He sits down, beginning to take his gear off. I sit on the opposite bench, waiting to hear what he has to say.

He leans back against a nearby pillar. "I've been thinking," he begins. I nod in encouragement. His eyes move to mine. "I'm going to enter into the competition."

He pauses again, looking like he's waiting for a reply. "Good for you?" I say tightly, becoming confused. Why do I need to know this? "You found a Partner then?"

I watch his face scrunch. "This is what I want to have a word with you about." He leans forward, his arms coming to rest on his knees.

I shake my head. "I don't know anyone who can snowboard."

"That's not an issue."

My god. It's like pulling teeth. "Are you ever going to get to the point?"

He looks at me pointedly, "If you wouldn't interrupt me. I would." I open my mouth to counter back, but think twice and shut it. "You're my best student, near perfect skiing. I'm positive I can teach you how to snowboard, well enough to partner with me in the competition and win it." He speaks so matter of factly that I almost miss what he's actually talking about.

"You want me to be your partner?" I repeat, doubtful.

He shrugs, "You're the next best thing to a snowboarder."

If I had taken any compliment from his admission, they'd have dissolved. Next best thing. Nice.

"And if I don't want to compete?"

His passive expression doesn't move. "Then I don't enter."

I hold in a sigh, "And you really want to enter?"

He nods once, then stands up. "Think about it. But just know, we're going to need all the time we can get to have you competition ready."

I follow his movements as he walks out the door. When it has swung closed, my eyes stay fixed on it for a few moments, my mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. I'm broken out of my trance by the sound of the rest of my class coming through the back doors. Not wanting to answer any of Christina's questions, I hurry up and leave the room.