Free Choke by Diana Lopez Page A

bag, and there aren’t any beans on the ground. It’s all figurative. So I thought that “choking game” was a metaphor. But it wasn’t.
    â€œIt’s got other names,” Nina said. “Like Knockout Game, Wall Hit, Airplaning, Rocket Ride.”
    â€œI’ve never heard of them.”
    â€œHow about Sleeper Hold, Pass-Out Game, or Cloud Nine?”
    I shook my head to all of these.
    â€œI can’t believe it,” she said, laughing. “Where have you been all this time?”
    â€œHanging out with Elena,” I said.
    â€œOh, right. Hanging out with Elena.” The way she said it made it sound like hanging out with Elena equaled playing on the merry-go-round — which made sense, since it was true.
    â€œSo what’s it like?” I asked. “This choking game?”
    â€œYou want to try it?”
    â€œWill it make us breath sisters?”
    â€œFor life,” she said.
    â€œOkay, then. Let’s do it.”
    â€œFirst you have to swear to secrecy,” she said. “I already got kicked out of school for this, so you can’t tell anyone — not even Elena.”
    I had to think a moment because Elena and I tell each other everything, even our dreams, no matter how strange. Like the time I dreamed Courtney and Alicia were pointing at me because I went to school as the Statue of Liberty, and like the statue, I was frozen, so I couldn’t speak or throw away the torch and crown. Then Courtney painted embarrassing graffiti on me, and everyone laughed. When I told Elena, she didn’t think I was weird or say that my dream wasone big freak-o-rama. She listened. She said she had bad dreams about Courtney and Alicia, too.
    I had never considered keeping a secret from her. But all of a sudden, I didn’t want to tell her everything. I knew I’d keep the choking game private because I wanted to share something with Nina, with only her.
    â€œI promise not to tell,” I said.
    Nina smiled, picked up our things, and led me to the restroom, checking beneath the stalls to make sure we were alone. Then we went to the largest stall, the one for ladies in wheelchairs. Nina secured the latch and looped our purse straps on the door hook.
    â€œThe choking game’s about trust,” she said. “So you have to trust me.” She put her hands on my shoulders, and looked me straight in the eyes. “Do you trust me with your life?”
    The daredevil feeling that came from walking through the park at night or racing my bike down a steep hill washed over me.
    â€œYes,” I said. “Do you trust me ?”
    â€œOne hundred percent,” Nina replied.
    â€œThen teach me how to play the choking game.”
    She took my hand and placed my fingers on the side of my neck.
    â€œFeel that?” she asked.
    I felt my skin’s warmth and my pulse.
    â€œIt’s like a water hose in your neck,” she said. “When we play the choking game, we pinch off the flow.”
    I backed up a few steps. “You want to strangle me?”
    â€œWindy.” She laughed. “What did you think? It’s called the choking game.”
    â€œBut …”
    â€œYou’re not going to get hurt,” she said. “I’ve played it lots of times. Do I look hurt to you?”
    I shook my head. “But people die from being choked.”
    â€œOnly if you keep holding on,” she said. “That’s why we have to trust each other and let go before the game goes too far. That’s what makes us breath sisters — we put our lives in each other’s hands. Can you think of a better way to prove your friendship?”
    Her explanation made sense. Then again, I never had to prove my friendship to Elena, so why did I have to prove it here?
    â€œYou can tap out whenever you want,” Nina said.
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œIf you want me to stop, you can tap my arm and I’ll let