Free Friends ForNever by Katy Grant Page A

to the top of that thing in no time! Want to give me any pointers?”
    I laughed. “Yeah. Rule number one—never look down! But the other thing that helped was staying positive. I kept visualizing myself at the top.”
    â€œI wonder if people who break their legs visualize themselves at the hospital,” Nicole commented, which got her a few laughs. I knew she thought the whole “positive thinking” theory was ridiculous. Anytime I brought it up to her, she usually made fun of it.
    I sat down in the grass next to the belay bench and tried to make my muscles relax. I looked up at Nicole. “Ready to try it? I’ll belay you now,” I offered.
    â€œNo, thanks. I’d never be able to follow in your footsteps,” she said.
    â€œHey, that’s not the point,” said Jerry cheerfully. “You’re supposed to challenge yourself, not try to compete with each other. Just go as far up as you’re comfortable with.”
    But it was obvious that Nic didn’t want a turn today. She was ready to leave.
    â€œThat was so much fun! I’m really glad we did this. Thanks for coming with me,” I said as we walked back toward the cabin.
    Nicole didn’t say anything at first. Then, after a long pause, she said, “We’ll have to do it again. Considering you’re such an expert climber.” Her voice had an edge to it. The way she said expert sounded more like an insult than a compliment.
    â€œOh, is that what you’re mad about? So what? I got to the top before anyone else. It’s not like I’m making a big deal out of it.”
    â€œYou can be a little too competitive sometimes, Darcy. Ya know?”
    â€œWhat? How am I competitive?” I honestly didn’t think of myself as competitive at all. Not with other people, anyway. I only liked to challenge myself.
    â€œWell, you’re always saying that you can’t believe I get mostly As when you’re pretty much a straight-B student,” Nic said, conveniently pointing out that she was a better student than I was.
    One time I’d made a comment to Nic about how I couldn’t believe she got such good grades. Now all of a sudden it was always ? “Nicole, I admire the fact that you make mostly As. I thought A students were a myth that teachers made up to pressure the rest of us.”
    â€œOh, thanks for admiring me.”
    â€œWhat is wrong with you? Are you mad at me about something?” Why did it seem like lately we were on the verge of fighting about really insignificant things?
    Nicole snorted. “No! Why do you always think I’m mad?”
    â€œBecause you’re always so moody. I’m really getting tired of it. What’s your problem anyway?”
    â€œOh, shut up!”
    â€œFine. I will shut up,” I snapped.
    Now we were both in a vicious mood. Neither one of us said a word. I didn’t even care that she was mad. I was mad too. I was getting really sick of her constant attitude.
    So I decided to pull out the big guns. I had never suggested that we do separate activities because I didn’t want Nic to take it the wrong way. Now I was beyond worrying about hurting her feelings. I actually wanted to make her even madder.
    â€œWe don’t have to spend every waking moment together, you know! It might be a good thing for us to take a break from each other for a while!”
    Nicole spun around and glared at me. “That is the best plan you’ve had all week!”

Neither one of us said another word on our way back to the cabin. We walked in to find Sarah sitting on her bottom bunk.
    She took one look at us and asked, “What’s wrong?”
    â€œHow’d it go with Whitney?” I totally avoided even looking at Nicole. I was still fuming.
    â€œForget that. What’s up with the two of you? You both look like you’re ready to scratch someone’s eyes out.” Sarah looked back and forth between Nic