Free Ski Trip Trouble by Cylin Busby

sit?” He motions to the empty chair.
    â€œThanks,” you say, wrapping your hands around your hot chocolate mug. “It sounds silly, but I didn’t realize it was going to be this cold here—I’m freezing!”
    â€œReally? You looked great out there—that jacket is awesome.”
    â€œOh this?” You look down at Sierra’s silver coat. “Actually, it’s not mine. And I’m totally freezing because I wanted to wear it.”
    â€œWell, it does look good on you,” Alex says, and gives you a dimpled grin.
    â€œI just came in to warm up, then I’m going back out to ski with my friends,” you tell him.
    â€œI have a better idea,” he says. “Why don’t you change into something warmer and we’ll go sledding—it’s about to get dark out, and the night sledding is amazing!”
    Your only option for warmer clothes is renting one of the hideous snowsuits from the lodge— they’re big, bulky, and totally unflattering. But you’re so cold, there’s no way you can go sledding—especially at night—in what you’re wearing. Do you dare to hang out with this cutie in a big goofy snowsuit? Or should you tell him you’re not in the mood to go sledding?
    If you decide to join Alex for night sledding, go to Chapter 46.
    If you’re too embarrassed to wear a snowsuit in front of him, go to Chapter 47.

Chapter 44
    There’s no way you can go ski with Mitch now— checking in on Zac and making sure he’s okay is the right thing to do. You make your way down to the infirmary and start looking for him. When you find him, his face totally lights up.
    â€œWhat are you doing here? You didn’t have to come,” he says, but you can tell he’s psyched that you did.
    â€œSo what’s the diagnosis?” you say, looking down at his swollen ankle.
    â€œJust sprained. They’re going to wrap it up. And I’ll have crutches,” he explains.
    The nurse comes by. “It’s going to be a couple of hours before the doctor can get here to look at your ankle,” she says. “Do you want me to get you a book or a magazine? We have some games over here….” She points to a pile of old board games. You hear Zac let out a sigh.
    â€œHey, let’s play Scrabble!” you say, and quickly set up the board on his bed, pulling a chair over for yourself. Before you know it, an hour has passed and Zac has beaten you—badly—at the game.
    â€œThe least you could do is let me win,” you tease him. “I mean, I am taking time out from the slopes to hang with you!”
    Out the window, you can see that the sun is going down behind the snowy mountain. No more skiing for you today, but you don’t mind—you’re having a great time hanging out with Zac—he’s so smart, and super funny, time just flies by when you’re with him.
    The doctor finally shows up and sets Zac’s ankle. “Obviously, no skiing tomorrow,” he adds when he’s done wrapping it in a bandage.
    â€œThat’s okay,” you tell Zac. “I hear they have a whole computer room in the lodge stocked with video games.” But he doesn’t look too happy.
    â€œI was looking forward to hanging out with you,” he admits. “Now I’m going to be stuck in the lodge all day while you’re on the slopes.”
    You love that Zac isn’t scared to tell you how he feels about you. For a guy who’s a year younger, he’s very mature! “Look,” you tell him, “Why don’t I ski for half the day, and spend the other half with you?”
    His face lights up. “You’d do that for me? But wait—do I have to let you win?” he asks, smiling.
    â€œNo way, I want a fair rematch,” you tell him.
    â€œBut if I do win, it might encourage me to spend less time on the slopes and more time with you. You take his hand in