It Was Still Asher: Beachbreak High #4 by Lowry Emily

Author:Lowry, Emily
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eleventh Avenue Publishing
Published: 2021-05-12T16:00:00+00:00

24

Asher

We stood in the shadow of the rollercoaster. Up close, it was clear how much it had aged. The paint was peeling, the bolts rusted in place. Some of the wooden planks looked like they belonged in an old western movie instead of on a rollercoaster. When was the last time they’d worked on the thing? And, now that I’d seen it up close, would I ever feel safe riding on it?

Kenzie eyed the maintenance ladder that led up towards the top of the coaster. Her face was pale but her expression was determined.

“What’re you thinking, Kenz?” I asked.

“I’m thinking...” she started hesitantly. “I’m thinking that we need to climb.”

“Climb. Like, climb the coaster?”

Her jaw was set as she looked up to the sky. “Yes. The drone will only go to a certain height. We need to climb so it can fly over the top of the coaster.”

I shook my head. “What happened to your fear of heights? Isn’t this a bit risky?”

“It’s a risk…” Then, she looked at me, her eyes clear and focused. “But, you’re here no matter what happens. Right?”

It was a test, a challenge, and I wouldn’t let her down.

I approached the maintenance ladder and put some weight on it. It was sturdy and firm, minimal risk. I touched the rungs and the serrated metal bit into my palm. “You’re sure you want to go up?”

“When’s the next time we’ll get a chance like this?”

I gestured towards the ladder. “Ladies first.”

Kenzie handed me the bag with the drone and I slung it over my shoulder. Then, her jaw set, she put her hands on the railing and stepped onto the first rung. She paused before taking another step. “If I fall, you better catch me.”

“You won’t fall.”

“But, if I did?”

I shrugged. “I’ll wave at you as you fall past me.”

“Nice, Ash. Very reassuring.”

I grinned. “Didn’t want to lie to you.”

Kenzie took a hesitant step up, and I followed close behind, watching to make sure she was alright. We climbed the ladder to a small platform only a quarter of the way up the coaster. From there, there was a set of steep and narrow stairs which brought us to another platform. At the rollercoaster’s highest point, you could see all of Beachbreak. And, at the lowest, you could almost taste the saltwater.

There was a slight wind, just enough to keep my skin cool. I followed Kenzie as she slowly but surely made her way up. I was proud of her — I knew how nervous she felt about heights. But, her bravery inspired me and, hesitant as I was to talk about the night I got caught trespassing, I wanted to do it for her.

Halfway up the tallest ladder, Kenzie paused. “Ash?”

Her voice was so soft I almost couldn’t hear it.

“You’re okay,” I said. “You’re almost there. And I promised to catch you if you fell, didn’t I?”

“You said you’d wave.”

“I’m here, Kenz, you’re okay.”

A few breaths later, her foot moved to the next rung on the ladder, the metal clanking beneath her feet.

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