Our strides quicken.
Melody comes down the path with that girl, Camila Damalas.
Both have snowboards tucked under their arms, and Camila is chattering on like a songbird.
Eric is not far behind them, Piper wearing a matching grin as his smile moves around words that amuse her.
He locks eyes with Serena, then gives a nod of respect, an apprentice to a master, then does the same with me.
I force myself to return it.
Can’t go shoving him over in the snow.
Not when we’re so close, and the gondola cords are just metres ahead of us.
Serena’s steps move quicker over the mushy path.
A gondola car slides into view, then halts, bolts locking it in place, and it trembles for only a moment before the doors come sliding open.
I falter.
My boots slip—
Before I can lose my balance, Serena has spun around to snatch me by the arm. She keeps me upright, the panic flaring in her now-brown eyes.
Because Mr Younge comes out of the gondola. He turns around to extend his hand… to my mother.
He helps her out of the gondola car.
Once she’s steady on her feet, they move aside—and my father emerges from the car.
Serena’s grip on my arm tightens, a squeeze.
A message.
My throat thickens with a hard swallow as I lift my chin that bit higher, and I start up the path.
The gondola doors slide shut with a bang that echoes even in the winds.
The car moves, it leaves—and the next will be just a minute away.
Serena is one step ahead, tucked to the left side of the path, allowing my parents to pass us by, and they do, without so much as a glance our way.
They march by, tension tightening their faces, and I get the chills just by passing them.
My skin prickles under my blue winter coat, attire that looks different to anyone but me.
The next car screeches to a stop at the podium.
Serena’s pace swiftens.
I have to jog to keep up with her long strides.
Her boots come smacking down on the concrete of the podium the moment the car doors slide open—
And out comes the fucking Ströms.
My insides run cold.
