Page 79 of She Used to Be Nice
“We’re walking up the exact same incline that you walk uptown on York Avenue.”
Avery glanced at Blair again, then looked back at Morgan, whose face was twisted in impatience. “It’s not at all like that,” Avery said.
“Yes,” Morgan snapped. “It is.”
Morgan stormed ahead, her feet crunching hard against the rocks and twigs on the forest floor. A few seconds later, Blair caught up to Avery and floated past her on the trail.
“Blair! Hey!” Avery called out, jogging lightly to match Blair’s pace. Finally, a moment alone.
Blair raised an eyebrow. “Hey?”
“How are you? I’m breaking a sweat right now. Literally dying.”
Blair picked up her pace, and Avery did her best to match it as knives stabbed her chest with every intake of breath. Blair gave her a confused glare while Avery flashed her friendliest, most reassuring smile, hoping to remind Blair of the rapport they’d once had in college. Avery didn’t want to do the whole fake nice thing they’d been doing since this wedding season began. She wanted to have a genuine interaction, one that was reminiscent of their relationship’s better days, so that maybe Blair would open up.
“I’m doing fine,” Blair said warily. “This really isn’t hard.”
Avery fanned her face. “You and Morgan need to get my ass to the gym.” She laughed and flashed another wide smile that bordered on psychotic. “Next time you come to the city, we’ll all go.”
Blair tossed her a strange look before jogging away until she caught up with the rest of the group at the first viewpoint. Avery lagged behind, still winded, but eventually made her way to the flat spot of the trail that looked out onto a panoramic mountain range. Each mountain was a different shade of purplish blue, and they faded into each other like a gradient as they stretched farther into the background, with the last peak blending into the color of the sky. Avery would’ve thought it was gorgeous if she weren’t so distracted by thoughts of Blair and Noah.
“This summit is the lowest one we’re gonna see today!” Noah’s voice sliced through the crisp, quiet air. “There are even more beautiful views up ahead. Let’s keep going!”
Everyone trekked onward, and Avery took wide-legged strides to try keeping up with their pace. Her lungs were on fire.
“I hate this,” she mumbled to herself.
Morgan shot her a frustrated glance and stormed a few feet ahead, but Avery was in too much physical discomfort to react. She guzzled more water and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. After a few more seconds, she stopped again.
“I’m sorry,” she squeaked. “Hold on.”
Morgan groaned as she turned around to face Avery, her muscular thighs clenching. “Come on, Avery. At this rate we’re never gonna make it to the summit.”
Avery rested her hands on her knees. In front of her, a pile of leaves whirled a mini tornado low to the ground. “I’m trying, Morgan. I’m not in great shape.”
“I don’t understand. You’re twenty-three years old. It’s a walk with the tiniest incline.”
Avery glared at her. “Why are you being such a bitch right now?”
Morgan crossed her arms. “I’m not being a bitch.”
“You’re being a bitch.”
Avery tried to strut away to stick her point, but after two strides she realized she was going to vomit if she didn’t slow down. By the time the queasiness passed and she looked up, Morgan had disappeared.
After the hike, the bridesmaids separated from the groomsmen and made their way to a spa, the first of many stops on their girls-only afternoon in Aspen. As they walked through town nestled in the mountains, passing red-brick buildings with black awnings and outdoor dining spaces surrounded by bright green hedges, Avery watched Blair pick at a hangnail while the other bridesmaids talked about how beautiful the hike was. Avery tried strategizing a way to get Blair to talk, but they wouldn’t have any more alone time today. And even if they did, there was no way they could magically reconcile their differences enough for Blair to feel comfortable venting to her about Noah.
“We’re here!” Morgan called out.
Up ahead was a building with natural brown stone siding, lilac windows, and a winding pathway leading to a front door with a sign that said “Relax.” The bridesmaids sat inside the foyer of the spa as they waited for a receptionist to call their names. Blair continued biting her nails while the rest of the bridesmaids gabbed about the hike. Avery remained silent and observant, until she felt a nudge on her arm.
“You worked up a sweat out there,” Morgan said.
“I tried,” Avery replied distractedly. Blair suddenly gasped quietly in pain and put her finger to her mouth, sucking what was probably blood from her nail. “I was nervous when we were crossing that wet muddy area, though.” Avery stared at Blair’s finger. “Me and Blair almost slipped over there. Didn’t we, Blair?”
Blair looked up, startled. “Oh. Yeah. Rough spot.”
“Gravity’s the worst,” Morgan said, oblivious to Blair’s anguish. “You should’ve worn hiking boots.” Morgan noddedtoward Avery’s black Nike sneakers, which were caked with dirt. “Would’ve been easier to navigate that terrain.”
