Page 59 of Maybe, Probably
I’m doing it.
I’m actually doing this. My heart rate spikes with adrenaline, and buzzes through my veins as I continue my trail.
I’m doing so good, I can’t wait to get to the bottom and scream with excitement about how I did it! Just as I’m preparing to go through the next opening of trees, I catch a movement right at the corner of my eyes. A white blob runs in front of me, and I panic. I try to swerve out of the way, but my movements are too jerky.
I lose my balance.
And I’m falling.
My body tumbles at a momentum that I can’t slow down. I don’t know where I’m heading. My boots suddenly lighter as my skis detach, not faltering the momentum as I continue to fall down the hill. The only things I can really see are white, blue and some green, as my sight spirals with the motions. Suddenly everything stops as pain ricochets up my body briefly, the heavy impact of my body hitting something dense before my head slams against something hard.
Then, all I see is black.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Xavier
No.
No, No, No.
Not again.
Everything happened so fast.
She was doing so well as she was gliding down the hill. I was admiring how fast she caught on to skiing. She was determined as I taught her the essentials, but I should’ve known better. I should’ve told her that I wanted her to go down the smaller hills a couple more times. That we could do the bigger hills another day. We’re still supposed to be here for less than a week. There’s plenty of time. Therewasplenty of time.
Then I watched as that fucking rabbit ran out of the bush and into her path. I watched as she tried to dodge it and lost her balance instead. The air in my lungs froze where it was as I watched her tumble forward, her skis flying off her boots. I lean forward, tucking into position to increase my speed, to get to her faster. To get to her before she hurts herself.
My heart is beating out of my chest as I race toward her.
I watch in slow motion as she connects with a rock settled beside one of the trees. I saw the impact it made as her back connected with it and shot her head back onto the hard surface.
I wasn’t fast enough. I couldn’t save her. I skid to a stop beside her, kicking off my skis as I drop to the ground.
“Fu-uck.” A sob leaves my mouth as I settle in beside her, checking her over. I remove her goggles from her face so I can get a better look. Her eyes are closed, but when I get closer, I can see that she’s still breathing.Her body is at a weird angle from the way her body landed on the snow covered rock.
Black begins to frame my vision as my breathing increases.Fuck, it’s happening again. I lightly shake her shoulders.
“Harper– Harps.” The desperation in my voice is obvious as I try to get her to wake up to no avail. “Pleaselook at me.” The blood rushes in my ears and I can’t hear anything. My chest is constricting as I fight to take in a breath. I lift my shaking hands and rip off my goggles and helmet tossing them beside me. I run my fingers through my hair as I try to calm myself enough to think clearly.
“Oh my God, are you alright!” A voice shouts from behind me, but I don’t answer him. I can’t. I think I’m going into shock. I hear the person close in, and if they say something else, I don’t hear it. Harper is laying in front of me unconscious. It all feels too familiar, except Shelby still woke up. She woke up, and she got up. Harper isn’t awake. Her eyes aren’t opening.
“Help!” It’s the only thing that I manage to say.
“I’ve already called down to the lodge, and they’re sending up the ski patrol now.” I still haven’t fully looked at the man that came to check on us. I turn to look and I’m met with silver eyes looking back to me with concern. The man looks to be in his late fifties, his salt and pepper hair peek from the sides of his helmet. The tan color with laugh lines are prominent on his face. “Can you tell me your name?” He asks the question calmly, taking a seat beside me as we wait.
“Xavier.” I take a deep breath, “That’s Har-Harper.” My voice cracks halfway through her name.
He puts his hand on my shoulder in support.“The name’s Hank.”
Just then a groan comes from Harper's body, I jolt forward. “Harps, Harps, can you hear me? You’re okay. I’m right here.”
“W-what happened?” She grumbles, bringing her palm up to her forehead.
“You tumbled right into a rock. I think you hit your head too. Just stay still, okay?” My hands are hovering over her, wanting to comfort her, butnot sure if my touch will do it. “Ski patrol is on their way, and they should be here any minute.”
Harper opens her eyes slightly. Her pupils are slightly dilated, and then she squints as she tries to focus on me. “Well, that’s silly. We haven’t even gone to the ski hill yet.” She pauses, before opening her eyes again briefly. “Or– wait.” There’s a longer pause as Harper’s eyes furrow in concentration before she closes them again.
