We chat a bit more, and then I think of Charlie, who is probably feeling really awkward right now. She won't climb, that's for sure. When we were in grade school, our best friend, Scarlett, was riding a roller coaster when it stopped unnaturally. The coaster was one with two seats per car, and she was riding solo, while Charlie and I were riding together. Her car broke off the coaster and fell, and one of the metal bars hit her in the head.

Since that incident, Charlie has never been able to climb over ten feet off the ground, while I can. Although that incident has made me wary of heights, I know I will not fall. My mother was a great climber, and she taught my father. My father used to climb with me, and he taught me how to know how to hold myself in such a way that I knew I would never fall. That was before his work took over his life.

Because my mother was such a skilled climber, climbing and being high, apart from the isolation and freedom, is almost a way I am connected with her.

"We should probably go back down," I say, looking at the slowly setting sun, and scouring my brain for a good excuse. "It's starting to get dark."

Justin nods in agreement, and we slowly head back down towards the ground.

At the base of the tree, I wave to Justin. "Well, I guess I'll see you around," I say, trying superbly hard (and failing) to keep things not awkward.

"Yeah, I guess so," he replies. "It was nice meeting you, Charlie."

"Yeah, you too," she replies, and shakes his hand before turning to mount her bike.

We mount our bikes and he grabs his skateboard. We ride away in opposite directions.

Hi guys! So I found a really efficient way to update a lot. An hour before I go to sleep, I try to write a chapter. Some days it's REALLY hard, tho, with karate sometimes going late. For sure, every Sunday, maybe every other day during the week, except never Wednesdays or Thursdays. Fridays, it depends, but probably. Also, I am going on vacation for the first week of Christmas break, so I may or may not be able to write then. I have found that writing is also a way to calm myself down, so you guys are in luck! <3