Her lips puckered out because they all looked like little Shawn Whites in the making. "Oh. This is much worse." She retorted.
Simon laughed to himself as he grabbed a hold of her hand tightly and pulled, “Let’s go.” He encouraged while she sighed and gripped his hand in return. Pulling her towards the belt, he helped her side step on first.
She released a shaken pant while she finally got situated on the lift and began to slide along the snow. She wrapped her arms around the pole and used her hair as a cushion against her cheek. Behind her, Simon braced her back, so she wouldn’t fall backwards, “See? It’s not so bad.” He said.
Somehow, she found herself in front of him for another lesson of confusion. He showed her how to go down the hill safely, “So, when you ski down, you always want to either have your skis turned straight or inwards.” He said before he demonstrated the difference, “Straight skis will make you go faster, turned in will be like your brake when you want to slow down or stop. Never, for the love of God, turn your skis outwards. That just spreads your legs and could lead you to a nasty fall.” He said. Her eyebrows tucked together as she tried to mimic what he did and repeated under her breath what they meant. Simon perked up with enthusiasm as he made his way to the edge, “Ready?!” he asked.
Her wary gaze settled on him as she answered him truthfully even though she knew it wouldn't matter, "No."
Holding her hand with their arms out, kids showed them how to go down with how short and even the slope was, “Remember, skis inward…”
A kid slid up beside them, “…pizza slice!” he called out before catapulting himself over the hill with confidence.
At least that’s how it seemed in Cherish’s eyes. She rolled her lips in and leaned her head back. Now the kids were in on it?!
Simon nodded, “Yeah, kids call it pizza slice because…well you get what we mean. Okay ready? One. Two. Three.”
Tugging on her, Cherish rolled her shoulders back and allowed gravity to do its job. They barely moved because she insisted to keep her skis pointed inward. Slow and steady won the race. She held one eye open as they crept down the slope. Simon gave her a widened grin, “Come on, open your skis a little bit. I have you.” He said gripping her hand tighter.
Kids and their parents slid by with expertise while Cherish tried to stay upright. She hesitantly straightened her skis out, but towards the end she could tell it was too far. Her legs started to separate and widen apart. Just when she thought she would fall, the ride had ended, and they had made it down in one piece.
Simon held her up by her arm with a laugh once she was steady on her feet, “You did so well! Do you think you’re ready for the big one?” he asked.
Cherish’s gaze drifted from him to the mountain she held him back from. She just didn't feel the same confidence he had, "N-no. You go ahead. I’ll… I’ll stay here." She replied encouraging him while pointing at the larger hill, "Go have some fun!" She added.
Little mister pizza slice skidded to a stop with a couple of his friends, "My daddy said we will take care of her mister!" He replied.
Cherish found their enthusiasm to be completely adorable. One young girl slid over and tugged on her hand, "My momma says she's tired, will you go down with me?"
She turned her attention to the red faced, freckled little girl and smiled, "Sure I will, as long as your mom says it’s alright." She replied.
With their hands still held, the little girl turned back to a woman who sat and watched, "Momma! Can I?!" She asked as the woman nodded. The little girl turned back to Cherish and pulled along her, "Come on! I'll show you what to do uh.... what’s your name?" She asked.
She looked at Simon with an expression that told him she couldn't say no now. Pulling away from him, she mouthed, "See you soon", as she followed the little girl awkwardly, "Cherish, what's yours?" She replied.
The little girl led her on, "Lily!!" She answered with an exuberant smile.
Simon shook his head at them, “I’ll stay here.” He said to himself as he watched Cherish and Lily make their way towards the lift. He tapped the boy on the helmet and leaned over, “I’ll race you down.”
Pizza slice kid kickstarted with a gasp before he raced after Simon towards the lift. Passing by Cherish and Lily, they met by the edge of the dip and he began to count, “Okay, three, two—” The boy pushed himself off before he could finish causing Simon to charge himself after the boy, “HEY!” he called.
With his knees bent and the poles tucked under his arms, Simon sped forward. The little boy could hear his approach and squinted his eyes closed; willing himself to be faster. Simon smirked a bit before he pulled his skis in and slowed down to allow the boy to pass.
By the time he’d had arrived at the bottom, he opened his eyes and saw he’d won; fair and square, “Yeah! Take that! I’m the winner!” he cheered and danced.
Simon smiled and already headed for the lift again, “I bet you couldn’t do it again.”
The kid scrambled to catch up, “I can too!” he exclaimed.
As Simon went along and rough housed with the little boy, the little girl clapped her gloved hands together, "Good job, Cherish!!" She exclaimed. Cherish had bent her knees and pushed herself across the flat surface
