fifty percent success rate doing this yesterday. I think you'll pull it off. I'm going first, then Sonia, and then you. Just relax and have fun." With that, Freddy plunged over the side. Although he just did three simple 360s, he got a smattering of applause from the audience, who were obviously impressed with the height he managed to get, working in such a limited amount of space.
Sonia was next. She completely blew the audience away with the front flip that Freddy was talking about.
Ian wasn't expecting much of an ovation for what he was about to attempt. Just three simple tail taps, but for the time being, it was the only realistic move for him to perform. Anything else would take a lot more than a few days to master. As soon as Sonia finished, he dropped down into the ramp, made it to one side, did a simple tap and turn around, then one more on the trip back, and then something happened on the third swoop. He somehow had gotten a little more momentum than he had planned, and wound up airborne on the other side. He instinctively whipped the bike around, and managed to connect the wheels back with the pipe, returning safely to the other side, where Freddy and Sonia were waiting to give him a pat on the back. Polo flew over the side next, did his thing, and the four of them got off and made room for the next set of bikers, who were all warming up in the flat area.
Ian took off his helmet just in time to receive a big hug and kiss from his very relieved girlfriend. "So what do you think? Do I have a future in this?"
"Maybe we both do. Do you think you can show me how to do that?"
"Well, at this point, I barely know how to do it myself."
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind her. "Rita Hammond?"
Rita turned around just in time to see Sonia remove her helmet. "Sonia!" The two of them hugged.
Sonia was delighted to run into her old BMX buddy from Harrison middle school. "I almost didn't recognize you."
"Yeah, I grew a few curves over the summer and learned how to put on make-up. You're looking good too," observed Rita.
"So are you still blowing everyone away with your biking skills at Harrison?"
"No, I'm at Alamanda now. They don't have phys-ed programs involving bikes or skateboards there, so I got into gymnastics instead. So how did you wind up here?"
"My mom and dad were worried about all the drugs and violence going on at Harrison, so they put me here instead."
"You're lucky they can afford this,"
"As you've noticed, I've been learning some vert moves over the last couple of months. That's something neither of us would ever have learned back at Harrison." Sonia looked over at Ian, who was just standing there, taking it all in. He would never have guessed that Rita and Sonia were old friends. She looked back at Rita. "So how come your boyfriend is getting biking lessons from us, and not you?"
Rita didn't know what to say. "Umm...."
Ian finally broke his silence. "Sonia, believe it or not, this is the first I've ever heard about her previous life as a BMXer."
Rita added, "And today is the first I've ever heard about his current life as one."
Just then, Freddy walked up to the three of them, "Hey, what's going on?"
Sonia quickly introduced them, "Rita, this is my boyfriend Freddy. Freddy, this is Ian's girlfriend Rita, who is also an old friend of mine...and one awesome flatlander."
"Hey, you got yourself a cute one there Sonia." observed Rita. "So do you still have the same number and E-Mail?"
"I sure do. The four of us ought to get together sometime and do something."
"How about right now?" Suggested Rita. "I've got my bike here."
"You do?" Ian was astonished. "How did you...?"
"Trish, of course."
"I should've guessed."
"Well, why don't you grab it and meet us over in the flatland area," suggested Sonia. "And hey, congratulations."
Rita was puzzled. "Congratulations for what?"
"On getting' yourself a chap like this," Sonia gave Ian a playful slap on the butt, and he collapsed down on the lowest row of the bleachers, as she and Freddy started walking away with their bikes.
"Listen Ian," Rita sat down next to him and began talking fast. "Steven just told me that you were looking forward to teaching me how to do this. You know what? I actually am going to need you to teach me how to do what you just did. I've never dropped into a half-pipe before. Back at Harrison, there was no half-pipe. I'm strictly a flatlander...Ian, are you listening?" She noticed that his eyes were a bit glazed over.
He suddenly turned and looked at her. "Oh, I'm sorry Angel...I was just taking a moment to bask in the feeling of somebody other than you slapping my bottom." This cracked both of them up. Seeing a shadow on the ground, Ian looked up to discover Becker standing over them. He maintained his cool. "Hello Becker. I noticed you sitting over there with Betty and Phoebe. I guess there's just something girls find irresistible about a guy in a Phantom Of The Opera mask."
Becker now sported the countenance of a beaten man. "Rita, I'm really sorry I shoved you out of that elevator a couple of days ago. I was humiliated, and in a state of panic. I can't thank you enough for sending the girls over to cheer me up."
"You scared the hell out of me, Becker," she replied. "But you're forgiven."
"Do you mind if I speak to your boyfriend alone for a minute?"
"I'll go get my bike." She got up and left the two of them there.
The two youths stared at each other for a good ten seconds before Becker finally spoke. "Ian...Ian..." He took a deep breath. "In spite of my cultural upbringing, this friendly business is a bit new to me..."
"You're doing' fine, so far."
Becker rolled his eyes. "Look, I have no idea how to make up for over a year's worth of abusive behaviour, but I'll just say this. While I'd certainly hesitate to call you a scholar in any traditional sense, you definitely are a gentleman...And I've got to admit that there is no other guy on this planet more worthy of Rita Hammond than the one sitting right in front of me."
Ian sighed, "Yeah, she sure made me a better man."
Becker agreed, "Yup, she made me a better man too, and needless to say, I was in much more dire need of improvement." Becker extended his arm. "Friend?"
"For sure." The two boys shook hands.
"Good show Ian," Steven, Sheila, Phoebe, Betty and Trish all came down out of the bleachers to give him kudos. "Will you be doing anything else this morning?"
"Just messing around over there." He nodded towards the flatland area. "Rita and I discovered we have a mutual friend who goes to this school."
"It's too bad they don't have something like this at Alamanda," Observed Sheila.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Ian responded. "I finally discover a skill that I'm half-way decent at, and no one knows about it but you guys and me."
Rita emerged from under the bleachers with her bike. "If you guys want to stick around and watch, we're going to go teach each other a few moves." As she spoke, Ian got up and grabbed the handlebars of his bike.
"Thanks, but Sheila and I haven't had breakfast yet." Steven put his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. "We're going to get something to eat." He turned to Becker, Phoebe, Betty and Trish. "You guys hungry?"
"I am."
"Me too."
"Me three."
"Me four."
"Then , move it!," declared Steven. The six of them walked off towards the mall.
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