“Oh.” Tina sighed. “But Chris has room in his Jeep. How about it?” she asked hopefully.
“Sure,” he answered, handing her the keys. “Carla, you can drive it. I’ll hang around in case Holly turns up.”
Holly! Tina thought. I shouldn’t leave until I know she’s okay.
“I’d better stay, too,” she told Carla reluctantly. “But get back here quick. And tell Josh I can’t wait to see him.”
Carla nodded and hurried away. Tina placed her hand on Chris’s shoulder. “She sure acted strange, didn’t she? I had the feeling she really didn’t want me to go with her.”
“Maybe she’s stopping to visit some guy on the way,” Chris said. “With Carla you never know.”
Stop and visit another guy? Tina’s mouth went dry. Maybe she wants to spend time with Josh. She did say that she and Steve dated other people.
All weekend she’s been trying to fix me up with Chris. Suddenly Tina saw things in a whole new light. Maybe Carla was pushing her toward Chris because she’s interested in Josh.
“Chris—do you think Carla wants to get together with Josh? Maybe that’s why she didn’t want me to go?”
“With Steve right there?” he asked.
“No. I guess not. But there’s something strange about the way she’s been acting to me.”
“You worry too much.” Chris put his arm around Tina’s shoulders. “Look, you need to have a little fun. I don’t want this weekend to be a complete disaster. So here’s my idea. A friend of mine owns a motorcycle shop. Let’s rent a motorscooter for the day. I’ll show you around. And I’ll get some outdoor shots for your portfolio.”
“What about Holly?” Tina asked.
“We’ll keep calling the dorm room while we’re out. Maybe we’ll even spot her strolling around town.”
A half hour later Tina sat on the back of the motorscooter, her arms wrapped around Chris’s waist.
As they rode down the old streets, the wind whipped through her hair. Chris stopped the scooter on the top of a hill.
Tina gazed out over the town. The streets wove around in circles. Large maple trees lined the sidewalks. The town ended at the base of a mountain. Snow capped the highest peak.
I wish I could go to school here, she thought. It’s so beautiful.
“This is Lookout Point,” Chris explained. “I want to get some shots of you here.”
He pulled out a pair of wire-rimmed glasses and slipped them on. “I need these to focus,” he said shyly.
He looks handsome in glasses, Tina thought.
Chris adjusted his camera settings while Tina stood at the top of the hill.
“Okay,” he said finally. “Look out over the town. Let your hair blow free.”
He clicked the shutter. “Act natural, Tina.”
This is hard, she thought. How can I act natural when Rob Roberts may see these pictures? She didn’t know how to position her hands. Or what to do with her feet.
“Relax,” Chris coaxed. “Think about tonight. About the dance.”
Tina thought about dancing with Josh.
“Great!” Chris exclaimed. “That’s exactly what I want.” He clicked one shot after another.
He’s watching me so carefully, Tina thought. Are all photographers this intense? Or is there something else happening between us?
“Okay,” he said, lowering the camera. “That’s enough here.”
They rode to the library, a large, old stone building with stained-glass windows.
Chris shot several pictures of Tina sitting on the steps. And some of her strolling in front of the entrance columns.
Modeling for someone who knows what he’s doing is really fun, she thought.
“These are going to be terrific.” Chris took her hand and led her back to the scooter. “You’re a natural.”
Tina’s heart fluttered. “I hope so,” she said. “I’ve wanted to be a model all my life.”
For a second he gazed longingly at her. She felt her stomach twist. She was having such a great time, she had completely forgotten about Holly.
“We have to go back to the dorm. What if Holly is there looking for me?”
“No, listen. Let’s go to the carnival. It’s a natural place for Holly to turn up. She knows that’s where you’re supposed to be.”
“Okay,” Tina agreed.
They climbed back on the scooter and started across town.
At a red light Chris jumped off.
Now what’s he doing? she thought.
He grabbed his camera and snapped a picture of Tina’s startled face.
When the light turned green, he hopped back on. Tina wrapped her arms back around his waist.
I hope these photos come out good, she thought, or I don’t want anyone to see them. Especially Rob Roberts.
As they approached the main quad, Tina heard the Spring Fling Carnival in full swing. Excited screams drifted into the air from the tilt-a-whirl and the roller coaster.
The salty-sweet aroma of popcorn and cotton candy greeted her. Chris parked the scooter under a tree. He reached for Tina’s hand to help her off.
Boys wearing T-shirts with fraternity names emblazoned on the front called out to them. “Three throws for a dollar! Right here. Win your girlfriend a stuffed bear!”
Tina watched a cute little boy throw a dart into a balloon. He won a huge stuffed bear.
I should be here with Josh, she thought. Chris is being great. Spending all this time with me. But he’s not Josh.
“Come on,” Chris said, taking her hand. “I want to try the Softball toss. I’ll win you a prize. How about one of those big purple Barneys?”
“Ugh! No, thanks,” Tina protested.
Chris handed his camera to Tina. The attendant gave him three softballs to toss through the rings.
Chris rolled the first ball around in his hands and then aimed for the ring. He made it. Before throwing the second one, he turned and smiled at Tina. The second one also fell through the ring. He winked at her.
Tina held her breath as he tossed the third softball. It hit the side of a ring and fell to the floor.
“Oh, well.” He reached in his pocket for more change.
Good, Tina thought. She really didn’t want a stuffed Barney.
“Tina?” a deep voice called out.
“Jack!” she exclaimed. “Hi!” Jack Hampton had graduated from Shadyside High a year before Josh.
“What are you doing here?” Jack asked. He stared curiously at Chris. “Aren’t you still going with Josh?”
“Of course,” Tina answered. “I came here to see him this weekend. But you know Josh. He went off on some geology search and had car trouble.”
Jack shook his head. “Sounds like Josh.”
“This is Chris.” Tina pulled Chris over. “Josh’s roommate. He’s showing me around.”
Jack reached out to shake hands with Chris. Chris clasped Jack’s hand briefly.
“We better get going,” Chris suggested. “I want to grab some shots at the merry-go-round.” He played with the straps of his camera.
He’s jealous, Tina thought.
“Just a minute,” she said. “I haven’t seen Jack in a long time.”
“Your folks let you come here alone?” Jack asked. “That’s a surprise.”
“Hardly,” Tina admitted. “I came with my cousin Holly. You haven’t seen her around, have you? I think she’s hanging out with Alyssa Pryor.”
“Alyssa Pryor?” Jack frowned. “From Shadyside?”
Tina nodded. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Chris fidgeting with his camera.
“That’s weird,” Jack commented. “Alyssa doesn’t go here anymore. She transferred to an art school in Seattle.”
chapter 10
“That’s impossible!” Tina cried. She dug her fingers into Chris’s arm. “Are you sure? Alyssa Pryor? With short blond hair? The one whose father owns a clothing store at the mall?”
“I’m positive,” Jack replied. “I ta
lked to her on the phone last week. We even talked about you and Josh. About everyone from Shadyside.”
Tina’s head began to spin.
Someone is lying. And it has to be Carla.
“Then where is Holly?” Tina asked.
She pictured Holly lying in a ditch somewhere. Or tied to a chair, being tortured by drunken bikers.
“Maybe she’s with a different Alyssa,” Jack suggested.
I don’t think so, Tina thought. If only I knew what Carla was up to.
A pretty girl with red hair walked up and looped her arm through Jack’s. “Everyone is waiting for you,” she cooed.
Jack waved as the girl dragged him away. “Don’t worry!” he shouted. “You’ll find Holly. Tell her I said hi.”
“We have to look for her,” Tina urged, turning back to Chris. “Something awful might have happened.” She pushed away from the carnival booths and into the crowd.
She bumped into a boy carrying a box of popcorn. She spun around the other way. A clown jogged toward her. His full red lips reminded Tina of blood. Several small children followed the clown. They circled Tina’s legs, laughing and shouting.
She felt trapped. Get away from me! she thought. I can’t think. I need space.
She cupped her hands over her ears. Holly—where are you? “I have to get out of here!” Tina cried.
“Calm down,” Chris said. He took her arm and led her to a bench.
“How can I be calm?” she shouted. “My cousin is missing. She could be anywhere. And that strange voice on the phone machine sounded so creepy. Something is totally wrong.”
Chris adjusted his ponytail. “You said that Holly wants to be on her own, right?” He stared into her eyes. “And that she’s always out for a good time?”
“Yes, but …” Tina stopped talking. I know he’s trying to be reasonable, she thought. And I promised myself not to get upset again. But this is different. This time I know someone’s lying. “We have to call the police.”
“You can’t file a missing-persons report until someone’s gone for twenty-four hours. It’s only been …” Chris checked his watch. “It’s only two. You guys didn’t get here until nine last night.”
Is that all? Tina thought. I feel as if I’ve been waiting forever for Josh. “Maybe I should call my aunt and uncle,” she mumbled.
“If you want,” he answered.
No, I don’t really want to, she thought. They would call her parents and everyone would show up in Patterson. And her weekend with Josh would be over before it began.
“No,” she said, swinging her foot back and forth on the concrete. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I know what you need,” Chris said. He slapped his hands on his thighs. “How about a frozen banana?”
Of all the food at a carnival, frozen bananas were Tina’s favorite. How does he keep doing that? Tina thought. Is he a mind reader or something?
“Okay,” she agreed halfheartedly.
They weaved among the booths and rides to the ice-cream stand. Tina’s mind drifted away from the carnival. I’m not being fair to Chris, she thought. He certainly hadn’t asked to spend all weekend with me. I have to stop thinking and just have a good time.
After frozen bananas, they headed for the Ferris wheel. As they stood in line, Tina tried to keep up her half of the conversation. But her mind kept wandering to Holly and Josh.
“So have you heard of them?” Chris asked.
“Heard of who?”
“Never mind,” Chris replied. “We’re next.”
The attendant led them to a car. Chris lowered the safety bar. A minute later the ride began. The balmy spring air brushed against her face. The sounds faded into the distance.
Tina’s stomach fluttered when the car swooped down. She felt a rush as the car lifted back in the air.
Chris fiddled with the settings on his camera. He focused on Tina and took several shots as they rode around.
Tina searched the crowd below, hoping to see Holly. On the way down next time, she thought, I’ll check another section.
But the car didn’t go down another time. It jerked and then came to a stop.
Tina glanced up at the open sky. I can almost touch the clouds, she thought.
“We’re stuck,” Chris said. “Have you ever been stuck at the top before?”
“No,” Tina answered.
The children in the car below began crying for their parents.
A bird landed on one of the spokes of the giant wheel, then flew away.
I wish I could fly away, Tina thought, and start this weekend all over again.
Deep in thought, she didn’t realize Chris had moved closer—until he draped his arm around her. His eyes locked on hers.
Not now, she thought. I can’t kiss him up here. I can’t kiss him at all. I have a boyfriend. A boyfriend who will be back any minute.
Tina edged away.
Chris ran his hand along her cheek. “Stop worrying,” he said soothingly. “I told you you worry too much.” He wrapped his arms around her and leaned forward.
Then he pressed his soft lips on hers. She didn’t want to, but she couldn’t help herself. She gave in and returned the kiss.
Chris held her tighter. His kisses grew deeper.
I like this, she thought. I know I shouldn’t, but I really do.
A gentle breeze rocked the car. The screaming children faded into the distance.
Chris ran his fingers through her hair.
Then he cupped her face in his hands. A faraway look came over his eyes.
“Chris.” Tina touched his arm. “Are you all right?”
He didn’t answer.
“Chris,” she repeated. “Say something.”
He narrowed his eyes at her.
What is he seeing? she wondered. His expression is so cold.
Chris removed the rubber band from his ponytail. His hair fell down his neck. He shook it out.
“Sorry,” he finally said. “It’s just that I haven’t been on a Ferris wheel since …” His voice drifted off.
“It’s okay,” Tina replied softly. “Carla told me about her.”
“I keep seeing her face,” Chris murmured. “I wish I could shut it out.”
“It takes time,” Tina said. It felt good to comfort Chris. After all, he’d been reassuring her all day.
He turned his piercing green eyes on her. “You know, Josh is a fool for leaving like that,” he declared. “What if I hadn’t arrived at the train station when I did? Do you know what might have happened to you?”
Tina shuddered. “Don’t remind me.”
“He should have stayed here,” Chris continued. “I told him if I had a girlfriend like you, I wouldn’t go anywhere.”
He moved closer.
“I hope they get this thing fixed,” Tina said, peering down.
“What’s the hurry?” Chris slid his arm around her again.
“I’m afraid of heights,” Tina lied.
He held her tightly. Her bones pressed into his chest. She could hardly breathe.
Please, start this ride back up. Please. We’re too heavy to be on one side of the car.
Tina gazed down to the ground below.
Chris forced his lips on hers. He tasted like chocolate and bananas. I don’t want to kiss him anymore, she thought.
“Chris!” Tina cried, pushing him away. “Please. We’re tilting the car.”
Chris pressed his mouth against hers.
She turned her face away. “Stop,” she said firmly.
“What’s wrong?” Chris snapped. “What kind of game are you playing?”
“I-I’m not playing any game,” Tina stammered.
Chris grabbed her and planted a slobbery kiss on her cheek. He ran his tongue inside her ear. Chills shot down her body.
“Stop it!” she shouted. “I mean it.” She shoved him to the other side of the car.
Please start this ride. Please!
“I thought you felt something for
me,” Chris said angrily. “A minute ago you didn’t seem to mind kissing me. Admit it, you feel something!”
“I do … I mean, I like you, but you know how I feel about Josh.”
“What about last night?” Chris protested. “And a few minutes ago? You weren’t thinking about Josh then.”
I need to find the right words, Tina thought. “You’re right,” she began. “But Josh and I have been together for two years.” She swallowed hard.
Chris’s eyes darted around the car. He put his hands on the safety bar and began rocking.
“I’ll tip this thing over,” he threatened. “You’re a tease, aren’t you! Admit it, Tina!”
The car tilted forward.
“Chris!” Tina cried. “Stop. We’re going to fall out.”
“Then kiss me,” he insisted, moving closer. “Kiss me and then tell me how you feel. Go ahead. Kiss me now!”
“No!” Tina shouted.
Chris used his weight to swing the car.
Back and forth. Back and forth.
“Stop!” she demanded.
Tina felt her stomach drop. Her blood rushed to her head. She gripped the safety bar.
Tina stared at the crowd below. She pictured herself falling … falling. Splattered on the cement.
“Chris! Are you crazy?” she shrieked.
Chris laughed. He gave the car another hard swing.
Tina’s pulse raced.
She opened her mouth to scream. Nothing came out.
Her fingers slipped off the safety bar.
Chris swung the car harder.
I’m falling, she thought.
I’m going to die!
She shut her eyes and started to fall.
chapter 11
Down … down.
No. Not falling.
The car was moving again. The Ferris wheel had started to turn.
The car swung upright. Tina breathed a long sigh of relief. She turned to Chris.
He toyed with the strap of his camera. He stared silently ahead.
What’s he thinking? Does he realize he nearly killed us?
Still shaking, Tina hugged the far corner of the car. Down they swooped. She leaned forward, ready to jump off as soon as their car stopped.