On Thin Ice Read online

  Well, I guess I don’t have to wonder how they’d get along if they ever met, Savannah thought dismally. The answer is clear — badly!

  CHAPTER SIX

  But it turned out that Savannah was wrong. At first, they all skated separately. Angela practiced spins, Bizz speed skated around the outside, and Savannah tried skating with one leg stretched out behind her. Then, slowly, they all started skating nearer to each other and saying things like “nice spin” and “wow, you’re really fast.” They had just begun playing follow-the-leader when Mr. Smith interrupted them.

  “You girls look like you could use some hot chocolate,” he called from the kitchen. “I’ll bring some out.”

  As Savannah sipped her steaming mug of rich chocolate, she listened to Angela and Bizz talk about how great the rink was. Her hopes rose. Maybe they would wind up as friends after all. Her hopes were dashed a moment later.

  “How was the mall this morning?” Bizz asked. “Oh, were you shopping for the gift swap?” Angela asked.

  Bizz looked at her. “What gift swap?”

  “The gift swap we’re doing at Savannah’s big party,” Angela said. “Aren’t you coming to the party?”

  Savannah wished the ground would open up and swallow her, that lightning would strike her in the head, that her father would call her inside — anything to keep from having to look at Bizz. Finally, though, she did risk a glance.

  Bizz was staring at her, but when she spoke it was to Angela.

  “I’m not sure. When is this big party happening again?” she asked. When Angela told her, Bizz gave a little snort. “Whaddya know. I’ve already been invited to another party that same day. Too bad a person can’t be in two places at once. Isn’t it, Savannah?” Still wearing her skates, she grabbed her shoes and clumped out of the yard.

  Savannah felt like she’d swallowed a lead balloon. “Did I say something wrong?” Angela asked.

  “No,” Savannah answered miserably. “It’s something I didn’t say that’s causing the problem.”

  That night at dinner, Savannah picked at her food.

  “Is everything okay, Savannah?” her mother asked.

  “Bizz hates me!” Savannah blurted out. She told her mother what had happened. “I should have told her and the others about the school party,” she finished. “And now they’re having their own party — without me.” She put her head down on the table.

  Her mother ruffled Savannah’s thick black hair. “Poor baby. You know, the first step to making things right is to talk to your friends. Explain what happened. Why don’t you give Bizz a call?”

  But Savannah shook her head. “I doubt she’d talk to me tonight. I’ll — I’ll try her tomorrow.”

  “I’m sure everything will work out fine,” her mother said.

  Savannah hoped her mother was right — because she wasn’t sure what she’d do if Bizz no longer wanted to be her “friend to the end.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Early the next morning, Savannah decided she’d better call Bizz before any more time passed. She dialed Bizz’s number and held her breath. But instead of a person, she got the answering machine.

  “I’ll be at the slope this morning,” she said after the machine’s beep. “I — I hope I’ll see you.”

  Mrs. Smith dropped off Savannah at the skatepark an hour later. It had snowed the night before, so there was a new blanket of powder on top of the old. The hill was already crowded with kids on sleds and snowboards. Savannah stood at the bottom, looking for Bizz and the others. When she didn’t find them, she climbed the hill to ask Alison if they’d been there.

  But Alison hadn’t seen them. Savannah felt disappointment wash over her.

  “Whoa, why the long face?” Alison said. “You look like you just lost your best friend.”

  “If I don’t talk to Bizz soon, I just might!” Savannah exclaimed. She told Alison about the huge mess she’d made of things.

  Alison listened sympathetically. “Girlfriend, that’s a deep crater you’ve planted yourself in,” she agreed. “But cheer up, I’ll help you think of something to save the day. Meantime, why don’t you do some runs?”

  Savannah felt much better knowing that Alison was going to try to help her. So she strapped on her snowboard, pointed its nose downhill, and gave a little hop to get started. Knees bent and arms out for balance, she cut back and forth across the slope. The wind made her cheeks burn with cold and her eyes water.

  Maybe Jonas was right about needing face and eye gear, she thought. She decided to add the items to her Christmas list. At the bottom of hill, she scanned the crowd once more. Still no sign of Bizz or the others. She trudged up the hill by herself.

  After five more runs, Savannah was still alone. Her legs were tired and her toes were cold. But the ache inside her heart was worst of all. She could think of only one reason why her friends hadn’t come snow-boarding. Bizz had told them about the party — and knowing that Savannah was going to be at the hill that morning, they’d decided to stay away.

  Alison swooshed up next to her. “I’m heading to the Community Center. Come thaw out with me.”

  The center lobby was decorated for the holidays. White lights twinkled on the walls, and paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling. One of the common rooms was decorated, too, but with balloons and streamers.

  “A birthday party?” Savannah asked.

  “A surprise birthday party,” Alison corrected. “Those are the best kind, if you ask me. Who doesn’t like being surprised?”

  Savannah was about to answer when a collage of photos on a nearby bulletin board caught her eye. She took a closer look. There, smack in the middle, was Alison’s photo of Savannah and Bizz with their arms around each other. Next to that photo were the shots of the six friends after their snowball fight.

  “Pretty good, huh?” Alison said, looking over Savannah’s shoulder.

  Savannah nodded. She stared at the photos, then at the twinkling lights and birthday-party decorations. An idea tickled the back of her brain.

  “Alison,” she said, “do you know if Bizz or the others have seen these yet?”

  “I doubt it,” Alison replied. “I just put them up this morning.”

  Savannah slowly smiled. “I think I’ve got a plan to make things right,” she said. “Will you help me?”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  As Savannah explained her idea, Alison nodded. “Dude, I think you’ve come up with a fab-o plan,” she said. “I’ll be back in a sec with what you need.”

  Alison returned a moment later and handed Savannah a small envelope. Savannah thanked her, then hurried to the parking lot. Her mother was due to pick her up any minute. When Mrs. Smith pulled in, Savannah gave her mother the envelope, stowed her snowboard in the trunk, and hopped into the backseat. Alison flashed her a thumbs-up as they pulled away.

  “Mom, I know what to do about Bizz and the others.” On the ride home, Savannah described her idea to her mother.

  “Savannah, that sounds great,” her mother said. “Let’s start working on it right when we get home.” When they reached the house, Savannah ran to the phone and dialed a number. She crossed her fingers in hopes that the right person would answer.

  He did. Savannah outlined her plan one more time. The person on the other end chuckled, then agreed to help in any way he could. Satisfied, Savannah hung up and turned to her mother with a grin.

  “Would you mind taking me to the craft store again?” she asked. “I need some supplies for the presents.” Her mother nodded, and Savannah hurried to empty her piggy bank of all the money she had left.

  Getting supplies was easy. Making the presents would be harder — and she had only a week to prepare everything. School would take up most of that time, so she’d have to work quickly.

  “Can’t you drive any faster?” she urged her mother on the way home from the mall.

  Her mother raised an eyebrow. “I could,” she said, “but since you’re out of money, you wouldn’t be able to pa
y for the speeding ticket I’d get!”

  For the next week, Savannah worked on her projects whenever she could. While she worked, she listened for the phone, hoping Bizz would call. She didn’t. By Friday, Savannah wondered if her plan was going to work after all. She pushed the thought away.

  It’s got to work, she said to herself. It’s just got to! Saturday morning, Savannah ate a quick breakfast, then dressed to go outside. Her father was already at the rink.

  “I know you’re handy with scissors and paper,” he said, “but how are you with hammers and nails?”

  “Try me,” Savannah said confidently.

  So Mr. Smith handed her a tall, skinny board, a hammer, and some nails. “Space them out every five feet or so,” he advised her. “Oh, and try not to hit your thumb!”

  Grinning, Savannah knelt next to the rink. She held the board upright against the rink’s wooden frame, selected a nail, and started pounding the board into place. When she finished nailing the first board, she picked up a second, moved five feet farther down the rink, and started again.

  It was hard work. Savannah prayed that it would pay off that night.

  CHAPTER NINE

  It took Savannah and her father most of the morning to circle the entire rink with boards. They took a short break for lunch, then went back outside. Mr. Smith handed Savannah a length of green pine garland and some red velvet ribbons. Savannah tied one end of the garland to a post, then moved to the next post and did the same thing. When she was through, the rink was ringed with green and red. Satisfied, Savannah took a quick shower and dressed for skating. She was out on the ice when her first guests arrived.

  For the next hour, the Academy girls twirled, played tag, and helped each other up whenever someone fell down. Some of the parents joined them on the ice, but most preferred to stay inside, where it was warm. When the shadows started to lengthen, everyone else went inside, too. The girls grabbed some snacks, then gathered together in the living room and swapped gifts. Savannah was pleased to see that more than one girl traded the gift she’d opened for the bulb kit.

  Angela sat next to Savannah. “Everything looks great!” she said enthusiastically. “I love the decorations you put up around the rink.” She lowered her voice. “I keep forgetting to ask you. Is everything okay with Bizz?”

  Savannah was about to reply when she heard the doorbell ring. A man called out, “Anybody home?” At the same time, another voice asked, “What are we doing here?”

  Savannah’s stomach did a flip-flop. “I’m about to find out,” she replied to Angela. She got up and opened the front door. Jonas’s father greeted her, and Alison stood next to him. Jonas, X, Charlie, Mark, and Bizz were behind them.

  “Are we too early?” Mr. Malloy said, stepping into the house.

  Savannah looked outside. While they’d been opening presents and eating, the sky had darkened to a deep midnight blue. “I’d say you’re right on time.” She beckoned them all inside.

  Her classmates and their parents turned to look at the newcomers. Savannah cleared her throat nervously, then said, “Um, everyone? These are my friends. They’ve come to do some skating.”

  “Skating? It’s pitch black outside!” X protested. “Plus, I don’t have my skates!” Jonas added. “Who are all those girls?” Mark whispered hoarsely. “I’m outta here,” Bizz muttered. But before she could leave, Savannah grabbed her hand.

  “Please,” she said. “I want to show you something.” Bizz blinked but allowed Savannah to pull her through the living room and out into the backyard. Everyone else followed.

  The light from the house barely penetrated the darkness. Savannah dropped Bizz’s hand and disappeared around the side of the house. There was a soft click and suddenly the skating rink was aglow. Twinkling white lights, hidden beneath the garland and ribbons, encircled the rink. Music piped in from unseen speakers.

  Savannah reappeared. “I don’t want to get all mushy or anything,” she said, “but holidays are about friendship and togetherness, right? So I hope you’ll all stay awhile longer and skate. Who knows? Maybe you’ll make a new friend tonight.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Mr. Malloy produced a box filled with skates. “I collected these from your parents earlier this week,” he said to his son and his son’s friends.

  “You knew about this?” Jonas cried as he dug into the box. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “What, and ruin Savannah’s surprise?” Alison said. She tugged Jonas toward the ice. “Come on, shorty, close your mouth and move your feet.”

  “Shorty? Ha! I stand tall in these skates,” Jonas retorted as he tied the laces. He stepped onto the rink, promptly lost his balance, and fell flat on the ice.

  “From where I’m standing,” Alison drawled, “you still seem short.”

  “Aw, just help me up,” grumbled Jonas. Savannah laughed. But her laughter died when she saw Bizz sitting alone on a bench. Now’s my chance, she thought, walking over and sitting next to her friend.

  “Hey. Wanna skate?”

  “Too crowded,” Bizz mumbled.

  “Then can I give you your Christmas present?” Bizz looked up. “You got me a Christmas present? What is it?”

  Savannah reached under the bench and pulled out a colorfully wrapped present. “Open it.”

  Bizz peeled back the paper, then stared. “It’s us!” Savannah had framed a copy of the photo Alison took of them. She’d decorated the frame with tiny wooden snowboards, inline skates, and skateboards. On one side were the words “Friends to the end.” She’d made similar frames for the others, too. Inside, she’d put copies of the snowball-fight pictures.

  “It was dumb of me not to tell you about the school party,” Savannah said. “I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

  Bizz glanced at the photo one more time, then flung an arm around Savannah’s shoulders. “Only if you’ll forgive me for not showing up at the hill last weekend.”

  At Savannah’s happy nod, Bizz grinned. “Good thing! Otherwise, you’ll have to change what it says here!” She gave Savannah a squeeze.

  “Hey you guys, c’mon!” Jonas called from the ice. “We’re getting a game of hockey together!”

  Savannah sighed. “I hope the Academy girls don’t mind sharing the rink with hockey players,” she said. But when she looked up, she saw that several Academy girls were holding hockey sticks and looking ready to play.

  “Turns out some girls do like playing hockey.” Angela appeared and handed each of them a stick. She kept one for herself. “Sarah’s dad coaches a team. He had some sticks in his car.”

  Bizz raised her eyebrows. “I thought you said you’d never play hockey.”

  Angela grinned. “I can change my mind, can’t I?”

  “Sure,” Bizz replied, “but don’t expect me to take up figure skating!” Laughing, the two girls joined the others.

  The party lasted another hour. After the last guest had left, Savannah helped her parents tidy up. Then, yawning, she headed for her room to change into her pajamas.

  In the middle of her bed was a gift-wrapped box. Savannah sat down next to it and opened the card attached to the top. It was a Christmas card from Bizz and the others. Below their signatures Bizz had added a special note: “I hope you like these. I added a surprise to one of them. See if you can find it.”

  Savannah opened the box. Inside were a pair of blue-tinted goggles and a white fleece face warmer. It took her a moment to discover Bizz’s surprise. When she did, her eyes welled with tears. Embroidered into the fleece in tiny blue letters were familiar words: “Friends to the end.”

  What Do You Need?

  So you want to snowboard? Before you hit the slopes, you need the right equipment. New snow-boards can be very expensive. However, you can save money by renting or borrowing a board or by purchasing a used board at a sports resale shop. Ask for help finding a board that suits your height, weight, and foot size. Short, lightweight people with small feet will do better with smaller, lighter, sk
innier boards, for example. And be sure that the bindings are positioned correctly for your stance. Most right-handed boarders lead with their left foot. Lefties ride goofy foot, or right foot forward.

  Boots are also a necessity. If your own winter boots fit the bindings and feel comfortable, you can use those. Otherwise, you can purchase special snowboarding boots. Both types should fit snugly around your ankle and heel. Loose-fitting boots make it more difficult to control the board when turning and stopping; they also let in the snow!

  Now you’re ready to suit up for the hill. You’ll want to keep the heat in and the wet out, so dress in layers. Thermal long underwear made of wool or wool blends works well as a bottom layer. Fleece tops and pants are warm, flexible, and lightweight, making them good choices for a second layer. On top, wear snow pants and a jacket of water-resistant material. If you get hot while boarding, you can always remove one layer.

  You should pay special attention to your hands, feet, head, and face. If you’re boarding when it’s very cold, wear two pairs of wool socks. Choose mittens or gloves that extend past your wrists, and seal out the snow with drawstrings. (Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves do.) And be sure to wear a hat, since most body heat escapes through the top of the head. Finally, add a pair of ski goggles or sunglasses made with safety glass to block out the sun’s glare and to prevent the wind from causing your eyes to tear up.

  Now that you’re all set with gear, you’re ready to hit the slopes!

  The eXtreme Team

  #1 ONE SMOOTH MOVE

  #2 DAY OF THE DRAGON

  #3 ROLLER HOCKEY RUMBLE

  #4 ON THIN ICE

  #5 ROCK ON

  #6 INTO THE DANGER ZONE

  #7 WILD RIDE