Page 21 of Wylder and the Secret Rockstar
Oh right, because she didn't like people.
Searching the walls for any entry point, she got an idea, a really stupid idea that might get her hurt, but when had that ever stopped her?
Running along the outside of the wall, she reached a point near the dorms where the wall dipped down, still high but less so than the surrounding structure. Beneath the dip was a thorny bush that Wylder imagined would hurt. A lot.
But what choice did she have?
Along the wall were rough stone grooves cut into the surface, nothing more than a decorative feature but also the feature that would prove to be Wylder's salvation.
Yes, she was dramatic.
Standing at the base of the wall, she slipped her bag off her shoulder and gripped the end of the strap with both hands. Swinging it once and then a second time, she heaved it high, cheering when it sailed over the wall.
If only she could do that with her own body.
"You can do this," she told herself. "It's just a little bit of height."
If Beckett, her scaredy-cat brother, could jump out of a plane, she could climb a wall. Sucking in a deep breath, she reached up, digging her fingers into the grooves before lifting one foot to get a toe hold and then another.
One hand slipped, and she yelled, but she quickly regained her balance and inched higher.
And higher.
Each time a foot found a stable groove, relief flooded her.
Almost there.
When her fingertips found the top of the wall, she thought she'd faint with joy. "Halfway there." Using every ounce of strength she possessed, she pulled her body up onto the top of the wall, trying to keep her balance. It was maybe a foot across.
She peered over the edge, her eyes finding the smooth surface of the wall in the dark. There were no grooves on this side.
Movement near the dorms caught her eye, and she hoped against hope it was one of the snobby rich kids she didn't like. That would make what she had to do easier.
"Hey," she called. "You... Other kid breaking curfew. Come here."
The shadow moved toward her, and it wasn't until he neared she saw his face. Logan. Perfect.
He peered up at her. "What are you doing?"
"Just hanging out. What does it look like?"
"Looks like you just climbed that wall." He crossed his arms.
"You're a smart one, aren't you?" Readying herself, she crouched, lifting her fingers from the edge of the wall. "The only question, pretty boy, is if you know how to catch." She jumped, her heart hammering in her chest as she approached the ground at an alarming speed.
All she heard was Logan cursing before she crashed into him, sending him tumbling to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs. Wylder had only needed someone to break her fall.
When he stopped moving, she untangled herself and rolled off of him. "Logan, are you okay?" She hadn't wanted to hurt him, but he would have left her up there if given the chance.
He coughed, rolling onto his side and pushing himself up onto his knees. "You tackle me and ask if I'm all right? You're insane, Wylder."
Shame was an unfamiliar emotion for her, but she regretted it instantly. "I'm sorry, okay! I just didn't know how to get down without dying."
He lifted his face to look at her. "Ever thought of asking for help?"
"Oh, come on. You'd have left me up there and told security."
He didn't deny it. "I should do that now. When I started here, they drilled it into me that I couldn't leave campus."
