Page 42 of Thrown for a Loop
Chapter 16
Nine and a Half Years Ago
Chase:Hi. It’s me. Your super fun skating partner.
Zoe:Hi?
Chase:So let’s discuss my favorite thing.
Zoe:I’m afraid to ask. Whatever it is, it’s probably illegal in several states.
Chase:That’s a good point. So let’s talk about my second favorite thing. Music. As in, what are we skating to? I seem to remember that I have veto power.
Zoe:Don’t let it go to your head. Okay, just spitballing here: something from Gershwin.
Chase:Gershwin? I haven’t been to one of their concerts. Good mosh pit?
Zoe:Sometimes I can’t tell if you’re joking.
Chase:I’m always joking. What from Gershwin?
Zoe:Rhapsody in Blue has good rhythm.
Chase:I say this with love, but what is it with figure skaters and dead-guy music? If I wanted to fall asleep skating, I’d hit myself with my hockey stick.
Zoe:Gershwin is jazzy! It’s fun.
Chase:Like I said, we have got to work on your concept of fun.
Zoe:What do you suggest, then?
Chase:So glad you asked! I have three ideas here.**Link, link, link.**
Zoe:Hold please
**Five minutes pass**
Zoe:So you feel like being rebellious.
Chase:Always. But is this so rebellious? There aren’t any judges at this thing, right?
Zoe:True! I’m just not used to having creative control. Okay, let’s do one of yours. But I get to choose.
Chase:Deal!
Zoe:See? I like fun.
Chase:If that’s true you would swing by my room and kiss me goodnight. I promise to make it fun.
Zoe:You know I can’t do that.
Chase:Fun to think about, though. Now go pick a song.
Chase is loading his cooler with snacks later that week when his phone chimes with a text from Zoe.Don’t come up here! Mayday!
Hmm. Their rooftop clubhouse must have some unwanted visitors.Roger, Roger. I’ll wait for the all-clear.
He finishes loading up their snacks. Now that their rooftop meetings are a regular thing, he’s taken to sourcing the food from the cafeteria and different shops in town, depending on his mood and his budget.
