Chapter 2

Shortly thereafter, James, Joan, and Jerry picked up Tina and her roommate, Emily. Tom, Mitch and Chris went in a separate car. The trip up was uneventful as the back of the car was too cramped to do much of anything. When they got to the dirt parking lot at the base of the trail to Sleak peak, they all got out. Jerry turned around after getting out to offer a hand to Tina, but she did not notice the gesture and got out on her own. Tina was looking especially beautiful today. She had worn her hair up in a bun, which Jerry had never seen her do before, but he liked it a lot. She also wore a bikini top with khaki shorts.
Tina's roommate, on the other hand, did not leave as strong of an impression. She wore glasses, which definitely didn't make her appear unattractive, but they did hide what would otherwise have been a pretty face. Her hair was brushed out straight down, and frizzy. She wore overalls over her one piece bathing suit. The suit was plain blue, with no designs. Jerry thought to himself that given the right clothes, she could be very attractive, but as is, she was forgettable.
James took the lead telling them the trail they would need to take to get there. He also told them that they would need to wait a while for the others to arrive.
"What others?" Tina asked.
"Well, there is Tom Snyder, Mitch Herdman, and Chris Rhodes." Jerry replied.
"Did you say Tom Snyder?" Tina asked.
"Yeah, why?" Jerry responded.
"He is from my hometown. We went to the same high school." Tina said.
At that moment James walked up and said, "So Emily, where are you from?"
"I live in a small town in Arizona. Its right on the border of Arizona and California. Its called Yuma." she responded.
"I have heard of that place before," James said. "Its pretty hot down there, right?"
"Yeah, most of Arizona is."
As they were talking, the other car pulled up. Tom, Mitch, and Chris came out. Tom came out of the car wearing bright orange board shorts and no shirt. It was obvious by the way he walked that he meant to show off his good physique. When he saw Tina, he said, "Tina, what are you doing here?"
"Jerry invited me." she said.
"Oh, well that's cool. You're looking good, as usual." Tom said.
Jerry started to get nervous. All of his plans were falling apart at the seams. He had to do something to get control again. "Let's all get going." he said. Then he went and stood next to Tina, getting ready to walk next to her on the way up the trail.
Tom immediately went to Emily, introduced himself and started asking her questions. It was obvious that Emily was not used to such direct attention. He told her that she looked very pretty in her overalls and that he was eager to make a new friend. Nobody but Tina noticed her blush as the group began to walk down the trail.
Jerry was excited at how well things had come together. Not only did he not have to worry about Tom moving in on Tina, but he was also giving all his attention to Emily. That meant that Tina would not feel guilty ignoring Emily so he could talk to her privately.
"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Jerry asked Tina.
"Yes, it is a perfect day for swimming." Tina said.
"And diving." Jerry added.
"I guess..." Tina tentatively replied.
"Are you not going to dive when we get to the peak?" Jerry asked.
"No, I don't think so, I am kinda scared of heights." Tina answered.
"Oh, well I guess your missing out then. You want me to stay with you and keep you company while everyone else jumps?" Jerry asked.
"That's really sweet, but no, you can go jump." Tina answered.
"Are you sure, I mean its not an inconvenience, I would be happy to do it." Jerry replied.
"No, really, its okay."
For the next couple minutes, they walked in silence. Jerry struggled to come up with something to talk about, but each time he thought of something, she would simply reply with short answers.
"How are you enjoying Calculus?" He asked.
"It's good." she replied.
More silence.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" He immediately regretted saying it. He knew that it was a mistake, and he wished desperately that he could take it back, but he couldn't.
"No, why?" Tina answered.
"Oh...um...no reason really...just curious." He said.
"Right," she said while she grinned, just slightly. She definitely wasn't dumb enough to not know what that question was all about, but she chose to play dumb so as to save Jerry the embarrassment of what he had done.
Jerry was relieved that she had not seemed to have noticed the awkwardness of his question. He knew he would have to be more careful in the future. When they reached the pool of water at the bottom of the peak, Jerry waited around to see if he might get a chance to talk a bit more with Tina. Tom and Emily seemed to be in their own world, and Jerry could tell by the way that Tina looked, that she had noticed it too. She seemed quite pleased by this turn of events. Tom asked if Emily would be diving and she answered affirmatively. So they left, shortly followed by James and Joan, who were holding hands, and then by Mitch and Chris.
Jerry turned to Tina and said, "Well, we're here."
"Yeah," she replied, "it is very pretty."
"Are you going to swim?" he asked.
"Maybe, I think I am just going to sit out and tan right now." she said, with a tone that he understood to mean, I would rather be alone, so go ahead and dive. He couldn't think of a good reason to stay, so he left up the trail to the peak, but just as he was about to be out of sight, he looked back, and saw her lay on a towel. He wanted so bad to just sit with her, but he knew now was not the time, so as he walked to the peak, he tried to think of some good reasons to cling by her side.
The climb to the top was quite steep, and it was full of shifting dirt. With each step he felt like he lost three steps instead of gaining one. It was hard work, and by the time he neared the top, the sun had had ample chance to bake him. He was sweating everywhere, and wanted very badly to just be in the water. At the top, he saw all the others and was excited to take his turn.
Mitch went first, but that wasn't surprising as he was a diver on the swim team. He ran out jumped of the ledge, did a pike formation with his body, followed by a couple flips, and then he landed smoothly head first, into the water. Chris and Tom tried to replicate, but were unable to perform the challenging moves and ended up cannonballing in the water. As Jerry waited for James and Joan to go, he walked over to Emily. Now was the perfect chance to try to get some information from Emily regarding Tina's feelings for him. He had to be sneaky though, because he couldn't afford to make it obvious that that was what he was doing.
He asked her, "So what do you think of Tina as a roommate?"
She smiled at him, almost as if she knew exactly what he meant by the question, and said, "She is so nice. She has really gone out of her way to make me feel more comfortable. By the way, I really appreciate you letting her invite me. I don't get out much, so this has been very fun for me."
"No problem. If you're a friend of Tina, you're a friend of mine, so enjoy yourself." He said.
"You like her, don't you?" Emily asked.
He didn't know how she had known. He tried to hide his surprise, but he knew that the familiar red tinge of embarrassment had to be creeping up into his face. He didn't know how to answer. To admit it would be very dangerous, but if he didn't, she might tell Tina that he didn't like her. Finally, after a brief period of silence, he blurted out, "kinda."
"Kinda?" she asked, sure that there was more to all this than what he had just said. "Do you like her or not? It's not a hard question." she continued.
He knew he was trapped. She already knew, and there was no point in fighting it. "Yes, I do."
"I figured as much. I am not surprised either; she is very pretty. You're not the first either. Unfortunately, I think that is also the curse of being her roommate. She is one of the best people I have ever met, but next to her, I am just plain. It seems like every guy wants her, and they try to be friends with me to improve their chances. Is that what you're doing?" She asked.
That was exactly what he was doing, but it would be suicide to admit it, so he shook his head left to right and said, "Of course not. I mean I didn't know you until today, but I would like to get to know you because you seem cool, not because you know Tina. And don't be so hard on yourself. I am sure a lot of guys would prefer you to Tina, they are probably just scared to approach you."
"Nope, on that one your wrong. I am just an average girl next to Tina, any guy can see that." she said.
"What about Tom? He seems to have taken an interest in you." Jerry countered.
"What about Tom? Do you honestly think he liked me? That had nothing to do with me. He was being nice to me for two reasons. One, it will impress Tina because she dumped him for being too insensitive to other people. What better way to show you're sensitive than to care for the less fortunate. Second, he figured he could use me to find out how she felt about him, or what she has been saying. I hate it when guys come to talk to me just so they can find out what she thinks of them," she said, with a look of defeat on her face.
"Tina and Tom dated?" he asked.
"Yeah, you didn't know that? They dated for two years before she called it off." Emily said.
"Man, check out my bad luck." Jerry said.
"Hey, you two, you planning on jumping, or should we jump and leave you some privacy?" James yelled from a ways off.
"Tom is probably down there right now, making his move. You should hurry, or your going to miss her." Emily suggested.
"Good point." He replied, and then louder so Tim could hear, he yelled, "Yeah, I am going, meet you at the bottom."
With that, Jerry ran to the edge, jumped, tucked his knees in, and did a cannonball into the water far below. As his body splashed into the water, it felt refreshing. The cool water seemed to wash away all the sweat, and it cleared his head. He swam to the edge of the water, ready for the hunt.
Standing at the edge was Chris and Mitch. "What took you so long?" Mitch asked.
"I was a little scared." He lied, not wanting to give up too much information.
"I figured, well, we are heading back to the top, meet you up there." Chris said as the two of them made their way back to the peak.
Tina and Tom were nowhere to be seen. He didn't know what to do, but then he saw Tina's towel on a post showing the start of a new trail. He also saw that the dirt was damp heading down the trail. He had a pretty good idea where they were and he wanted to find them before it was too late.

About fifteen minutes on the trail, he could hear voices in the distance. He walked off the trail and slowly walked towards the voices. He tried to make as little noise as possible. He wanted to hear what was being said. Fortunately, while at a scout camp when he was younger he had learned many techniques for walking quietly in through weeds and bushes. He had even practiced it on many occasions after that camp, and had become quite proficient at moving quietly and eavesdropping. When he got close enough to hear, he knelt behind a bush and listened.
"I'm sorry. I know I hurt you back then. I was young and stupid, but you leaving me was the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. Everyday I think of how you said I was insensitive. I have tried everyday to be more sensitive to other people's feelings. Just give me a second chance. I promise, I have changed." Tom said.
He had his hand on her leg. Jerry stared at it like a wild animal ready to pounce his prey. "What a liar?" he thought to himself. He would give anything to help Tina see that.
"Well, I can see you have been trying. I mean, you were an absolute prince with my roommate. I worry about her, but you went out of your way to make her feel special and that means a lot to me. The problem is you hurt me last time, and I don't know if I can go through all that again." Tina said.
"You won't have to, I promise. Everyday I will be better. You tell me what you want me to change, and I promise, I will do it. I want to be with you so badly it hurts, and I will do anything to get you back." He vowed.
Jerry looked at Tina's face, and saw uncertainty. He whispered for her to stay firm, but he knew she couldn't hear him.
"What about Jerry?" Tina asked.
Jerry was shocked to hear his name. Here was the moment. She was going to confess her feelings for him; he knew it. "Do it, tell him." he thought.
"What about Jerry? What has he got to do with this?" Tom asked.
"He asked me here. I think he thinks it's a date or something. I mean the way he was talking to me and looking at me; he expects something will happen between us today." she said.
"Don't be thick. He is not that foolish. You are way out of his league. He knows that." Tom replied.
Jerry's temper broiled at that moment. He just wanted to strangle Tom.
"He doesn't know that. I mean, when he invited me, it was a friend thing, so I was excited to come. But from the moment we left, he has been acting real weird. He has been real nervous too. He would only be that way if he thought something might happen today between us." She said.
Jerry's heart was broken. She had just grabbed it, thrown it on the ground, and stomped on it until it stopped beating. He felt hollow inside, and very lonely. How could he have been such a fool. He had heard enough, so he began to sneak away when he heard Jerry say, "Then we will wait. After today, we will announce it. Then he can't be upset."
"I guess that would work." she replied.
Jerry turned around just in time to see Tom grab Tina's face and pull it close to his own, and then he kissed her. Jerry felt like every cell in his body was screaming for revenge, but he felt as if he had no energy to even move. After a while, he slowly trudged his way back to the base of Sleak peak.

Once he reached the base of Sleak peak, Jerry wanted nothing to do with anyone. All he wanted was somewhere where he could clear his thoughts. He decided to head up the trail, but with the intent to leave it at some point for some solitude. Again, he struggled against the loose dirt, as it shifted with each step. As he neared the top, he saw a warning sign. It was worn and hard to read, but as he got closer, he saw what it said:
Warning: Sharp decline and unsure
footing, do not cross.

He looked over the scenery. It was very steep, but there were large trees just over the warning line, so he figured he could just cling to the trees and walk out far enough that nobody would bother him. He moved out a little ways, and had no trouble navigating the shifting ground. He found that by placing his foot sideways, he could keep his balance. After he had traveled far enough down the slope so as to be clear of any people that may look his way from the path, he sat down next to a tree.
He felt so betrayed. True, Tina had done nothing to lead him to believe she liked him, and yet he had fooled himself into believing it anyways. It wasn't the first time he had done that, but somehow is stung worse than any other time. He just wanted Tom to leave. What did Tom have that Jerry didn't anyways. Certainly not anything that would make Tom a better match for Tina than Tim.
He was so angry he could just kick something, and so he looked for a stone on the ground and swung his foot at it. As he did so, his other foot slipped out from underneath him, and he began to slide down the slope. He struggled to regain his balance and stop the descent but each moment saw his velocity increase and his control decrease. For the first time since crossing the warning line, he wondered if he had made a mistake. He also wondered if this was the end for him.
Just when he thought there was no hope left, he heard a crackle behind him and felt a hand clasp around his own hand. He looked up to see a young man, about his age, with jet black hair, and an eerie smile. Something about this stranger unnerved him, but he couldn't dwell on that, he was just grateful to be alive.
When he looked down, he felt his stomach lurch. He was only three feet away from the edge of the cliff. It had been a very close call.
He looked back up at his rescuer. His foot had a rope tied around it, and that rope extended up the slope to a point he could not see.
“Climb up me and grab the rope. Its tied to a tree up at the top of the slope. I will follow behind you.” the man said.
“Thanks,” Jerry said as he began to climb the rope. It took him a little while to get back to the top of the peak, but he got there.
Following close behind was the stranger. Once he reached the top, he reached out his hand and said, “My name is Tony.”
Jerry shook his hand and said, “Hey, my name is Jerry, and thanks again. You saved my life. I gotta ask you though, what were you doing down there tied to a tree. I mean, it was almost like you knew I was going to fall.”
“Nah, it was nothing like that. I come here a lot. It's my thinking place. You know, when you just need to be alone. I tie the rope to the tree, just in case I start to slip. Once the rope clenches, and I stop, I can climb back up to the top. It has only happened once, but it sure came in handy when it did.” Tony said.
“Yeah, it sure came in handy this time too.” Jerry said.
“So what brought you out here? It's not the smartest place to be wandering.” Tony asked.
“I know. It's just been a rough day. I needed to get away.”
“I understand.” Tony replied.
Jerry looked at Tony. He was wearing blue jeans with a black T-shirt and a leather jacket. His clothes didn't seem to fit the surroundings. His black hair was oily and unkempt. His face seemed to convey two different emotions in Jerry: one of trust, and another of discomfort. Jerry felt like something was not right with Tony, and yet he also felt a very strong longing to open up to him.
“Actually, it had to do with a girl.” Jerry said before he had a chance to even realize what he was saying.
“A girl, you say. They definitely cause problems sometimes. Was she worth the pain?” Tony said.
“What do you mean...worth the pain?” Jerry asked.
“Well, the way I see it, girls can be placed in two categories. Both categories will result in pain for you. The first is the girl who is so special that you would endure a lot for her, thus, she is worth the pain. The other group isn't worth the pain. Whether it be their looks, their personality, or their quirks, they just aren't worth the pain.” Tony explained.
“That is a very interesting view on woman, but don't you believe there is a chance that you will meet a girl who doesn't cause pain, a girl who can protect you from that pain?” Jerry asked.
“That is just the lie we tell ourselves to convince ourselves to pursue women, but no, its not possible. No matter who you meet, they will someday let you down, so all you got to decide is whether or not she is worth the pain.” Tony elaborated.
“I don't know if I agree.” Jerry said.
“Oh, I think you do. But you don't have to admit it to me, it's enough for me to just know you do.” Tony said, with a strange distant look in his eyes.
The look gave Jerry a creepy feeling. In addition, Tony's audacity to assume he knew how Jerry would think made Jerry angry. Impulsively, he said to Tony, “How dare you try to tell me what I think when you've only known me for a matter of minutes.”
“Cool off. I just got a knack for reading people, and if I am wrong, which I don't think I am, then you can just laugh at how stupid I have been later. You need to know one thing though. You are going to feel a strong emotion pushing you towards a new girl very soon, and she also is in one of those two categories, so remember what I said when you meet her. Even if you don't think you believe it yet, you will, so don't forget, understand?” Tony said very cryptically.
“Are you supposed to be a prophet or something? How do you know I am going to meet someone soon?” Jerry asked.
“Prophet, Seer, Visionary, Oracle, or raving lunatic. It doesn't matter what you call it, just know that I know a lot more than you think I do, and this won't be the last time you see me. Anyways, I gotta go, see ya soon.”
And with that, Tony walked away. Jerry wanted to ask him more questions. He couldn't figure out what that conversation was all about, but as he stood there, watching Tony leave, he felt paralyzed. He couldn't move or speak.
When Jerry finally got his composure back, he ran after Tony to the peak, but when he got there, Tony was nowhere to be seen. “He must've jumped off the edge,” Jerry thought to himself.
Shortly thereafter, Jerry heard voices yelling in the distance, saying his name.
He ran towards the voice and yelled, “I am over here.”
As Jerry moved into the clearing, he saw Emily looking all around for him. He yelled her name and she looked at him. She sprinted towards him and nearly plowed him over as she hugged him, except that it was more like a tackle than a hug. She clung to his body and broke down into tears.
“I am so glad you are safe,” she sobbed. “We have been looking all over for you. I was scared something happened to you.”
Jerry felt sheepish watching Emily shed tears on his behalf. How long had he been gone? Had it really been long enough to cause panic? All he could think to say was, “Sorry...”
She looked at him, and through though tear stained eyes, he saw a depth of emotion he had never seen before, and very quickly he found himself overcome by that emotion. Nobody had ever been that worried about him.
“Shall we get back to the others?” Jerry asked.
“Yeah...Let's go.” Emily replied.
Together, the two walked towards the others from the group. Jerry wanted to say something to Emily, but he was worried to disturb the serenity and peace of the silence. Emily looked up to him, and smiled. Then she grabbed his hand and opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Jerry normally would've thought it a weird thing to happen, but somehow, it felt right, and he knew she was worried to disturb the peace too.
Once they reached the others, Emily quickly let go of Jerry's hand and bounced away. James looked at Jerry sternly.
“That was a real stupid thing to do Jerry. Don't ever do that again. If you need time alone, at least let me know generally where you are going. We were worried sick.” James said.
“Sorry James,” Jerry said, feeling extremely embarrassed. “I wasn't thinking. Thanks for looking for me.”
James walked up to Jerry and squeezed him up in a bear hug.
“You're my best friend Jerry. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to you. I would probably go crazy and just mourn all the time, so please, if it's in your power, don't ever take a risk like that again. Anyways, enough of me being sappy, I am just glad you're ok.” James said, releasing Jerry from the bear hug.
“Thanks James, you're my best friend too. You're like the brother I never had. I promise that I will be more careful in the future.” Jerry said.
“Let's go home,” James said to all the others.
As Jerry walked to the car, Jerry saw Tina leave Tom's side to come to the other car, and surprisingly, he no longer hurt.