Before Valeria could answer, Mateo kept talking. “Did you hear? The comp’s on Brayon Gulch now. It’ll be steeper and more difficult than High Valley.”
Valeria hadn’t heard. She had only ridden Brayon Gulch Road once. Usually there was too much traffic. She remembered one really steep downhill section and a few long, steady parts.
High Valley was where the comp had been the last two years. Valeria had won the U14 (under fourteen) girls division both times. It was fun, but not nearly as thrilling as Brayon Gulch Road.
Mateo sat on her desk. “So?” he said. “Can you make it later?”
Valeria shoved her books into her backpack and zipped it shut.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ll try.”
Chapter Two
PANIC
Valeria headed to the free clinic after school. She was supposed to meet her mom, Coco, at 4:15. The clinic got really busy after five as people got off from work.
Valeria got there at 4:10. She went in and saw Lido, an older girl from her trailer park, at the reception desk.
“Hey, Lido. I didn’t know you worked here,” said Valeria.
“I just started.” said Lido. “Basically I make copies and translate for Dr. Pauly.”
This made sense. There were lots of Mexican people in Harlow Springs. Some only spoke Spanish. Valeria, like many of her friends, had been born in Colorado. Her parents had come from Mexico.
“Are you here for your cast?” Lido asked.
Valeria nodded. “My mom is coming.”
Valeria sat down in a worn pink chair and looked at the clock. 4:20. Her mom was late. This wasn’t surprising. She was the head housekeeper at a local resort hotel. If one of the other housekeepers called in sick, Coco had to clean extra rooms.
Sitting there, Valeria began to feel stressed. She imagined going to school tomorrow with no cast. Everyone would think she was dying to longboard again. But no one knew she was scared to ride. The whole situation made her mad.
Why am I so scared? she thought. I used to love the speed of boarding down a hill, even when it felt a little dangerous! Longboarding’s been my passion for four years. I’ve never gotten hurt before. Now one injury’s going to stop me?
At 4:45, Coco finally rushed in. Valeria was chewing her nails, wondering if she could get Dr. Pauly to leave her cast on.
Coco bent down and kissed Valeria. “I’m sorry, mi gatita. It was crazy at work!”
“It’s okay,” said Valeria. “Maybe we should come back next week. I have a lot of homework. This could take a long time.”
Just then a nurse called her name.
“Don’t be silly,” said Coco. “I’m sure it won’t take long!”
* * *
The next morning, Mateo ran to catch up with Valeria. “Let me see!” he said.
Valeria held up her arm. It looked weird and thin after being in the cast.
“Sweet!” said Mateo. “You’re healed!”
Valeria nodded. “But I have to wear a Velcro support when I board, just in case.”
“Chido! I can’t wait —” Mateo looked around Valeria. “Where’s your board?”
“Sorry, Mateo. I told Señora Cruz I’d help at her daycare after school,” Valeria lied.
“How about after dinner?” asked Mateo.
“I can’t tonight,” said Valeria.
“Tomorrow, then,” said Mateo. “Okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” said Valeria as she closed her locker. But she was already thinking of more excuses.
Chapter Three
THE NEW GIRL
Mateo was sitting in his usual spot at lunch. There was a new girl next to him.
“Valeria,” Mateo said. “This is Chloe Platter. She just moved here.”
“Hi,” said Valeria as she sat down. “Where’d you move from?”
