Between the Lines | ✓

Cliche 22: Protagonists Are Clumsy

"Since this is your first time, leave your poles over there, they'll just get in the way. The snow is pretty flat here so it should be easy to get your skis on. Just place your boots into the skis like this... and then press your heel down hard until it clicks and locks in place," Elias said, showing us how it's done with practised ease. "And once you've got one in, do the same with the other one."

The three of us followed his instructions, and I managed to get my first foot secured easily enough, despite feeling like a klutz even on flat snow. I caught Elias smiling at me as I struggled with getting my second boot in, since my other leg kept slipping and sliding every time I shifted my weight. Amber seemed to have less trouble getting into her skis, already locked in and standing upright as she kept steady with her arms splayed out to the side, shooting me a smug look.

"Having some trouble there, Lex?" Amber teased, making me grumble.

"Shove it! Aubrey's struggling too, okay! It's not just me!" I pouted, Elias laughing as I let out a yelp when I almost toppled over, which earned him a glare in return. "Don't laugh at me, you know I'm a tobogganist, not a skier!"

"Sorry, sorry," Elias said, though the smile on his face showed me that he wasn't sorry in the slightest. "Here, let me help you."

Elias slid across the snow so smoothly and quickly that it took me a few beats to register that he was now standing beside me, one arm around my waist and the other gripping my arm, his hold tight as he helped me stay upright. Even with all the layers between us, I couldn't help but shiver.

Dude... Are you trying to kill me? Why can't you go and stop your future wife from falling over and killing herself instead, she's clearly struggling with this too!

My mind was a scrambled mess as I was caught in Elias's embrace, because his close proximity made me almost topple over as my legs turned to jelly.

"I've got you," Elias murmured quietly, grip tightening. "But have you got it?"

I don't fucking got it, because you're so close and warm and smell so good and I just want to-

"Y-Yeah, thanks, dude," I said, clumsily jamming my second boot into the skis and managing to get it in, Elias humming with satisfaction. He took a moment to make sure I wasn't going to face plant on flat ground before releasing me, turning back to the mountain with a small smile. 

I turned to Aubrey then, wondering how she was going, but she had somehow managed to get her skis on, even if her cheeks were a bit red after her struggle. 

"Okay! Let's get to the top of this little hill and then work our way down," Elias said, pointing to something he called the 'magic carpet', which was essentially a conveyor belt that carted people up the slope. 

Elias got on first, and his three little ducklings waddled after him shakily on our skis. Amber managed to get up without falling, cackling triumphantly when she saw Aubrey and I wobble our way up, the former face planting in the snow. 

Eventually, the three of us got up to the top, where Elias showed us how to snow plow our way down. His instructions were easy to follow, and after a few rounds going up and down the small hill, the three of us were able to make it to the bottom without completely falling on our asses.

"Since you guys are going down this beginner hill really easily, want to try one a little further up? It's still a green run, but it's a bit better than this straight hill," Elias offered, Aubrey biting her lip nervously as Amber stretched her limbs.

"I'm not sure, I'm a little tired after falling so many times, I think my butt is bruised," my sister sighed. Aubrey suddenly perked up at her words, gently tugging Elias's jacket.