Read Online Thin Ice by Niki Settimo - Free Book Online Page B

in splotches of green. He’s totally taken by surprise and I send him a mocking wave, wiggling my fingers with a smirk that’s masked by my helmet. Before I know it, he lifts his gun up and aims for my torso, as I quickly duck behind the barrels. When I feel it’s safe, I run back towards the tires and I hear Dylan’s gun go off. Guess it wasn’t so safe, because now my back is a pretty shade of yellow and blue. It stings a little, but it’s bearable.

    When I make it back to the tires, all of a sudden I feel light headed and my vision goes black. Not now, not now, please not now . I give myself a second to recover from my dizzy spell, and take a few deep breaths. When I feel like I’m able enough, I look out to the field, and Dylan is no where to be seen. All of a sudden I feel a tap on my shoulder and Dylan is next to me, imitating my wave from earlier. I give a little scream and take off for the planks of wood that have little spy hole cutouts.

    For the next hour, we cover each other like used paint palettes. When the buzzer goes off, signifying we’re out of time, I catch my breath and walk out to the middle of the field. Dylan comes out from behind the stack of tires with his hands raised in surrender.
    “Are you surrendering Rath?”
    He takes off his helmet and I follow suit. I can’t believe how much fun I just had. “Well since I’m out of ammo, yea, I guess I am.”
    “That was seriously the most fun I’ve had, like, ever. Thank you."
    “I’m glad. Life can get crazy sometimes. You need to let loose as much as possible. Come on, let’s take a picture of our masterpieces.”
    “Masterpieces?”

    He grabs his phone where he left it when we entered the field, and lifts his arm up to take a selfie of us. We look absolutely ridiculous and at first I’m hesitant to take a picture, but I want to remember this. He sticks his tongue out to the side and I do the same. The picture is priceless, and extremely colorful. He sends it to me and when my phone signals that I received it, I save it and send it to Tegan.

    Tegan: OMG LOVEEEEE! He took you paint balling? That’s freaking awesome!
    Me: I know right! Seriously so much fun. We have to go again!
    Tegan: Stop talking to me and get back to Dylan!

    She doesn't have to tell me twice. We start to clean off, take off our gear and put our guns back in the case.

    “I have to say Dylan, I think you set the bar for surprises. A whole paintball field to ourselves? Seriously awesome.”
    “I told you not to doubt me! The surprise isn’t over either. You’ve got one day of freedom before you start classes and were going to make the most of it. Come on.”

    We get in the car and take off for wherever we’re going next. We start driving and, like I knew he would be, he is full of questions.
    “So besides country, what other music do you listen too?
    “I pretty much like everything except rap. My favorite band is actually A Day to Remember. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of them though.”
    “Are you kidding?! They’re my pre game pump up music. The energy in their music is crazy.”
    “No way! What’s your favorite song?”
    “I’m Made of Wax Larry, What are You Made of? You?”
    “Either All I Want or This is the House that Doubt Built. They both mean a lot to me.”

    Actually, no one really knows how much these songs mean to me. I’ve never been able to put how I feel into words, but some how these songs are so on point , it’s scary. For the next few minutes we talk music and concerts we’ve been to, and then Dylan pulls into a park. I see a playground, a ton of kids, and a huge field surrounded by trees and picnic tables.

    “I’m pretty sure if we go to the playground, those little kids are going to kick our butts for stealing their swings.”
    “I think I can take them.”
    “I don’t know about that. They could gang up on you.”
    “We could tag team.”
    “No way am I going up against those kids. My brother has his entire