A Shred of Hope

By Hillary Taylor

Hope Gold is an award-winning, professional snowboarder, stoked to get the new competitive season up and running. However, when she’s sidelined by an injury that puts her out for the entire season, she’s devastated. Soon after her accident, Hope is whisked away to San Clemente, California, to live with her best friend for the duration of her recovery. She takes a slight risk and considers skateboarding a necessary distraction from snowboarding dreams. She uses the skateboarding to keep in shape and make sure she’s ready to compete on the snow as soon as she possibly can. Imagine her surprise when she develops a true passion for the concrete sport and realizes that she can’t live without skateboarding in her life. Hope is faced with a tough decision. Will she choose snowboarding—the sport she grew up on—or skateboarding, the sport that has changed her entire life and turned her way of thinking upside down?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Mar 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483446448

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TAYLOR

Copyright © 2016 Hillary Taylor.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means---whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic---without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4645-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4644-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016901912

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 03/23/2016

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Dedicated to those who helped motivate and push me to finish this. I thank you.

Prologue

T he feel of the sun on my face paired with the soft powder beneath me was enough to make me sigh in contentment. I had my board attached to my boots with my legs stretched out in front of me, and my arms were stretched out on either side of my body. My light brown hair was in it's usual braid and my hazel eyes were closed to the sky. It was my first day being back on the mountain, and I couldn't have been happier. I had been away on vacation to visit my best friend in California, and that particular morning back to the snow was one I had been looking forward to since I left, some 3 weeks before. I had gotten out of bed early that morning to make sure I was the first out on the fresh powder that had fallen and coated my training grounds. Technically, I was still on vacation, but I was back into practice mode, so I didn't count the fact that I wasn't actually at home in Canada. My coach had called a few days before the competition to get me to go out to Colorado for practice. Nothing could ruin that day for me, not even my brother and his loud friends making fun of me. Sadly, as soon as I thought it, I heard them making their way up to the top of the course via chairlift, almost as if they had read my mind.

Hope! was the only directly audible thing I could hear coming from their chair. I didn't want to respond just yet, so I continued to lay on the snow, taking in a huge breath before letting it out. Hope! The noise came again. I finally sat up and pulled my knees towards my chest. Still, instead of saying anything, I waved a hand at my brother and two of our friends. However, it didn't seem like that alone would suffice at that given moment, due to their unamused facial expressions. I stood before raising my voice back at them, already pulling my goggles back down to sit in their proper place.

Hey, guys. Bye, guys. I said before turning my body to get started down the course built specifically for the contest. Behind me, I could hear all three of them yelling for me to stop, but I wasn't in the mood to go down with anyone else just yet. I wanted a solid run on my own out of the way first. I avoided the rail sections on the way down, but I knew that they would see some action by the end of the day from not only me, but my brother and friends, as well. It was common to see the four of us shredding for hours on end in the days before the competition season started. It was how our system worked. I carved to a stop before shuffling my way over to the chairlift that would inevitably take me back up to face the three guys who were no doubt waiting for me with scowls on their faces. Getting my boots out of the bindings was a particularly difficult job that day. Still, I was able to free my left boot to make the ride easier after a moment of struggling. As I sat down and pulled the bar over my lap, I sighed once again at the fact that my quiet morning was over.

They had waited for me, just like I knew they would. Hope, how could you? I heard from behind me as I exited the lift, moved out of the way of the lift, and reattached my board to my boot-covered feet. It was coming from Billy, one of my brother's best friends. The voice sounded shocked and hurt, but I knew the facial expression wasn't very likely to match. My suspicions were confirmed as soon as I stood up and turned around. Billy was not only smiling, but my brother, Andrew, and friend, Alex, were lying in the snow and laughing. I smirked at him before placing a hand on his shoulder.

It wasn't hard to leave you here. Did you really expect me to give up my one run to myself? I asked him, never letting my fake smile falter. His only response was to shove my hand away from him. In turn, it only made me laugh out loud. Billy was always this way. He would act hurt for a few hours, but then come crawling back for more. I was never really clear on where this routine started, but my best guess is that it started back in the Great White North we call home. Billy, Andrew, and myself all hail from a small town in Ontario, while Alex comes from Colorado, just an hour's drive from the current contest mountain. It was a small group, but we were close and we worked well together. That is what made the most sense to us. Our group was known as the ones on the mountain that you couldn't get off of it if you tried. It was common to see us walking around the lodge with our boards in tow and always ready to hit the slopes, as it was with a lot of other snowboarders. The only difference with us was that we were the loudest. Still, I knew that if I wanted to dial in my bag of tricks, I had to let it all go and enjoy the company that I was surrounded with. With the competition season starting the very next day, I had to focus.

It was the first competition of the season, and I couldn't have been more excited for it. Not only was it the first of the season, but I had also qualified in the top 3. It was a new personal best, and having my family by my side made the entire trip better. Qualifiers had been a little bumpy due to the snow deciding to come down halfway through, but everyone pushed through and put down the best runs they could considering the weather's temper tantrum. Due to the obstruction of vision, my second run wasn't the best, but I still pulled through and made it in with an 84.50. The top qualifier was a girl named Victoria, who made it through with an 87.75. She was also the one person that people liked to put me up against the most. Needless to say, this final was going to be fun.

I had never been one to take competitions serious to the point where my only focus was to win. For me, Hope Gold, it had always been about having fun and doing what I love to do in front of a lot of people, making those same people happy in the process. The winning was a nice bonus, but my favorite part was being able to let go and enjoy the feel of the wind whipping around my face and through my hair as I made my way down the slopes. The freedom that comes with the sport had always been what pulled me into it day after day. Sadly, I was pulled from my daydream with the feeling of a wet substance on my ear. Realizing it was only a snowball and not my brother's spit, I found myself hurling a snowball back to my brother. It looked like that day was going to be one where we all just enjoyed the nice weather and fresh powder that had fallen overnight, instead of stressing over the finals that were sure to be interesting on their own.

Chapter 1

I t was the morning of the finals. The weather was perfect and exactly what everyone wanted, as well as needed. The sun was out and shining, and the small amount of wind was hitting at just the right time. Due to the way qualifiers had ended just two days before; I was to take my runs next to last. There were 8 female snowboarders competing for the coveted 1 st place finish, but only one would walk away with it. From the top of the slopestyle course, I could only see so far. My vision cut off at the horizon, looking down at the rail section. However, I knew that my family was down at the bottom, waiting for me. The only family member that wasn't at the bottom, was my brother Andrew. At the beginning of every competition, he made it very clear that he wasn't going to leave me to deal alone at the top. While I was determined to put down a solid run, he was determined to bring me a new water bottle every five minutes.

Drew, calm down. I appreciate the thought, but you've already brought me 2 of these within the last 10 minutes. Just sit down and breathe. I finally told him as I continued to sit off to the side, choosing to sit in the snow instead of an empty chair. If I didn't know any better, I would think you're the one competing today; not me.

You're my little sister. I have to take good care of you. He softly shot back at me as he sat down beside me.

Just because I'm a few inches shorter than you, does not mean I'm your little sister. I'm 4 minutes older, remember? I asked with a slight smirk. He grumbled something inaudible before turning his head to look at me.

Well, at least let me pray with you before you go out and shred. He said as he placed an arm around me.

My only answer was, of course. It was standard tradition for us. He always pulled me aside before a competition. It was a nice sibling moment for us both. It continued to be great timing, as well. As soon as we were done, I heard my name being called from the other side of the tent. I gave Drew a hug and began to walk over to the start of the course. As I watched the 3rd place qualifier drop in, I felt the buzz of adrenaline start to take over my body, just as it always did. I quickly strapped my board on and pulled my goggles down over my eyes. What felt like only a second later, followed by a few deep breaths, it was my turn to drop in and do the best I could possibly do. 1, 2, 3 fist bumps done and I was off.

When competing, I had never been one to think too much on the way down. My thoughts were more along the lines of 'okay, that's a rail. Don't fall on it.' Those were my exact thoughts until it time to focus and hit the jumps. It was officially time to put it all on the line and go for it. The first jump ended up being a double cork 900. Because of this fact, I made the next two jumps smaller, but still count. After the fourth and final jump, I was pretty sure I had a podium position, but I wasn't about to jinx myself. Anything could happen. One run complete and I laid down in the snow with a smile on my face. I hurriedly unattached my board and stood up to wait for my score to come through.

When it did, I let out a little squeal of delight. At that moment, I had reached a new personal best. My scored clocked in at 90.50, which meant I was the new leader. Flashing a smile at the camera in my face, I leaned over to grab my board from its place in the snow. After I had placed it underneath my arm, I quickly made my way over to hug my parents. It was at that very moment that I realized my best friend in the world was standing beside my mother with her hand over her mouth. My best friend had come to watch me compete, before she was supposed to be in the state. I engulfed her into a bear hug before I had to set off to make my way back to the top of the course to try and repeat what I had just done.

The ride backup to the top had always been one of my favorite parts of a contest. Being on the back of the snowmobile always made me laugh out loud. Although, whether I was laughing from the ride or the feeling of my current position, I wasn't sure. I said a quick 'thanks' to the driver before I hopped down and practically ran back into the tent. I took a deep breath, only to have it taken away from me the moment that Drew picked me up and spun the two of us in a circle. Another laugh erupted from my diaphragm, causing him to laugh along with me.

Hope, that was so sick! Congrats on the new personal best! He said as he finally set me back on my own two feet.

Don't celebrate just yet. I still have another run to finish, I told him before reaching for the un-opened water bottle in his hands. He stuck his tongue out at me before speaking once more.

You can't tell me that it doesn't feel good to be sitting in first.

You're right, but I still need to at least look like I'm keeping my cool. Hey, Sydney is here. Why didn't you tell me?

Because, I wanted you to figure it out for yourself. She's been here all week. I'm sure the look on your face was priceless. He told me just before an odd sound rang out across the tent. Victoria, the top qualifier, had fallen. I didn't have to look at the screen to know what had happened. That one fall meant that I would be sitting in the top spot at the start of the final run. The only issue was that I had to wait for what felt like hours to finish off my day.

I sat beside Drew and watched the leaderboard change with each rider. A girl named Hannah had successfully put down a solid run and jumped herself into 2nd place from 8th. That one run put Victoria down into 3rd. It was just something we had all come to accept as time and experience went on. 2 more riders and it was suddenly my turn again.

Deep breath, Hope, was the last thing I heard before I set off down the course a final time. Rail section: complete. First jump: done. Second jump: easy. It was the third jump that caught me. I was looking to up my double cork from my first run, but as soon as I was off of the lip, I knew something was wrong. Two rotations into it and I was done. My landing was one of the roughest I had ever taken and I knew at that moment that I wasn't walking away from the competition completely unscathed. I felt something in my knee give out. After skidding to a stop, I let out a small grunt to signify to myself that I was breathing. I stood up a moment later and made my way down to the bottom of the course, as easily as I could, not bothering to dust myself off. I put on a brave face and pumped my fist in the air softly before sitting down in front of my family to take my board off.

My score clocked in low, just like I thought it would. Still, I smiled and shrugged my shoulders towards the camera that was pointed towards my slumped posture. Once the camera turned away from me, I faced my parents and Sydney and softly said, I need to see a doctor. By the look on their faces, I knew that they knew. I stood with a small smile, after I got my board off of my feet, picked it up, and finally dusted the snow away from it. I slowly limped towards the exit for the athletes, only stopping to let a few people in the crowd know that I would be okay. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Drew, complete with his worried-as-ever look on his face, stumbling to get off of the snowmobile.

I threw up a hand to let him know to hold the questioning me until later. The small walk wasn't as bad as it could have been. Without a word, I opened the door to the backseat and climbed in. Thankfully, Sydney grabbed my board before I had the chance to mess it up. By that point, my knee was throbbing and swelling. My parents, Drew and Sydney followed me as we set out for the emergency room. Sydney took my boot off of my right foot to once again help me out like the great friend I always knew her to be. I winced as she pushed my pants leg up to just above my knee.

Sorry to say this, but I think you'll be out for at least a few weeks, she told me, confirming my suspicions. I leaned my head against the car window and closed my eyes; never really falling asleep. The hospital was close, minimizing the amount of walking to be done on my part. I would have walked if Drew had not got out and ran around to pick me up and carry me in. Sydney got out after me and carried my boot as we all made our way into the emergency room. After I was signed in, it was time to play more of the waiting game.

A few hours later, I had been called back. After a few tests, I was ready to learn exactly what I had done to myself. Another 20 minutes of waiting went by and a nurse with short black hair and blue eyes walked in the room. She sighed as her eyes scanned the room before they finally landed on mine.

I'm sorry, Miss Gold. You're going to be out for the rest of the season. You've not only bruised a few ribs, but you have also managed to sprain your ankle and tear both the ACL and MCL in your right knee. They are only partial tears, so you will be able to continue competing after this season and you won't need surgery, but I will advise you to spend the next 48-72 hours with your foot propped up and in bed. It will take around 6 months to heal completely. I'll leave you with this for right now, but I'll be back with your release papers. Good luck, Miss Gold. She explained before she left the room to retrieve the paper that would keep me from snowboarding for the rest of the winter season. I looked from my parents, to my brother, and finally to Sydney. My chances for a good season were officially over.

Chapter 2

T he overwhelming feeling of the realization hit me harder than anything. Not only was my day over, but my