Mount Me

Fiction

—-

Both girls are in 8th grade.

“Did you read the book for book club?” Amy turns to her companion eagerly, “Did you read it? Didn’t you just love it?”

The second girl curls her upper lip in distaste, “I read it. I hated it.”

“But how is that even possible? It was so good! I was so happy when they worked it out in the end. I love romantic happy endings, don’t you?”

The second girl speaks curtly, “No. No, I do not love happy endings. Happy endings are lies.”

“Awwww, Sara. You don’t mean that. Happy endings make me feel all warm inside.”

Sara picks up a stick, snaps it in half, “Everybody always talks about happy endings. There may be a happy moment, but there are no happy endings. In the end, everybody dies. Sorry to spoil things for you, but in the end, everybody dies. Here’s another spoiler: It’s not warm.”

Amy’s eyes widen, “Are you saying you read the sequel? Is there a sequel? I didn’t even know that! I am so going to get my mom to buy it for me. Everybody dies? In the cold? Like they go mountain climbing or something? Oooh . . . I have to read this book!”

Sara looks at the other girl pityingly, “Exactly how many of these book club meetings do we have to do to get class credit?”

Amy recites the rules, “Students, must, as part of the course’s requirements, either 1) write a fifteen-page term paper on a book assigned by the teacher or 2) form a book club with no fewer than four members and meet at least five times over the course of the school year to discuss five different books.” She pauses for breath and holds up a single finger, “We have met once, discussed one book, and assigned another.” She holds up four fingers, “So that means we have four meetings left.”

“I hate the books we are reading. I would like book club a lot better if I got to pick the books.”

Amy hesitates before speaking, “You get a vote just like everyone else.”

“Yes, but no one in the group likes the kinds of books I like, and so I am always outvoted.” Sara sighs, “I wish we just got to take turns picking books for the group to read.  That way, I would only hate most of the books.”

“Yeah, but none of us would understand the book you picked. You read long books, Sara. Long confusing books. Also, you scare people. When I suggested you as a possible book-club member, Violet and Karina were nervous you would be all bossy and superior and just . . . how you are.” Amy offers a bright smile of apology, “It’s true, Sara. I love you and we are BFFs, but you are very bossy. That’s why I decided on the voting thing before we asked you to join us.”

“OK, first? We are not BFFs. I don’t even say BFF.”

“I was just trying to be nice.”

Well don’t. It’s icky. Also? You don’t love me. You hardly even know me.”

“Sorry. Sometimes when I get scared, I tell people I love them.”

Sara snorts in derision, “Oh my god, really?  That is the lamest thing I have ever heard.”

Amy hangs her head, “I know. My mom says the same thing. She says I have to break this habit before I start dating.”

Sara thinks for a moment, “Wait. What was that you said about setting up the voting rules before I joined? I thought those were assigned book-club rules, rules we had no choice but to follow. You mean you intentionally set up the rules to keep my vote from counting?”

Amy shuffles her feet, “Sara, don’t be mad. Melissa bailed at the last minute, and we needed a fourth person. Patricia and Brooke had already joined another book club, and Desiree has to write a term paper, because her mom thinks term papers build character. So that left you. I had to make rules before we asked you, Sara. Don’t be mad.”

Sara looks up in surprise, “Hey, that’s exactly why I’m in a book club, but reversed!  I wanted to write a term paper, but my mom said book clubs build character.”

Amy pulls her long black hair into a ponytail, “Anyway, I don’t know why you hate book club so much – Violet told me you loved the first book we read.”

“What? Violet is a scoundrel and a liar. I hated the first book. I told you at the meeting how much I hated that book. It was terrible.”

Amy shakes her head, “Violet said you cried at the part where the house burned down.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t cry about stupid book characters who do stupid things and then stand around all surprised and sad when the stupid things come back to bite them on the ass and then burn the house down.

“You swore!” Amy giggles nervously, “I love you!”

“You love me? So that means what — swearing scares you?”

Amy nods, “You’re not supposed to swear.”

“You really do need to stop telling people you love them when you get scared. Your mom is right.”

“I know, but I can’t help it. It’s like a nervous habit.”

“Anyway, I did not cry when their stupid house burned down.”

“Violet wouldn’t lie.”

“So you’re calling me a liar?”

“No, I would never do that . . . I love you.”

“Geez, Amy . . . get a grip.”

“Well, maybe . . .,” Amy considers, “Maybe Violet meant that you cried in your soul.”

“I cried in my soul? What does that even mean?”

“Maybe you were sad inside, but too afraid to show it with tears. So your soul cried.”

“Huh. And Violet would know about my soul-tears . . . how, exactly?”

“You’ll have to ask Violet.”

“Oh, I will ask Violet. I will ask Violet and then I will kick her ass.”

“Awww, Sara. I just love . . .”

Sara clenches her fists and holds them up in menacing fashion, “If you say you love me again, I am going to pound you.”

“ . . . cookies,” Amy finishes weakly, “I love cookies.”

“That’s better.”

“And . . . you.  I love you.” Amy backs away with her hands held up in surrender, “I can’t help it! You scare me. I love you.”

Sara glares at Amy, “If I actually punched you, would you still say you loved me? Like what if I punched you in the nose and blood was dripping down your face? Would you still have to say it?”

Amy wails, “I don’t know! Maybe! It’s like a curse . . . I can’t help it.”

“Geez. You’re like a compulsive born victim.”

“I know! That’s what my mom says!  Please don’t punch me.”

“Because . . . ?”

Amy wails again, “Because I love you! You’re making me sound all crazy!   I can’t help it!”

“Alright, let’s talk about something else. Tell me about the next book we’re going to read. I know you and Violet and Karina have already talked and chosen something, right?”

Gathering her composure, Amy says, “OK, don’t be mad. We did choose something, and we were going to have a pretend vote at the next meeting, but now I’m thinking we’ll go with the book you suggested.”

“What book?”

Amy claps her hands, “The sequel to this month’s book, silly! The one with the unhappy ending where everyone dies! The one where they go mountain climbing!”

Sara stares at Amy, “Are you joking?”

“No, I think it will be perfect! Do you remember the name of the book, so I can tell Violet and Karina about the change in plans? They’re going to be so excited! None of us knew there was a sequel!”

Sara pretends to search her memory, “It’s called Mount Me.”

Amy shrieks with glee, “That’s an awesome name for a mountain!”

Sara covers her mouth with her hand to hide her laughter.  Maybe book club won’t be so bad after all, “Hey, Amy?”

The other girl turns, “Yes?”

“I’m still going to kick Violet’s ass for telling lies about me. I think I might also kick your ass, just to see how strong our friendship is.”

“Awww, Sara. Don’t be mean. I love you.”

“Might be unavoidable,” Sara explains, “Sometimes love requires cruelty. I learned that from the book.  Cruel love is a running theme in Mount Me.”

Amy squeals again, “I think I’m going to love this book!”

Sara supposes this is not the sort of character her mother meant for her to build.

She doesn’t care.