chapter 8

MYSTERY GIRL

It was raining the next time climbing practice was scheduled, so Mr. Kwan took them to the climbing gym. People were climbing up the walls all around them. Some were in the “cave,” where the walls curved up into a low ceiling and thick pads covered the floor. There were holds bolted in the ceiling, and climbers clung from them, hanging upside down like spiders.

Mr. Kwan took them to a place where the wall was built out at the bottom so the climb was at an easy slant.

“Come on, can’t we do something steeper?” asked Dan.

“No, this is the best place for us.”

“Best place for Rufus, maybe,” said Dan.

“None of that,” warned Mr. Kwan.

Rufus was having the hardest time with rock climbing. Dan glanced over at him. But Rufus pretended he hadn’t heard.

“Gee whiz,” said Dan. “This is too easy.”

“I’ll tell you what,” said Mr. Kwan. “When your turn comes, I’ll time you. See how fast you can do it. They have competitions like that, you know. Speed climbing, they call it.”

“That’s cool,” said Dan. “I’d like to do one of those.”

“There’s one coming up. You could try it, if you want.”

“Sign me up!” said Dan.

“Aw, man,” said Rufus, “that was what I liked about climbing—no competition. Now you’re turning it into a race.”

“You don’t have to race, Rufus,” said Mr. Kwan. “It’s kind of a special thing, anyway. It’s a different skill. I’m more into getting you guys outdoors on the real stuff.”

Willy was the first to climb, and Dan watched him, imagining how he would do each move.

When Dan’s turn came, he pretended it was a race. He sped up the first half, but then he was panting so hard he had to rest for a moment.

“Smooth is fast! Remember to flow!” called Mr. Kwan from below. “Keep your weight in your feet,” he added.

Dan started up again, trying to be smooth, trying to keep his weight in his feet. It seemed to help. Soon he was at the top.

After he had lowered Dan to the floor again, Mr. Kwan said, “Good job, Dan. That was fast.”

“Do you think I could win the competition?” asked Dan.

“Yeah, you might win your age group. Depends on who enters. Maybe that Elisabeth kid will enter. She’d give you a run for your money.”

“Who is this mystery girl, anyway?” asked Clara.

“You should know her,” said Mr. Kwan. “She goes to your school. I even think she’s in your grade. Elisabeth—I can’t remember her last name, but I think she goes by Lisa.”

“A short girl? Dark, curly hair?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“You’re kidding!” said Dan.

“No, that sounds like her.”

“Little Lisa is the TV star from Colorado?” said Dan. “I don’t believe it.”

But it was true. Lisa had been on TV. There had been articles about her in the Colorado newspapers and in climbing magazines.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were famous?” Clara asked Lisa in the hall before class the next day. The four friends clustered around her.

“I’m not famous,” said Lisa.

“You should come climbing with us!” said Rufus.

“Well, it’s not like she’s a beginner,” said Clara.

“Do you ever climb in the climbing gym?” asked Dan.

“Not very much,” said Lisa. “Mostly outside.”

“But there’s going to be a contest in a few weeks,” said Clara. “One of those speed contests. You have to enter!”

“I’ve never done one of those,” said Lisa. “But it sounds like fun.”

The bell rang. “See you guys,” said Lisa.

Still Dan could hardly believe it.

That night Dan did more pull-ups than he ever had before.