Workshop(s) 2016 | Page 101

The Stairs

Conor D'Andrea

I rolled on my skateboard towards a set of ten stairs. I thought to myself, “You’ve got it this time.”

I had been trying this trick for weeks, and today was the day. I got to the set of stairs, crouched, slammed my back foot into the ground and twisted it behind me, then slid my front foot diagonally forward. The board spun perfectly, as I had imagined it would.

I felt the board catch under my feet. I hit the ground and heard a loud SMACK! I found myself off my feet and on my back.

“Ian. Dammit! I’ve been trying the same damn thing for weeks, and I still can’t do it!”

“Conor, chill, dude. It’s not a big deal that your board broke.”

“No, Ian, it is. I’ve been practicing for weeks and still can’t… ugh, screw this! I bet I would have landed it if my board didn’t break!!”

“Yeah, I’m sure...” Ian said sarcastically.

“What do you mean?!”

“Your feet weren’t planted right. That’s why your board broke. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I don’t think you would have landed it if your board didn’t break.”

“Ian screw you. You’re not even that nice at this.”

“That doesn’t count. You skated once like a year ago, stopped, and started about three

months ago when we started coming here.”

“Whatever, man.”

“Also, because you came at me for it, I’m a lot better than you!”