“Come on, Chance. Take a chance!” The all too familiar voices came from below her perch in the sky.
“I got this!” Chance yelled down, feeling for the spray paint can in her hoodie pocket. “Oh, Dad, if you are with me right now, please don’t let me fall.”
Sweat trickled down her back as she inched along the narrow ridge. Don’t look down, she told herself.
“Hurry up, before someone drives by!”
“Almost there!” She focused on her destination.
She is a girl torn. Torn between her past and present, her outer and inner selves, her modest class and her boyfriend’s wealth. Ever since her world came crashing down at the young age of nine, her focus became all about being accepted. Years later, she has developed into the perfect chameleon, changing according to the demands of others. How far will she go? How high will the stakes become? Can true love really conquer all? Does it even have a chance?
“Come on, Chance. Take a chance!” The familiar voices called from below her perch in the sky.
“I got this!” Chance yelled down to them. “Oh, Dad, if you are with me right now, please don’t let me fall,” she whispered.
The sweat trickled down her back as she inched her way along the narrow ridge. Don’t look down, she told herself.
“Hurry up, before someone drives by!”
“Almost there!” She focused on her destination.
Chance finally reached the “perfect spot” with a sigh of relief. She slowly removed the spray paint from her hoodie and got to work.
“Yes! Make it big!” Keisha’s voice echoed up to her. “Don’t forget that swirly thing you added at the top!”
“Right! Thanks!”
Chance had to admit that she was proud of her creation. Her friends below came up with the idea of making a statement with their three initials. But she was the masterpiece of the clever design that intertwined K, O, and C in a combination of swirls and beautiful colours.
Chance quickly glanced down and pasted the bravest smile possible on her face. She continued her art piece as her hands shook, she wasn’t a fan of heights.
“Done!” She triumphed.
“Great! Hurry up and get down here!”
Chance retreated as relief washed over her. She finally reached the ladder they “borrowed” from the construction site next door.
Here comes the best part, she thought as she placed her final foot on the ground. This time her smile was genuine as she watched her two best friends run to her, laughing, and screaming.
“You’re awesome!” Keisha said as they both gave her a hug.
She knew it was silly, but these were the moments she lived for. Pride burst from within every time Keisha and Olivia congratulated her on executing one of their dares. They made her feel that she belonged, that she was truly one of the Three Musketeers.
Olivia craned her neck to appreciate Chance’s artwork. “Man, you would never get me up there.”
“You don’t have to, O. That’s what we have our girl for. She’ll always take a chance.” Keisha smiled at Chance.
“Yup, that’s me. No dare is too small,” she said, thankful to have her feet on solid ground.
Keisha reached for her pocket. “Let me take a pic before we get outta here.” She focused on her screen. “Another great creation, girl. Let’s make it bigger next time.”
“Our first public tag. Good thinking, K,” Olivia said as the girls walked to her car.
“Yeah, and how brilliant was I in finding this billboard? We are going to be famous, girls.”
Chance listened to her friends plotting their next location from the back seat of the car. It didn’t bother her that she wasn’t included in the plan even though she was the creator of the beautiful design. After all, she was the third Musketeer to join the group. Keisha and Olivia had known each other basically from birth. She was happy to be part of the threesome that other kids looked up to. And she embraced her “Daredevil Chance” persona with pride.
The adrenaline high continued as they pulled into the parking lot of Timmy’s.
Olivia headed straight to the bathroom as Keisha and Chance joined the line.
“I’m tapped out,” Keisha said. “Can you get this round?”
“Sure.” Chance dug into her purse.
“To our first ad.,” Keisha raised her chocolate dipped donut.
“Cheers.” The girls joined her toast.
“So, girls. Party this weekend at Becky’s. Her rents are going up to their cottage, so it’s going to be crazy. My bro is getting us some booze,” Olivia said.
“Ugh, I’m pretty sure we’re visiting my sister this weekend.” Chance sighed.
“No worries. O, will be sure to capture all the morons who can’t handle their alcohol on video, right, girl?” Keisha said.
“You know it. All for your viewing pleasure.” Olivia smiled.
The chatter shifted as Olivia and Keisha planned their wardrobe for the party. Finally talked out and feeling the adrenaline from their adventure begin to fade, the three headed home.
“Remember, we were at Timmy’s the whole time if anyone asks,” Keisha said as they stepped onto the elevator of their building.
“Yeah, and I will be asked.” Olivia groaned. “My mom is pulling in the reigns now that summer is here.”
“See you tomorrow. Last day of school! Yes!” Keisha pumped her fist as the elevator deposited her on her floor.
“You good?” Olivia turned to Chance.
She always asked the same question once they were alone. Ever since they were around 10, when Chance accepted their first dare. She remembered how hilarious they thought they were when they made up the line, ‘Come on, Chance, take a chance.’ She thought it was cool that they created a saying just for her.
Little did Chance know that when she accepted their first dare and swallowed that earthworm, the deal would be sealed. Olivia and Keisha’s reactions were over the top, the phrase stuck, and the dares kept coming.
At first, she loved the adrenaline rush and the butterflies she would get every time she successfully met a challenge. After all, that’s how she got her name and current rep. But, the stakes were getting higher now, and she was met with exhaustion, more and more, after each “adventure.”
“Yeah, all good,” Chance said as the doors yawned open on her floor. “See you in the morning.”
A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she unlocked her apartment door. This was the moment of quiet she cherished. Her mom was still at work and her sister recently announced she got a summer job where she attended University, three hours away. At least she would have their bedroom all to herself.
Chance walked through the small apartment, enjoying the solitude. Each time she survived yet another dare, she couldn’t wait to escape into the world she loved. She craved this moment more and more lately.
She curled up on the couch like a cat with a belly full of milk. She smiled as she reached for her latest, tattered, mystery novel and dove into the world of her favourite character. Oh, how Keisha and Olivia would laugh if they knew I was a book nerd. She turned the page.