Devils Peak And The Rapids Within

Chapter 1: First Days, Fast Friends

April 2008 7:00 a.m Salt Lake City Utah

Monday, Mike entered East Salt Lake High, head high, juggling a burrito and hot chocolate, his confidence showing in a nervous grin. Chris followed, firing off a joke, his laughter bright, but a quick glance revealed anxiety. Cliff kept to his steady stride, calm and self-assured as always. As they entered, Cliff nudged Chris. Cliff said, "Bet you drop that before the bell, Chris." Mike replied, "If I do, extra flavor. Bonus points! Lunch burrito if you handle my prom moves."

They squeezed through the crowd, laughing as they ate. Mike flicked his wrapper, Cliff made the trash, and Chris missed. Lockers banged, sneakers squeaked, and cinnamon scents led them to the cafeteria.

The first period was Mr. Sanderson’s class. Chris-always the class clown-leaned over and whispered, “This class lasts forever." Mike, confident and restless, rolled his eyes and muttered, “We’re too smart to be here.” Cliff, always grounded, tapped his desk and quipped, "I’m just here for the chalk dust."

Mr. Sanderson shook his head. "If you put half the effort into your work as you do being a comedian, you’d run this town."

As laughter faded, Sanderson’s question lingered, pulling Mike from the moment. He forced a grin, but doubt tightened his stomach, contrasting with his earlier confidence. To mask worry, he nudged Chris and joked, "Guess I can always fall back on stand-up at lunch." Chris snorted-a genuine laugh mingled with uncertainty. Cliff rolled his eyes, steady as ever, and laughter eased Mike’s tension.

Chris kept joking, his humor a shield. Each laugh was a bid for steadiness, but he felt out of place, unsure if his friends would notice his anxiety when everything changed. He forced a smile, feeling the pressure inside, uncertain if he'd be left behind.

Even the pranks got sharper as graduation neared. One Friday, Cliff and Mike-true to their bold and mischievous sides-rigged Chris’s locker with a water balloon. It burst, hit an outlet, and knocked out the lights. Laughter stopped-guilt and consequences followed. Mike muttered, "Stakes get higher as we get ready to leave."

Sanderson asked, “What do you see yourself doing in 10-20 years?”

Mr. Sanderson repeated the question to the class.

Chris rocked in his chair. "Honestly, sir?"

"Honestly, my main goal is to make people laugh so hard they forget how much they hate Mondays," Chris deadpanned. "If I get someone to spit milk out of their nose in the cafeteria, I’ll call that a legacy. If I can host the announcements or get voted ‘Most Likely to Pull the Fire Alarm for a Laugh,’ I’m good. I’m not here to change the world-just make high school a little less boring, one dumb joke at a time."

Mike stretched out, voice low and determined. "I just want to break out of here. Marines, pilot-doesn’t matter, as long as it’s different, something nobody else would do."

Cliff shrugged, even-handed as ever. "Maybe teach. Or, you know, wrestle a mountain lion if the school board ever votes for it. Nothing fancy-just something unpredictable, keeps me alert, so I have a good story for the grandkids."

The class laughed. Mr. Sanderson nodded. "Dream big, but remember-the best lives are those where you look out for each other."

Mr. Sanderson handed out worksheets, then turned to the board. Chris, jaw set, snapped his rubber band at Mike, who blocked it with a dramatic flourish. Laughter spiked as Cliff leaned back, snorting. Mike quickly slid a fake answer key along the desk, smirking. The class erupted in playful chaos until Sanderson sighed. “Mike, enough antics-you’ve got one month left.”

When the bell rang, Mike scribbled his last answer, shoved books into his bag, and handed in his paper. The school day spilled into the bustling hallway as students moved on, and Mike slung his backpack over one shoulder, nudging Cliff toward their lockers.

As students spilled into the hallway, Mike slung his backpack over one shoulder and nudged Cliff toward their lockers. Chris split off for a drink. Mike and Cliff moved down the hall when Ashley, flushed and smiling, caught up with them.

Ashley asked, “Hey, Mike! Um, are you going to prom with anyone?” She twirled a strand of hair as she glanced between him and his friends.

Mike grinned. "Nah, Ashley, I’m solo. I wouldn’t inflict my two left feet on anyone."

Ashley laughed, though disappointment flickered in her eyes. "If you change your mind…" she said quietly.

Cliff elbowed Mike. "One day you’ll have to say yes," he teased.

Mike shrugged. “Maybe. But not today.”

Near the Computer Lab, older kids argued. Mike nodded at Cliff. "Isn’t that Chris’s next class?" They saw Chris, shoulders hunched, panic in his eyes as bullies closed in. Mike’s focus sharpened.

Mike cut through the crowd and planted himself between Chris and the biggest bully, muscles tense. The bully shoved Chris against the lockers, jeering, but Mike met his eye, jaw set....