Ghost Town by Annie Bryant

decorated in the same western theme as the rest of the resort, with a rough stone floor and mammoth timbers. Katani couldn’t help feeling like she was back in the 1800s.
    Moments later, the waiter brought their hot chocolate, steaming and smelling absolutely delicious. Kataniwrapped her hands around the cup and inhaled the rich, chocolatey scent.
    â€œMy fingers are numb!” Nik cried. “Hope they thaw out before our show!”
    â€œI can’t remember the last time we had hot chocolate,” Sam said. “It’s not usually hot chocolate weather in Arkansas. Bet you drink this stuff a lot in Boston!”
    Isabel smiled. “We get hot chocolate from our favorite bakery all the time, at least in the fall and winter.”
    As Isabel launched into a description of Montoya’s Bakery, Katani couldn’t help starting to worry again about the rest of the group. She hoped that wherever the rest of the BSG were, they were warm and safe.
    â€œYou guys play pool?” Sam asked when they had finished their drinks.
    â€œI’ve played a couple times with my sisters,” Katani answered. “How ‘bout you, Isabel?”
    Isabel shook her head. “Nope, not me.”
    â€œI saw they had pool tables in the game room. Wanna give it a try?” Nik asked.
    â€œSure, why not?” Isabel shrugged. “As long as you guys don’t mind teaching me.”
    â€œNo problem, Iz,” Nik assured her. “It’s easy!”
    The game room at Big Sky was a long, large room that was warm and inviting. A fire crackled in the huge stone fireplace. There were thick, plush brown rugs scattered across the polished stone floor. Two pool tables and an air hockey table stood in the center of the room, while a fringe of video games lined the walls. Snack and drink machines stood in the far corner.
    â€œHowdy,” a tall, dark-haired girl greeted them. She introduced herself as Jasmine, one of the teen guide staff members. “Are you all interested in playing a game of pool?” she asked.
    The girls nodded and Jasmine handed out the cues, balls, and a rack.
    â€œI’m not that great at sports,” Katani hesitated.
    â€œIt’s all about hand-eye coordination. I’d be happy to show you a few tricks,” said a deep voice. Katani turned to see a tall, good-looking boy standing behind her. He took the pool cue from Katani’s hand.
    â€œThe important thing about pool,” he said, “is how you hold the cue and line up the shot.” He eyed the table from a couple of angles, lined up the shot, and smoothly hit the cue ball with the stick, which knocked the number 2 ball into the corner pocket.
    Nik clapped her hands. “Hey, good one, dude!”
    â€œMy name is Daniel.” He smiled an adorable, lopsided grin and then handed the pool cue back to Katani. “Now you try,” he encouraged her. “Go ahead. You’ll do fine.”
    Katani put her hand on the table and placed the cue on top of it, trying to imitate what she’d just observed.
    â€œWait. Hold on a sec,” Daniel motioned as Katani fumbled with the cue. “Let me show you how to adjust it.”
    Katani was suddenly aware of how close Daniel was standing to her. He smelled kind of like woodsmoke, fresh air, and spearmint gum at the same time—a strange combination of scents that was making her a little dizzy. She could barely listen to his directions.
    â€œPut your left hand on the table,” Daniel instructed.
    Katani put her hand on the table, and Daniel placed his hand over hers. Katani could hardly breathe. Daniel had now taken hold of
both
of her hands to position the cue correctly. He spoke softly into her left ear.
    â€œRelax. RELAX! Your left hand is just a guide for you to rest the cue on. It doesn’t have to do any work. Now line up the shot. When you’re ready, try to hit the cue ball right in the center so it will roll straight.