Freestyle with Avery Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Why would I? This still fits me perfectly! Remember, it’s not what you wear, it’s how you tear!” The only thing he always updated was his hat. Every year he got a new Snurfman hat, crazier than the one before.
    After breakfast I walked Marty around the block. He definitely didn’t have any problem with friend-making. Marty barked hello to just about every dog we passed. He sat, rolled, played dead, and tried to perform every trick in his book. “Too bad dogs can’t snowboard. I bet you’d be a natural! You have to stay home today though, Marty. But don’t worry. Just wait for me by the window and I’ll be back before you know it.”
    Marty made his eyes so sad that I had to laugh. I wished he could come, but I knew the mountains were noplace for pups. As I waved good-bye to Marty later that morning, I pictured him on a doggy snowboard wearing a tiny helmet. Maybe someday …
    As we drove down Main Street I was getting more and more excited. I couldn’t wait to hit the slopes. “I just need to make one quick stop at the store,” said Dad.
    “Aw, man! Can we hurry?” I urged.
    Dad laughed. “Once you see why we’re stopping at ATS, I think you’ll be glad we did.”
    I followed Dad into the store and toward the back room. He unlocked the door to his office and there, resting on his desk, was a brand new, bright red snowboard. The letters ATS were stenciled on the top in white, lined with black. “This is for you, Ave. Only had a few made. It’s the official ATS board, reserved for sponsorship of only the best young athletes.”
    Dad placed the board in my hands and I felt my spine shiver a little. “Whoa … Thanks, Dad,” I said breathlessly. “This is the best present EVER!”
    I got in position on the board with my legs so far apart it looked more like I was about to ride an elephant than a snowboard. Dad frowned. “I’m going to have Ricky adjust those bindings for you,” he decided.
    “That’s probably a good idea,” I laughed. I tried to fake an ollie , one of my favorite boarding tricks, but I felt like a Sumo wrestler with my feet spread so wide on the board. Dad called Ricky over. A guy about Tim’s age with shaggy blond hair leaned over the counter.
    “Can you move these in?” I showed Ricky where I wanted my bindings. “They’re a little too big.”
    Ricky chuckled. “You can say that again. So, are you a grommet ?” he asked. I felt my cheeks grow hot. Ricky thought I was a
beginner
at snowboarding?! I tried not to look insulted. Just because I was small didn’t mean I was a grommet! “‘Cause ATS is a great place to start,” Ricky added. “Mr. M sells the best boards in town.”
    Now Dad was the one to chuckle. “Ricky, this is my daughter, Avery. She lives in Boston. And … she’s been boarding for years. Avery’s twelve.”
    Ricky scratched his messy hair. “Oh, sorry, Mr. M. I didn’t know you guys were related. I mean … um …”
    I was adopted from Korea, so obviously I looked different than the rest of my family. People who didn’t know the Maddens sometimes didn’t get that I was the daughter. I was pretty much used to it, but still, I never really knew what to say.
    Dad helped out. “That’s okay, Ricky. Avery’s going to enter the Snurfer Competition on Tuesday. She’s got a great chance of placing, too.”
    “Sweet, dude. Slap me five.” Ricky bent down, held out his hand, and I gave him a good old Avery slap.
    “Need anything else, Mr. M?” Ricky asked.
    “Nope, we should be all set. Unless …” Dad looked at me with a twinkle in his eye.
    “Unless what?” I asked. He didn’t say anything. “Come on, Dad … just tell me.”
    “How are you for a helmet?”
    I thought of my scratched-up black helmet. It had been feeling pretty tight around my ears lately. “I’d LOVE a new helmet!” I blurted.
    Dad laughed. “I think that can be arranged.”
    “Hey, Mr. M, we just got in a whole new order of pink helmets yesterday if Avery wants