Love on Ice

Chapter 1: The First Checkout

When Ellora moved forward to take her turn at the Swiftmart register, she delicately placed her package of fruit crisps on the counter for the cashier to ring up.

"Will this be all?" The low, smoky voice belonged to the cashier, "Personally, I would suggest the Sour Cream and Onion flavored Lays; they're dangerous, but in the best way."

"Those are my favorite flavor, but a girl's got to watch her figure, right?" She wasn't sure what had prompted her to be so cordial, but the fact that Ellora was twirling her hair in a circular motion around her finger indicated her nervous flirtation.

Despite being a figure skater, Ellora wasn't confident in her own skin - unless she was on the ice, that is; her figure didn't possess the natural curves like her best friend, Jessica. She constantly dyed her hair dirty blonde as she hated her natural blonde; it was the color of a horrible bleach job. Her eyes weren't much more impressive: their color was simply a foggy gray.

Ellora stole a glance at the cashier; he was very attractive. He had light brown hair cropped, but not too close to his scalp, and the section just above his forehead flipped up in a fashion that most boys would require gel to pull off. His eyes, currently studying her as an artist would his newly cultured masterpiece, were a deep forest green.

She suddenly felt self concious of the baggy gym shorts and cami she had thrown on in the school bathroom before heading over to the rink to allow her extra time for off-ice practice.

Despite having a poor figure, her lack of height made her appear slightly leaner; this realization gave her a small boost of confidence.

"I don't think you need to, but that's just a random guy's opinion..." She had never conversed with a guy whose good looks didn't result in an utterly egotistic personality. To Ellora it almost seemed as though the boy was self-concious.

As Ellora scanned him from head to toe - well, actually the counter severed her line of sight off at his hips. Whilst scanning him she had to crane her neck; he towered a fair 6 inches above her.

Ellora's conclusion: His appearance was that of a college man, but the way he held himself had 'high school teenager' written all over it. She decided that mannerisms trumped appearance.

"Here's your change," stated the cashier. The boy handed her the change and her bag of dried fruit packs. She just adored dried fruit; it's appealing to the taste buds and nutritious!

"Would you like a receipt?"

"Yeah, thanks," her mother had once told her to always get a reciept, so that she could keep track of how much she was spending.

"Your receipt," He stated after the machine had finished it's extensive process of emitting ping sounds, it, finally, spit out her tiny white sheet. He then reached his hand bearing the paper out over the the counter that served as a barrier between them. His last remark seemed to come out as an afterthought, "Remember this: our bodies aren't simply machines, they require praise and indulgence once in a while. For future reference, chips are down isle 7."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind if I ever decide to self-indulge." She wasn't entirely sure what had just occurred... Had he been flirting with Ellora? Boys never flirted with her; normally, they never gave her a second glance.

Ellora was halfway to the exit when she finally checked the receipt. When she did, she found it vandalized with a name and number. She smiled to herself, trying to hide the excitement bubbling within by veiling her hand over her mouth. His name, apparently Grayson, stuck in her head as if his name were a song she had set on repeat.

After a few more steps, she stole a glance back at Grayson. His eyes were following her every step, but his gaze instantly flew to meet hers. She flashed him one of her flirty smiles; he winked in return.

The second Ellora ducked into the little Silver VW Beetle, which she had assigned the name Bugger, her phone emitted a high pitched chirp as the screen lit up with its familiar oscillating closed envelope affixed with the name Jessica.

Ellie, where r u? Coach Sonya is worried. -Jess

Jessica is the only person who is permitted to call her Ellie. Jessica had chosen the nick-name back when they met in kindergarten. Just as she had bestiwed her friend with the nick-name Jess.

Sorry, forgot to stock house w/snacks, had to stop at Swiftmart. -Ellie

Practice that day and school the next day went well, but there were very few moments when Grayson's name or appearance didn't intrude Ellora's concentration.