The Figure Skater & The Hockey Player

Chapter 22

I knew control.

A gasp rushed through the audience as I halted my skates harshly against the ice as the song came to an end. I looked down at a distraught Cyra Lockheart as I towered over. She had not recovered from her fall which had happen a few seconds ago. The panic radiated off of her, nervous that I would not noticed her and would have trampled down or worse cut her.

I stood over her not mirroring her distress, easy breathes even as my heart pulled adrenaline. Her eyes were watery, her checks ridden from embarrassment.

I smiled " That was fun."

It was, but not for her. It was obvious as she rejected my hand and got up herself.

" You could of killed me." She whispered jarring, her nostrils glaring as she tried to contain her anger.

" If you don't feel comfortable on the ice then stay off if." I shrugged.

I could have never imagined this expression on Crya Lockheart. Not the fallen curl that sat against her forehead unleashed from the bun that was once so perfectly perfected. Or the tears that threatened to creep down her glowing skin. She was the girl who always had a smile, optimistically kind. She shined so bright it didn't burn, but made people warm.

I sat a blaze in Crya, one that made me smile as she said.

"Fuck you Emerson." Before storming off the ice.

My eyes traveled to my audience, which had grew more than when I remembered. My Dad as well as his team had joined the viewing. A rupture of cheering coming from those who loved the brutality of the ice. Hockey was  a contact sport, so the boys loved anything that came close to a jab. Even my own brother seem to radiate with a bit pride, not by the performance but by the fact that I had performed.

Strangely enough, it's like I heard him breathe again.
These past few weeks he had been holding his breathe saving it for whenever he thought he would need to bring me back to life. I felt alive, I was myself. However their were still those who questioned if that was a good thing.

My Dad still wore a worried look. My Mom's lips were clamped tightly shut, disapproving the humiliation of her new prodigy. Yet, she nodded unable to deny me a well done. Especially given the state shock our company was in.

Then there was him.

Parker who didn't participate in approving or disapprove looks, but left the rink entirely following after a embarrassed Cyra.

Ignoring them all I existed the rink, and removed my skates. Exhaustion subtly washed over me.

" Emerson." Mom called with joyous expression, Felix and Ivan closely behind her as they met me in the front row of the rink.

" I must say Emerson, you've impressed us." I hadn't acknowledged them and continued removing my skates.

I could feel the death stare my mom was giving me by not speaking.

"Oh really?" I replied flatly.

"Yes, you're coach was right. You have natural intuition and trust in your body that every skater needs even more so with a partner."

"But you want Cyra." I stated

I knew the answer. Cyra was a great skater, a true natural but she hadn't master the ice. Even more so, Cyra had no experience with paired skating. She was just growing to trust herself on the ice, it would take a while for her to trust another. She was fidgety, anxious, unsure if her own control as well as others.

They thought I was the liability when truly it was her.

I had known it, and maybe it wasn't the kindest to make a spectacle out it. Some lessons are just learned the hard way.

They exchanged a look unsure how to reply after being called out by a moment that clearly showed their wavier interest in me.

" You've proven, you're the right choice." Felix  chimed in.

" Yet you haven't." I replied, taking him off guard.

" I don't choose anyone, that has to think of choosing me. Nor do I prove myself to anyone one on my own ice. You came to see Emerson, and now you have. Safe journeys home. It was pleasure meeting you both."

I slang my skates over my shoulder and headed towards the nearest exit leaving my Mom to sort through the mess I left behind.