Moment of Truth

Chapter 13: Ricky

"Oh Yuzuru, you are quite the gentleman," Javier jokes to Yuzuru as they are doing slow laps around the rink as we are back at the Cricket Club.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Yuzuru replies back in a confused tone.

"I saw the videos of you 'dedicating' your short to Marie," Javier states skating backwards.

"So? Is there anything wrong with that? I thought it was a nice gesture."

"Well, fans are going crazy online. They think Marie is your girlfriend and not just your translator as you repeated many times in your interviews."

"Eh?! She's definitely not my girlfriend. I don't even like her like that. She is just my friend."

"Mhmm. Whatever you say. But you don't just dedicate your short program to your friend or any girl for that matter without it meaning anything. You don't know your feelings, my friend."

"I do know my feelings. Mah-ree is just my friend. And she is your's as well."

Yuzuru pouts as he skates away from Javier. He doesn't like being teased about me as he thinks he knows his exact feelings for me. He looks over to where I am seated talking to Coach Brian about something he can't hear. I have a smile on my face as I always do. It's hard to imagine me without a smile. I always have one on my face.

Yuzuru is the first one Coach Brian is working with so I'm talking to Javier as he says his ankles need some rest so he's taking his break to chit chat with me.

"So how was going to a competition for the first time?" Javier asks me as he's sitting next to me.

I lean against him, just letting my body depend on him to stay up. "It was pretty exciting. But I got so nervous watching Yuzu skate. I just want him to do his best," I admit watching Yuzuru practice his step sequence for his free skate.

"That's how most people feel watching competitive figure skating. But it'll get better as the season wears on. How was it having Yuzu dedicate his short program to you? You must feel pretty special."

"I wasn't expecting that at all. I was unsure what the gesture was so I just waved him off. But in all of the interviews he did, he was asked about it. I almost got tired of hearing it come up with every single interviewer. It made sense once he said what it meant. But it was kind of confusing before his short program."

"You're a lucky girl. I've never seen him or heard of him doing that before."

"I can't be that lucky. Maybe Yuzuru will do it for another girl next time."

"Don't be too sure about it, chica."

As I keep talking to Javier, someone comes into the ice rink. They walk over to where I am standing and gently taps my shoulder. Javier and I look at the person who approached us. I let out a shriek as I throw my arms around the person. I nuzzle my head into their neck as they smells like home. The person hugs me just as tightly. Javier looks at the person in confusion. Yuzuru and Coach Brian turn to the scene as my shriek caught their attention.

"Ricky, what are you doing here?" I ask happily as I pull away from our hug. I move some of my hair that had fallen in front of my face during the hug.

"I came here to visit you. It's been too long," Ricky says pulling me into another hug.

"You're crazy. And you shouldn't be here. This is a private practice session."

"Well, I emailed Mr. Orser before I came here asking if I could surprise and he said go right ahead so here I am. Aren't you excite to see me?"

"Of course I am, Ricky." Suddenly I realize I had the attention of the whole rink. I turn back to Javier. "Javi, this is my best friend from the Philippines, Ricky Valesco. Ricky, this is one of the world class skaters that trains here, Javier Fernandez."

"I wouldn't say I'm 'world class' exactly," Javier says shyly as he scratches the back of his head. Then he offers his hand to Ricky. "It's nice to meet you, Ricky."

"And you as well, Javier," Ricky says shaking Javier's hand.

Yuzuru and Coach Brian approached the group with Yuzuru having a blank look on his face while Coach Brian has a smile on his. I can't believe my best friend came all the way to Canada to visit me. I'm so happy.