Moment of Truth

Chapter 19: Surprise

"I say we change your costume to purple. You're dancing to Prince. What a shame it would be if you didn't perform in a purple costume? It would really be a testament to the late and great singer of 'Purple Rain," I suggest as I'm sitting with Yuzuru and Javier in the lunch area.

"I did think about a purple costume," Yuzuru admits to me. "But I wasn't sure if it was okay."

"I think purple would work out great," Javier agrees, nodding his head.

"Great. We can tell Coach Brian after lunch," I say happily. "And we still have two weeks till the NHK Trophy so you'll have time to get refitted and everything. I think the crowd will love it. Plus, with your hair pushed away from your face, the girls will go cra~zy."

"You sure do care about Yuzuru's skating, huh, Marie?" Javier muses. "You really know what it takes to make him looks his best for the audience and you really helped him out the other day with his skating. I've never seen such a performance out of Yuzuru from just a little pep talk."

"I'd do the same with you, Javi. If you need anything, you know I'd help you out in a heart beat. You guys are my boys."

"I know. I just wanted to hear it from you."

"Javi!" I playfully shove Javier. He is the biggest tease. I don't know how Miki deals with him, but I'm sure she finds a way to. "You're so mean to me."

"It's just so much fun to tease you."

"Whatever."

I turn away and pout as Javier chuckles at me. Yuzuru just laughs at the scene in front of him. I hear my phone go off and I go to check it. It's a text from Ricky. He'll be leaving in a week before I go to the NHK Trophy with Yuzuru.

His text reads: 'I have someone I'd like for you to meet. When do you get off today?'

I text back: 'I'm off at 5. Who is this I am supposed to meet?'

'It's a secret. I'll pick you up at the rink after 5.'

'Okay then.'

I must have had a funny expression on my face 'cause Yuzuru turns to me and asks, "Are you okay, Mai?"

"I'm fine," I say trying to shake of the weird mood that was starting to come over me. "It's just, Ricky just texted me saying he wants me to meet someone so he's going to pick me up after practice."

"That's interesting," Javier comments. "Who do you think he wants you to meet?"

"I'm not sure. I didn't even know he knew anyone else here besides my family."

"Maybe it's a girl. Maybe he want you to be the first person to meet her."

"Oh that would be awkward. But we have known each other since we were little kids. It would be nice that he found someone. He's never had a girlfriend growing up so it would be nice to see him with someone."

"Isn't that because he was always trying to court you?"

"Javi! I'm pretty sure all of that is over now. Especially if he wants me to meet someone."

A blush covers my face. Javier smirks at me, knowing he's right. Yuzuru looks uncomfortable with the mention of Ricky courting me. I don't like mentioning it in front of Yuzuru because of that time we got into a fight. Or argument. I'm still not sure what exactly happened that day. I just know that it affected the both of us negatively.

"Can you just tell me who is this person I am to meet?" I ask Ricky after he picks me up in the rental car he borrowed for his stay.

"Now why would I go and do that?" Ricky teases me.

"Because you know it's the right thing to do?"

"Eh... I don't think so."

"Meanie."

"Say what you want, but I won't tell."

"Hmph. Whatever."

Ricky drives us for able another 15 minutes before we reach a restaurant. He parks the car in the lot next to it. We both get out and I follow him into the restaurant. The maitre d asks if we need a table, but Ricky says that there is someone already at a table waiting for us. The maitre d lets us through and we walk deeper into the restaurant. Thankfully it's not a fancy one or I would be horribly underdressed as I just came from Yuzuru's practice. We don't walk for very long as we approach a table with a young lady seated. As I come closer, I notice she's a pretty Filipino girl. I'm usually not one to feel self-conscious, but she is quite beautiful. She stands up as we come to the front of the table.

"Marie, this is the person I'd like you to meet," Ricky says. "This is Sarah Mendoza. Sarah, this is my childhood best friend, Marie Vincenté."

"It's nice to meet you, Sarah," I greet smiling holding my hand out for her to shake. She does so enthusiastically.

"It's nice to meet you too," she says back as we all take our seats. "Ricky has told me a lot about you."

"I hope all good things."

"But of course. But he never told me how pretty you are. I feel like I can't compete with you."

"Nonsense, you're just as pretty as me, actually even more prettier."

"Oh stop. You're too kind."

"So, Marie," Ricky says, cutting into our conversation. "Sarah is my girlfriend. I wanted you to meet her before I leave as you are my best friend and you deserve to meet her first."

I'm not as shocked as I should be, seeing how I guessed this before even meeting Sarah. But it's nice to see that Ricky has finally found someone. I am quick to start asking them questions on how they met, how many dates they've been, things about her. I've come to the conclusion that I'm happy for Ricky and Sarah and I'm sure this will be another reason for Ricky to come here to Canada. I'm happy that he's happy.

I am glad Ricky found someone. It makes me feel better that he has forgotten about courting me. She's a student at UoT and once Ricky comes here next fall, they'll get to be together. I exchanged numbers with Sarah after the dinner, making plans to hang out some time soon. That made Ricky jealous. To which Sarah and I laughed at him for. I like Sarah and I think she'll be a good match for Ricky.