Empty Handed

Where are You? (Chapter Four)

[What the costume is like]

then she said "that's for calling me a cow girl"

Sonya and Mike walk in and as if on cue, the food arrives too. They fill me in on everything I've missed. I got to find out that Mike is being sent off to an all boys school in Minnesota which is surprising and a little odd because he'll be done with high school in a little over a year. He leaves in a week. That dampens my mood and I lose my appetite so, I get my food and drink packed to go.

☆☆☆

The day I get to show my face in competition is finally here. I travelled all the way to Boulder for this. I have donned my costume. I got my hair cut in a very sleek style, courtesy of Evan. I also got new black skates, thanks to Evan too. I want to show him that I can be who he has envisioned for me and also prove something to myself - I am not a mistake.

●●●

I had 92.66 in my short program... without those death sentences which, fyi I'm still training to master.
For my long program, I got to use one of my all-time favourite songs: My Way by Frank Sinatra.

[What Matt's Free Skate is like]

I really enjoyed myself on the free skate. It just felt perfect; like I was doing exactly what I'm supposed to. The applause at the end made me come undone. I start crying on the ice. I do a curtsey, turn and do another one, bow, then, hurry to the "Kiss and Cry".

My eyes are still brimming with tears as I hug my coach.

"I'm proud of you. Not bad for your first time." Evan says.

"Sorry for crying. I just got so caught up in the music." I say, sniffing a bit.

"That's alright but, we need to work on that."

I grab a tissue for my nose. I sit and wait for my score. I'm sure I look like a hot mess right now.

"The score for Matt Fox please."

"Matt Fox has earned 158.77 for his free skate and has gotten a total of 251.43. He is currently in second place."

In that moment, I jump up and clap till my hands hurt. I hug Evan again and thank him profusely. Some people from the crowd call my attention to give me flowers. I look at Evan, waiting for the "Ok" signal. He laughs.

"You can go. Don't stay too long." He says.

☆☆☆

After getting my prize money and medal, we go back to the motel we took a room at.

"So, at the moment, you're pretty big news. You should be proud of what you've achieved." Evan praises.

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate what you're doing for me." I can't even...

"When we go back, the work continues. We need people to start seeing you as a threat and not just a consistent or stable skater." Oh dear.

"Yes sir." I salute.

"Turn the T.V. on for a bit."

I do as I'm told and do not like what I see at all. In fact, I'm shocked.

< BREAKING NEWS >

< OLYMPIC GOLD HOPEFUL AND U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION FOR MEN'S GYMNASTICS, SCOTT FOLEY FELL FROM THE HORIZONTAL BAR FEW MINUTES AGO WHILE TRYING OUT A NEW DISMOUNT. HE'S CURRENTLY AT RESBY HOSPITAL IN BOULDER. >

There he is. There's a video of him on a strecher being pushed into an ambulance. He looks like he's in a whole lot of pain. The one I've been looking and waiting for, for months. Why does it have to be like this? He looked so frail in the video. My heart breaks a little.

"This is such terrible news. You don't look so good. Are you okay, Matt?"

"I kinda know the guy." I say, swallowing hard.

[I don't know when the next update will be, but I'm already working on it. Please stay tuned and don't forget to vote. Thanks a lot ❤]