Trailing Stars (Trailing Stars #1)

Chapter 8

"I think you're improving," I say as I help Nathan slump down onto a bench.

He gives me a wide-eyed look as he yanks his skates off. "I fell like fifteen times."

I shrug. "It's part of learning how to skate."

He sighs. "Well..." He shoves his shoes back on as he glares at Clara who's still making rounds. "At least you stopped me from falling on my face every time Clara shoved me." He shakes his head, laughing softly. "Thanks for that."

"No problem. I remember how much it hurt hitting the ground every time someone shoved me."

He makes a face. "I still can't believe someone actually did that to you."

I rub my hands together. "You know... siblings..."

Nathan's eyebrows draw together for a second as he considers that. "Yeah. I guess I kind of know."

I don't know if he's thinking about his relationship with Clara, but I definitely am. And right on cue, Clara steps off the ice, frowning at Nathan.

"You're already done?" she asks.

He scowls at her. "Yeah. I don't feel like falling on my face every time you pass me by anymore."

Clara rolls her eyes. "The only reason your mom let me off of work early to skate with you is so you can actually learn how to skate. Not go five rounds max and then sit out."

Nathan tightens his shoelaces. "I went six rounds."

Clara gives me an exasperated look, and I can't help but laugh as I shrug. Her expression softens, and she holds her hand out to me. "At least I get to skate with Mona now. She probably wants to skate with someone who actually knows what they're doing."

I offer Nathan a smile, so he knows I don't mind skating with him as I take Clara's hand. We step on the ice together and I have to say, it really is a lot more fun and a lot less stressful to skate with Clara. She knows how to stay on her feet, so I don't have to constantly worry about catching her in case she falls.

"You should show me some tricks," Clara says.

I glance at her. "Like teach you?"

She shakes her head. "No. I just want to see you show off."

I can't really argue with that. I glance around to make sure there aren't too many people around. There are only a few, but they're on the other side of the rink, so I show Clara a few tricks. She cheers me on whenever I stick a landing or just spin in place.

It reminds me a bit of Morgan and how he would cheer me on. But most of the time, he would tell me I'm showing off. To be fair, I'd do the exact same to him. I think the difference between us doing that is Kassie, Leah, and Jason would join him without fail. They would hardly ever join me when I would make fun of him.

I think that's how it always is with everyone when it comes to me and Morgan. Morgan has always been the more likable one. He could make friends with anyone, and even if we shared friends, sometimes it felt like they were more his friends than mine. I don't blame anyone for that.

Maybe except for myself.

My vision starts to blur, and my breath catches in my throat when I feel the blade of my skate skim the ice. I grit my teeth and shut my eyes, tucking my head in. It feels like time slows down as I fall. Then, just as quickly as I hit the ground, time crashes down all around me.

I start to push myself to my feet, freezing when I hear, "Are you okay?"

For a moment, I think it's Morgan. Even if he would call me a showoff, he would always be there for me no matter what. Maybe that's why he was the more likable twin. But likable or not, this can't be Morgan because laughter doesn't come after the question when it's obvious I am okay. Besides... he's gone. I know that. I've known that for a long time now. But...