On Thin Ice

18

"Fox, I need you," Claudia said in a rushed tone.

Fox's eyes widened, as well as my own.

"What?"

"I kinda told Holly I'd take her ice skating this weekend," Claudia sheepishly admitted.

"You can't ice skate," Fox deadpanned.

"Duh," Claudia resounded exaggeratedly. "I need you to help me so I don't look like a fool in front of her."

Fox rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "You're not going to be able to learn in just a few days."

"You're useless. Elijah, will you help me?" Claudia turned to me with a hopeful look.

I was so focused on the confusion I felt watching the two of them interact that I nodded along before realizing what I was agreeing to.

Claudia squealed and threw her arms around my neck in a hug.

"Thank you! I'm free Wednesday night. Let's do Wednesday night after your practice."

She walked away with a bounce in her step after releasing me.

"Shit," I muttered, shaking my head.

Fox laughed at me to which I returned with a glare.

"You won't be able to teach her. She's that bad," he said, still laughing.

"You're coming with me," I told him in a serious tone, my eyebrows raised. "I didn't mean to say yes to her."

"Well, I didn't say yes to her at all," he countered with a smug expression.

I gave him a stern look and he seemed to give in.

"Fine," he relented, "I'll go with you."

While I was relieved I wouldn't have to deal with Claudia on my own, I was wary of being around her and Fox together. Seeing the two of them interact caused a discomfort in my chest.

I didn't like the feeling one bit.

***

"Hey, I want to ask you something," Josh announced, walking into my room as I was doing homework at my desk on Tuesday night.

"Hm?" I hummed, not looking up from my worksheet.

Josh walked over to my desk and shut my textbook, causing me to whine in protest and shoot him a scowl.

"Can it wait?" I asked in an annoyed tone.

Josh ignored me, sitting up on my desk and bracing his arms behind him.

"Your dad's birthday is coming up," he told me.

"I know that," I replied, rolling my eyes. "So is mine, by the way."

Josh waved me off. "His is first."

"Okay? What, do you need ideas on what to get him? Because I have no idea," I told him seriously.

My dad was one of those people that would like anything you got him. I could probably buy him a book of stamps and he would be happy with it.

Josh shook his head. "I just want to see if you're alright with what I want to get him."

"What do you want to get him?"

"Adoption papers."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"I want him to adopt me," Josh repeated, "so he will legally be my father."

"You're going to be eighteen in like, six months," I said, probably sounding rude.