The Transition

Chapter 1

I was here now. In the crowd with the rest of the people who waited for their bags from the plane. I was in Toronto. Everything went slowly as usual but it wasn't a problem this time. The feeling of excitement I left Sweden with was gone and had passed over to heavy nervousness. I was here now, in Toronto by myself, 19 years old, shaking but happy.

At last I stood at the parking area outside the airport with my trolley, I had three bags with me. I had planned to stay for a quite a while. Would he come? I can't expect him to come. Should I take a cab? I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I turned around. I got the july sun in my eyes but after a second I see who it is.

"Mrs Hanyu!" I called out, a bit shocked.

"Good morning Ms Lörgaard." She said. "Yuzu couldn't make it unfortunately. I'll drive you to our apartment."

I understood it was the practise that was in the way but i couldn't help but get a lump in the stomach. Why am I here?

The car ride was lengthy, the rush hour was at its max, or maybe it was just the normal traffic. I had been to many large cities but it didn't make me prepared for the daily life in Toronto. I and his mother chatted, we had never talked much before. I guess that this carmeeting became our get to know each other moment. She said happily I could call her Akari, or even mum if I felt comfortable with that. I smiled. Mrs Hanyu had i nice but a small car, I sat with one of my bags at my feet.

The apartment was, as the car, narrow but exclusive. I was showen around. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms anyways. I knew since earlier that he lives with his mother but it had been discussed that she maybe will move to an apartment nearby when I come. I've been trying to discuss against that suggestion but actually it is exactly what I want.

"Is Yuzu at the rink?" I asked.

"You never know with him, he sneeks out every now and then, but i would guess it yeah. She answered.

"Do you want me to drive you there?"

"Mm, maybe in a couple of hours maybe?" I heard my insecurity in my voice, "maybe" two times.

"Absolutely." She smiled anyway.

It felt weird to unpack even though Mrs Hanyu tried to make me feel at home and shown me the wardrobe that was going to be mine. I had just graduated, I had longed for this for such a long time now. Now I had no idea what would happen. I used to say we met by chance but the truth was I had followed him around the arena. Being a trainee to the Swedish commentators was the most fantastic thing that had happened to me. He had finally seen me. The competition was over and the ice was melting. We stood by the half disjoined boards and he said

"This is the worst yet the best part of competitions. The ice looks sorrowful, the only time you don't want to skate on it. But hopefully you have already skated your best on it."

I had heard him speak his beautiful and thoughtful things in interviews but this was something above that. His cool voice, as a light gust made my knees weak. I had to make a huge effort to say something clever back. I don't remember exactly what I said but it probably wasn't any clever. He had giggled as an answer. I saw his eyes, the were warm unlike his voice.

I spend that night on the plane home crying, back to school, Sweden, never knowing what he thought about me. I gossiped a bit with Philip, one of the commentators, when he was awake. I couldn't sleep.

But I was here in his apartment now, eight months later and I had gotten some kind of confirmation on that he wanted to be with me. Just tiny, obscure vibes but we had decided that I would come as soon as I was done with school.