Off The Ice

Chapter 52

"So what class are we going to anyway?" I ask him as we walk into a building on the other side of campus. I debate shrugging off my black jacket but I leave it on because there's still a slight chill in the hallway from doors to the outside opening.

"You'll see. I think you will like it. It's one of my favorite classes."

"How would you know if you never go?" I challenge as we come to a stop in front of a wooden doorway in a wooden hallway. The entire interior of the building is made out of a dark, polished wood and I feel like I'm in the capitol or something. 

"Shut up and go inside."

I look inside the open threshold and see a bunch of students in their seats digging out laptops and who I'm assuming is the professor turned with her back towards us talking to another student. "I don't wanna go first, you go," I whisper to him. He laughs at me a kisses my forehead before grabbing my hand and walking us in together. 

He leads us to the professor talking to the student as the student walks away. "Professor Pierce?"

"What do you need Harry?" she asks. She doesn't sound irritated, almost delighted that he's speaking to her as she keeps her eyes on her desk, shuffling through papers.

"I was wondering if my girlfriend could sit in on today's class. She's thinking about attending here next year and wanted to check out the classes." A bit of a stretch but not completely untrue. I may come here... In five years or so. 

She turns around to face us and when she does I recognize her instantly. "Hey mom!! I didn't know you teach his class!!" I say in surprise as I hug her. 

"Sutton, that's not your mom?" Harry questions like I'm crazy.

"No, she's Chelsea's mom. She's been another mom to me for as long as I can remember."

"To answer your question, Harry, yes she can join us. But is it really true that you're thinking of attending EIU?" she directs to me.

"I mean maybe after I've won the Olympics." We both smile and she hugs me again. 

"Oh, Lilly's here too. She had a schedule change about a week ago. She's right back there." Annie points to a petite blonde in the back of the room and I instantly recognize her as well. She's Chelsea's older sister. 

"Awesome, I'll go say hi now."

"I'll get us some seats," Harry replys. I let go of his hand and walk away but he lingers with Annie while I go say hi to Lilly. 

"Lilly, hey!!" I chirp when I walk up next to her. 

"Sutton, oh my gosh!!" She immediately gets up and hugs me. "What are you doing here? Does mom know you're here?"

"Yeah I just talked to her. I'm here with my boyfriend. He thought it would be a good idea for me to sit in on his classes today."

"You don't have practice?"

"I have the day off."

"Oh yeah, you just had a competition yesterday. How'd you do?"

"First," I beam.

"As usual," she laughs. "So who's your boyfriend? I know Chelsea mentioned you finally dating someone but I didn't know he was older. Who is it? Is it Keith? Or Greg?" she asks, probably in an attempt to guess names of the people in her class.

"No, Harry actually."

"Harry? Harry Styles?" She nearly chokes for dramatic effect. Her and her sister have that in common, not unlike other things. Lilly and Chelsea look a lot alike except that Lilly has more of a heart-shaped face with more defined cheekbones. Her eyes are also a brighter shade of blue and her hair a darker shade of blonde.