Song of the chapter: One Day At a Time by Sam Smith
MATT
It's officially been two months and three days since the first day I saw - you know who. I'm not about to let go of my self-esteem describing how I've pictured a perfect world for the two of us. One thing that is real right now is the fact that I now work with Evan Lysacek! He gave me a call about a month ago and ever since then, I've had skating training at his rink (HE HAS A RINK!) from 9am till 6pm on weekdays. We're exhausted most of the time. We have been working on creating a routine for my first competition ever; ISU Junior Grand Prix. I've got weekends off to relax and recover (well, not exactly, because I still work at the rink anyway).
The crazy part about working with Evan is, he's trying to help me learn two different flips which could become my signature moves. The first move is a triple axel into a half loop and then a triple lutz. The second move is a quadruple axel. I remember my crazy laughter that day.
[Flashback]
"How is that even humane?" I look at him like he has grown two heads.
"It is possible, with enough training and hardwork on your part. You do know for a fact that those are power moves which will increase your score especially if your grade of execution is very high, right?" Evan says with a little smile.
"And when I'm in the process of doing it, I'll break my neck and die or my spine and never skate again." I mumble under my breath. He laughs.
"First of all, I heard that. Second, do you want to make a difference? Be able to live a better life? Cos this is the only way to do so."
"What about quad salchows and quad toes?" Even those are still scary.
"You think Yuzuru Hanyu and Nathan Chen are going to let you snag the gold so easily? You need something fresh and never been seen if you want to make it to the Olympics, Mr."
I sigh loudly. "I see my death already but okay."
So, Evan was serious. During the weekdays, I don't get to do anything but train. I've fallen so many times during training to the point that I'm now accustomed to it. I remember Ben's words, telling me to take this very seriously and I could make a real career out of this. I'm still reeling over the kindness shown to me by Ben. I still help out a little with cleaning the rink on weekdays but not to Ben's knowledge.
Every day of training, I get an hour off to eat, do whatever to regain my strength and then come back for another series of torture. Was there a point in my life where I thought skating was lovely? I don't think so anymore. During my one-hour break, I've formed a ritual. I always eat at the bistro where I met, you know who and listen to music wondering where he is. Well, I guess that confirms the fact that he's not from around here.
I'm transported back to the here and now when Evan throws me a bottle of water and sends me off for my break. I catch it and thank him with a little smile. I start the walk to the bistro. I haven't been seeing much of my friends so I call Sonya to meet me at the bistro and to bring Mike.
While sitting and waiting for my friends, I took the liberty of ordering lunch for the three of us. Thankfully, I can pay for it. Although it will cut back my savings. I'm not complaining though. They've done quite a lot for me as friends. When I started working with Evan, Sonya got me a costume. A white shirt with cowboy details and a pair of fitted black pants. Nothing over the top but beautiful nonetheless. I think I cried a little.
[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 ❤]