Ice Cold

𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥

Watching Lou and Jackson's performance is, by definition, pure torture. They have no grip on each other, so keep stumbling and tripping over their own feet. At first, they laugh it off, but they eventually become so out of pace with the music, they give up and stop thirty seconds early. We all awkwardly clap them off, me smiling at Lou, proud. At least they tried, right? Lou grimaces.

When Portia and Lucas come on, they whisper to one another, as though planning slightly ahead what they plan on doing. When Carla plays their music, however, it is an upbeat pop song, and it's obvious by the looks on their faces that it's taken them aback. They quickly jump to action and grasp each other. They both attempt to skate forward, straight into each other. Blake, still beside me, scoffs. I can't help but smile slightly, watching as they eventually get the hang of it. They pretty much just make their way around the rink, holding each other's hands. However, it's better than Lou and Jackson's performance. When they finish, they give us all a little bow. Lorri looks over the moon, and claps wildly.

"And, for our next act...April and Blake!"

Blake sighs heavily, skating past the exiting Portia, giving Lucas a high-five. Reluctantly, I follow, feeling as though I'm stuck in a nightmare. All eyes are on us as we position ourselves in the centre of the ice. Abruptly, his arms winds around my waist, and he pulls me close, murmuring into my ear.

"Follow my lead, yes?"

"Only for the ice time."

He levels his gaze with mine, and says nothing. I lift my arms to rest against his shoulders, and I wait. Then, the music starts. To my surprise, Carla plays 'Skyfall' by Adele, and I find myself smiling, because I love this song. Lou used it in a programme once, and I've loved it ever since. I glance over at her, but she's staring at Blake, who has begun to glide back from me, my hand slipping into his. He skates backwards, and I forwards. We remain a couple of feet away, and I watch his feet, timing my own steps with his. It's weird how quickly we sync with each other and the music, and even weirder how, when he moves to pull me closer, I comply. For the ice time.

He mouths one word at me, and I offer the slightest of nods that only he can pick up on. Then, we await the beat drop, and we skate closer and closer together, right up until he's close enough to place his hands upon my hips. And, just like that, he tightens his grip, and he lifts me, as though I weigh nothing. He spins me in his arms, and I try not to think how many girls he must've held like this, because I practically straddle him, his hands lowering to hold my thighs, keeping me up. We lock gazes, and, for just one moment, everything melts away. The music, the Coaches, my friends, the hockey team- gone. It's just me and him. Then, the moment fades, and he lowers me. We approach the end of the song, and his hand slips out of mine. He gives me space, and I throw my body into a scratch spin. I keep turning into the fading song, and everything is suddenly much dizzier than normal- much, much dizzier. I find myself slipping out of the spin. I gasp and prepare for a harsh impact onto the ice, but strong hands quickly grasp my torso. Blake's caught me, and it looks as though we've planned it. We remain there, panting for breath, the rink falling completely silent.

And then, everyone applauds. When I straighten myself up, I look over to Lorri, and he's offering me a knowing smile. I frown slightly, because he looks like he's plotting something. The hockey team whoops for Blake as he returns to where we were all standing before. I follow suit, yet stand beside Lou. She nudges me in the side.

"That was actually..quite good."

"What can I say? I'd dance with the devil himself if it means free ice time."

I speak, I glance over towards Blake, but his expression has gone stoic and blunt- it's much more like him, but something in me dislikes it. When I looked at him on the ice, there was something there that hadn't been there before, and now it wasn't going away. I purse my lips and instead turn my attention to where the next pair line up to perform.

A good twenty minutes later, all of the remaining performances are over. Florence and Jay finish up, and, admittedly, theirs wasn't bad- though, it wasn't exactly good either. Still, they make for good competition. Jay catches my eye as we all crowd in the middle of the rink to hear the names of the winners, and be smirks. I feel sick.

Lorri steps forward.

"You were all..certainly..creative dancers. Though, I think it is clear to us who our winners are this evening. Congratulations, Blake and April!"

He claps, and everyone else follows suit. I can't help the smile creeping against my lips, and I wrap an arm around Lou, who looks just as happy it was me than if she had won herself. Blake looks fairly pleased with himself, but he doesn't even look my way. Instead, he moves to stand with the rest of his team, who clap him on the back and congratulate him. The hockey coach now steps forward, hushing us.

"Alright, go home, all of you. Big day tomorrow, boys."

We all clutter our way off the rink, the boys shuttling themselves into their changing room. Four of the figure skaters go into the girl's changing room to 'freshen up', while myself and Lou sit at our usual bench to remove my skates. The girls will probably shower in there, but I prefer to use my shower at home- that way, I can blast music and provide my shampoo, conditioner and body wash the concert of their inanimate lives. Myself and Lou chat as we pack our skates away, mostly about the fact that there won't be training on tomorrow, because of the hockey game. It sucks, but it's the way it is. Suddenly, the changing room doors open, and Blake, Lucas and Tyler stroll out. Blake already has his airpods in, and ignores us as they walk by. Tyler, however, pauses to speak to us.

"Here-"

He holds two tickets out to us. I raise a brow.

"For tomorrow's game."

"Thanks."

Lou speaks before I can protest, and reaches out to take the tickets. Tyler grins, then jogs to catch up with his two friends. I don't miss the way Blake elbows his side, as though he's done something wrong. Lou speaks, amused.

"So much for that 'anti-figure skaters' rule, huh?"

"You don't say."