"Ok Ally, we've know each other for a long time, right?"
"Mhmm."
"So you trust me, right?"
"I guess."
"..."
Arnold and Ally sat on the train going home. Ally was staring off into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.
"Ok, so listen to me explain the whole situation-"
"So is Carl single?"
"..."
She was nice and kind to everyone, due to her overly optimistic nature. But she also projected that onto others, and always had a hard time seeing the bad in people. Combine that with a surprisingly impulsive personality, and Arnold knew this was a recipe for disaster.
"He's gay actually." This was the quickest way to stop this disaster train in its tracks.
"Oh... " Ally looked dejected. "Well, that can't be helped..."
"Anyways," said Arnold quickly, changing subjects. "Do you still want to stop by the rink?"
"Oh! Yeah, I do." Ally brightened up. "Let's go."
A new ice skating rink had just opened up in their neighborhood a few weeks ago. Arnold loved to skate and Ally was excited to finally learn how to skate from him.
Time to show off my skills and impress her.
After buying tickets and switching into ice skates, the two approached the rink.
"Let me test the ice first," said Arnold.
Ally nodded, letting Arnold step onto the rink first. The ice was smooth, recently paved. Arnold swiftly skated a lap, elegantly gliding across the ice. He returned to where Ally was waiting and she clapped.
"You're really good." Ally smiled warmly.
Arnold scratched the back of his head and blushed. "Did you remember what I told you earlier? Turn one skate sideways to brake. Start off real slow. Take two quick steps and try to use that momentum to glide a little. Hold onto the rail for now until you're more comfortable."
"O-okay," Ally clutched the guard rail as she stepped onto the ice.
Her legs wobbled a little, but she found her balance quickly. She started taking little steps, making her way slowly across the perimeter of the rink, one hand on the rail.
"You're doing great," said Arnold.
"Yeah! This is kinda fun," Ally replied, gaining confidence.
"Do you want to go towards the middle?"
"I think I still need the rail..."
"Take my hands. I won't let you fall," Arnold faced Ally and extended his hand towards her.
Ally locked eyes with Arnold for a moment, and then she said softly, "alright. I trust you."
Whoa, wait, isn't this kind of a romantic moment?
Her hand reached for Arnold's, but just before their fingers touched, a loud voice yelled, "WATCH OUT!" from behind them.
Before Arnold knew what had happened, he was lying sprawled on his back on the ice, and someone's heavy body was on top of him. The person quickly scrambled off of Arnold, while apologizing profusely.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I was going too fast and lost control." Arnold looked up to see that it was a young kid that had crashed into him.
"It's fine..." Arnold tried to get up but a sharp pain ran down his right leg.
Shit.
Despite the pain, however, Arnold was more worried about something else. Or rather, someone else. He raised his head and looked around for Ally.
"Ally, are you okay, where are you-"
"Ahhh!" Her high pitched shreek coming from behind him instantly sent Arnold into a panic.
Arnold whipped his head around, and was saw that Ally was being embraced in the arms of a tall, well-built Mexican teenager. Arnold could tell from his face that he was probably only a year or two older than them. The boy turned Ally around in his arms and inspected her.
"Estás herido?" He asked, his face full of concern.
"Ah, thank you for catching me. I don't speak Spanish, do you speak-" Ally realized she was holding on to the man's well-built chest, and she also realized just then how muscular he was, even though he was wearing a thick penguin-decorated sweater. Her hands couldn't help but squeeze slightly, and she couldn't help but to utter, "oh my."
The boy didn't seem to notice what Ally just did. "Uh, no hablo ingles."
"What's your name?" Ally looked into the boy's eyes. "Do you know what name means?"
"Name? Uh... oh, name. Pedro. Me llamo Pedro."
"Pedro..." Ally started twirling her hair with one finger.
Ally pointed at herself. "Ally. I'm Ally."
"Ally. Ok. Encantado de conocerte, Ally." The man saw that she was fine, and took a step back.
Ally reluctantly parted from him, her hands still lingering in the air towards him. "Thank you for saving me."
"Me alegra que estes bien. Ya nos veremos," the main said, and with a wave of his hand he glided away.
Ally stared at his broad shoulders as he left. She suddenly realized she had forgotten about something.
"Oh! Arnold. There you are. Are you okay? You're okay, right?"
"...Yeah." Arnold nodded weakly. The pain in his leg had subsided and he was able to stand back up now.
"I was so worried about you. Thank god you're ok."
Arnold:
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"You know what, Arnold?" said Ally, grinning from ear to ear. "...I think I'm over Carl already."
