Elevator: Chance Encounter

Frozen Follies and Twirling Tales

Nya excitedly points out an outdoor skating rink and says, "Y/n, I remember you said you've never been ice skating, let's go!" Chuckling, I glance at the rink, sharing a knowing look with Lloyd, prompting an intrigued expression from Jay. "Sure, let's go," I agree. I recall Nya's tales of her ice skating experiences, finding them interesting. After getting skates in our sizes, we put them on. A shiver runs through me as memories of that exciting fall with Lloyd flash back. Tentatively, I step onto the rink, my legs a bit shaky, still not fully accustomed to the experience. Meanwhile, Nya glides confidently, and Jay, claiming to be a roller skate champion, tackles ice skating with ease.

Lloyd, behind me, teases, "Come on, slowpoke," which I don't appreciate. I retort, "I will take my time," crossing my arms and taking slow strides on the ice. Clearly impatient with my pace, Lloyd decides he's had enough and takes my hand, accelerating our speed. To my horror, I hold onto his hand even tighter and squeal as we zoom past Nya. Suddenly, Jay joins the race, speeding up behind us. Lloyd, catching onto Jay's antics, accelerates even more, taunting him with a confident, "You can't beat me, Jay!" I give Lloyd a wide-eyed look, torn between horror and amusement. "Your getting a little too cocky with me; this is only my second time ice skating," I exclaim. He looks at me, retorting, "Well, did you not say you were a pro before?" Clinging to his arm, I squeal, "I take it back, I take it back!" He laughs and slows down, saying, "That's what I thought, darling." I playfully hit his arm, muttering, "You're a damn fool, Lloyd," and he giggles, replying, "Only when I'm with you." His words and the look he gives me stir something inside me, making me feel a mix of delight and warmth.

Jay finally catches up, and so does Nya. She gives me a stunned look and says, "Y/n, for your first time, I'm amazed you even managed to stay upright with Lloyd's speed." I playfully respond, "Actually, it's now my second time; the first time, I was actually with him," giving Lloyd a pointed look. He proudly confirms, "Yep." Nya looks at me, then at him, and replies with a quiet, "Interesting..." Jay, not one to back down, screams out, "Race with me, Lloyd!" Lloyd gives a cocky look and says, "Nope, you lost; no takebacks." Jay wags a finger and warns, "I will remember this, Lloyd. Just remember that." Lloyd fires back with, "You go do that" I whisper a casual "Nahhh," thoroughly entertained by their banter.

As we continue skating, the atmosphere becomes lively with the laughter and joy of the crowd. Lloyd and Jay, caught up in their friendly competition, occasionally break into bursts of speed, showing off their skills. Nya and I skate together, sharing stories and laughter, enjoying the winter spectacle around us.

At one point, Nya suggests a game of ice tag, and soon enough, we find ourselves playfully chasing each other on the frozen surface. Lloyd and Jay join in, turning the rink into a joyful playground. The chilly air and the twinkling lights create a magical setting, and for a moment, all worries fade away.

As we skate, I can't help but notice Lloyd's skilful moves and the genuine smile on his face. The playful banter continues, making the experience even more enjoyable. The ice beneath us becomes a canvas for our laughter and shared moments, etching memories that will linger long after the winter festivities are over.

As Nya gracefully closed in on me, determined to tag me on the icy rink, I attempted a nimble escape. However, my limited experience with ice skating betrayed me, and I let out a startled yelp as Nya successfully caught up. Without missing a beat, she effortlessly glided away, leaving me in her laughter-filled wake.

Surveying the rink, my eyes locked onto Lloyd, who stood at a distance, a playful smirk playing on his lips as he observed the playful pursuit. An impish idea sparked in my mind. Gliding up to him, I teasingly remarked, "Navigating around Nya wasn't as easy as it seemed."

Lloyd, with a glint of amusement in his eyes, retorted, "You actually outskated her?" I shot him an offended look, dismissing his sarcastic tone with a dismissive tut. "I'm not that bad," I insisted, meeting his gaze with defiant determination.

He raised an eyebrow, maintaining his playful demeanour. "Sure you aren't," he quipped. Seizing the opportunity, I tapped him on the shoulder, declaring a triumphant "tag." Swiftly, I glided away, taunting him with a mockingly cheerful, "What were you saying?" The shock on Lloyd's face was priceless, and Jay, catching onto the theatrics, enthusiastically high-fived me.

Amid the laughter echoing around the rink, I couldn't help but revel in my moment of victory. Grinning, I remarked, "Thanks, got to do what you got to do." However, my triumph was short-lived as I felt an unexpected tap on my shoulder. Whirling around, I mentally cursed Jay for his unexpected collaboration with Lloyd. The two had pulled a fast one on me, seamlessly working together to turn the tables. Glancing at Lloyd's amused expression, I playfully grumbled, "You can't be serious right now." Unfazed, he responded with pride, "As serious as one can be."

I chuckle at Lloyd's response, realizing I've fallen victim to their teamwork. Jay laughs and says, "Teamwork makes the dream work!" Nya, who has now joined us, adds, "Looks like you got outplayed, Y/n."

Rolling my eyes, I admit defeat, "Fine, fine. You got me this time, but don't get too comfortable." Lloyd grins, "Challenge accepted. Let's see what other tricks you've got up your sleeve."

We continued our graceful glide across the ice, the brisk wind painting rosy hues on our cheeks. Laughter reverberated around the rink, creating a lively melody of joy that blended with the festive spirit. As we paused to savour the moment, I couldn't help but notice the increasing crowd, drawn to the enchanting allure of the outdoor skating rink.

Once again, Lloyd and I found ourselves skating in tandem, a delightful coincidence that brought a smile to my face. Suddenly, he uttered, "Stop there real quick, Y/n." Confused, I obliged, watching as he gracefully bent down to tie my laces. The simple, thoughtful gesture filled my heart with warmth, appreciating the tenderness in his actions. Mumbling to himself, "Wouldn't want you to fall," he straightened up, and I couldn't help but express my gratitude with the sweetest smile, secretly cherishing the desire to shower him with affection. We resumed our skating, Lloyd skilfully gliding backward, facing me as I moved toward him.

Amidst our shared joy, I overheard laughter from a group of guys behind me. Lloyd's gaze momentarily hardened, his protective instincts kicking in. The source of his concern seemed to be behind me, and although I saw nothing amiss, I trusted his instincts. The laughter escalated, and suddenly, a playful push redirected me into Lloyd's secure embrace. We both laughed at the unexpected manoeuvre, but Lloyd's attention remained divided between our amusement and the group behind me.

Curiosity piqued, he inquired, "Do you know that guy...?" I turned to look behind me, assuming he referred to the one who playfully pushed me. However, the distance made it challenging to discern details. Responding with a puzzled expression, I admitted, "I'm not too sure?" The mystery lingered as we continued to skate.

I trailed Lloyd's line of sight, noticing his persistent glances behind me. Deciding to ease his concerns, I gently cupped his face, turning it toward me with soft reassurance. "Everything's okay, Lloyd. Just focus on me; we're all right." His stern gaze softened, surrendering to my gaze with puppy-like features. A hint of guilt played on his expression, and he mumbled a quiet "okay."

Squeezing his cheek affectionately, I added, "Good," prompting a smile as we engaged in a playful struggle that ended in laughter. Our close proximity led to an unexpected tumble onto the ice, our laughter echoing as our laughter-filled butts met the cold surface.

"Always causing me to trip," Lloyd teased, laughter still bubbling between us. I countered with a wink, saying, "What can I say? I guess you fell for me," eliciting another round of laughter. Lloyd jokingly remarked, "You're lucky Lloyd Jr isn't hearing this right now," prolonging the shared amusement. Rising to his feet, Lloyd extended his hand, which I accepted, cherishing the comforting familiarity of his touch. Skating hand in hand once more, it felt akin to dancing as we swirled around the rink's centre.

In a spontaneous move, Lloyd elevated our connection, spinning me gracefully. His hand settled on my lower back, culminating in a final pose. As he leaned in closer, my back arched with laughter. I looked up at him, catching his eyes fixed on mine, and for a fleeting moment, time stood still. The air grew thick with tension as I found myself captivated by the gaze that held a universe of unspoken words.