The Day She Let Go | ✔️

• to skate •

The class of thirty arrived at the ice rink. Almost everybody was captivated by how beautiful it way. The track encircled a huge Neptune fountain and Christmas songs were playing in the background.

"It's beautiful," Alyssa smiled. She loved Christmas.

William hadn't talked to her since their conversation earlier but even he paused to respond to her, "It is, isn't it?"

She nodded, vaguely listening to the teachers give instructions for them to meet back there in two hours.

"Come on them! Lets get the penguins before they all go," Jason shouted gesturing at us. Alyssa still felt embarrassed about what happened earlier and felt like she was being constantly judged by William. She wanted to rectify it but she didn't know how. And what was the worst was that the more she thought about it, the more she realised that it was probably for the best. 

When she looked at William with a sideways glance as subtly as she could, she found that he wasn't looking at her but instead fully focused on putting his ice skates on. Her eyes moved to Brianna who was suspiciously quiet.

"You alright?" Alyssa asked her and Brianna weakly nodded. Alyssa asked what was wrong.
Brianna's eyebrows were crumpled, "I've never been ice skating."

Alyssa was a little been shocked as she'd never picked up on this earlier. "Oh, I promise you it's not that hard. I'll get you a penguin." She nodded reassuringly at Brianna squeezing her hand.

Jacob shot her an odd look, "What happened?"

Brianna explained to him that she was a bit scared. Alyssa's watched at Jace's eyes lit up as he locked eyes with Alyssa. "Oh, that's fine. Will's an expert. Will! Come here!"

Alyssa shook her head to herself. Perhaps Jacob was going to be more help than she thought. Brianna flushed a bit, looking at Alyssa for help but she replied with a smug smile.

Will returned with Jacob, both of them talking amiably. "Brie! Jace was saying you've never skated before?"

Brianna nodded, "Yeah, I never really thought to." Alyssa studied the two of them intently as he offered to teach her before guiding her onto the ice.

She watched them entranced as he skated on the ice to grab a penguin before gliding back towards Brianna. She wobbled on the ice a little, but Will quickly clasped her petite hand in his, supporting her. They both laughed, when Will said something before inching forward again.

"Aren't you going to join them?" a voice asked beside her. She snuggled into her dark green scarf a little bit more in the bitter cold. She had found that that shade of green suited her brown hair a lot.
She nodded at him, "Yeah, sure. You coming?"

For the rest of her time at the rink, Alyssa tried her best to keep as far away as possible ensuring that she wasn't making it obvious. Every once in a while she'd check how she was doing before skating away again.

"It's working!" Jace whispered to Alyssa like an excited kid, making her laugh. Brianna was doing pretty well right now and was far away from the sides on the rink, with Will beside her.
"Yes it is-"
Jacob interrupted her, "But are you ready for the finale?"

Before Alyssa could question what he was planning, he zoomed away towards Will and Brianna. Oh god, what's he doing now?
As he passed them, he gently pushed Brianna forward towards Will. She lost her balance falling towards him as Alyssa gasped.

What was Jacob thinking?

Was he planning on murdering her?

Just then, William snaked his hand around her waist, stopping her from falling over. She was tilted back with one hand wrapped around the nape of his neck and on of his, holding her back.

It was an iconic move. Almost movie-like.

Jacob returned beside her, arrogantly praising how clever he was. She chuckled but her eyes found their way to the scene unfolding before her.

Alyssa gulped at she watched them lean closer towards each other.

She would never know that Will paused for a second to think about Alyssa. He turned his head slightly, only to see Alyssa and Jacob standing beside each other, laughing. It hurt him.

A lot.

Without thinking, he closed the gap.