Let's Get Ethan ✔

Chapter 10

Ethan got up, teetering slightly. He felt too tall as he stared down at his friends all eager to get their skates on. The skates fit well, if a little big. Ethan tied them up and sat down again refusing to take a chance and balance on his own. 

"How do they feel?" Olivia asked Ethan, her teeth grit as she pulled on the white laces of her skates. They were definitely more impressive than his. Streaks of pastel blue smeared delicately on either side of them. They were mostly white, but they kept their shine up well, not dull in the slightest. On the back of one of her skates was an expensive looking brand name Gracie plastered on a white leather patch.

"They feel good, just a bit wobbly on them," Ethan said flicking the wheels of the skates on the carpet carelessly.

As they made their way to the rink everyone was around Ethan pretending to barricade him in, which was both comforting and embarrassing. As soon as they made it to the rink all of them left Ethan to his own devices. He held the wall being the manly man he was. While clinging to the wooden frame of the rink he practiced a skating pattern that would surely rival your average toddler learning to skate. The floor moved precariously under Ethan as he picked up speed, not sure how to stop he mostly just banged into the wall until he came to a gradual and pitiful stop. Cheesy pop music played in the background and the entire rink was filled with multicolor lights and simple shapes, which moved quickly over the smooth brown surface of the rink. The lighting was dark but allowed for a translucent display of white. He looked down and admired his glowing tee shirt. The rink was empty except for a few kids and teenagers. Skating got easier as Ethan got into the groove of things. His friends skated together far in front of him and though he tried he couldn't keep up without the feeling of falling over.

Soon they noticed his obvious lack of skating ability and came up to him, surrounding him with smiles.

"Okay, Ethan looks like you've got it, now we are going to teach you how to stop. Uh, considering you won't let go of that wall," Aaron said observing Ethan's hand in a death grip.

"Right, that would be an important skill to learn first, so I don't plow over another skater," Ethan joked. They ignored him and began demonstrating their stops. Gradually, Ethan became aware of the movements to stop and he practiced on the entire rink feeling himself get used to stopping and starting. After a half hour of this, he had really gotten the hang of roller blading. It was fun.

The three of his friends he could now keep up with and soon the rink was becoming less of a chore and became quite enjoyable. His friends were good teachers, or so, he assumed, especially Aaron. Aaron skated backwards in front of the group, doing crisscross movements and showing off.

"Aaron's actually skated longer than anyone." James looked over at Aaron who just smiled.

"Show off!" Olivia yelled at him. She skated over to Aaron and began mirroring his movements.

"Right! Says the girl with professional roller blades," Aaron retorted, Olivia just kept skating, doing an effortless spin.

"It's worth it, try doing a spin in those, Aaron!" Olivia said, to which Aaron did a perfect spin, though not nearly as flawless as Olivia made it look.

"Fair point, Olivia." Aaron chuckled.

"Whatever, you know these skates are faster," Olivia challenged, to which Aaron raised an eyebrow.

"Is it time?" Aaron asked Olivia, Ethan still clueless to what was happening looked to James who was grinning ear to ear.

"Oh, it's time," James replied. Aaron, James, and Olivia all skated ahead getting in line together, talking amongst themselves, they stopped as James evened them out getting out of the way. Ethan heard the boom of James's voice over the music.