All The Way From Norway

Him and I

A few years ago

It was an odd experience to say the least, we didn't know anything about each other and nor did we want to - he was obnoxious and rude whereas I was ill experienced in being social with anyone close to my own age. Despite his coming to Norway, he made no effort to speak Norwegian so we found a middle ground in a mix of Russian and English even though both were poor...there was no way it would've worked if I hadn't had done what I did

"We would like the two of you to work together for the next competition, you two have been selected as pairs!" We simply glanced at each other as we stood on the ice before protesting to our coaches that we wouldn't do it.

"We are fully aware the both of you are single figure skaters but think of it as a trial run, ja? (Yes?)" For one, I'd never skated with someone else as he stated so it would take longer than we had and he didn't seem like the patient type which made my predicament all the more unnerving

"Jeg tror ikke jeg klarer dette, jeg beklager, men det er her jeg trekker linjen (I don't think I can do this, I'm sorry, but this is where I draw the line)" I started to skate towards the edge of the rink as the blonde boy yelled for some idea of what I said, my coach just stepped aside with a sad smile as his hopes died with my refusal - I'd accepted everything else so willingly but I could already feel neither of us could work together without aid

Later on, the Norwegian coach swung by my house and we conversed about the opportunity, but the way he explained it to me...made it seem like a much bigger opportunity than I realised, he too knew it was a long shot but he was willing to give it a go which meant I had to impersonate his hopes and dreams even if it meant jeopardising myself - if he thought there was a chance we could win then I would do everything in my power to prove him right!

A few days went by and as much as I wanted to work with the Russian skater, the feeling wasn't mutual so I spent most of it practicing on my own even if I occasionally caught him staring, he was always so serious like no one would allow him to be any other way? Was he coach really so strict? Or was that just how things were in Russia?

The next day
"Anita, hvorfor viser du ham ikke rundt i Oslo? (Anita, why don't you show him around Oslo?)" it wasn't a request a skater expected from her coach but I was more than willing to comply, I'd grown up here so that meant I'd have a more personal experience than a tour guide although I didn't know as many facts or history details.

So that's what we did. However every local landmark I could think of, turned into a rush of spiteful insults I'd laugh off, even the krumkake I bought! But what was the point in both of us being negative? He was doing a pretty great job for the both of us!

Despite all of his harsh exterior - he had good intentions even if he was just defensive. He was what, 10? 12? In another country with a foreign language all on his own except for his coach, I'd be nervous too so what could I do?

"It is pretty silly isn't it? I guess they weren't thinking of that when it was built. What's Russia like?" The expression on his face was priceless, he seemed so shocked that I knew a language other than Norwegian. He was speechless for a few moments, so much that his soft side was showing even if it was quickly replaced with his scowl

"Y-you speak?! If you want to know so bad, why don't you go?!" All I did was stare off into the horizon swinging my legs, it was exactly what I expected - he wasn't quite ready to talk to me fully yet and that way okay! I bet, he just needed a little time "It's nice, I guess? Home. A little warmer...what is it, -9?!"

I giggled at his temperature guess, I supposed never noticed how cold it was compared to other places I'd been. We talked for a little with caution before discussing the pair skating situation then I walked him back to the rink while he dragged behind a little unsure of where to go. I'd met many fellow skaters through my years but him...

But I never forgot...