Tough Luck

Practise.

Inside edge, outside edge. As my blade punctures the ice beneath me, I am up floating in the air. 1 , 2, 3 revs. "I got this" I think positively as i get ready for my descent, but in a split second I can feel my self leaning to my side. "Shoot" is my last thought as I brace my self for the fall.
Bang!
The sound echoes through the almost empty rink.
"You almost had that one!" Nam says as he skates towards me and helps me up . " thanks... I really want to get my triple flip mastered before sectionals " I say sadly.
" you'll land it soon, I know it." Said another familiar voice behind me.
I shrug " Good morning Javi"
"Morni-" Javier is then interrupted.
" Hey! Less yapping, more skating!" Brian yells as he walks into the rink.
"Yes, coach.." We mutter simultaneously.
I skate off, mentally preparing myself for my next attempt at the triple flip. I try a few doubles and then once again get ready for the jump.
Inside, outside edge, jump ... Bang!
"Ugh"
I try once more - Thump!'Same result.
I keep on attempting it for what seems like forever. As I sit on the ice frustrated, I'm called over by Brian.
" Hey kiddo, you've almost got that flip down.You just need to master your air position and your landing will come."
" thanks coach" I let out what seemed to be the millionth sigh.
"You've been working hard on getting your flip down these past couple weeks, I'll let you take the rest of the day off. But be sure to work even harder tomorrow morning!"
" Really?! Thanks coach!" I exclaim as I happily skip to the dressing room.
I love figure skating (it's basically my life) but sometimes I just need a moment to relax and reflect on my jumps. Coach knows me too well.

" wow, coach actually gave you time off?" Nam says as he bursts through the door.
" and it's almost time for sectionals too!" Javier says, as he follows behind.
" just cause I got time off, doesn't mean you guys should be slacking off too!"
I reply slightly annoyed.
" I think we work hard enough to deserve a water break" Nam replies back.
I roll my eyes at his childish tone.
"...woahhhhhh" we hear Javi say to himself as he stares at the tiny screen in his hands.
" you guys gotta see this!" He tells us with an amazed tone, not taking his eyes of his phone.
We quickly rush to his side and gather around him, curious to see what he is 'awe'ing about.
"It's this kid from Japan, his name is Yuzuru Hanyu... I think" he tells us the details about the young lanky boy skating gracefully around the ice.
" woah, did you guys see that quad toe?!" Nam exclaims.
" Ow! Can you please not yell right into my ear." I say , extremely annoyed.
Javier, ignoring our bickering continues on about him " I overheard coach talking about him, he supposedly is coming to our rink to train with us"
"Really, I wonder if I can get his autograph. Ooh or maybe we can become the best of friends" Nam says clearly happy about the situation.
I on other hand- not so much. "That's great for coach, but doesn't he already have his hands full with us? Whatever..." I say under my breath. I quickly finish packing up my skates and walk out the door.
As I walk to my car I spot my mom, at the front of the arena, dropping off my younger sister - who too, has a passion for figure skating. I ignore them and drive myself back home and finish my homework before having a snack. After finishing everything I needed to do, I decide to relax and browse the web. My mind instantly thinks of the Japanese skater who supposedly will be skating at our rink. My hands quickly type him in the search bar as I recall his name.
I click and watch his '2012 Romeo and Juliet' routine. He was landing jump after jump. " wow..." I stared at my computer in amazement. But out of nowhere he trips and falls on his foot work. "Ouch" I cringe , almost physically feeling the pain he must of felt. But the boy , Yuzuru , continues on as if nothing has happened, and executes every jump and spin perfectly. As I wait for his program score, I hear the door open and immediately put my laptop away.
" Lilly you have to hear the news I heard today!" my younger sister's voice exclaims from the hall way. Confused, I can't help but be curious of what her news could possibly be.
She usually only likes talking to me when it's about skating. Usually she stays, locked up in her room listening to music and watching YouTube videos. Because of our age differences we don't like talking to each other that much- she being 10 and I 16.
"What is it?"
" Guess who is joining team Orser next week!" She squeals excitedly.
Oh no! I totally forgot she has a super crush on Yuzuru. I think I have a clue on where this conversation is going...
"YUZURU HANYU!" She says answering her own question.
"That's cool, I guess" I say not interested in the information that I have already known.
"How do you know anyways?" I ask suspiciously.
"I over heard the other girls talking about it"
" of course... The gossip girls" I reply understandingly.
The Gossip Girls ~ the group of skaters who only come skating to gossip and talk. (I think every club has one.)
---
As the day ends, I end up falling asleep to the thoughts of the Japanese skater, that everyone seems to be obsessing over.
Little did I know that in the future- I myself would be head over heals for him.