Frozen Heart

Prologue ~ "No Son of Mine"

Nik

This wasn't going to be a good day.

"Hurry up honey, we need to hurry." Mom insists, helping me pack my hockey gear back into my bag.

It's been the same routine for over three weeks now, rushing to the rink outside of my skating practices with dad and playing hockey with our local league. Dad thinks mom takes me to a workout class three times a week to get stronger for the figure skating season. 

I hate figure skating, and dad doesn't seem to think I'm any good at it either. Everyday I'm teased at school for doing something 'for girls' and I can't take it anymore. I begged mom to take me out of it, but there was one problem, my dad couldn't find out. So three times a week, mom keeps all of my gear in the trunk until the next day when dad is at work, then she washes it and returns it to the safety of the car. 

I've been skating for years, but I'm just not good at this fancy type of skating dad wants me to do. I want to play with my friends, not have three hour long practices and ballet training. I'm sick of nights on the rink and vibrant costumes, I just want to do what I want.

"Are you dressed?" Mom asks and I nod, standing up from the bench. She picks up my bag and I stop an look around the room at all of the dads high-fiving their kids. Most of these kids had both of their parents here to watch them play. "Let's go." She encourages and I nod.

"Anya." The coach says as soon as we step out of the change room. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" He asks and she presses her lips together.

"I'm in a hurry today, perhaps next time?" She asks, giving my hand a squeeze.

"It'll only take a moment, it's important." He insists and she nods, walking me over with her. "Nik's made a tremendous amount of progress over the last few weeks, we're playing a game this weekend and I'd like him to come and join the starting line-up."

I immediately smile at mom feeling excited, I'd been waiting to really play in a game and have my chance. I knew I was getting better at this and my coach was noticing it.

"Oh well, that's very nice-"

"I want to play." I insist, tugging on her hand. "Please, please." I ask and she sighs, looking conflicted.

"When is the competition?" She asks and he smiles.

"On Saturday morning." He says and she shakes her head.

"Nik can't he has a different commitment." Mom says and I huff, knowing she's talking about my stupid practice with dad. "I thought Nik was just supposed to learn for the next month." She says in a lower voice.

"With all due respect Miss Petrov, your son is incredibly gifted. It's rare that we see kids start as late as him and have this much natural skill." He whispers and I perk up. She seems impressed by that statement. "We'd like to see how he does in a real game." Mom sighs and looks down at me. She kneels down in front of me and puts her hands on my shoulders softly.

"Do you want to play on Saturday?" She asks and I nod, feeling hopeful.

"Yes." I answer and she sighs.

"Do you like this better than figure skating?" She whispers and I nod.

"I do, please mom, this is what I want to do and coach wants to play me." I beg and she sighs with a reluctant nod.

"You can't keep doing both so I need an answer now, hockey or figure skating?" She asks and I swallow the lump in my throat. Dad and I skated together, if I outright quit what would that do to him and I? But I know she's right, I need to pick.