Bambi

2

The school day had finally ended and she was so excited to spend all her time at her favorite place in the entire world, the skating rink. She ran through the lot to get to her grandfather's car, as soon as she saw it it was like the world melted away. She hopped in the front seat without a second glance at the huge school building.

"How was your day today princess?"

"Not bad actually, no one really bothered me today."

"Oh, well that's good." He said with a smile

In all honesty, he wasn't very happy that she didn't have any friends, and he didn't like that the few people she did know at school were rude to her. But, he could never tell his beloved grandaughter that he felt this way. She hated feelings and confrontation, this could not be said out loud or she would start to disappear.

As they pulled up to the house she began to get more and more excited for that night. She threw the door open and ran straight through the living room to the small hall leading to the stairs to her bedroom. Jumping down all the steps she felt so relieved it was Friday and she had no homework that night. She went to her room and picked out a small cross-body black cropped tank top, and a pair of ripped skinny jeans. She put on little makeup that included mascara, concealer, and tinted chapstick. Tying her hair into a slick-backed ponytail and grabbing her hoodie she ran back upstairs to her mom.

    "I'm ready, are we getting food on the way?" She questioned her mom. "No I thought we could just stop by somewhere on the way back since we're a little late." She thought about this for a second, it didn't seem like there would be a big problem with it but something didn't sit right with her about the thought. "Ok that makes sense, I'm gonna grab something small before we leave then" the Left Twix looked really tempting, she plucked it off the shelf and undid the wrapper to see the delicious food in front of her. Hearing her mom call her name from the door she shoved the yummy food into her mouth and ran to the door.

    The drive was short and the chocolate was good but she was still soooooo excited. As they pulled up to the building she put on her mask and hopped out of the car. "Do you want some money for food?" Her mother called from the car window. "No I'm ok, I brought $10 but I don't even think I'll end up using it" "Ok well have fun, I'll be here when you're done." Her mother waved as she turned to walk inside. The beautiful LEDs lit up the roller skating rink like a night club, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Nothing felt more natural than the feeling of being in the rink, skating.

     As she made her way back to her table with her skates in her hands she couldn't help but remember that there was a quiz due that night, "Forget it, I'll do it when I get home. It'll be ok" she reassured herself. She tied her skates then shook her hands and legs getting ready to skate.

     She started to skate around the rink, the LEDs looked beautiful at night when the were lights turned off. The polished floors under her skates made her feel like she was flying. The world around her started to disappear as she forgot all her problems, however this quickly ended when she collided with another man in front of her.

     He seemed to be in his mid twenties and obviously didn't know how to skate. He tried to help her up while apologizing but that didn't end well for either of them... she fell again, and again, and again. "I'm fine, really" she blurted out now irritated and trying not to hurt his feelings. She sat there for a moment as she calmed down, "Here, let me help" she heard from behind her as she felt arms pick her up. "I'm ok, really. You don't ha-" she stopped, as she turned around in their arms she was met with a pair of beautiful eyes. They were weirdly pretty for a guy. She began to notice things, his red shirt that fell just below his belt, the many rings on his fingers, even how strong his arms were to be lifting her up. However on thought kept coming back, how was he doing all this while on skates? Not only was he now attractive and mysterious but she also felt a level of respect for him.

    "Are you ok now?" He asked, she realized he was still holding her and she pushed his arms off gently and fixed her ponytail. "Yeah I'm good now, thank you." She tried to smile but remembered she was wearing a mask, "Ok well try to be more careful and stay out of trouble." He laughed. He finally brushed off his pants skates off the rink after waving goodbye.

    She had been coming here for so long and never once saw him. He was new. Who was he? Where did he come from? All these questions and she had no answers, she had to know.