Memories

Chapter Seven

Tonight was the first day for competition. I was in the locker room, staring at my long sleeved dress. It was navy blue with bright sparkling diamonds on the collar and towards the hem at the bottom. The tights were sheer nude with sparkles on them, tanning my legs up a little more than they were.

My hair was sprayed into a tight formal bun. My instructor helped zip my dress up, my fingers sliding into the silk built in gloves. I tied my skates up, taking deep breaths.

I can do this.

"Just remember..." My instructor's voice was in my head, along with the music starting.

My body fell into the beginning position, 'Skyfall' playing. My eyes closed as I felt the spotlights turn on. Goosebumps entering my body.

"Express everything you fucking feel..."

My eyes opened as I started skating around the rink. Spotlights warming my body with every turn and jump. My arms moving around as I smile towards the enormous crowd, then turning serious at major turning points. My body moved fluidly with every beat, every second to my performance. The crowd clapped at major jumping points and my longest spin on my toe.

I held my skate out and spinned till I couldn't see straight, but being dizzy didn't matter, it looked flawless with the song my instructor picked. My head felt light, I could see my mother in the crowd, crying tears of joy. My eyes threatened to tear up, but I couldn't have that yet.

My arms lifted into the air, slowly lifting down as the music went to an end. My arms crossed as a knee was in the ice, holding myself to look like the emotion of the song. Confused and excited, with sadness within.

The crowd boomed with applause and whistles. A few tears filled my eyes as I stood up. My hands clasped together while I bowed to every angle of the crowd. A tear escaped as the judges showed straight 10 points. I hugged myself as I bowed towards them. Sending kisses to every single person watching. No one stopped their applause, not until I left the rink and into the locker room.

I smiled to myself, laughing a few times before sitting on the bench in front of my locker. More tears cascading down my face. This was a memorable moment, but I wanted my father to witness this moment with me. To tell me he's proud of me. To actually pay attention to me doing great things in life.

But he made his mind up a long time ago.

I slipped my skates off, wrapping my ankle with tape. These jumps were going to give me a sprain one day. My white little heels are not doing the greatest job of covering the tape, but hey it's fine.

I walked out with a limp, duffle bag resting on my hip. My mom was turned towards the rink, not facing me, but she was talking to someone. I squinted as I walked towards her to see who she could be talking to.

My eyes widened at the sight.

He was here, no actuators in sight, not shirtless. His hair looked washed, his skin clean, he looked good. Octavius looked like he actually took care of himself for once.

When I reached them both, my mother burst into tears as she embraced me tightly. "Oh honey, I am so proud of you. You had the crowd's heart tonight."

I giggled as I wiped her tears away with my glove, "I know mom. Thank you." I hugged her once again before pulling away to ask how the hell these two met.

My mom took my bag as I turned towards Octavius. My face heating up as I made eye contact with him. He wore a black turtleneck with his slacks and leather coat. He smelled like cigars, aftershave, and cologne and it intoxicated me. His smirk was bigger than before, his eyes observing my whole figure in this new wardrobe.