Short Story Soup

You Spin Me Round

A/N - So this is another music challenge, this one from @Jo_Blackheart who originally wanted the FloRida version. But that one was pretty much just a guy going to the strip club, and there is enough of that already. Anyway, this is the original, and I want their hair, so screw it, this is the one we're doing. 

***

Taniuchi walked confidently into the skating rink, her black hair in a ponytail bouncing along behind her. She was dressed in simple attire, just black yoga pants and a light blue sweatshirt, and kept her skate bag slung over her shoulder. There was a large hallway that led to the three different rinks, and she headed for the one all the way on the left, finding an older woman standing at the rail watching a single skater out on the ice.

"Hey Deb," the younger girl stated as she joined her at the rail. The girl on the ice was younger still than Taniuchi and glided effortlessly along the smooth surface of the ice to the beat of some pretty music. She noticed that she only attempted a few simple single flip jumps, nothing too difficult, and then continued. She was truly graceful though, her body and hands worked perfectly with her expression to deliver a routine that was moving to watch.

The older woman grunted at the newcomer. "Glad you made it Tani. What do you think of her?"

Tani took her time answering, not wanting to rush to any judgment. "She's a beautiful skater. Moves well to the music, deep sense of timing and tempo, but no degree of difficulty."

"Not now, no. She was the alternate for the 2018 team, but never went. Trained her heart out after that, had really gotten stronger. She was the best in the states two years ago, would have been a medal contender, but tore her ACL trying to be the first woman to land a quad," Deb explained.

"She landed a quad?" Tani was astounded.

"She landed it, right into a groove on the ice that twisted her knee on the landing. She has been rehabbing nonstop since then but had a setback about 8 months ago when her girlfriend broke up with her. I guess she didn't like the long rehab hours. After that she pushed herself too hard and pulled her hamstring."

Tani nodded softly. She was beginning to see why she was here. "What was her name again?"

"Sophie Bauer."

"How old is she?"

"She's 19. Everyone thinks she will be too old for the next Olympics, but she'll work her ass off to try and get there." Deb looked over at Tano, seeing her deep in thought. "She's never had anyone inspire her to get better. I'm hoping you can."

"Is she worth the effort?" Tani inquired.

"If she hadn't hurt herself, she could have won gold this year. I know it is a stretch to say the same in 4 years, but she wants to try. And Tani, she's my niece, I have to try for her too."

"How long do you have the rink for?" Tani wondered, never taking her eyes off Sophie. Deb had helped Tani a great deal without charging a thing back when she had first started figure skating, and she couldn't say no to her.

Deb checked her watch. "4 more hours."

Tani nodded once. "I'll get my skates on."

She walked quickly to the changing room, finding an empty locker, and stuffing her shoes in. She wasn't planning to do a ton today but wanted to be prepared to demonstrate a few things if she needed to. Minutes later she slipped past Deb and onto the ice. She stayed clear of Sophie, not wanting to alarm her, but hoped that she'd be noticed before too long. Her wish was granted, as Sophie hadn't been quite as lost in the music as she appeared, and she slowed down before slowly making her way over to Tani, her eyes taking her in as if trying to determine who she was.