Infinite Voyage

How things have changed

My breath appeared in front of me as I stepped into the building. It much colder in here then outside. I tucked my hands into my coat's pockets in order to keep them warm. I really should've remembered to bring gloves at this point. Since I always come here after hours to pick Rex up after lessens. I sigh at my own stupidity as I walk up to the front desk. An alien woman sitting there lifting her dull gaze to mine. Lighting up when she saw it was me. Clearly having a thing for me. Probably why she'd let me in without a fuss. "Here to pick up your brother?" She forced a charming tone. "As usual." I merely nod. Wanted to make it clear I didn't want to be stopped. She didn't get the hint. "He's in rink four. Believe he's finishing up, so you won't have to wait long." She flashed a smile. "Thanks." I gave a tight smile in return and went on my way past the desk. Feeling her eyes on me the whole time. I shivered at the thought, or maybe it was because I was cold. Whichever it was, I kept on my way down the hallway. A few ice skaters walking past me as they came out of the bathrooms. Looking like they'd finished not that long ago. As I came up to the doors of the rink, I could hear a song being played loud over the speakers inside. The doors opened automatically as I got close enough, and another wave of cold air hit me. God, why did they have to keep it so cold in here. The music was much louder now as I stepped inside. Some kinda of catchy slow song. I walked around the rink as I looked out on the ice. "AGAIN. That one was sloppy Rex!" I heard a male voice echo over the music. I stopped as I saw my brother glided past me on the rink. He must've missed me, as he didn't even look my way. Taking deep breaths as he readied himself into starting position as the music started over again. Standing in the middle of the rink. He wore a black skin tight suit. With a single blue line going down the sides of his body and legs. He was much slimmer then I was, but that was the bod of a professional skater. He still looked good, not gonna lie. People don't realize how much strength you actually need to perform these dances. And Rex had that. You could see his muscles with that tight body suit. I blinked as he got into position, and he started the dance to the music. Going perfectly with the beat. Gliding on the ice like he totally owned it. His skate blades glowing as he cruised. Making him look like he was riding on ribbons of light. He turned backwards, and suddenly he was in the air. Doing a double spin and landing it on point. I rested my elbows on the rink's walls as I watched him. No matter how many times I watched him perform, I was always impressed. How well he adapted to this sport was crazy. But then again, we had a similar activity back home. I watched as my brother did another spin in the air. A triple spin. Landing it just like the first. Good. Just don't do a four spin. I warned him to not pull that crap again after he broke his ankle from attempting it. Just doesn't know when to stop pushing himself. Or his coach either. I narrowed my eyes as he glided backwards on the ice. Seeing him ready for another jump. Don't you dear do it. My gaze followed him up in the air. One, two, three, don't do four. God there he goes. I bit my lip as I watched him land it. Wobbly though. Almost loosing his balance. I sighed as I straightened myself. His coach applauding him. God, don't encourage him. Rex and I  finally locked eyes as he had a proud smile on his face. It dropping to a miserable one when he saw I was watching him. "Aight, that's enough for today Rex. Good job." My brother teared his eyes away from mine to look at his couch stopping the music. "Thanks, see you tomorrow." And I frowned as he skated over to me. "Tomorrow? Tomorrow is the weekend. Which you're supposed to have off." I'd immediately went into parent mode without realizing it. That was, until Rex said so. "Geez, nice to see you too mom." He said in a snarky way as he slicked back his black/blue glossy hair from his sweaty forehead. I sighed, regretting I just did that. I know he hated when I did, especially being he was older now. "Sorry. How was practice?" And he seemed to shrug it off. Looking out as other skaters came on the ice for their lessons now that he was finished. "Good. Coach has been a bit pushy lately, but that's only because the contest is coming up. He always gets like that. But hey, my spins went smoothly even with my leg swore this morning. I probably just needed to get moving again was all." I only nodded. Deciding not to push down what I was thinking. "Yeah I saw. You pulled a four spin." I frowned. To which caught his attention. "Oh please." He rolled his eyes at me as he started to skate along the wall to go to an opening. "I'm serious Rex," I say following right along with him on the outside of the wall. "You can't keep pulling stuff like that. You're seriously gonna hurt yourself. You're not ready." I back up as he steps off the ice. "Yes, I am." He said right up in my face. "You saw me land that. I am ready. Stop- freaking chaperoning me like you're dad!" I frowned down at him. I didn't mean to take up being the parent when we'd lost them, but it was just something that kinda, happened. And knew he hated every bit of it. "Rex..." I tried to start but he pushed past me. "Why are you even here? I told you I was gonna get a ride with some of my friends." Turning to follow him, he glared back at me as a strand of his hair fell in his face. "I wanted to talk to you about something." And he narrowed his eyes. Pointing a finger at me. "It better not be about that stupid TTSE again. As I've said before, I'm never joining your cracked up crew." And by my face, I knew he could tell that was what I was gonna say. "Oooooh my god." He says turning away to go to the locker rooms. The doors sliding open for the two of us as I'd followed him in. "Look it's different now. I'm about to finish my training and become first mate. So I just thought maybe you'd," Then he interrupted me as he grabbed a towel from a nearby droid. "I could work alongside you, and it would be so much different. Yeah well guess what, nothing is gonna change my mind. After what we went through no way am I doing space travel as MY JOB." He said as he dried his hair from the sweat. I sighed as he threw it at me. Scrambling to catch it, I watch as he sat down to unbuckle his skates. "I'm perfectly happy where I am. And with how things are going, things couldn't be better. Why are you trying to change that?" He glared up at me as he slid off his skates and put them in his duffel bag under the bench. "I'm not I'm just-" I try to start again but he stopped me. "Trying to watch over me like mom said to. Yeah, I know the bit Nick. But guess what? I'm not a little kid anymore. Time you realize it like everyone else." He said pulling his shirt over his head to change into a clean loose shirt. I only could stand there defeated as he slipped on his own shoes and put his duffel bag over his head. Completely ignoring me as some of his friends came in. Taking him away from me as they talked about plans for the evening. Walking past me like I was a ghost to leave the locker room. "See you tonight then." I say louder over my shoulder as I turn to face him. Making him look back and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, later Nick." Fidgeting with the towel he'd thrown at me, I watch as he leaves with his friends. The droid coming up beside me and gave a snarky whistle. "Shut it tin can." Throwing the towel at it like Rex had with me.