Promises || Road To Nationals

|18| Provincials (Part 2): Kai

Kai's POV: 

   I don't remember much about my first time on skates. I was really young. Maybe four or five years old. All I can recall is the feeling I had. If I could skate for the first time over and over again, I would. I think it was the first time I felt anything more than contentment; ever since, I've loved skating more than anything in the world. 

   I would take the world's most awful life if it meant I could skate forever. Wheals or blades, I couldn't care less. I want to feel free. Like a kid, playing around in a vast forest, without an adult in sight. 

   When I get to race a strong opponent, that forest expands to heights I could never even imagine on my own. It's like they draw you in. There's something almost poetic about giving it your all against someone you aren't supposed to beat. 

   "HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM ABOUT THIS?!" Dre screams in my ear. That ringing noise isn't going to go away anytime soon. 

   "I don't see why you're so worried," I say, leaning against the grey wall. I look out into the food court to see people from all teams engaging in conversations. The thing about speed skating is we all know each other. Well, unless you're new. But there aren't many of us, so it isn't hard to make connections throughout different teams. Races are great experiences for most skaters because they get to see their friends from other teams and intermix. Although, for those of us that aren't great with these kinds of things, races can get a little overwhelming. 

   I watch as Emi pulls Jordan along, bumping into a few tables on their way to get food, earning some irritated glances. 

   A smile rests on my lips. 

   Jordan's always been good at getting along with people. She has this air of confidence and approachability. People are drawn to her. But I'm the opposite. No one ever comes up just to start a friendly conversation. Even Jordan kept her distance from me for years.

   "I'm worried because Mr. Junior-Olympic-Small-Dicked-Bitch is gonna wipe the floor with you! YOU SHOULD BE PANICKING!" 

   Sometimes I wonder how I managed to hang around this guy for so long. I should get a trophy for best patience. 

   I sigh, taking my eyes off Jordan's smiley figure and crossing my arms over my chest, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. But the excitement outweighs all of that. It's been a while since I raced someone that's gone to the Olympics." 

   "...You really are a different bread of weird." 

   "Coming from you, that stings." 

   "Hey!" 

   This is a learning opportunity. It's harder to get on the Canadian Olympic and World teams than in America. They skate on a completely different level here. I can finally see how I measure up with a great skater on the ice. 

   An arm snakes around my neck, and I'm pulled from my thoughts into a warm body. Too bad Dre's here too. The whiff of strawberry shampoo and vanilla perfume nearly makes me fall to the ground.

   "S'up, whores," Jordan exclaims with a toothy grin. That last heat really did put her in a good mood. I missed seeing this side of her. 

   "Yo, Jordan! My homegirl!" Dre wraps his arm around her while I stay frozen in place. I want to touch her. So badly. But it's just too much. If I do, I might hold on for too long. 

   "Hehe," she chuckles, "Your heats are coming up soon. Good luck, you two," she says in the awkward freshman huddle. I refuse to let Dre touch me. He tries to put his arm on my shoulder, but I slap it away.