Of Angels and Phantoms

Chapter 18-Watching Her

EYYY I'M BACK

sorry I missed last week hahaha I was in Bangkok visiting my buddy heh. Anyway I'm still deciding on how to make up for last Friday so drop suggestions in my inbox (double chapter week? Special chapter? Requests? idk up to y'all) :3 and yeah here's chapter 18 hola

—-

"What are you doing here?"

"Eh?"

June shot me a disdainful look and got up, swatting the ice off her tights before skating away.

"Wait-!" I called out to her before I could think of what to say. Crap.

She glanced at me for a second before rolling her eyes, looking away, resuming her practice. I stood silently, watching her as she attempted a second jump. Crash. Her focus was barely there anymore, as she frustratedly got up, making another futile attempt.

"Stop."

June looked up, glaring at me.

"What." Her tone was icy, obviously still mad at me.

"You're going to hurt yourself if you continue-"

"Why do you even care? Am I not trying hard enough-"

"June, look...I..." I sighed softly. "I'm sorry I said that."

"...Leave."

"Huh?"

"Don't disturb me when I'm practicing."

"Oh..." I nodded. For a moment, I felt her gaze softening, but June turned away sharply as I took a step back.

"Will you be there for practice later?" I asked hesitantly. She tensed up for a moment but did not reply me, returning to her practice. I sighed and left the rink, with 4 hours left to burn.

I ruined everything...

—- —-

"Are you serious? So she really is training..." Javi muttered in astonishment. "But- 4am?"

I nodded. "When I was there, she was already practicing..." I sighed. "And I said that June wasn't..."

"No wonder she's mad."

"Yeah."

"But it's not really safe, a girl alone before dawn..." Javi mumbled, crossing his arms. "How long has she been practicing like this?"

"I don't know..." I shrugged. Wait.

I blinked, recalling something. "I saw June very early...here. During Skate Canada."

"Ah, that day when Coach drove us there?"

"Yup." I nodded quickly, my jaw falling as the realization hit me.

"It's been more than two months..." Javi shook his head in disbelief. "Didn't Coach know about this?"

I shook my head and shrugged. Javi brushed his hands into his hair, still looking shocked.

"Why won't she practise with us? I'm going to ask her-"

"Wait!" I quickly stopped Javi, grabbing his arm. "June...get angry later." I looked down, my eyes shifting away.

He paused for a while as he processed his thoughts, nodding slowly as June emerged from the corridor, quickly turning away as she saw me with Javi.

"Yeah. But..."

"Eh?"

"I gotta see this for myself."

"Huh?"