Fire on Ice

Part 1

Nora POV

I sit back and stare at the money laid out on the counter and wonder how I'm going to get through the month. Rent, my bills, my mom's bills are all piling up and I don't know if I can make it. The sudden harsh ringing of the bell at the cashier brings me back to reality and I sigh, gearing up my fake smile.

"I'm coming!" I yell at the customer. The ringing is continuously obnoxious and I can tell whoever is ringing it is in a rush. I hurry to the front to get ready to take the customers' order and to try my best not to punch them in the face.

"What can I get for you today?" I say in my fake cheery customer service voice.

"Don't you have any other workers? Maybe ones that are actually ready to do their job promptly." he questions condescendingly. At the sound of a deep voice I quickly look up from under my work hat. I am met with an extremely good looking guy. Out of all the adjectives I could use to describe him the closest one would be 'perfect', but even that would be an understatement. My eyes trace his features from the top of his brown hair to his stormy gray eyes to his high and pronounced cheekbones. I catch myself mid act, embarrassed at myself for being able to admire someone's CHEEKBONES. And before I get to say anything, he beats me to it.

"Take a picture, it lasts longer." He says haughtily while smirking. I quickly collect myself, embarrassed that he obviously knows I was admiring his looks, and reply, "Not if I burn it afterwards".

He looks taken aback as if it's the first time anyone has ever talked back to him before smirking and saying, "I'll take coffee. Black."

I smile fakely, "Coming right up".

I go to make the coffee but I can feel him staring at me through the back of my skull. Finally fed up with his gaze, while the coffee is brewing I turn back to him and say, "take a picture it'll last longer."

He chuckles and says, "Maybe I will". I turn away flustered by his answer and try to act normal so as to not give him any satisfaction, and continue making the coffee. When the coffee is done, I hand him the cup and he says mockingly, "Thanks sweetheart." I scoff and curse him under my breath as he walks away, "Asshole."

After my shift is done I get on the bus that takes me to the skating rink. My shift ended at 2 and it's 2:34 right now. I haven't ice skated a lot lately. I managed to skate a bit during college by working at that rink but ever since I graduated and things got complicated with my mom I haven't been able to afford membership at another rink. When my childhood Coach found out through my mom he immediately came to me and offered a free membership at the rink he teaches in exchange for me joining his ice dance team.

The bus stops in front of the rink and I hop off and head to Coach's office. Just as I knock on the door, it swings open and I am faced with the asshole from earlier. As he looms over me without the barrier and protection of a counter I realize how tall he is compared to me. He has got to be at least over 6 feet. I swear this guy could actually be a model if he weren't such a broody asshole. He looks at me with a stone expression, "What the hell are you doing here?"

I look at Coach in confusion and he says in surprise, "You two already know each other?"

Before the asshole can say anything snarky I reply, "Sadly." He gives me one last look and brushes past me as Coach welcomes me into his office.

"Sorry about that Nora, Nikolas has a temper, but I'm sure you already knew that. Come in." He gestures towards his office and we both step in. Inside I notice a set of floral candles sitting in the corner and can't help but smile knowing that it was probably given to him by a lady..

"I actually just met him today at work. What is he doing here?"

"He is one of our best skaters, and since he just lost his partner and you're new to the team, I was thinking you could be his ice dance partner. Just for now." My stomach sinks to depths I never thought possible. What a nightmare it would be to be paired with him, not to mention awkward as I am almost 100% sure that man is incapable of showing any emotion, expression, or affection (which are all things needed when doing ice dance).