Fire on Ice

Part 8

The next week I am about to leave my apartment when I get a call from Coach.

"Hey I'm on my way right now. What's up?"

"Oh don't leave yet! Sorry, I completely forgot to tell you, but Sebastian and Gigi are competing today at States and we are all going to watch them."

I hesitate, "I don't have a way to get there. The bus fare is just too much."

"Psshh. Don't worry, Nikolas will drive you. He lives near you anyway."

"Uh, no. I'll just head to the rink and have a solo session. I don't want Nikolas to drive me."

"What? Why? Nora, you need a day off anyway. I already texted him and he's on his way."

"What the hell? Wait-" He's already hung up before I finish my sentence, so I have no choice but to wait for Nikolas to get here. I change out of my skating gear and grab my wallet, keys and phone.

A few minutes later his sleek Mercedes pulls up and I stomp down the stairs. Once I get in he says, "Seems like I'm your personal chauffeur now."

"Please, you're a last resort. I don't even know why I'm being forced to go to this."

"Coach thinks it's important to support one another, so every time there is a huge competition, the whole gym goes to watch."

"Oh, that's nice of him." Nikolas just shrugs and says nothing.

"How come you aren't competing?"

"I signed up for the solo roster too late, and I don't have a partner."

"So how are you planning on qualifying for the NIDC?" The NIDC competitors are really the best of the best, since in order to even qualify for the competition, you have to place in the top three in one of the qualifying events, which are spread throughout the year.

"At the next regionals".

I frown, "But that is in 2 months."

"Yeah, so?"

"Do you really think you'll be ready in 2 months for a competition?" I'm not sure where the attitude is coming from, but it feels right.

He frowns hard, "What are you implying? You haven't even seen me skate so where does your right to an opinion come from?"

I just shrug, reveling in the fact that he got riled up. "I don't know, it's a valid question."

He rolls his eyes, "Not one you're entitled to ask." I laugh a little at his annoyance and he gives me the silent treatment for the next few minutes.

Nikolas and I walk into the competition rink and find Coach on the bleachers.

"Hey guys!" He says excitedly. I greet him back and Nikolas simply nods and we sit down. None of us say a word, we simply look out at the pair of skaters on the rink right now.

"They are competing soon. You guys got here just in time." Coach adds before the three of us go back to sitting in awkward silence. Nikolas stands up abruptly and announces, "I'm going to buy some food. Do you guys want anything?" Coach and I both shake our heads and Nikolas makes his way down the bleachers and towards the concession stand.

I look over at coach and catch a worried expression on his face. "What's wrong?" I inquire. Coach looks at me surprised and embarrassed at being caught showing his worry and says, "Nothing really, it's just that Sebastian seemed really off when I was talking to him in the locker room," he pauses, "he seemed upset." A pain in my chest begins to grow as I keep looking at Coach: he always cares too much about us, he worries and nags like we are his own kids. "I'm sure Sebastian will do great. Gigi will be there to help him out." I say in an attempt to soothe his worry. He simply nods his head.

After a couple of minutes Nikolas comes back with a bag of popcorn and I suddenly regret not asking for some myself. Nikolas must see me eyeing his food because he gives me a glare, "No. I asked if you wanted anything and you explicitly said no." he practically scolds me. I glare at him and say nothing else. "Nikolas. Share." Coach scolds right back. I hold back a laugh at Coach's remark. He really is like a father. I can see it brings Nikolas physical pain to lean the bag of popcorn in my direction. I grab a couple and say, "thank you so much, Nikolas. So generous" sarcasm filling the air thick. Nikolas opens his mouth, but before he can say anything coach whisper yells excitedly, "They're up!"

Our attention is immediately turned to the rink where we see a fiery redhead and a blonde skating their way to the middle. They make a stop and get to their starting position as they wait for the music to start playing. Gigi and Sebastian are such strong skaters and they fit each other's style like puzzle pieces. Both have similar skating styles: one of fiery confidence and passion. Their moves and flow have gotten everyone mesmerized. Everything was perfect, until it wasn't. One second they were both winding up for their triple salchow and then the next Sebastian was on the floor. Everything goes silent as people gasp and the music is cut off, "SEBASTIAN!" Gigi's scream echoes throughout the building. She speeds over and falls to her knees as she leans over and grabs his face. At this point there are people running onto the ice and Coach is one of them. I look over to my side and see that his chair is empty, I look over to my other side to see Nikolas standing up, his expression stone cold.

Sebastian is rushed off to the hospital, Gigi next to him the entire time. Coach is on the phone with his mom and Nikolas and I are sitting waiting for more news. After what seems like forever Coach hangs up the phone and walks up to us, "He got a concussion. Seems like he hit his head pretty hard, but no broken bones, which is good. He is going to be okay." Coach sounds extremely relieved. My mind is racing and I am thankful that Sebastian is okay but I'm also worried about Gigi. This is a big setback for them in terms of qualifying for the NIDC. As my brain is doing backflips it suddenly lands on the realization that I no longer have a partner. 

Well shit.

                                                                             **************

I nervously shift around in Coach's office the next day as I wait for him to come back in from the restroom. I had caught him right as he was leaving his office so he just let me in and told me to wait a little. We both knew what needed to be talked about: my partner. After a couple more minutes Coach walks in and sits down with his signature smile. "Now Nora, I know that your partner is, well, unable to skate for the next few weeks, but you don't need to worry!"

He says visibly trying to ease my nerves but I can tell he's nervous himself, "Since Nikolas is still a work in progress on my part, I am partnering you with Kevin."

"I am sorry, but who is Kevin?" I ask.

"He is not as experienced as Nikolas or Sebastian, but he is the only other male available for a partner." he pauses, "I would be careful with the advanced moves though. Don't do anything that involves you being too high off the ice. Kevin is not experienced enough and we can't take any risks."

What? Stay away from advanced moves? How am I supposed to qualify for the NIDC if I can't do advanced moves?

Not wanting to seem ungrateful I say, "Okay, thanks. You know, for putting in all this work to make sure I have a partner."

"Pft. It's no problem." He says waving me away. "I believe Kevin is waiting for you out on the rink already. Go have some fun!"

I step onto the rink and look around and skate up to the only other person on the rink that is alone. "Are you Kevin?" I ask.

"Yes, I've been waiting for 10 minutes." He snaps. Honestly, he seems like an asshole, but hey who am I to judge a book by its cover. I mumble a sorry already not liking him. He is fairly tall, about 5'10 and has extremely blond hair that has unnecessary amounts of gel in it. He is good looking, but not nearly as good looking as Nikolas. Wait. Why am I comparing him to Nikolas?! What has gotten into me.

I shake it off and look back up to him, "Let's start then."

Author's Note:

Well that was a turn of events! We hope you guys are liking the story! 

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