Fire on Ice

Part 12

Nikolas' POV

"Bye Nora"

I shut her room door softly and quickly leave the hospital because I need to get out of here. Once I get into my car, Coach calls me.

"Hello?" I ask as I start up the ignition to my car and start driving.

"Hey, how is she doing?" Obviously referring to Nora.

"She's doing fine. The nurse just gave her medicine and she will probably be released tomorrow."

He breathes a sigh of relief, "Thank god, the fall really scared me."

I'm not sure what to say, "Uh yeah, it was pretty bad."

Coach seems hesitant to say what he wants to so I prompt him, "Yes?"

After a few seconds he finally says, "You know, I really didn't expect you to be so worried. You took really good care of her."

Now I really don't know what to say. I know I shouldn't get attached to her because it won't end well. I haven't spoken for a few minutes so Coach asks, "Nikolas? You still there?"

I clear my throat, "Yeah, yeah. Look I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow at the rink."

He sighs again as if expecting this answer, "Yeah okay, drive safe."

I hang up the call and think about what he said. I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling but I've never felt this way about a girl before. I don't like it. I feel like I have no control over my own feelings. Even though we've only known each other for such a short time, she takes over my thoughts, and that's the last thing I need right now. If somehow our relationship does become anything more, I would only end up hurting her.

The only relationship I've seen is with my parents, and that was fucked up in more ways than I can count. Out of all the adjectives in the English dictionary, asshole wouldn't even do him justice. I would never do something as vile as what my father did, but for some reason it still bothers me.

I can't let anything happen between us. I have to keep a distance, which is going to be hard considering I just said yes to being Nora's ice dance partner. Coach did not seem the least bit surprised when I told him my decision. I was reluctant, but I don't want Nora to be put in the same position she was again with a partner like Kevin. I swear next time I see him he won't walk away unscathed.

I'll just have to be extra careful when I'm with Nora. I have to keep her at arm's length.

I arrive at my apartment 10 minutes later and make my way through the lobby and up to the top floor. I walk into my dark apartment and turn on the lights to be met with the city skyline of San Francisco, facing the Golden Gate Bridge. When I moved in I hired one of the best interior designers in the city. I wasn't really involved in the whole design process, but she did not disappoint. She focused on the color black and a minimalistic design, both things I love.

Tired from the extremely long day I've had, I have no trouble going straight to bed.

Nora's POV

I'm 3 days into the first week of doctor mandated bed rest from skating and I am dying. I haven't heard from Nikolas since he left the hospital. What's worse is that I don't know why it bothers me so much. Honestly I should have seen it coming, Nikolas is not the caring type. I think about what I could do, since I already went to the gym this morning and Georgia gave me the week off (with pay because she knows I need it).

I text Gigi asking her if she wants to go get ice cream or something because I am, and I quote "dying" of boredom. Thankfully she texts back a few minutes later with an "YES!."