Fire on Ice

Part 13

Nora's POV

"It's gonna be great!" Coach says to me in an enthusiastic tone that I know he is exaggerating for my benefit. It's my second week of recovery from my fall and this week the doctor approved for me to go on the ice, so I came to the rink get started skating again. When I got here, Coach pulled me into his office to talk about my partner changing for what feels like the millionth time. 

"Nikolas is one of the most skilled skaters we have here and I know that you two will be a great team." Coach is desperately trying to get me to see the bright side in this situation, but honestly at this point I just need a partner.

"Look, you don't have to convince me, I just need to get back to skating" I respond to him.

Coach nods, "I think Nikolas will be here soon so why don't you get on the ice and start stretching. Remember this week you still have to take it easy. There's no point in trying to jump back in when you're not ready."

I nod in agreement but there is still one thing that has been bothering me since I left the hospital.

I hesitate before asking, "Coach?"

"Mhm?"

"What happened to Kevin?" I don't know how he is going to act around me and to be completely honest, I am a little worried about seeing him again.

Coach gets a look on his face that is stern but is still understanding, "I kicked him out of the gym. He won't be competing with our team anymore."

I breathe a sigh of relief before thanking him and leaving to go change.

Gigi is in there and she looks up at me when I walk in.

"Hey! I didn't know you'd be back today."

"Yeah, the doctor okay-ed me for skating on my second week so I'm trying to ease back into it."

"That's great! Take it slow though, there's no point-"

"Trying to jump back in when I'm not ready. I know, Coach just said the same thing two seconds ago." I laugh.

Her look of horror surprises me, "Am I turning into a forty year old man!?" I laugh harder and say, "Unfortunately." We continue talking for a few more minutes while I finish changing when the front door to the rink bursts open. Even though the door to the locker room is closed, we can still hear Nikolas' voice yelling loud and clear.

"I don't give a shit! I paid for the shipment to come in last week and they are still not here!" I turn to Gigi, "What is he talking about?" She just shrugs, not giving anything away. His yelling subsides as he walks into the boys locker room and Gigi and I walk out of ours. We part ways at the entrance to the rink, but not before she says, "Good luck, seems like he's in a bad mood."

I get onto the ice and start stretching, but the pain in my back is still heavily apparent. I keep trying to ease the muscles and am still doing so when Nikolas storms out of the locker room; it seems like that is the only way he knows how to enter a room. He sits down to tie his skates with a heavy-set scowl on his face and I brace myself for our session.

Considering I haven't spoken to Nikolas since the hospital I am not really sure where we stand, I decide to skate over to the edge where he is to break the ice.

"Hey!" I manage. Nikolas looks up at me and goes right back to tying his skates. Flustered by his response, I try again, "Is everything okay?"

He doesn't even look up when he answers, "Everything's fine." He gets up and steps onto the ice and finally makes eye contact with me. His eyes are cold and distant and I realize I'm looking at the same Nikolas that I first met, not the caring Nikolas that was by my side during the entire Kevin ordeal.