Tattered Beauty (Watty Awards 2011)

Chapter 10

 *I changed up the cover. What do you think of this one? I, personally, love it a lot more than the old one*

Chapter 10

            We were at the Metropolitan Entertainment Complex. It was a massive building with a small stadium, bowling alley, an arcade, and a roller skating rink. Even on a Wednesday night it was normally packed. The kicker was that it was completely empty. Not a person in sight. “How’d you do this?” I gaped.

            “I rented out the entire complex for the night. I told you I would make private arrangements! I think this is as private as it gets for people like me.” Daniel explained. “I saw you skating the first time we met, so I thought I’d take you somewhere safe to do it.”

            How cute that he actually remembered. Well, I doubted he forgot. But at least he was considerate enough; remembering how we met and bringing it up had its own air of romance. “You get to skate with me though. I’m not allowing you to stand here and watch me.”

            A sheepish look came over Daniel’s face. “I’ve never been skating before.”

            My jaw dropped. “Oh my gosh, I’ll teach you! Let’s go!” Despite his nervous protests I took him by the hand to the skate rental. As previously stated, there were no people in the complex—including the staff. So I climbed over the counter to get the skates. “What size?” I asked him.

            “Thirteen.” He answered.

            “Geez, big foot!” I teased. The bigger skates were at the top of the rack where my short height of five foot four couldn’t reach. I jumped and flailed my arms pathetically. “They must have a giant working over here.” I complained.

            Daniel sniggered. “Look who’s laughing now!” But, still, he slid over the counter after me and took hold of my waist. “Up we go!” He lifted me into the air with ease. He was much stronger than he looked. I grabbed the skates. Daniel dropped me, making me shriek. He caught me, of course, but it scared the crap out of me.

            He laughed hysterically as he set me back on solid ground. “You, sir, are a brat!” I yelled, hitting him.

            “You’re cute when you’re angry.” He smiled. A look of innocence passed over his angelic face. How could anyone ever be angry with this guy? He was like a puppy! No matter what they did, you would always end up snuggling them and forgetting about the problem in the end.  God I wished I had that kind of allure.

            After we laced up our skates I drug him out onto the floor. It was oval shaped and had handrails all the way around the edge. Scuffs and scratches coated the floor, results from people’s wipeouts and skating failures. Daniel, I’m sure, wasn’t reassured by these marks. He was probably thinking about him falling on his face, breaking his perfectly straight nose, and adding another imperfection to the floor.

            Speaking of Daniel, he looked utterly ridiculous. His knees were bent so much that he was squatting and his arms were stretched out in front of him. How he managed to stay on his feet, I couldn’t tell you. I chuckled, unable to help it. “What?” He demanded. His sudden self-consciousness surprised me. You would think someone that gorgeous and privileged would be the most confident person in the world. Obviously, that was not always the case.

            I rolled over beside him. “You look silly; straighten your legs.” I said. He overdid it, making his legs straight as sticks. I leaned over to position him. I felt a little awkward touching him, but he didn’t stop me. And feeling up his thighs, arms, and stomach (which, by the way, were very nice) was alright with me any time. “Use your arms to keep your balance.” I told him.