Oakley [ON HOLD]

10

"Ok so now just kind of glide, right to me" he says.

He took me to a small ice skating rink by the edge of town after we finished at the coffee shop, but let me clarify I have never ice skated before.

So since I first stepped out I haven't let go of the rail but now he's told me to do this.

"Ahh no, no I'm good" I say nervously.

"Oakley, you'll be fine alright, and if you fall I'll try to catch you. I promise" he says trying to ease my anxiousness.

I nod my head slightly before my hand leaves the rail, I push off with one foot and begin to glide forward, my eyes focused on my feet.

I look up nervously to see him smiling at me as his hands are reached outward for me to grab once I reach him.

But then my balance wavers, my feet slipping as I start to fall backward.

I clamped my eyes shut preparing to hit the ice but felt large warm arms wrap tightly around my waist, turning me before I land on top of a warm body instead of the cold ice.

My eyes flew open to meet his.

God they're so pretty.

Brown with green and gold springing from the iris.

Our noses were merely touching, his cheeks a cute tint of pink as my hands connect with his shoulders.

His hand leaves my waist, wrapping around the nape of my neck, a warm contrast against my cold skin.

He pushes back a strand of hair before resting his thumb against my cheekbone and tracing back and forth.

My breath hitches at the action and our closeness.

His fingers tighten around my waist as his hand pulls me closer to him by my neck.

The air around us seems to slightly buzz as my eyes find his lips, slightly pinker from the coldness of the rink.

Pulling me closer, our lips brush against each others.

"Hey, you guys ought to get off the ice. We close in a few minutes" a heightened voice yells from a little ways away.

We quickly pull away from each other.

Oh my god was I.. was I about to kiss him.

I could have ruined him, my reputation can ruin him.

I cleared my throat awkwardly before pulling away, my thoughts roaming at the possibility of what could have happened.

I quickly stand up wavering, he quickly follows my actions and reaches out his arm to help me steady.

I nervously look up at him, the tips of his ears dusted in blush but his eyes calm as he offers help.

My fingers wrap securely around his forearm as a small smile forms on my lips in thanks.

We slowly skate to the entrance and leave the ice, sitting down to untie our skates as he quickly bends down and tips my heel. His fingers threading through the laces and untying them as a blush spreads across my cheeks at his action, a small smirk playing across his lips while he still looks at the skate.

♡♡♡

He pushes open the large oak doors, leading me in and out of the cold, once we got back it was near midnight as we took a longer trail back to the academy. We didn't talk much as we walked, but we did so comfortably, just listening to everything around us.

The academy was cold and dark in everyone's absence, a nice contrast to how it usually was.

"We should head to bed" he murmurs as we continued to walk toward our corridor, our arms brushing each others.

I nodded my head slightly before we reached my door.

"Abel" I murmured as he began to turn away after standing for a second.

He turns back to meet my gaze.

"Thank you for today.. I've never done that before. Any of that really and I really enjoyed doing it with you. So thank you" I said softly.

"Of course, I'm glad you let me take you to do it. I'll do anything you'd like just let me know. Well uh goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow then" he replied, his smile widening and dimples deepening.

I smiled and whispered a goodnight before opening my door and closing it.

Walking over to my bed, my back hit the soft cushioning as I fell onto it. My eyes closed as I let out a huff.

My phone dinged from beside me as I slightly groaned and looked toward it.

Clicking on a news alert a picture of Donna and Reed were featured beside a singular picture of myself, the title 'Oakley Arison, cello prodigy showcasing a disappearing act at tonight's annual marketing event.' in red and bold letters.

My phone rings immediately, Reeds name showing on the screen.

**Oakley in normal, Reed in italicized**

"Hello"

"Oakley, I'd like to think your aware of the news articles just printed"

"Yes I've seen it"

"Great, Donna and I would like to think that you'll keep your mouth shut. We don't need you speaking up and causing commotion on why you didn't return to New York for the event" he says, his voice deepening and seeming darker with his words.

"You'd be thinking correct, I won't speak out until I'm back in New York for Christmas"

"Good"

The line dies as he ends the call quickly after getting his warning across.

See this is what I mean, how could I possibly even risk bringing Abel into my mess. His name would be splashed across tabloids the second he's seen with me and from what I've seen he's to good for that. He wouldn't deserve it.