On Thin Ice

The Last Resort

The brisk, invigorating Colorado air danced through the sky as Allison arrived at the rink, anticipation tingling in the atmosphere. She was there to meet with Amanda, her coach, to discuss the upcoming season. Amanda, standing at the rink's entrance, greeted Allison with a mixture of hope and apprehension, understanding the weight of the conversation ahead. Allison's face broke into a warm smile as she approached Amanda, and they shared an affectionate hug, their bond as skater and coach going beyond the ice.

"Good morning," Allison greeted, her voice infused with a touch of nervous excitement. Her concern for her injured partner, Jackson, weighed heavily on her mind.

"How's Jackson holding up?" Amanda inquired, sensing the emotional burden Allison carried.

Allison took a deep breath before responding, her eyes reflecting her deep concern. "He's doing as well as can be expected. He's pretty disheartened about the situation, but he's been incredibly supportive. He doesn't want me to give up on the season just because of his injury," she admitted, her voice tinged with determination.

Amanda nodded in understanding, appreciating Jackson's resilience and the strength of the team's camaraderie. "Well, hear me out," she began, her tone serious, "I've found a replacement, though it was truly a last resort. I understand it's not the ideal solution, but we have to make it work."

As they entered the rink, Allison's eyes fell upon the unexpected figure of Danny, who was lounging on a bench. Her immediate reaction was visceral. "Absolutely not," she exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration, "there's no way I'm doing this season with him."

Amanda had anticipated this reaction and braced herself. "It's the only option we have, sweetheart," she replied gently, the weight of their predicament hanging in the air.

Danny, who had been observing the tense exchange, couldn't help but interject with a touch of cynicism. "Look, I don't want to be here either, but it's the only choice I have. So, let's cut the small talk and get right into this routine, okay?" he retorted, his annoyance palpable as he effortlessly glided out onto the ice.

Amanda sighed, shaking her head at Danny's apparent lack of cooperation. Allison, still stunned by the turn of events, stared off into space, grappling with the reality of having to skate alongside someone she deemed an "asshole."

"Danny, you'll need to learn the basics and spinning, which I'm sure you've never done," Amanda began, trying to establish some semblance of order, "Allison and I will guide you through this. The season is practically upon us, so we'll have to fast-track your training. Please, pay attention and learn quickly."

As Amanda laced up her own skates and joined them on the ice, the trio stood at the crossroads of a challenging journey. Allison who is already not feeling the move of adding Danny rolls her eyes as they all three stand in the middle of the rink. "Now Danny this isn't anything like hockey, it isn't a rough sport with hard cuts all the time. It is a elegant and smooth transitional sport."

"Whatever lets get this show on the road so I can go back to my room," says Danny as Allison rolls her eyes again at his selfishness.

Under Amanda's patient and persistent guidance, Danny embarked on a challenging journey of learning the intricate motions and basics of figure skating. It was an uphill battle from the start, and Danny's struggles were evident to everyone present. Amanda, with her extensive coaching experience, took the lead in helping him master the fundamentals, but it was no easy task.

As Danny stumbled and faltered, finding himself more often on the ice than on his feet, Allison couldn't help but crack a faint, almost imperceptible smile. It was not only that she enjoyed watching Danny's occasional tumbles, but rather the novelty of seeing someone who had previously exhibited such arrogance humbled by the sport. It was a reminder that figure skating was indeed a demanding and unforgiving discipline, regardless of one's previous bravado.