The Beta and the Figure Skater

Chapter 14

 Leanna's POV:

 I don't know why, but I just couldn't help myself, I suppose. I just danced out my Swan Lake routine. I felt...almost at home. Almost complete as I preformed the routine. When I finished, I panted a little, memories flooding back to me. Memories of...when I used to skate...Memories of my last competition... I just sank to the ground as I broke out in tears. 

 "Leanna?" a voice startled me. I looked up to see Weston kneeling beside me. My eyes were wide as he looked at me with a small smile. He took me in his arms and I willingly cried on his shoulder. I thought I felt something, as we touched, but I didn't really know what it was I felt. I do know, that as he held me, I felt a little better. It felt so right. Being held by him.

 I finally sat up, wiping my eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see that..." I said softly.

 "It's fine." Weston replied, his arm still around me. I would never admit this to him, but I actually liked it. "What's wrong though? Why....Why were you crying?"

 I sighed heavily as I looked away from him. Part of me wanted to tell him. The other part didn't want to talk about it. But, I felt...like I could trust him. He's grown to be a good friend. "You saw me dancing...didn't you?" I asked, looking back at him.

 He hesitated a minute or two before finally nodding. "Yes...I did...And, I must say, you were amazing..."

 I smiled. "Thanks.." 

 "Are you a dancer or a skater or something? Those moves looked...too amazing for a beginner."

 I froze at his question. Well, if I didn't want to say anything before, I guess I have to now. Unless I really want to lie. Which, I don't, so....yea.

 I nodded slowly, looking away again. "Yes...I used to be a figure skater..." my voice was small and choked as memories came flooding back to me. No matter what I do, I just can't seem to get rid of them...And, of course, I can't get rid of the memory of my last competition!

 "'Used to be'? What do you mean? Why don't you do it anymore?" Weston asked. 

 "It's a long story, Weston..."

 "I have time." Weston replied with a shrug.

 I nodded, wondering if I could trust him....If I should tell him... "Alright...I'll tell you...But please, promise me you won't tell anyone?" I looked over at him once more.

 "I promise." I looked in his brown eyes. I could see he was being honest. Seeing his honesty, I decided to finally trust him.

 Weston's POV:

 I sat there beside her, my arm around her. I know I should be working, but I couldn't bear to see her so upset. I wanted to stay by her side and  comfort her. Ray would probably have my head, but I'd just figure this out later.

 She looked out at the horizon as she began her story. "I learned to skate when I was six years old...Skating was always fun for me. But, when I began learning to figure skate at twelve, skating became my life...I loved it and always felt at home on the ice...It always felt so amazing....My first skating competition, I skated to Swan Lake. I actually won third place. My parents were so proud...And I was proud of myself. See, I was a nervous wreck that day, so part of me was surprised I actually won. I won many other competitions after that. Third, second, and even first! Then, a few years ago, I um...I competed in sectionals. If I won first place, I would've gone to the nationals. But..."

 "But what?" I asked, gently encouraging her to continue. I could see the pain in her eyes.

 "I slipped during my performance...I got hurt pretty bad...The doctor said I might not be able to skate again...I-I never put on another pair of skates after that..." Leanna had tears streaming freely down her cheeks. "I just feel so...So empty without it...Skating was my whole world...My life...My parents were proud of me too...I've tried to forget about it, but I just can't....No matter what I do, I just can't forget about it...It feels like I'm just existing...Like, my life was taken away but I'm still here....I don't know what to do...Part of me wants to skate...The other part is so afraid..."

 I hugged her close as she began to cry once more. I always thought there was something about her...Something sad. Now, I understand. I never knew, however, until now, that she was, in a way, similar to me and what I've been going through. We're going through very different things, but, it feels like something is missing in my life. And she feels the same way. She's afraid, just as I am. She feels like her life was taken away...Like me...