dancing in the stars (ballerina x singer wlw romance)

chapter forty-five

SUMMER

"Have you told them yet?" my sister hands me the sodas before she takes the snacks in her hands, thanking the boy behind the counter as she does.

I snort. "Sure. They're so calm and normal about it because I told them." I roll my eyes, keeping my head on the floor as I try not to trip on my own feet and trying not to collide with anyone.

"Why haven't you?"

I look up to find Aurora's blue eyes already on me, I give her a small shrug. "Haven't talk to... her about it, I wanna make sure she's okay with it before I even say anything."

Her brows raise, blue eyes narrowed to me. "Our moms weren't born yesterday, Sunny. They already know something's going on between you two."

"And they won't say anything until I'm ready to tell them, Ro." I sigh. "Don't say anything, okay? Just act normal."

Aurora nods, pressing her lips together as we continue walking down the stairs of the stadium, until we reach the first row reserved for families and friends. We walked down this aisle more times than I can count, my first time probably being when I was three, I can't tell you a thing from that day but the internet surely can. But instead of being here ready to watch my Mom on the ice, we're here for Lucas.
Everyone's here, including my girlfriend and her friends, sitting in the front row of the Arena where my Mom and Aunt played many times before. The place is packed for being a friendly game between different universities, but I do know important people are here, watching the players for the next draft— so this game is important to Lucas, and we're all here to support him.
I find my seat between Willow and Mila, in the second row. My girlfriend's never been to a hockey game before, and it's adorable seeing her so fucking lost. Her brows are furrowed as she scans the entire place with curious big green eyes. Beautiful.
My moms, uncles, and family are in the row in front of us while the second is filled with my friends—and Willow's– so my family can't possible see us behind them, and they're all too worried and excited about Luke's game to even look back at me.

"Brought you a drink," I tell my girl in almost a whisper, the place is too loud for her to hear but somehow she does. "How are you feeling?"

Willow's green eyes shoot up at me, shining brightly and clear as the ice in front of us. "So confused." her nose wrinkles. "Why do they look like they're fucking the ice?"

A loud laugh leaves my mouth, throwing my head back as I do. "They're warming up, lo– Willow." my cheeks go red for her, but if someone asks it's thanks to the cold in the Arena.

Willow tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear, her long waves fall down her back and I wish to run my fingers through it. "Why would they warm up like... that?" she cringes, shaking her head at the boys in front of us, who in fact look like they're fucking the ice. I laugh again.

"Part of the game." I shrug. "Are you cold?"

"I'm okay." my girlfriend says, and I try to believe her.

This is her first time in a hockey game, and I know it can be cold for some people— We are all used to this by now, but Willow is not. That's why I brought another winter jacket for her, that I have in the car, but I will not tell her that— at least not until she tells me she's cold.
Aurora starts handing the snacks to us, and gives me a bag of chips that I intend to keep. The game doesn't start for another ten minutes, so we're all just waiting now.

Trying not to hold Willow's hand in a crowded room is more difficult than I thought it would be. We find each other's eyes a lot of times, I space out of my conversations because I can't stop staring at her— pretending is not easy for me, not when I want to tell everyone I am hers and she's mine, but I will always respect her time.
I want to think she feels the same because she keeps her hands busy, holding her drink or eating something— or even just with her phone, trying to engage conversation with Maya and Josie as well as my own friends, her eyes move to find mine to give me sweet and soft smiles that I want to erase with my mouth on her. But I can't. Ugh.