The evening stars

The first kiss

They continued to sit in the car, lost in their thoughts. Soft music played quietly in the background from the radio, but the silence between them was much louder.

— Do you want me to take you home? — Alex asked, trying to ease the tension a bit.

— I don't want to go home, — Sophie replied, her voice sounding slightly quieter than usual.

— Alright, then where to? — his voice carried a readiness to support any decision she made.

— I want to go to the ice rink, — she said unexpectedly.

— To the ice rink? But it's already closed, — Alex looked at the clock, which showed a late hour.

Sophie smiled, recalling something warm from her past.

— The guard is an old acquaintance of mine. He has known me since I was a child going there. I often came to the rink after it closed, and he would secretly let me in, — Sophie laughed as she shared her little secret.

Alex watched her with interest. Her eyes were shining, and he saw before him not an adult woman, but that little girl who found happiness on the ice rink.

— Wow, you are full of surprises, Sof, — Alex replied, feeling his heart start to race.

Alex started the car, and they slowly left the parking lot. The streets of nighttime Chicago were almost empty, with only the occasional car passing by, casting the headlights' glow on the wet asphalt. Sophie was telling him where to turn, her voice sounding soft and confident, while Alex listened attentively, trying not to miss a single instruction.

— Turn left here, — Sophie said, pointing at the intersection.

Alex turned, following her words. In the car, a pleasant silence reigned, interrupted only by the steady purr of the engine and the sounds of the night city. He felt her presence nearby, her light scent of perfume, and it made him feel a little warmer.

— How long have you been figure skating? — he asked, to keep the conversation going.

— Since childhood, — Sophie replied. — My mom took me to the ice rink when I was five years old. At first, it was just a hobby, but then it became something more. This has always helped me cope with stress and find balance.

— I understand, — said Alex. — Each of us has our own ways of escaping reality.

— Yes, probably, — Sophie smiled. — Turn right here, and just a little further straight, we're almost there.

Alex nodded and turned as she said. After a few minutes, they stopped in front of a small building with a sign that read "Ice Rink." Alex turned off the engine and looked at Sophie. She seemed excited and calm at the same time.

— Are you ready? — he asked, smiling slightly.

— Yes, — Sophie nodded, opening the car door.

The rink was immersed in semi-darkness, illuminated only by a few dim bulbs along the walls. The air was cool, and the soft sound of drops falling from the roof echoed through the empty space. An elderly man, Mr. Evans, stood at the entrance, holding a bunch of keys in his hands. His face lit up with a warm smile when he saw Sophie.

— Good evening, Mr. Evans, — Sophie said, stepping closer. Her voice had a warm tone, as if she were meeting an old friend.

— Sophie, you haven't come this late in a long time, — he said, his voice full of anxiety, but also of joy. — Are you not alone today?

Sophie blushed slightly and nodded towards Alex, who was standing a little behind, feeling a bit awkward.

— Yes, but I hope this will be our secret too, — she replied with a sweet smile, winking at Mr. Evans.

An elderly man laughed, his laughter echoing across the empty rink, creating an atmosphere of warmth and trust.

— Of course, Sophie. As always, your secret is safe. Enjoy your ride! I will be in the security room; if you need anything, just call me.

With these words, Mr. Evans stepped away, leaving Sophie and Alex alone. Sophie took Alex by the hand and led him to the ice rink, where the soft light reflected off the icy surface, creating the illusion of a fairytale landscape.

— Let's go, I'll show you how I relax my soul, — Sophie said, her voice full of tenderness and hidden excitement.

Sophie skipped towards the locker room, twirling and laughing like a little girl. Alex followed, smiling at her playfulness, savoring the moment of her joy. When they entered the locker room, Alex noticed a row of skates of various sizes and shapes on the shelves. Sophie reached for a pair in size 38 without hesitation and, taking them, turned to him.

— What's your shoe size? — she asked, nodding at the rows of skates.

— Forty-one, — Alex replied, looking around, still feeling a slight awkwardness from the unexpected adventure.

— Great, — Sophie said, feeling for a pair in the right size. — Can you lace up?

— No, this is my first time doing this, — he admitted, slightly embarrassed.

— Nothing to worry about, — Sophie encouraged, approaching him. — The main thing is to tie your shoelaces tightly. It is necessary for the lower leg to be well secured. This minimizes the risk of injury.

— I'm already scared, — Alex mumbled, looking at the skates as if they were something unfamiliar and frightening.