Skates & Cleats

1

Thirteen-year-old Travis Kelce stepped off the team bus in Pennsylvania, gripping his helmet tight as his cleats hit the asphalt. His team had traveled from Ohio for a big regional game, and though he was used to the routine of traveling for football, today felt different. Maybe it was the excitement of playing against one of the top teams, or maybe it was something else—something he couldn't quite explain.

As his teammates rushed toward the locker rooms to suit up, Travis lagged behind, his gaze wandering toward the ice rink next to the field. He could see someone gliding across the ice—a girl, skating alone with a grace and ease that seemed otherworldly. Her long blond hair trailed behind her, catching the light as she spun effortlessly.

For a moment, Travis forgot about the game. He watched the girl on the ice, mesmerized by the way she moved. She didn't seem to notice anyone else; it was like she existed in her own world, her skates cutting through the ice in perfect rhythm.

"Kelce! You coming or what?" Jason called from the field, snapping Travis out of his daze.

Travis blinked, shook his head, and jogged to catch up with his older brother, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the girl on the ice.

---

The game passed in a blur, with Travis making a few solid plays but unable to fully focus. His mind kept wandering back to the skater, and by the time the final whistle blew, his team had won, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

As his teammates celebrated, Travis glanced toward the ice rink. There she was again, standing by the side of the rink, lacing up her skates as if preparing to leave. He knew he had to talk to her—something inside him wouldn't let him walk away.

With his helmet still in hand, Travis approached her, nerves bubbling up as he got closer. She looked up just as he reached the edge of the rink, her blue eyes meeting his for the first time.

"Hey," Travis said, his voice a little shaky. "I saw you skating earlier. You're... really good."

The girl smiled, her cheeks flushed from the cold. "Thanks. I've been skating since I was five. It's kind of my thing."

"Yeah, I could tell," Travis replied, feeling awkward but determined to keep the conversation going. "I'm Travis, by the way. Travis Kelce."

"Taylor Swift," she introduced herself, her smile widening. "You play football, right? I saw part of the game."

"Yeah," Travis said, grinning. "We won, but... to be honest, I couldn't stop thinking about your skating."

Taylor's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Really? You were distracted by figure skating during your game?"

Travis shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, well, you're kind of hard to miss."

Taylor blushed, her smile softening. "Thanks. I guess that's a compliment."

"It is," Travis said quickly. He hesitated for a moment, then plunged ahead, his heart pounding. "I was wondering if... maybe you'd want to hang out sometime? Like, outside of skating or football."

Taylor looked at him, a bit surprised, but then she smiled again, this time more playfully. "Hang out, huh? What do you have in mind, football star?"

Travis felt a surge of confidence. "I don't know, we could go get ice cream or something. I mean, if you're allowed to hang out with a football player."

Taylor laughed, a sound that made Travis's stomach flip. "Ice cream sounds fun. But... I'd have to sneak out for that. My parents are pretty strict."

"Really?" Travis raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You'd sneak out to meet me?"

Taylor shrugged, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Maybe."

---

That night, Travis couldn't stop thinking about Taylor. They had exchanged phone numbers before parting ways, and now he lay in his hotel bed, staring at his phone, debating whether to text her. He knew her parents were strict, but part of him wanted to see her again before he left Pennsylvania.

Finally, he gave in, typing out a quick message: *"So... still up for that ice cream? ;)"*

He hit send before he could second-guess himself, and within minutes, his phone buzzed with a reply: *"Meet me by the ice rink in an hour. But you can't tell anyone."*

Travis grinned, excitement bubbling up. He quickly dressed in something more casual, grabbed his wallet, and snuck out of the hotel, slipping past his coach and teammates without a sound.

---

Taylor tugged her hoodie tighter around her as she carefully crept down the stairs of her family's house. The creaky floorboards threatened to give her away, but she moved quietly, slipping past her parents' room and out the front door.

Her heart raced as she hurried toward the ice rink, her skates slung over her shoulder. She knew her parents would be furious if they found out she'd snuck out, but the idea of seeing Travis again—this football player who seemed so different from anyone she knew—was too tempting to resist.

By the time she reached the ice rink, Travis was already there, leaning against the side of the rink, looking nervous and excited all at once.

"You made it," he said, grinning as she approached.

"Yeah, but we have to be quick," Taylor said, her eyes darting around. "If my parents find out I'm not at home, I'm grounded for life."

Travis laughed, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Alright, then let's make the most of it."

They walked together to a nearby ice cream shop, keeping their voices low as they chatted about their lives—football, skating, school, and everything in between. Travis couldn't believe how easy it was to talk to her. She wasn't just pretty and talented—she was funny, smart, and had a passion for her sport that mirrored his own love for football.

After they got their ice cream, they found a quiet bench near the rink to sit and talk, the cold night air nipping at their cheeks but neither of them caring.

"You know, I've never snuck out before," Taylor admitted, her breath visible in the chilly air. "But tonight... it felt worth it."

Travis looked at her, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "I've never met anyone like you before. I mean, I've seen plenty of girls at football games, but you... you're different."

Taylor blushed, smiling softly. "Different good, I hope?"

"Definitely good," Travis said. He hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "So, do you think... we could maybe hang out again sometime? Like, when we're not sneaking around?"

Taylor bit her lip, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. "I think I'd like that. But you'll have to work around my skating schedule."

Travis laughed, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. "Deal."

---

They finished their ice cream and walked back to the ice rink, neither wanting the night to end. As they reached the spot where they'd first met, Taylor glanced at the time and sighed.

"I should get home before my parents notice," she said reluctantly.

"Yeah," Travis agreed, though he wished he could spend more time with her. "But I'll call you when I get back to Ohio."

"Promise?" she asked, her voice soft.

"Promise," he said, meaning every word.

Before she turned to leave, Taylor hesitated, then leaned in and gave Travis a quick kiss on the cheek. It was quick, innocent, but it sent a jolt of electricity through him.

"Goodnight, Travis," she whispered, her cheeks flushed as she hurried off into the night.

Travis stood there, stunned and grinning like an idiot as he watched her disappear into the shadows.

He couldn't wait to see her again.