Breaking the Ice

9| Unexpected Chemistry

Aiden woke up early the next morning, the sun not yet peeking over the horizon. His mind was already racing, not with thoughts of his career or his recovery, but with the progress Andrea had made in practice. He'd seen a shift in her—something that went beyond just mastering her routine. She was starting to trust herself more, to believe in her abilities. It was subtle, but it was there, and it made him proud in a way he hadn't expected.

He lay in bed for a few moments, reflecting on her recent progress, before swinging his legs over the side and getting ready for the day. Pulling on a pair of well-worn dark jeans and a simple black Henley that fit snugly across his muscular frame, Aiden tried to shake off the thoughts swirling in his mind. He had always been focused, and driven, but lately, he found his thoughts drifting to Andrea, not just in a coach-student way. She intrigued him. There was something about her resilience, her quiet determination, and the way she carried herself despite the immense pressure weighing on her shoulders.

"Get it together," he muttered under his breath as he pulled his boots on. "She's your student. Keep it professional." 

But no matter how much he tried, he couldn't shake the image of her on the ice—graceful, yet vulnerable. Strong, yet still figuring out just how much strength she had.

Andrea arrived at the rink shortly after Aiden, her hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, and her skating outfit consisting of black leggings and a fitted, dark blue long-sleeved top that hugged her slim but athletic frame. She had that determined look in her eyes, the one Aiden had become familiar with, but today there was something different—she looked lighter, more confident. As she stepped onto the ice, she gave him a small nod.

"Ready?" he asked, walking over to the boards, his breath puffing in the cold air of the rink.

"Always," Andrea responded with a smirk. There was a flicker of amusement in her eyes, and it felt like the tension from previous days had finally started to melt away. Aiden couldn't help but smile back at her, sensing that today was going to be a good day.

As Andrea glided across the ice, she felt more in tune with her body, her confidence growing with every practiced move. The familiar, powerful beats of Singkil filled the rink, the music guiding her movements as she performed a flawless Triple Axel, followed by a clean Triple Flip + Triple Toe Loop combination. Aiden stood back, arms crossed, watching her closely. She was strong, her jumps sharp, but more than anything, she was beginning to own the ice.

Aiden's mind drifted to their earlier conversation about her long program. He remembered how Andrea had explained the significance of each dance—Singkil, a regal and dramatic dance representing a princess navigating through challenges, was the foundation of her routine. As the music transitioned to the upbeat rhythm of Tinikling, Andrea's footwork mirrored the intricate, quick movements between imaginary bamboo poles. Then came Kappa Malong-Malong, where her flowing spins and graceful arm movements embodied elegance and versatility, representing the wrapping and re-wrapping of the malong, symbolizing transformation.

As the melody softened into Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Andrea's movements became more fluid, her arms extending as though she were balancing oil lamps, representing balance and light. Finally, the triumphant beats of Subli pushed her through the final, powerful moments of the program, each jump and spin filled with the strength and grace that came from both her heritage and her personal resilience.

"Careful, Drea," Aiden called out, his tone teasing. "Don't want to make me look bad out here."

Andrea shot him a glance, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I think I'm doing that just fine."

The light banter caught them both by surprise and for a moment, Aiden almost forgot they were in the middle of practice. Andrea, too, felt the change between them. The atmosphere wasn't as heavy, and the tension from the past days had lifted. She found herself enjoying the practice, laughing a little, even as she focused on nailing each element of her routine.