Bad choices

Practice makes perfect

I splash water onto my face.I take a long breath while gripping the counter.

I dry my face with a towel and finish the rest of my skincare .

I ignore my phone that buzzes with notifications and throw it in my practice bag
I put my headphones on and head out the door.

I take the long route to the rink in hopes that it will give me time to calm my nerves.

I pull into the parking lot and quickly put my car in park

I sit on the locker room bench. I put my shaking hands under my thighs.

"Melody."

I look up slowly making eye contact with Coach
I release the breathe I was holding

"Hey coach" I say with a hesitant smile

She fake smiles like usual

"You ready for today?"

I nod

"Everything better be perfect Melody or else I'm not letting you compete this weekend"

I can still feel the shake of my hands under my thighs

"everything will be perfect coach don't worry"
She gestures for me to get up

"Let's go"

She waits for me to tie my skates

I follow behind her onto the ice

"8 laps around the ice!" She yells

I've got this

I finish the laps quickly

I hunch over to catch my breath

"Okay good enough melody!"
I suck in a hard breath
"Get in position"

I've got this I've got this I've got this
I repeat over and over again

The music starts to play through the speakers
I go through the routine trying to breathe through the panic and worry

I gain some confidence when I hit the hardest jump with ease
.......

I put my bag in the trunk and round my car

I open my phone to ten missed calls from kane <3

My heart drops

I click the call icon and wait as the phone rings
Silence pierces the air as I wait

"Melody are you okay?" I hear the panic and his heavy breathing through the phone

"Yes I'm fine why wouldn't I be?" I rub my forehead

"Fuck melody" he releases a long breath

"You wouldn't answer any of my calls or texts" I let out a little laugh but cover it up with a cough

"I was at practice I'm sorry" I smile

"It's okay baby don't worry about it"