Falling For You

Chapter 16: Breaking the Ice

It's been almost a week since I started avoiding Mateo, keeping a cool distance that I hadn't fully intended but somehow couldn't shake. Every time I see him, I feel this urge to talk, to explain. But then, my insecurities stop me, holding me back from bridging the growing gap between us. I think he's noticed. He's been quieter around me, his expression softer, almost hesitant, as if he's afraid to ask what's wrong but senses that something is off. We're still pretending in front of Aaron and Roxanne, going through the motions, but when it's just us, the silence stretches, tense and painful. I can feel the distance like an invisible wall, and I wonder if he feels it too.

After school, Jenna and I head to the library to finish our science project. I know I'm supposed to be working with Mateo on this, but the tension makes me too anxious, so I've ended up teaming up with Jenna instead. Mrs. Thompson announced that the assignment was due next Tuesday, so with only six days left, I really need to make progress, even if it means avoiding Mateo along the way. Jenna's been a lifesaver, even though she has her own project to juggle.

We're deep into our work, both hunched over our notes and charts, when the library doors swing open. I glance up instinctively and, of course, there he is. Mateo's eyes scan the room before he spots us, and for a split second, there's a flicker of something in his gaze-hurt, maybe. Or confusion. He makes his way over to our table, his stride a little slower than usual. When he reaches us, he gives a small, awkward smile.

"Hey," he says, his voice quiet, almost shy. It's the first time I've seen him hesitate around me, and it sends a pang through my chest.

"Hi," I manage, barely meeting his gaze before glancing back down at my notebook. My heart races, like it always does around him, but I try to keep my face neutral. Calm. Unaffected.

Mateo pulls out his notebook, flipping to the right page and joining us in silence. We're all focused, pencils scratching paper and pages flipping, but the tension sits heavy in the air. After a few minutes, Jenna's science partner arrives, filling the table with a little more chatter and activity. It's a relief, honestly, having the extra noise to break up the awkward silence. I steal glances at Mateo, catching him brushing curls from his eyes or jotting down notes, and every now and then, I catch him looking at me, like he wants to say something. But he stays silent, and so do I.

As the session wraps up, Mateo stands and looks at me, almost nervously. "Do you need a ride home?" His voice is casual, but there's a hint of hope in his eyes, like he's waiting for a chance to fix whatever's between us.

I shake my head, forcing a polite smile. "Thanks, but Jenna's coming over for dinner tonight," I lie smoothly, hoping he can't see through it. "So, I'll go with her."

For a brief moment, his expression flickers with disappointment. He quickly masks it with a polite nod, but I catch the faint sting in his eyes. "Okay then," he says softly, his voice just a bit strained, before he turns and walks away.

On the way home, Jenna's silent for a while, and I can feel her glancing at me from the driver's seat. Finally, she speaks up. "What's going on with you and Mateo?"

I sigh, shifting uncomfortably. "It's just... complicated. Ever since the fight with Aaron, it's been weird."

"Weird how?" she presses, her gaze sharp.

"It's like... I feel guilty for keeping him in this fake relationship. He deserves someone real, someone he actually wants to be with." I let out a shaky breath. "He once told me he hates being the center of attention, and here I am, pulling him into the spotlight. I keep thinking maybe he'd be happier if he didn't have to do this anymore."

Jenna's expression softens, but I quickly shift the topic before she can say anything too comforting. "Let's just say it's for the best. This way, he can move on, find someone who's not dragging him into unnecessary drama."

When we reach my house, I invite Jenna inside, but she declines, saying she's promised to have dinner with her family. We exchange hugs, and I wave her off before stepping inside, the familiar smell of Dad's cooking hitting me instantly, making me feel a little more grounded. He's at the stove, humming an off-tune song and stirring a pot, his usual routine that somehow always makes me feel like everything will eventually be okay.

"Hey, kiddo," he says with a grin, glancing over his shoulder. "How was school?"

"It was fine," I reply, dodging any details about Mateo. Just being around Dad helps the stress ease a little, his steady presence like an anchor. Whatever chaos is happening in my life, he has a way of making me feel like I can handle it.

The next few days blur together-school, cheerleading practice, and the usual drama from Aaron and Roxanne. I manage to avoid Mateo for the most part, although each time we cross paths, the awkwardness between us only grows. I miss the ease that used to be there, the effortless way we could just talk, laugh, and understand each other. But I keep telling myself this is for the best.

Finally, Saturday arrives, and Jenna and I make our way to the ice-skating rink as planned. I'm excited, ready to clear my mind, to let the rhythm of the ice and the chill of the rink distract me from everything else. We arrive at 1 PM, lacing up our skates and securing knee and elbow pads. Just as I'm about to step onto the ice, a familiar voice reaches my ears, and I freeze.

It's Roxanne. Of course, she'd be here. And standing beside her is Aaron, looking smug as usual. The moment Roxanne spots me, she glides over, her smirk widening with every step.

"Oh, look who it is," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Most people come to the rink with their boyfriend, not their... friend. Where's Mateo? Or are you two hiding something?"

Jenna rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. "Oh, please, Roxanne. Took you this long to notice? Guess you're a little slow."

Roxanne's face turns red with irritation, and she storms off with Aaron trailing behind her, looking like her personal butler. Jenna and I share a look, both of us barely stifling our laughter. "He looked like her servant," Jenna snickers, and we both crack up as we finally step onto the ice.

Jenna skates ahead, gliding smoothly with laughter ringing out as she circles back around to me. I'm just getting the hang of it again when I feel a sharp shove from behind. I stumble, my arms flailing, and land hard on the ice with a yelp.

"Oops," a voice mocks. I look up to see Roxanne standing over me, her arms crossed and a smug grin. "Maybe you should stick to the bench if you can't even stay on your feet."

Jenna skates over, glaring. "Real mature, Roxanne."

Aaron appears, grabbing Roxanne's arm, looking uncomfortable. "Come on, Roxanne. That's enough. You could've hurt her."

Roxanne scowls but lets herself be pulled away, though I catch the anger flashing in her eyes. Before she can retaliate, however, she lets out a yelp as someone shoves her forward. She lands on the ice with a loud thud, her shocked face glancing up at an unfamiliar girl with a confident smirk.

"Guess you don't know how to skate either," the girl says, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Roxanne scrambles to her feet, fuming, but Aaron pulls her back. "Let's just go," he mutters, casting me an apologetic glance before he drags her away. Jenna and I exchange an amused look as the girl who helped us skates over.

"Are you okay?" she asks, a hint of warmth in her smile.

"Yeah," I reply, smiling gratefully. "Thanks for that. Roxanne really had it coming."

The girl laughs. "Someone like her deserves a taste of her own medicine." She offers her hand. "I'm Inara."

"Well, thanks, Inara," I say as I shake her hand. "It was brave of you to stand up to her."

Inara shrugs, grinning. "I can't stand bullies."

As we continue skating, Jenna teases me, nudging my shoulder. "Looks like you've got a new guardian angel."

I laugh, feeling a sense of lightness that I hadn't felt in days. We spend the rest of the afternoon on the ice, falling, laughing, and for a little while, the worries and awkwardness with Mateo drift away, letting me feel truly free.