Broken Ice

Chapter 6: I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

I pushed open the sliding doors to the ice rink, the frosty air hitting me. It filled my lungs, invigorating me, and making me feel alive, but it also brought a wave of sadness from the memories. I may never feel that way ever again. I slowly pulled on my ice skates, tugging my tights over them so they were secure.

Slowly, I stepped on the ice, legs shaky. It had been months since I had dared to go this far. I gently pushed off of the edge of the wall, gliding on the ice.

Years flashed before my eyes. My first skates, my first competition, my first award, the day I came to New York to join the North American youth team, and my injury.

Suddenly, my foot wobbled, and I twisted in a stomach-sickening ache, slipping out from under me and sending me falling.

A sharp pain explodes in my foot. Not quite as bad as that night, but bad enough to spark the memory. Heat springs to my eyes, blurring the world around me into a distorted, swirling mess.

What if I never compete again?

What if my parents send me home?

What if it never gets better?

What if I never get better?

I flop back, the ice cooling my heated skin. Michael's face from that night flashes in my mind. If I can fix him, maybe it's not over for me.

________

A honk blared through the quiet neighborhood, startling me. I peel back the thin, lace curtains to reveal Quinn's pristine white jeep, bare of any sleet.

"Bye," I said, rushing.

"Hey." She stopped me.

I sighed under my breath before turning around. "Yes?"

"Try to be home by 11."

"Sure." I took the first chance I had to run out of the apartment and hurried down the stairs. I finally saw Quinn's car and leaned down, looking through the window to see Amanda and Quinn in the front seats. "Hey."

"You're late." Quinn reminds me.

"Yeah, sorry." I shuffled into the back seat, leaning forward, so my face was between Quinn and Amanda in the front seat.

Soon enough, we came to a halt in front of Reggie's penthouse. The valet rushed forward to collect the car keys, and we took the elevator up to the top floor.

When the doors parted, I could already see teens lining the hallway. The door to the penthouse was wide open, and I felt the floors of the apartment shaking from the force of the music.

Reggie came barreling out, chasing around some other red-haired idiot, before his eyes came to rest on us. "Hey guys," He looks down at our pink outfits, me wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans, Quinn in a pink skirt, and Amanda with a pink dress, "Nice outfits, especially you, Gianna." He winked and I felt my skin crawl.

I tugged up my shirt. "Thanks," I mumbled.

Luckily, Quinn started talking to him, so the pressure shifted off of me. "I'm gonna get a drink," I announced to Amanda, and she waved me away, going to talk with another girl.

After finally finding the drink station, I filled a solo cup with a mysterious, red, and fruity-smelling drink, hoping it wasn't spiked. I surveyed the room, shouting voices, sweaty skin pressed up against one another from the sheer amount of people filling the room, and the cloying smell of axe body spray. The only reprieve was imagining I was on the ice again.

"Gianna." I turned my head to the voice. Michael, but this time, his face was tight with anger.

"Yeah?" I had to yell to ensure he would hear me over the sea of voices and music.

"Why are you digging around and telling people I smoke?" I could hear the sharp anger in his voice.

"I-I wasn't."

Clenching his red solo cup, he pinches his brow between his thumb and index. "Then why did I get a warning from my coach about my 'smoking'? He said he may not recommend me to scouts anymore."

My eyes widen in surprise before narrowing at the accusation, "I'm sorry that's happening, but maybe someone saw you." I suggested. "And it's not like it isn't true."

"Whatever," He flings his hands up in surrender, "Just do me a favour, stay away from me before you ruin my career." He turns around and his back retreats before dissipating in the throng of bodies.

I clench the white tablecloth in frustration. Nice going, Gi.

______

Trying to fix someone never does work out.  Bad Idea, Gi.  Also, did anyone get the TS reference?  

Hope you enjoyed this chapter.  If you did, please vote and comment!