Broken Ice

Chapter 8: It Just Might Be Okay

"Hey, Grandma" I smiled. I hadn't called her for a couple of days now and I missed her voice. She was always there, bringing me to every practice and competition back when I still lived in Quebec. But now, the closest we were was through a glass screen on my computer.

"Hello, ma cherie."

She must have noticed the stress pulling at my brows because she asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Hmm," I snapped out of my trance and shook my head. "Yeah. I'm totally fine. I just miss you guys."

She pursed her lips and I could tell she was unconvinced. She could always see right through me. "You know, you have always been my most stubborn grandchild. I know that you're still upset but know that you can always come home. Because as long as there are people who love you, you will always have a home, ma cherie."

A small smile curved my lips, and this time it was real. "Okay.  Thanks" I wonder if he has that, someone to tell him it's all okay.

The hours at the shop dragged on, as kids and parents filed in and out of the shop until I finally saw a face I saw every day at school. It was Michael, and he gave me a threatening look, I glanced down to see that Fran was trailing behind him, black hair lifted into twin ponytails with a cute blue ribbon tied on each side.

He must be worried I'll bring up our fight. "Hey, Fran." I smiled, giving her a small wave. "Are you ready for your first official class?"

"Yup." She grinned, "I even asked Greta to do my hair all special." She turned her head to show me the ribbons.

"I like it. Vraiment speciale." I joked.

She furrowed her brows in confusion before looking to Michael for help. "French." I clarified and her mouth widened in a large O of recognition.

I shuffled her into the rink and went back out to sign her in only to remember that now, I was alone with Michael.

"Don't tell her we fought." He something. "She likes and respects you, and I don't want to ruin that for her." Then, he turned sharply, leaving the rink.

"Wait," I call and he halts, not yet looking back. "I'm sorry. It wasn't right to put your personal information like that. I was just curious, and it felt like I was seen that night."

"It's okay."

"It's not. I don't know if you have someone who you can vent to or be angry with but I just realized not everyone has that and sometimes, it feels like I can't tell even those people everything. But if you want, I would like to be that for you."

It was silent for a moment before he turned back with a weak smile, "I'd like that."

I returned and for the first time in a while, felt like everything might just be okay.

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Hey!

Sorry about the lack of accents on the french, my computer doesn't have those.  

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