Juniper

Juniper I

Her skates cut into the freshly polished ice, slowly skidding into the middle. Her arms swung as she picked up the pace. She spun like a top on the ice, her ginger hair whirling in the cold air. Her coach watched from the sideline, watching her every stride.

Her coach, Mr. Lisk, yelled from the side line, " C'mon Juniper! You've gotta do that turn!" Juniper scowled at her coach, then thought, I don't get why I have to know this routine, I'm not performing with it, anyways. Her legs trembled as she picked up the pace and skidded around the rink.

She suddenly turned and leaped into the air, twirling widly, then landing into a back skate. She smiled and exhaled, knowing that turn, perfect as it was, would land her a guaranteed spot into the Callahas Regional Skate team.

Mr. Lisk applauded her as she slowly spun in wide circles around the center of the rink.

"Nice one, kid," he cheered. Juniper's smile broadened as she knew she made him proud. That turn took weeks just to land it wobbly. She headed off the ice, and sat on one of the wooden benches.

Mr. Lisk soon joined her after grabbing water from the cooler.

"You've got big things ahead of you, kid," Mr. Lisk started, "seriously, you're so talented, I'm glad to be your coach." Juniper smiled.

She cracked open her water and spoke, "Well, I've got 199 other competitors to show that to. Are you going to be able to help me again next week or was this just a prep for next week?"

"I won't be able to, sorry Juniper. All I want you to know is that competition has a lot of powerful people and skaters there. You've gotta take the high road no matter what happens there," he paused, " and Mikey is going to be there."

"Mikey? As in Mikey Bridle?" Juniper questioned. Mikey Bridle. Mikey was the kind of girl you could easily get along with. Even though her and Juniper were never friends, they did get along on the ice. The last time she saw her was when they went to the outdoor rink in Chicago. Mikey had the shiniest blades on her skates, always flaunting them to the skaters she wooed.

"Yes, Ms. Bridle will also be competing in the CRS auditons, maybe you two could be selected!" He chuckled, knowing that Ms. Bridle was not better than his Juniper Keene, not even close to being at a similar rank.

"Sounds great," Juniper sighed, pulling off her skates and shoving them in her chilly bag.

"Good luck Juniper, you've got this in the bag." He rose and stretched.

"I must be going now, I can't stay and skate forever, though I wish," he said as he ruffled her hair, making her giggle. She fixed her hair and wished him a safe ride home then sat back down.

Mikey Bridle is going to be there. Now I'm totally not getting into the team, let alone the 2018 Olympic Games.

Her eyes looked wistfully across the ice, her fingers dancing across her bag. She got up, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed to the main doors.

She popped into the reception area to see if anybody had bothered to stay after the typical hours. She spotted Mrs. Feke shuffling through a stack of papers.

"Hello Mrs. Feke!" She said through the little ticket window. Mrs. Feke spun around and immediately perked up when she saw Juniper.

"Howdy Madam Keene!" She chirped as she made her way to the window. "What are you here for today?" She asked lightly.

"Oh actually I'm just leaving, I was with Mr. Lisk practicing on the ice for a bit," Juniper said.

"That's my dear! You know, you should come by next week, I'll have your new skates for CRS here," she said.

Juniper smiled at the old woman, "Of course, I'll be by next week as I need to practice once again."

Mrs. Feke eyed the clock. "Dear, you should be headed home now, I don't need another frantic call from your mother asking why you were two hours late coming home! Shoo shoo!"

Juniper chuckled, "Alright, alright, I see, I'll be headed out now, goodbye Mrs. Feke!" Juniper waved as she pushed the door open, slowly taking in the cool December air.