Facing Phantoms, Pursuing Flowers

Stand Up for Yourself

The next day,
In the boy's locker room at the Cricket Club...

Yuzuru, Javi and Nam were huddled around each other whispering and looking at each other with smirks on their faces as they exchange eye contact.

'Morning guys....'
Sota had walked in.
'Now what are you three doing, looking all sneaky and suspicious'

The three bros snapped their heads up instantly and gave him a sideways smile with an undeniable teasing look on their faces.

'So....how's you and your Thistle doing?' Asked Javi.

Sota just blinked and froze.

Nam laughed, 'yeah, we know. Some birdy told us.'

Yuzuru grinned widely and said, 'You better be careful Sota, word travels fast around here. Nothing stays a secret in the Cricket Club forever'

'Um, what are you talking about?' Sota had raised his eyebrows in question.

'What, don't tell me you haven't asked Dy out?'

'No, I haven't'

'No?'

'No'

'Oh'

'But....Lainny and Gabby said they saw you guys out yesterday night talking and laughing like a sweet couple.' Said Nam.

'We were just walking to the subway station together, cause she told me she was discharged from the hospital.'

'Oh, well thank goodness no one apart from us knew, or thought we knew, otherwise the rumour would have spread like wildfire.'

....

2 in the afternoon...
The Cricket Club was suddenly so full of people with their cameras and recorders.
Yes, they are the press.
And yes, they are here to interview the international skaters.
And yes, it's gonna take a really, really long time.

'Deep breath, I can do this, I can do this, just need to calm down.' Melody was muttering to herself minutes before the scheduled interview.

'Chill sista, it's just an interview,' said Javi.

'Why did coach have to do this?! I'm not gonna make it out of this interview alive,' she mumbled some more.

'You have to do this, if not, those people will just keep trying to chase after us and we can't risk you having another panic attack,' encouraged Sota.

'Will all the skaters take a seat by the table to proceed with the interview, thank you' announced that same strange lady who caught Melody yesterday.

Alaine, Gabrielle and Melody took a seat infront of loads of cameras.

And that's how the interview proceeded.

This is a question directed to Miss Chartrand and Miss Daleman. Seeing Miss Pang rise up as a competitor and a friend, do you feel she may be a threat towards the upcoming Nationals in January?

Melody mumbled under her breath, 'oh piss off, don't turn my friends into my rivals'

Alaine fakesmiled and replied, 'I definitely see her as a great opponent but I believe that, that can be a blessing as it will push both Gabby and I to improve'

Gabby pretty much said the same thing.

Do you feel it to be unfair that she is so good because of her light weight and pre-development of her body?

At that question, Melody was so pissed off, she spoke before anyone else could,

'Honestly, I couldn't care less what people think of my light weight and pre-development, I just don't get it why people are so worried about puberty hitting and me failing jumps and stuff. This happens to everyone and when it does come, I'll deal with it. Every skater over 18 has gone through this stage, and it won't be easy but they dealt with it, what makes people think I can't deal with puberty when it hits me? Right now, I'm lighter in all aspects and maybe its easier to perform with a light body, but that doesn't mean I can't do it after puberty. Why can't I take advantage now and then deal with what's to come later? Why won't skating fans get that? I'll cross the bridge when I get to it. Right now, I'm still on the smooth pathway of life and when the path gets rocky, I'll find away to deal with it, geezum. I have a right to choose what level I want to compete in, my coaching team all agree to start senior, so I don't see a problem and you shouldn't either. I have a right, and I'm using it. If I'm doing something against the rules then, SUE ME! ' She spat out all that fire in her and just KILLED the tension.