Blaze

-two-

As I spend yet another pointless session in this cage they call an ice skating rink, I focus on the crisp sound of my skates cutting through the ice. It’s the little things like this that distract me from the bigger picture. That ability is a blessing and a curse, although I’m able to mentally escape the most boring and horrible situations, I often find myself ruining my future. Take my school life for example, I’m always distracted by parties, movies and friends and I live for the little things, not the big picture. This is how I have wound up at my fifth private boarding school in just over two years. It seems no matter what I do I always end up failing because of lack of attendance, participation and effort. Don’t get me wrong, I am an academically gifted person, but these little distractions and temptations that I am faced with are my biggest demon.

Along with the strict new code for study and attendance at my new school, I must also be an active member of the figure skating team. This also includes competing at whatever level is deemed appropriate by the coaches and my family. I honestly don’t care much for figure skating, but my parents are pushing for a national title from one of their children and after my elder sister broke under the pressure and moved away, the spotlight was on me.

My sister was an incredible gymnast, and placed highly in national and international meets. Scouts were always watching her, and her chances for making the Olympic Team were outstandingly high. However this all came crashing down at the national championships. Already weak from an injury in training, she collapsed in the middle of her floor routine. My parents were furious to say the least, lecturing my sister for hours about the sacrifices they made to get her where she was. Although she was somewhat seriously injured, she had to endure the wrath of my parents. This is what crossed the line for her, and once we had returned to our hotel she immediately packed and disappeared. My parents didn’t even bother to stop her.

Now that she is gone, all the pressure to achieve is on my shoulders. There is a part of me that wants to do what I am told and finish the job my sister failed to do. But most of me would rather live in the present, causing trouble in the dorms, miss classes and just enjoy life. Unfortunately, this year everything would change.

If there is one thing I am enjoy about skating, it would have to be the fact that my results are only reliant on me. There isn’t a team or partner that I could disappoint or be disappointed by. Plus, with my ever-growing popularity and reputation as a social butterfly and trouble maker, it’s great to have alone time. Even if that alone time is in front of thousands of people at a competition. It’s just me and the ice.

Although I may be known for the parties, the friends and the pranks, I have never had a friend. I don’t like the reliance and trust that you have to share; it’s much easier to be alone.

No matter how much I complained, this was the year that I had to turn things around.