Ice Bound (#Wattys2018)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Melissa received a call from Savvy some time after her crash at the rink. She collapsed on the bench. The entire day had been getting to her nerves. Mel lazily held her phone to her ear As Savvy's boisterous voice bellowed through the line, Melissa's heart sank. She forgot that her friend wasn't standing in front of her. She'd smile. Mel reenacted her day thus far with dramatic hand motions and facial features. Then, she'd be left with a pang of realization that her friend resided almost half way across the country, and it stung.

"Just shoot me," she groaned. "Please."

"Stop being so dramatic hon. "

Melissa shook her head, but silence greeted her. Right. She'd forgotten. "Well you see..."

Silence fell over the line again. Melissa flinched at the empty feeling in her gut. "Did something happen? No! Or was it someone?" Savvy burst out into a series of hyena cackles.

"Savvy Celeste Richmond!" Mel shrieked. "What the heck? It's only day one!"

Savvy pulled her phone back."Come on, I know you ran into your steamy Italian dream boy."

"No, no sweetie. I thought we decided that steamy wasn't the right term," Melissa sat up on the bench. She reached towards her bag and grabbed her wallet.

"Anyways, if it were a person causing all this ham to spoil, I'll kick them for you."

"You don't get it?" Gravity had been weighing down on the skater's shoulders for too long.

She imaged her blinking.

"I'm at the rink you dimwit. I have power stroking today."

"Go figure." Savvy paused and snickered before whispering skate, which, as expected, elicited a groan. "Cheer up a bit Mel. You sound like everything is terrible. Enjoy the palm trees outside for once."

"Are you telling me to smell the roses for once?" Melissa drew out another sigh, "You say the same things every time you call!" She stood up and glanced at the clock. "Hey, I gotta go." She hung up the call.

A low rumble escaped from Melissa's stomach. She couldn't remember the last time she ate anything. She stood up and grabbed her wallet. Mel walked towards the cafe. Her arms dangled by her thin frame.

"Welcome to The Rinkside Cafe!" A lively voice echoed throughout the empty cafe, "My name is Ren, I'll be helping you today." Ren stood up at his cash register.

"Just a parfait." Melissa sighed. She took out a crumpled five dollar bill from her wallet.

Ren passed his customer her change, "Hey Indie, we need a parfait ASAP." He shouted into the kitchen.

Indie came from around the corner with a plastic tray in hand "Check the refrigerator next time dimwit. There was one in there." She slammed the tray onto the metal counter, "Sweet cinnamon rolls Ren! Why didn't you tell me the new girl was looking for some food!"

"Geez, I thought you'd brush it off."

Melissa picked up her food and walked to one of the empty seating counters. Her seat faced the lobby of the rink. A crowd of people flooded through the doors. Her mind wandered aimlessly as they passed by.

"Go get yourself a treat. You worked extra hard today Mel." Melissa's mom planted a five dollar bill in her daughter's hand before continuing her discussion with the coach. "And don't forget to get something for Sky!"

The young girl gave a toothy grin, "Thanks mom!" She dashed to the cafe in an instant. "Hey Sky! Are you hungry? Mom gave me some money for snacks!" Melissa called to her friend, who was sitting at the counter doing homework.