Been You

Chapter 77: Blackout With Me

ELYSANDRA'S POV:

Today's the day of the big game and we have an early morning practice to run through the routine on the ice to make sure everyone is on the same page. Since the boys spend the whole day before the game on the ice, we had to get here at five a.m. I'm exhausted and aching from the... vigorous night Justin and I had, but I'm anxious to prove to myself and the girls that I can do this. Justin's not here to lace up my skates, but I think I did a pretty good job on my own. Now, I am standing at the entrance, waiting for Atifa to get the audio together on the rink's speakers. I must look worried because Jayde wobbles over to me to place a hand on my shoulder. "Pre-game jitters? I remember my first game. I almost pissed myself, I tell you," she comforts in her adorable accent. I wish I had a cute accent.

"Yeah. That and I just learned how to skate yesterday," I add, staring out at the ice.

"What! Bloody hell, Ely, you need to tell Atifa! You can start at a game on land; this isn't safe," Jayde warns. I grab her wrist pleadingly.

"No, please don't tell her!" I beg. "I worked so hard on this, and... I kinda wanted to please Justin, you know? He's so happy about me doing this and it'll mean so much to him for me to cheer at his game, you know?"

"I don't know, Ely. This seems really unsafe..." Jayde says cautiously.

"Jayde, come on! It'll be fine, I swear. The whole hockey team cleared me. If that's not reassuring, I don't know what else is," I answer. She looks at me doubtfully, then relents.

"Fine," she gives in. "But if you fall, that's both of our arses."

"Yes, you won't regret this! I'll do so good!" I say, hugging her.

"Alright, alright," she replies, her body stiff. I could tell she's not a very touchy feely type of person, but I don't care. I'm so happy to be cheering today. I see Atifa coming down with a handheld remote that must control the audio. Wow. Even at five in the morning Atifa is freaking gorgeous. If only.

"Okay, girls, is everyone here?" She asks. All eight of us look around before nodding. "Alright, let's start the first run through. We're gonna skate out onto the ice single file! We're going to be cheering in the circle formation so that every section of the crowd has someone facing them. Miranda and Sofia, you'll be facing North. Chantel and Kendall, I want you two facing East. Ely and I will be facing South. Jayde and Caitlin, you got the West. Ladies, line up in the order that I called you and when the audio starts, skate to your place around the tip off circle," Atifa instructs starting the audio.

"And now, welcoming our very own Lady Hawk Cheerleaders!" The speakers boom too loudly for five a.m. The music starts immediately after, leaving us seconds to get in position. Miranda skates onto the ice gracefully, followed by Sofia, Chantel, and Kendall. When it's my turn to skate, I notice that my skates are a lot looser than how Justin usually does it. I feel very unstable, but I continue to skate, not wanting to give Jayde any reason to doubt my capability. I notice I'm skating at a slower pace than everyone else, so I pick up the pace. Once I reach my position, I shove my pick into the ice to stop myself, just as I'd done yesterday. My skates stop perfectly, just as intended. But I don't. I go flying forward from my skates when they release my feet. I gasp as I'm airborne with zero control over my body. I land squarely on my head, causing my neck to bend when my body catches up. My jaw slams shut upon impact, resulting in a ringing in my ears and a metallic taste in my mouth. The pain from the ringing is so excruciating, any other pain is nonexistent. I lay limp, flat on my face in agonizing pain. I feel several pairs of cold hands roll me over so that I'm face up. I see what looks like twenty faces looming over me, surrounding me. Then, nothing.