Baby, It's Cold Inside

Chapter Three

Victor and Kota have each put one of my hands around the crook of their arms and rest a hand on top of mine. Kota is on my right and Victor on my left. I feel safe, but still nervous.

I now have both feet on the ice. My legs are like steel rods and I don't dare move.

"First, try to relax your legs a bit," Kota instructs. "Bend your knees a little."

I do.

Barely.

"That's... a little better." I can hear the humor in his voice and hold back a nervous giggle.

"Good posture is important," Victor tells me. "Look ahead, not at your feet. Find how you're comfortable standing, keeping your weight above your skates. Don't lean too far forward."

I do as they say and wait for their next instructions.

"You ready for this Mr. B?" I hear Meanie say. Huh, he must be teaching Mr. Blackbourne.

"Now," Kota's voice suddenly has authority in it. Uh oh. The drill sergeant's coming out. "You want to know how to stop first."

Yes, I think that would be good to know.

"Slowly glide your right foot forward then turn out your left at forty-five degree angle, dragging it behind you, shifting your weight onto that foot."

I bit my lip, concentrating, and do as he says. They loosen their hands on mine, allowing me more control and do it with me.

That first moment I glide forward, even only several inches, I feel giddy. I turn my other foot out behind me, dragging it and shift my weight.

It works!

"Great job Princess!" Victor beams at me.

"Yes, that was really good," Kota encourages. "Now bring your left foot next to your right again, keeping them about six inches apart."

I smile to myself at how exact he is with his instructions, but it really does help.

"Slow down North! You don't know how to stop yet!"

From my left I see Luke skating after him. North's arms are flailing around as his upper half bends back and forth repeatedly, trying to stay upright.

People that are skating in his path quickly move out of his way before he plows them over.

His skates start to shoot out and he comically remains in place for a moment as they turn into a blur of movement trying to stay under him. It's useless, and he falls back.

"Ah! Sh-!"

I wince at the hard contact his butt makes with the ice.

Luke skids to a stop next to him, bent over with laughter. "Oh my god! I wish I'd recorded that!"

"Shut up! You're the worst freaking teacher!" North tries to get back up but is unable to get on his feet.

Luke holds out a hand to his brother, still chuckling, and North roughly takes it, getting up. I think he was actually trying to pull Luke down, but Luke's at an advantage, able to navigate on the ice.

North's wobbly for a bit then finds his balance.

Kota clears his throat and I look at him. His beautiful green eyes are merry with laughter. "I want you to let go of our arms and try to balance on your own. We're right here to catch you, but I think you'll be fine."

I release my hold on their arms and keep my balance. My legs are already feeling tired just standing!

North and Luke are arguing nearby, but I don't dare move to look.

Kota let's out a sigh. "Victor, I'm going to trade with Luke."

Victor starts laughing. "I knew having him teach North wouldn't work out well."

Kota smoothly skates off to assist North.

"Why doesn't North know how to skate?" I ask.

"He was in Greece all the years the five of us grew up skating together. Same with Silas. Then we just never took the time to teach them and they never asked."

"And Sean and Mr. Blackbourne?"

"Sean was always busy becoming a doctor, and Mr. B with the Academy." Victor grins. "But they're all learning now."

"Pookie! Look at me!"

I turn my head to the right, keeping my balance, and watch Honey and Sean skate by us. I giggle at them. Nathan's skating backwards while holding Sean's hands as he pulls him along. Sean's feet are gliding out and in as they go.

Meanie and Mr. Blackbourne skate into my vision next doing the same thing. It's so odd to see them hand in hand like that. I think some guys would object, but they're family and it doesn't bother them. I'd like to get a picture of it, but know if I tried to get my phone out I'd end up on my backside like North.

Meanie sends me a wink while Mr. Blackbourne concentrates. His movements are smooth, perfect, and I imagine he'll be skating on his own in no time.

"That's what you'll be doing next," Victor tells me as he moves so we're facing each other. He takes my gloved hands in his, his thumbs caressing. "Keep your blades on the ice and slightly glide your toes outward then inward, over and over. Don't push too far out or bring them back too far in. Just start with long, shallow movements."

He does the same thing only with his heels and going backwards, but doesn't really pull me. Instead, I find that I'm moving myself forward by doing this. "Excellent! Now let go of my hands when you're ready and get your balance. Then try it again."

I let go and do it on my own. I know I'm sporting a huge smile.

The sound of scraping ice draws my attention and Luke comes to a quick stop next to me. "Look at you twinkle toes!"

"How's North doing?" I giggle.

Luke rolls his eyes. "He's like a gorilla on skates. I'd have better luck getting a bear on a bicycle. Kota can have fun with him."

"And Silas?" I haven't seen or heard him since I got on the ice.

Luke laughs. "He's having fun." He takes my elbow to give me support as he points across.

I see Silas grinning ear to ear as he skates around the pond, dramatically bent over, with the aid of something that looks like a kind of walker for elderly people. It's more simple looking though and bright red, and shorter.

"What is he holding?"

"They're skating walkers," Victor answers, shaking his head and smiling as he watches Silas. "Children use them to learn to skate... and Silas."

"He'll need to learn to skate for real though." Luke laughs. "I'm surprised he hasn't bent the bar already with his weight." He turns his attention back to me, releasing my elbow. "Now show me more of your moves."

I happily oblige.