Through Happiness

Ice Skate Prodigy (Pt.1)

Yesterday was a blast. Jasmine in the end, finished the remaining hot-choco Jolene and Chris couldn't finish.

"Yeah, I'm the choco-queen,"  as Jasmine said. "You would never beat me in hot-choco competition!"

"Wow, that sounded so lame," Jolene added. They were competing on whoever will drink the most hot chocolate. The winner will win $20. 

"Alright, here it is. 20 bucks for Jass," Kurt was reaching in his pocket. "I'll give you this if you promise not to spend your money on unnecessary stuff again," Kurt, added.

"But dad, I also want that money. Plus she's just going to buy lame stuff with it," Jolene whined as she slowly sank on her seat.

"You still lost to her though, and if anything here is lame, that would be your plans for the 20 bucks," Chris said. He just witnessed the pissy-look Jolene is famous for. "Like that face, is real lame. Plastic surgeon would cost more than 20 bucks."

"Oohh, he went there," said Jasmine as Jolene turned back.

"Always coming for the face huh?"

"Always," assured Jasmine with a big grin.

"So, what are you going to do tomorrow?" asked Jasmine.

"We're going to the mini-theatres. Dad actually thinks we still like those," said Jolene as she stood up and went to gather the empty mugs. She went to the stove to get more hot-choco.

Kurt by the counter overheard the conversation. "Hey, you always ask for that teddy bear that was way too oversized to even fit through the front door of the house. This was when you were ten years old, mind you."

"Dad, that was over 5 years ago,"  Jolene whined.

"And you still want it," added Chris.

"Good point."

"Well at least you are going somewhere with your family, I barely get anywhere with my mom since dad passed away," huffed Jasmine.

"Aww, you can come with us, if you want," Jolene gave her a pity coo teasingly. 

"I can't, I have to do the stupid volcano project. It's really boring. I wish we could read novels and explain those instead!" 

"You're still not finished with it? Talk about lame,"  said Jolene as she sat down to take a sip on the hot-choco, burning her tounge. "Ow!" she exclaimed.

"Hah, lame," said Jasmine as she went to the fireplace.

．．．

The play is about to start in 5 minutes.

"Everyone, please kindly find and remain in your seats while we prepare for the play." Announced the old lady that works by the local theatre. Everybody got to their seats while nibbling on the snacks they have brought.

"So cold and so noisy," thought Jolene as she zips up her jacket.

For Jolene, family time comes first than spending time with friends, as much as it bores her. She would probably stay at home and watch Netflix rather than spend time with neither anyways. This time around, mini-theatre plays are much common since everybody is preparing for the upcoming holiday seasons, mostly children around eight to twelve year olds do the mini theatres. They would build a small stand for the little kids to watch. They can even run food stands with a parent of course. All entertainment were always done kind-heartedly so Jolene made an exception on this particular day. 

Kurt, their father, already planned this family day weeks prior. Knowing his children, they "love" the holiday seasons. They only "love" the holiday seasons because of all the possible gifts they could get. Kurt knew about this of course but decided to overlook it. Kurt is kind and caring, the two siblings knowing that he is the only precious thing that they have, they just couldn't muster the intent to deny his request to have a day at the park.

But Jolene just couldn't contain herself.

"Dad, I'm not feeling very well. Can I go home, please?" pleaded Jolene. One thing she learned from Jasmine was to give puppy eyes when asking for favors. Well, she gave her best puppy eyes she could possibly do.

"But we just got here and we paid for the tickets already. It's cold outside and you were just laughing on the way here, so what gives?" contradicted Chris.

"I was laughing at the ugly face you made before we got here. I can't even get it off  of my head!"

"My 'ugly' face can't be that ugly to make you feel this sick," laughed Chris.

"Shush! Dad, please I feel really bad right now." 

"You could have said that before we got here. Chris had a point. How bad is it?" asked Kurt nicely.

Jolene just didn't have the resolve to ignore this day for a pointless Netflix and Burrito all-nighter. That new season of Kenny's Dramatic Life really is a new series released last week and has gotten popular among teenagers because of its "relatable" story. Unfortunately for Jolene, she just had to hop on the trend. 

"Okay, to be honest. There is this new series on Netflix abou-"

"Oh, so that's what this conversation is about," cut Chris cheekily.

"I would rather sit here than watch that show, Jo,"  Kurt said in the nicest way possible.

Besides, Kurt has always been the best at surprising his children during holidays, it's a season for family bonding after all. Especially being a single father, not many can do what single parents can.

"I also feel sick, but I think I can manage," she held back as she felt bad with the thought of ignoring her father's efforts of a well-planned day alone.

"Here, drink some water. Or a candy mint, it helps sometimes, it's like Vicks but better. We can watch the show together later when we get home. It can wait," said Kurt making Jolene give a smile of relief.

"You should be taking more care of yourself, Jo. Cold seasons are not kidding nowadays, Steph just got out of the hospital," added Chris.

"That weird bird flu? Eww..." she reacted with a disgusted face, almost as ugly as the face Chris made before.

"Exactly, so pull your shi-"

"Shush! It's about to start!" cut their dad short before it goes ugly.

The play didn't go so well, people were kept waiting for thirty minutes for a fifteen minute play. In the end, the play ended up being discontinued. The money was refunded though but for Kurt, he wasn't done, there are lots of things to do in the cold and so he suggested if they could go Ice Skating instead. There was large lake and a big Ice Skating rink nearby.

"Jo, since you're good at ice skating, we'll let you decide where to ice skate," said Kurt as they were putting on their ice skating shoes.

"We can skate at the rink instead. The lake gives me the creeps"

"Oh, you're getting 'cold feet' now, aren't you?" cracked Chris.

"Haha, very funny." 

Jolene didn't want to skate. She did Ice Skate once though. She made an exception this day since she hasn't ice skated for who-knows how long. It always reminds her of her unforgettable past.