Long Road Ahead

Chapter 1- Gift wrapped excuses

*Beep*
*Beep*
*Beep*

I groan and place the pillow over my head. Honestly I should fix my alarm clock to the radio or CD and not the beeps. I wake up wanting to smash the annoying thing when it beeps.

I quickly turn it off and walk into the bathroom. I brush my teeth and curl my hair and finally slip on my stipped shirt and blue skirt finishing it off with some black vans.

I walk down the steps and sigh when I see the flowers and package on the steps. "Hey mom." I sigh. "Your dad sent you a letter." She says. "Every year." I whisper taking the letter.

Nova,

I'm so sorry i couldn't make it for your birthday again. I have so much going on and plan to make it next year. I hope you like your presents and i miss you so much. Princess, I hope you know how much I love you and how sorry I am for missing another one of your birthdays. Happy Birthday.

Love,

Dad

I quickly swipe the tear away and look up at my mom. "I'm so sorry sweetie." She says. "No it's fine." I lie.

I wanted my dad to be here. For once i wanted him to make it and be with me on my birthday. Thats what i've wished since the divorce. But now I know to not count on him to be here. "I have to go." I force a smile towards my mom.

~*~

"Girl you've been down all day." Karina my best friend says. " He's not coming this year." I say. "Oh i'm sorry." She whispers. "It's just another birthday. I don't care." I sigh and grab my bag throwing my tray away full of food.

"Where are you going?" She asks. "Tutor." I say. Every monday, wednesday, and Friday I tutor three guys. Two being the badboy and his best friend and the other is Josh a kid in nineth grade stuggling with Algebra.

I walk into the classroom and find only Josh. "Hey Josh." I smile. "Nova you being my favorite tutor I made a B on my test." He says excitedly. "Thats great!" I praise.

Just as i'm about to sit down in comes Drew and Cole with another boy. "Who's he?" I ask raising one of my brows. "No one." Drew snaps.

"Whatever." I mumble turning my attention back to Josh. "So anything you need help with this week?" I ask him. "Nope."

"If you don't need help then i have to help them." I whisper. "I know." He says. I glare at him hefore turning towards the two I dread to help. Here goes nothing.

"How can i serve you today?" I ask in a mocked tone. They ignore me and I sigh. "Yo losers will you answer me." I growl. "You've go guts, IP" Cole grumbles. I glare at him and sigh softening my eyes.

"Nevermind." I sigh walking out of the room. "Hey IP wait." I hear Cole say. "What?" I snap. "You left this. He says shoving my backpack and camera into my hands. I shrug the backpack onto my back and walk away from him.

~*~

I throw my backpack into my locker and grab my skate shoes.

Cole: Do me a favor and go out with me tonight.
Me: Why would I?
Cole: Because your nice and i'll do anything to pay you back.
Me: Fine. you said anything so i'll let you know later.
Cole: i'll pick you up at six.
Me: at the rink? I'm here til then.
Cole: yes then at the rink.

I groan and slip my skates on and get onto the ice. After warming up my coach comes and helps me with stunts and to tell me my partner for the finals backed out so i'm left to find someone else.

Which is no problem because I have the perfect person to do it. I can not wait to make a fool out of him. I smirk to myself finishing up my stunts and look up and see Cole.

"You've got moves too Ice?" He asks. "Maybe." I smile. "You coming?" He asks snapping me out of my daze. Uh yeah. I blush.

I quickly change back into my clothes from school and grab my stuff. " I notice you don't have your car." Cole says.

I almost forgot about that and my eyes go wide because I agreed to hand out with him and the only thing he drives is a motorcycle. "Don't worry Ice i've got the car." He smiles at me.

Why does he have to be so prepared. And gorgeous. I think. "Because for you Ice I am." He smirks. I said that out loud? "Yeah you did." He says.

When we get into the car the only thing I think to say is a question.

"Why do you call me IP?" I ask. "It stands for Ice princess." He says. "The first time I saw you we were eight and you were a princess in a ice show with my sister." He adds.

I remember now because his sister was mad I go lead and she didn't. It's not my fault i'm a better skater than she is. Still am and always will be. "So you call me ice?" I ask. "You're always on the ice so i quess so. You always this annoying?" He asks. "Maybe" I smirk.

I stare at how good looking Cole is and sigh. I must be nuts. I could be drowling. Thats gross. "Close your trap Ice you'll catch flies." He says.
I look down and feel my face heat up.

Am I actually blushing over the badboy? Even worse on my birthday. Nah he's just making me nervous. I blush when i'm nervous. Right?

"Oh yeah here." He says handing me a wrapped box. "Whats this?" I asks. " I saw it in the window of a store and thought of you." He says. I unwrap the present and gasp. It's beautiful. I smile. I pull the snowflake necklace out and smile.

"But why?" I asks. "Why not?" He replies. "Maybe Why will be our always." He adds smirking. I place the necklace around my neck and look over Cole who is staring at me. "Looks good Icey" He winks.

When we exit the car the music is loud and the café we are at is packed. Maybe Why will be our always. I read on the slip of paper in the box.

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NovaLynn's Outfit. ^