"Focus Ryley, this skate can bring you to the Olympics. It's the day we've been waiting for. You've skated a clean program during practice over the last several months. You've got this!" drilled my coach.
Resting my head on the side of the rink, I grasp my thoughts that have been circling since early this morning. Everything now rests on my ability to perform at my peak. I have no opportunity to slip-up. This may be the single most important day of my life; however, all I can think of is how important this skate is to everyone else.
"I understand. Trust me, I plan to give my all. Would you expect any different of me?" I tease.
A sharp voice echoes through the stadium, "Skaters, the rink is now available for practice."
"Why don't you get out there and run-through your combos?", he teased back.
"As you command, sir" I say mockingly.
Stepping onto the ice I peel off my skate guards and chuck them onto the ground beside my coaches feet. Giving one last smile to him I skate off towards the other side of the ice.
I take a few laps around the ice to get a feel for the atmosphere before I even think about attempting a jump. I realized not too long ago that rushing into jumps without getting to know the ice first, leads to nothing but bruised elbows and crushed egos.
The soundtrack to The Phantom of the Opera pulses through the air as my dress flutters from the wind I've picked up. I close my eyes for a second, taking in the music and sound of my blades as they cut into the ice. A sound I never want to get out of my head.
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Say you love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
I take a deep breath, open my eyes and prepare to take on my first combo in my program. I dig my toe pick into the ice slinging myself into the air landing the triple flip. Not even giving myself a second to think I push my toe pick back into the ice landing my triple toe and double toe loop.
With a wide grin on my face I whip my head towards the opposite side of the ice searching for my coaches eyes, but I'm met with someone else's. He's silently watching over the rink as the other girls glide by perfecting elements they feel need more precision. I push his presence to the back of my mind and push myself forward into a spiral.
Several successful attempts later, I talk myself into undertake one more combo before I step off the ice. I've always been instructed to give my complete self and then some: especially with skating.
Propelling myself across the ice, I look up catching sight of the mystery guy talking to my coach along with Brian Orser. Shaking my head, knowing there's no way that THE Brian Orser is talking to my coach, I jab my toe pick into the ice throwing my body into a triple lutz.
Halfway through the rotation, all I feel is the bitter cold and excruciating pain.
YOU ARE READING
Break The Ice // y.h.
RomancePer•se•ver•ance : Perseverance is not giving up. It is persistence and tenacity, the effort required to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if it's hard. ❄ A/N: this is my first fanfic, so don't come for me please.
