On top of the world

Dream Boy

I had an effective lesson with Brian this morning. He told me what his rough plan for me would be for now: compete at Philadelphia Summer Open and New England Regional qualifying championships, hopefully advance to Eastern sectionals and then advance to Nationals afterwards. Because I hadn't competed in Nationals this past season, I didn't receive any Junior Grand Prix assignments. Brian said this was a good thing so I could spend less time competing and more time improving the quality of my skills, "which are already stellar!" he assured me. 

We will also work on my stamina by having me do more double run-throughs (2 run-throughs with a 2 minute break in between) of the short program in a row, break, and then double run-throughs of the long program in a row. I also put together senior length versions of my junior programs so I could prepare for when I debut as a senior lady.

After the lesson and doing my 2 short program run-throughs, I got off the ice at 8 am for a snack break and saw Javi and Nam lacing up their skates in the locker room. Nam and I exchanged nervous smiles while Javi gave me a broad grin. "Lyuba! Hey, you've grown!" the Spaniard exclaimed, standing up to embrace me. 

"Por supuesto," I replied, rolling my eyes at the Spanish skater after returning his embrace. "Luckily, I was able to adjust my jumping technique and keep my flexibility."

"What's that on your forehead?" Nam asked so quietly, I almost couldn't hear.

"It's a scar. I got it about a week before I turned 11 because I smacked my forehead on the ice."

"What the heck were you doing for that to happen?" Nam asked me.

"The illusion move."

"Ouch. That must have hurt," Javi commented.

"Yeah, but it worked out fine. I actually have another scar here that no one notices," I said, pointing to a spot a few centimeters from my right eye. "I got this one when I was 4, when I was bouncing too high on a ball and crashed into the corner of a fireplace."

"You've been through a lot," Nam said.  Javi agreed with a grim nod.

"Guys, it's not serious anymore! I'm still alive and healthy!" I said, laughing. "Ok, I'll let you two get ready to go on the ice. Never be late!"

"Ay ay ay, la hora! We have 2 minutes!" Javi cried. The two guys laced up their skates with Sonic speed and zoomed out just as Yuzuru was walking in. He stepped back to let them by, a little shaken as the guys hurried past him.

I looked up at Yuzuru and smiled. "Hello," I greeted him with my small voice.

Yuzuru cocked his head, seemingly surprised at how my voice hadn't changed much except for maybe getting slightly deeper. "You changed! You grow."

"Yeah." To me, Yuzuru looked the same as he did 2 summers ago, but he did gain more manly, chiseled facial features. More muscles (I would imagine). But the humorous glint in his eyes gave away the fact that he was still a boy at heart. 

Yuzuru walked towards his skate bag and pulled out a Tupperware with his artisan chef mom's masterpieces. He started to munch on the seaweed wraps. I was finishing up my yogurt parfait, and now I was watching him eat his artistic food with hungry eyes and a curious stomach.

Yuzuru looked up and noticed my hungry eyes. "Try?" he asked me, holding out a seaweed wrap. 

My eyes flew open. "Oh no, it's ok!" Yuzuru looked a little disappointed, so I quickly changed my mind and grabbed it from him. We both felt a static shock when our hands touched, and I dropped the seaweed wrap. My eyes started to tear ever so slightly, because I could imagine that this, to Yuzuru, was no different from dropping an ice cream cone.

But instead of crying, Yuzuru laughed. That made sense. I could sense that he was a little sad, but the humor of the situation overpowered the sorrow of it. So he chose to make light of it.

"Why sad?" Yuzuru asked me between his giggles.

My head jerked up. My eyes were dry; how did he know?

Yuzuru picked up the seaweed wrap with a napkin and threw it in the trash. He then proceeded to give me another one. I had to really concentrate on holding it better. Yuzuru helped by holding onto my hand longer. Knowing the seaweed wrap was finally secure, he then pulled his hand away. I kind of wanted it to stay there though.

Wait WHAT?! X.X

I looked up at Yuzuru and again felt more self-conscious than I had felt around Javi and Nam. What was it about him that made me feel this way?

Yuzuru had a very concentrated look. I could sense he was trying to find certain words in English. I was about to offer to open up my improved translator app, but then he turned his gaze back on me and spoke up.

"Electric...shock," he started, miming by putting his two pointer fingers together and making a bzzz sound to mimic the static, "...that is rare in summer, no? More often in winter, yes?"

I giggled a little at the miming and nodded slowly. "Yeah...because of the dryer air." 

Yuzuru's eyes widened as he noticed the scar on my forehead. "What happened?" he asked, gesturing to the scar.

"It was a long time ago," I said, sighing. 

"So this is what hide behind the hair," Yuzuru commented, referring to my grown out bangs. He reached out to touch it. "May I...?"

I nodded and closed my eyes. He ran his lithe fingers over each groove.

"I never seen something like it," he stated rather forwardly. His touch wavered for a moment. "This uncomfortable?" he asked me in a hushed tone.

"No," I replied, my eyes still closed. A few moments later, I made a mistake and opened my eyes. Yuzuru's face was really close to mine. My face colored almost instantly. "Ok, now it is," I squeaked.

The man pulled away. It didn't make sense to me that he was 20 years old. It didn't make sense to me that I was only about to turn 15 in a few months. Gazing at him, I wondered how God could create such a magnificent creature, one that couldn't age physically yet still carried the wisdom of so many legends who lived before him. He confused the definitions of youth and age. He confused me.

All of a sudden, Yuzuru leaned forward again, noticing something else. "You have other mark," he noted, grazing the scar by the corner of my right eye ever so slightly. 

I inhaled sharply, but quietly. I knew he could still hear the surprise in my breath, though. "No one ever noticed that one before."

"Seeing you so close...help me see things I didn't see in you before." I think he meant "on" instead of "in". Still, I couldn't help but be swept away by a new feeling for him. The man had no idea what kind of effect he had on poor little lovesick me. 

From that day forward, I only fell more and more in love with Yuzuru Hanyu.

hey party people

how is quarantine? i'm holding up ok but online school starts tomorrow and I have an organic chem exam Thursday and no estoy listo (I'm not ready) ahhhhh. also if any of you wanna add my instagram it's mal.halsey...also I might start a Miraculous Ladybug fanfic during the summer that features my favorite ship from this show which is MARICHAT so stay tuned :D.

finally, I hope y'all stay safe and healthy, wash your hands, don't go out, and stay entertained somehow!