World Tour (HIATUS)

Chapter Fourteen

The roller rink was cooler than the air outside but Alexander didn't mind. His favorite weather was cold, and like Elsa said, the cold never bothered him anyway. His group stopped in front of the desk. "James," Alexander said. "Do you need help paying for admission and the skates?"

"Nah," he said, shaking his head. "It's pretty cheap here."

"Hey, how did James end up paying?" Chad asked, eating the last bit of his churro. "Did you all discuss this without me?"

"You were skipping ahead of us when James decided to pay for all of us," Bert said, laughing. "He said that it was payment for going to a sucky recording studio."

"Sweet."

Aaron nudged Alexander, whispering, "You don't mind if I hang out with Maddie tonight, do you? She's teaching me how to skate."

Alexander grinned, shaking his head. "No, I don't mind." He dropped his voice even lower and said, "You like her."

"What?" Aaron said, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "No way."

Alexander laughed, placing a hand Aaron's shoulder. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."

"Secret?" Chad asked, drifting over to the two other boys. "I love secrets."

"No secret here," Aaron said quickly. "Alexander has a secret."

"No I don't." Chad looked between Alexander and Aaron. "Chad, there's nothing going on here. We promise."

Chad cocked an eyebrow and moved over to Bert, whispering in his ear. "Good job, Alex," Aaron said angrily. "You know Chad can't keep secrets."

"I'm sorry," Alexander said, shrugging. "If you'd tell us, then there'd be no point in keeping the secret."

Alexander moved next to Ellie, who was standing next to James. "Are you sure you don't want us to pay?" she was asking James. 

"Ellie," James said, turning her way. "I told you already. I'm fine with paying for all of us."

"Sir," the lady at the desk said. Alexander looked at her and she seemed bored. "Are you going to pay or not?"

"You can't fight James when he has his mind set on something," Alexander said to Ellie. "Believe me. I've tried."

"I'm assuming you failed."

"Bingo!" Alexander grinned. "I love him, though. He's a good guy."

"You all seem like good guys," Ellie said, leaning against the counter. "When I first saw you all on Battle, I thought you all were snobs."

"Ouch."

Ellie let out a laugh, saying, "But then Maddie and I met you all, and we were proved wrong."

"I actually had no clue who you guys were," Alexander said, grinning. "I had to catch up on the season you were in."

"Thanks," Ellie said drily. She shivered slightly, saying, "It's chilly in here."

Alexander looked down at his flannel and said, "Do you want this? I have a shirt underneath it."

"No," Ellie said quickly. She shook her head. "No. I'm okay."

"I don't mind," Alexander said, slipping his flannel off. "I love the cold anyway."

He moved behind her and spread the flannel around her shoulders. His fingers brushed her bare shoulders, and there was a small spark of electricity where his skin touched hers. Before he could say anything, James said, "Come on, guys! Let's go get our skates."