Stop While You're Ahead

Third Wheel (Sneak Peek)

"Where's your date?"

   He shrugged, wiping some melting snow off the shoulder of his jacket, "Couldn't find one," he smiled up at her, "guess I'm a third wheel."

***

   She couldn't believe it. Nope. Not at all.

How the hell did she manage to become the third wheel? Seriously, considering this was technically her date still and Jean just so happened to tag along, she shouldn't be left out. It only made sense that Jean was the third wheel, not finding a date quick enough. That was the only logical reason.

   She crossed her legs, her jeans rubbing uncomfortably together and curly hair poking out from under her hat, pouting. Yes, pouting. That is what the situation had resolved down to. Two guys chatting up a storm, while she sat on the bench pouting like some five year old.

  She tuned out some time ago, as soon as the word 'football' was mentioned, staring at the other couples who ice skated lovingly beside each other. Her bottom lip prodded out more.

   His arm wrapped around my waist as he teaches me how to balance along the ice.

Nearly falling several times, blushing like crazy and giggling nervously.

   Jean saying it was all o-.

Her eyes widen, lip sucked in between her teeth. She didn't say any of that out loud, did she? She peeked a glance at the two boys, both seeming unfazed from their little world, and smiled.

   Good. They didn't.

Besides, she meant to, ehm, 'think' Mitch. Not Jean. Nope, just a simple slip of the mind.

    She tucked her hands under her arm  pits, blowing out cold air. Tonight was going to be a long night.

***

   It had manage to drop at least ten degrees cooler within the last hour or so, and she was practically froze. Her legs were stiff, her nose runny and her cheeks felt a blaze with attacks of ice.

   Mitch had wrapped an arm around her a while back, asking her if she would like to go skating, which she promptly said 'no' several times repeatedly, due to the odd suspicion that the back of her jeans hand frozen themselves to the metal bench she sat so stubbornly on.

  After a few more of 'are you sure's', he gave up, leaning back with her, arm loosening slightly. She'd admit it, her behaviour related to a hard headed two year old not wanting to eat their vegetables. That simple fact wasn't going to stop her, though.

  Eventually, Mitch gave a frustrated groan, standing and finally saying, "I'm going to go ice skating. You're welcomed to join if you'd like, okay?" and with that out and about, he stomped off to the stands, purchased some rented skates and was off on the ice in a few moments time.

  She huffed, watching him go on the ice and catch up with Jean, who was currently (and much to her displeasure) chatting up a group of girls, with their frilly little coats and cute little hats. She made a face, turning away from the rink.

  Why did she care? Jean could do whatever he wants. Didn't bother her, nope, not one bit.

Another fifteen minutes passed, and she was getting antsy.

   "Oh my god, that guy with the curly blond hair," Rae perked up slightly as a group of girls walked pass, listening. No, not eavesdropping, listening, "he was cute. I think he liked me."

  They were talking about Jean.

"And that other guy, with the gorgeous blue eyes," that was Mitch. The girl paused, fanning herself as she were in the middle of the Sahara desert, "he was ho-o-ot."

  She gritted her teeth.

Alright, bitches about to die here.

  "Do you think we could get their numbers?"

That was it. She stood abruptly, a growl ripping through her.

   Ice skating it was, then.

***

  Bad idea. Really bad idea.

She clung to the sides for her dear life, stomping roughly against the ice, chunks flinging up violently.

 People whirled around her, hands behind backs, gliding effortlessly. They laughed and twirled, practically rubbing her utter failure in her face.

   She grounded her teeth together.

Alright, just one foot in front of the other. Just like rollerskating. Expect, you're on ice, the skates have blades, and there's a good chance of slicing off a limb or getting a concussion...

Way to motivate yourself, Rae.

"Hey, look who finally decided to join?"

***

  ((A/N: Okay, for anybody who's still been reading this, I'm giving off a sneak peek. Basically, all the stories I haven't updated in ages are currently being worked on and I'm just posting a few spoilers for anybody still interested. :) ))