The Experience Buddy [Completed]

Chapter 20: Hero's voice

Warning: Coarse language used (one line)

Note: For the full reading experience of this chapter, please listen to "I Like Me Better" by Lauv on repeat.

Emily kept asking where we were headed.

I didn't really want to answer her, in case she could hear my voice tremble. Although it was my idea to go to the ice rink, in all honesty, I can't really skate. While driving to the venue, I could feel my palms sweating from all that nervousness.

Besides, I suppose I won't be alone, right? I mean, Emily is the epitome of a boring girl. She's pretty much kept herself constrained to the surroundings of her well.

"Have you tried ice skating before?" I asked as I stepped into the rink while holding on to the edges. Not much of an issue if I only needed to stand still with the skates on.

"Have I?" Emily grinned and took off. She glided on the ice so smoothly, weaving through other skaters so effortlessly. It's like holding up a silk handkerchief in the air, letting the soft wind caress it. She's the breeze.

Emily may not be a professional, but she has to be the most graceful person I've ever seen on ice.

Then again, I've never seen that many people skate.

"I didn't think you could skate!" I exclaimed, feeling cheated.

"I might have been living in a well, but I did many things in the well." She told me smugly. That smug ignited the competitiveness in me. If she can do it, so can I, right? So I daringly removed my hands from the edges of the rink but ended up trudging on the ice awkwardly.

"Stop laughing." I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Here, take my hand." She reached out both of her hands towards me.

"This is embarrassing." I thought as I glanced around for a bit and hesitated for a second before holding on to them.

I guess I must be talented after all, because in no time, I was skating much smoother than before. Slowly, she let go of one hand and moved to my side. Emily was about to let go of the other hand when I grabbed it tighter. No way am I letting her hand go, what if I fall?

With every round we went around the rink, I kept getting better and better. Finally, I think I am ready so I let go of Emily's hand and went ahead of her. I was going to show her my lightning speed on ice.

I was expecting her to surpass me but she didn't. So I turned around to see that she was standing on the same spot. That's weird, I thought she would race with me around the rink. Nevertheless, I went back and grabbed her, stringing her along behind me.

Just then, the previous song ended and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" started to play.

I love this song.

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Emily was planning on going to the Stanford Christmas Market so I asked if I could tag along since I don't have plans for the day.

I peeped at her list and noticed there were quite a number of people, although I know half the people on the list. Even my name was there. I thought she was broke, because I vaguely remember her saying she needed to find a part-time job or something. Why is she buying presents for so many people when she doesn't have the money?

At one point, I had to make a trip to the restroom. When I was out, I couldn't find her anywhere and it got me panicking for a bit. All kinds of scenarios played in my head, mostly negative ones. Could she have followed some stranger because he said he would treat her to ice cream? Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it really happens.