On top of the world

First date shenanigans

That word. Date. 

Something about it frightened me. When I was in the 6th grade, I had been asked out by two guys, but only because other people forced them to ask me. I couldn't have cared less. I declined them both with more dignity and respect than they offered to me because 1. I wasn't interested in dating anyone at the time, 2. I was always busy after school and on the weekends, and 3. My parents wouldn't let me. 

Though I had a quiet rebel inside me, I tried my best to not ever disobey my parents. Since I had so many activities to fill up my time, I could almost never go out with friends, so grounding as a punishment wouldn't do. The worst they could do to me was spank me with a spatula. I usually would get spanked if I ever physically hurt Yuri or if I lied and my parents found out. Fortunately, Yuri and I saw less and less of the spatula as I transitioned to high school. 

But I wasn't scared of going home to parents who found out I went on a date, because those parents were in a completely different country from me. No, I was afraid of what the result of this date may be. In my head, all possible options (save one) could go terribly wrong. 

If Kévin and I hit it off and decide to start going steady, how would that interfere with our careers? If I end up liking him and he ends up liking me but just as a friend, or vice versa, the dynamic between us at the rink could be awkward. Or we could mutually decide that we're better off as friends. At least I'll get a new friend. 

Kévin and I sat down and got drinks at the cafe. We ended up talking a lot about music. I told him that while I still liked some of today's pop artists, I was also developing a greater appreciation for music from the past.

"So many decades of great music," I rambled. "I can't choose which generation had the best music because each era is so different, but so cool too, you know what I mean?"

"I agree," he replied. "I really like the glam rock era of the 70's though. You know the band Queen, and David Bowie?" I nodded. I knew much of Queen's music. So many movies had used "Don't Stop Me Now"; "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions" was played at every school football game by the drum line and the pep band; and a bunch of people had skated to "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Killer Queen". As for David Bowie, I hadn't heard as much of his music, though I remembered seeing a clip of him performing "Starman" live in the 70's on television, and I also heard "Moonage Daydream" in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. 

"I think the glam rock period was the beginning of modern music," Kévin declared just as, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Yuzuru and Javier taking a table next to us.

Suddenly, Kévin's phone blared out Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". "Forgive me, mon cherie, but I must take this." He began talking in rapid-fire French to the other person on the phone.

I turned to Yuzuru and Javi. "What're you guys doing here?" I hissed.

"Just getting the midday caffeine fix," Javi answered lightly.

"Is not bad to take call while on a date?" Yuzuru whispered.

"Usually yes, but it seemed urgent. I'll let it slide this one time," I answered. I assumed it probably came from his family or a close friend from home.

Yuzuru took my hand into his and squeezed it. I smiled softly in response and then turned back to Kévin with renewed confidence. Yuzuru didn't let my hand go. I didn't want him to.

"So...who was that on the phone?"

"Um, my boyfriend."

I dropped Yuzuru's hand. Yuzuru and Javi's heads snapped up. Three vengeful gazes emanated from us.