beautiful boy . ⎯ benny r.

ICE SKATING

May 1995
AMELIA
School went on normally. It's been 4 months sense me and Benny's "break up". Why am I being dramatic? We are still friends, we even joke around a lot during class and we have normal conversations like we did when we were together. Gosh, I'm so dramatic. Anyway, next month school ends and summer starts. I haven't talked to the younger sandlot boys in forever. They even had a game a few weeks ago without me! Kenny began playing hockey, which was really weird. Sometimes, Connie will invite me to her house to watch professional ice skating and... I've been planning on giving ice skating a try. So last month, Connie let me use her ice skates and she took me to the ice skating rink she practices hockey at. I got a hang of it and I think I'm obsessed. It's something I would definitely do for a career, it's so beautiful and it feels like I have no worries on the ice. It helped me forget about Benny, and as much as I skated, I got over him easily. Today, I planned on buying my own skates and one of those fancy dresses female ice skaters use, of course I brought Connie with me cause she knows everything about skating.

I was at the mall with her looking for stores that had the things I wanted.
"Find anything yet?" She was definitely exhausted.
I sigh, "Nope"
"Amelia, can you tell me about you and Benny?" She suddenly says making me blush. As we walked around the mall I told her every detail from summer, I didn't tell her about after summer, that wasn't really our time.
"I even took him to Seattle with me to meet my family, and he visited my moms grave." Everything I told her made me miss him even more.
"Woah, and all of that happened in two months?" Even if Connie was dating Guy, she was so amazed.
"Yeah, it was during the summer. I'm just now realizing that I should've slowed down a bit."
Connies eyes widened.
"No, Amelia, you went at the pase you felt comfortable with." She was actually a really good friend.
"Do you wanna leave? There isn't much here." Connie suddenly changed the subject.
"Sure, we'll try another time." I was beginning to feel like I did a few months ago after telling Connie about my relationship with Benny.
She then gasped, scaring me.
"What is it?"
"I know where to go. Come." She took my hand and we left the mall. I didn't bother asking where we were going, I kept thinking about summer, I miss it so much.
While holding a small conversation, she stopped walking when we came across this huge store.
Opening the door Connie yelled, "Hans, it's me Connie." I walked inside with her and around me was hockey sticks, skates, jerseys, helmets and anything that involved hockey. I walked around the store looking at all the stuff, I loved everything about this place. In a door that had a window I saw a old man walk to us.
As he opened the door, in a accent he says, "Oh, hello Connie, who's this?" He seemed really nice.
"Hi, Amelia." I put my hand out for him to shake it.
"Hans." He says with a warm smile.

After introducing myself, Connie helped me pick out the best ice skates and outfit. I ended up buying white skates and a navy blue long sleeve outfit with rhinestones and a skirt that matched with the top. At the checkout while Hans was scanning my stuff, I saw a figure standing behind the same door Hans came out of earlier. I looked up to see what it was but then they disappeared.
"Here you go ladies, have fun." Hans said handing me the bag, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Thanks." I gave him the money and left the store.

Leaving the store Connie says, "Did you see Charlie? He got scared when you almost saw him staring at you."
"That was him? Behind the door?"
"Yup, I think he's got something for you."
"Ugh... when will they stop!"
"Nah...I'm going to the ice skating rink." I went my separate way and she did too.
"See ya tomorrow." She said as she left.
"Bye."

Once I got to the rink, I changed into my new outfit and began skating. It was such a amazing experience, I felt relaxed. I didn't think about Benny for one second. I twirled around in circles admiring the shapes my skates left on the ice. It was just me and my ice skates, my life couldn't get any better. During a few minutes of skating, I heard the door open. It was Charlie... I never talked to him, what did he want? I had him for P.E, history, english, and lunch.
"Sorry I didn't mean to-" He almost turned back around.
"Oh, no you're fine." I say with a smile to seem nice even if I was annoyed. Annoyed because my friends keep telling me that he likes me which makes me uncomfortable.
"I- I should introduce myself I'm Char-" He walked closer to the ice where I was.
"Charlie, I know. I'm Amelia." I got out of the ice and put my hand out for him to shake it. He looked at my hand then at me, then he shook it.
"How old is this kid?" He did not look like a freshman at all. Not to be rude but he looked 9.
"You're friends with Connie, right?" He said as if he didn't see me earlier with her.
"Yes, yes I am." I tried to forget about everything my friends will say about him liking me.
"You're a good skater, ever thought about joining hockey?"
"Oh, um, no, I just began skating, I'm still new." He was good at making eye contact with me.
"Well, you should join. I'm the Captain." He says with a smirk trying to convince me.
Chuckling I responded, "But, I barely know you."
He sighed and looked at the ground as if he failed to do something.
"Connie is in the team. Does the that change your mind?" Was he ever gonna give up? I kinda did wanna try it out though.
"I'll try." I say smiling hiding my frustration.
"Great, see ya tomorrow." He says then leaves.
"What did I just agree to?" I now regret telling him that I'll try hockey.