It only takes one moment to change your life forever.
It only takes one decision to alter the course of your future.
It only takes bravery to open your heart.
But once your heart is open...it's open to being shattered.
Lyra and her mom had little in...
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Trenton:
My alarm wakes me up at 3:30 a.m. and I groan. I'd told Carter to meet me at the rink at 3:35 and I don't want to keep him waiting. I quickly dress and rush to the ice rink. "Hey man," I greet Carter. "Hey, Trenton. So what's this all about. Zachariah didn't tell me much except that you want small cameras installed in the ice rink. You've never asked for this before, or have you?" "No, this is new. I just think it would be good to have some coverage." Who the hell was I kidding I wanted the rink covered like a damn net. We enter the rink and make a circle and walk around for about half an hour. I know Lyra will be here around 4:30 and I know we've got to be out before then. I feel like I'm in some covert op. And in a way I am. But I can't get rid of that sinking feeling in my gut and my gut has rarely lied to me. No. This was the right move. "Listen can you work at like 8:00. We'll all be at school and everything can be done then." "Yeah sure man." "It has to be done before we return from school, do you understand. It's imperative it's finished and there's no site of you or your stuff." Carter gives me an affronted look. "What the hell, do you think I'm some amateur kid. I've got this. You won't see a thing. Hell I'll cover this place like mofo, you'd be lucky if a microscope detected what I'm going to put up." I smile. "Perfect. Thanks, Carter." "Sure thing, kid. "And one more thing, Carter." "Yeah?" "Don't call me kid."
*****
Lyra:
It's the best time for me. It's dark out, but inside the rink the low lights cast lovely shadows around the rink and make me feel like I'm in another world. It's just me and ice. I have "Wake Up" by Madison Reyes playing and I'm carefree and gliding across the ice just me and my thoughts.
Here's the one thing I want you to know you have someplace to go. Life's a test yes, but you go to toe and toe you don't give up no you grow. And you use your pain, cause it makes you you, I wish I could hold you through it. I know it's not the same, you have living to do, and I just want you to do it So get up, get out relight that spark you know the rest by heart Wake up, wake up, if its all you do, look out look inside of you, It's not what you lost, its what you've gained raising your voice to the rain
Use your pain, because it makes you you. So true. I know Maksim would never approve of this music and right now I don't care. I'm free, I'm free and flying. I whip around, clear my head and take off, landing a perfect triple axle. I land with a giant smile on my face. I did it. And it was perfect. I have the perfect take-off, the perfect edge, and got the air I needed. And landing beautifully. You see. I want to shout. You see, I can do it. I can do it without the pain. "I can. I can do it," I murmur. Yes I was going to this dance. I'd never been to a dance before. And whatever else came with it, I was going to go to the dance. Suddenly I stop and blink. A dress. Oh jeez. I'll need a dress. I don't know how to dress for a fancy dance. What do I wear. Where do I go. I cringe a little at the thought but realize the best person to ask...Bethany. I groan. The thought of another shopping trip with Bethany has me shuddering. Then I smile a little. What if I brought Cami along with me. She could help. She'd definitely provide a bit of a buffer between me and my over-exuberant stepmother. With that thought I take off again and execute another triple axle. I'm breathing heavily but I'm so happy. Suddenly I turn somber as I think of Nationals. The quad. I need the quad. Maksim is right. I need the quad and I need to execute it perfectly. If I'm going to have a perfect routine then the quad is a necessity. Triple axles are all well and good, but the quad will put me through the roof. I have to get my quad. And here I'm thinking about a dance. But...I can take a little time off for the dance and still work every day on my quad...can't I? I hear Madison Reyes words and I smile. Use your pain and power through it. I can do it. I WILL DO IT.
*****
Lyra:
It's Saturday morning and I'm stuck in a dress that has more sequins on it than any of my competition costumes. Maksim had business to attend to and couldn't meet me until this afternoon so I had the entire morning and early afternoon to shop for a dress. Bethany about fainted when I asked for her help, I've never seen her so happy. And it caused a glow inside to know I made her so happy. That doesn't mean I wasn't delighted that we had picked up Cami because... "NO!" Cami shrieks when she sees me in the bubble gum pink monstrosity. And that's why I was glad we'd picked up Cami. "What's wrong with it?" Bethany asked clearly confused. "I think it looks absolutely ravishing on her." "She looks like a bottle of pepto bismol just threw up on her and splashed her with sequins and feathers for good measure." Cami says, cringing. "Well...now that you mention it, I guess it is VERY pink. But pink it such a delightful color and—" "On you Mrs. Crawford-Parrish, it's a delightful color on you. You have the most beautiful coloring and I know that pink looks beautiful on you." Cami says earnestly causing Bethany to blush and smile. "Oh, well what a lovely think to say, thank you Cami. And please, call me Bethany." "What about this one?" Cami holds up a red gown that is stunning. It has a sweetheart neckline and long tulle skirt. It shimmers lightly, but not from any sequins that I can see. And it not overly frilly. "I like that one." I take the dress into the fitting room and put it on. The moment I put the dress on I know it's the one. The color is beautiful, and it fits me like a glove. When I come out I can see by the looks on Cami and Bethany's face that they agree wholeheartedly. "Oh darling..." Bethany breathes. "Oh definitely yes, hell yes." Cami says. "Lyra that's the one. That dress was made for you." Bethany claps her hands excitedly. "Now we need shoes, and jewelry." Oh jeez, I hadn't even thought about shoes and....jewelry, I needed jewelry? "Uhmmm shoes yes, but Bethany I don't need any jewelry." "Of course you do, darling. Every girl needs jewelry, and that dress is just begging for the right pieces. I know the exact spot." Cami and I share a look and a sigh but nod our heads. I guess I was getting shoes and jewelry.
*****
Lyra:
We were all laughing as we piled out of the car with bags upon bags, of course that laughter died a quick death when we saw Maksim leaning against his card arms folded across his chest looking decidedly unpleased.
"Trener..." I bit my lip.
"I finished my work early and came over to practice, imagine my surprise when I saw you nowhere to be found. What were you up to little bird?"
"My daughter and I were doing some shopping for the upcoming formal that Alastair Day is holding." Bethany interjects, and I'm surprised to hear some steel in her voice.
"Dance?" Maksim narrows his eyes. "What's this about a dance?" Maksim begins to walk toward me. "Nationals are in a month and you still haven't perfected your routine. You have no time to indulge in silly dances."
"This is a very important dance and Lyra is attending with MY sons. She is most certainly going to this dance." Bethany says her voice cool and collected. I swallow and wait for Maksim's response.
Maksim looks to me and cocks his head to one side. "And what say you little bird. Do you too feel this way about this silly dance?"
I think back to the wonderful day I've just had and swallow deeply before answering.
"Eto ne glupyy trener po tantsam. Ne dumayu, chto odin tanets pomeshayet moyemu kataniyu, poetomu da, ya poydu na tantsy." (It is not a silly dance coach. I don't think one dance will interfere with my skating, so yes, I'm going to the dance).
"I will have words with you father on this matter."
"Fine," Bethany says. "Please feel free to talk to my husband about this...if you can locate him that is. Anyway this matter is settled. Now, we have bags to get into the house and things to organize there is a lot to do." Bethany breezes past coach and Cami follows as I make my way after them, Maksim grabs my arm, in a hard grip.
"YA zastavlyu tebya zaplatit' za etu ptichku." (I will make you pay for this little bird).
I steel myself and nod curtly. "I have no doubt, trener, of that I have no doubt." Then I shake his arm off and follow my friend and stepmother into the house. I'm not letting anything ruin this day.
