Janelle’s P.O.V.
“Are you excited ?” Bexley asks, leaning near my locker.
“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling!” I say, my smile as wide as the Cheshire cat.
It’s already been six weeks since I broke my arm, and I’m finally able to get my cast taken off!
“Will I see you at the rink after your appointment?” Bex asks nervously.
“Absolutely! I can’t wait to get back to my regular training”
His smile falters, making me pause.
“You’re going to be careful though, right?”
“Yes, I am. Stop your worrying,” I tease, pulling out my tongue.
Ever since I started helping him with the junior trainee, he keeps hounding me about being careful on the ice.
“I can’t not worry when it comes to you,” he says, his cheeks turning crimson.
I c**k an eyebrow, giving him an ‘Are you serious’ kind of look.
“What I mean is, you are a great skater and were friends. I’m just worried as your friend. I mean,”
“It’s alright. I know what you mean.”
At least I think I do.
In the past couple of weeks, we’ve gotten closer. A lot closer.
Once in a while, at the rink after practice, he’ll hold my hand, not saying a word. Just skating around freely. His smile always so infectious.
I like those moments. A lot.
The more I spend time with him, the more my heart warms whenever he’s near.
The only thing I hate is whenever I’m talking to Oliver, who has also become a good friend, as soon as Bex comes near, he leaves, looking all broody and pissed.
I wish they would just talk and ash out all of their issues. It would make life a lot easier and we could hang out together. They are both very nice to me and it would make everything so much easier for all of us if everyone would just get along.
But I guess life wanted things differently. Maybe someday, they’ll talk it out and it’ll all be over.
I have to be honest though, sometimes, Oliver looks at me weirdly. Not in a bad way necessarily, but sometimes, he looks at me as if he’s searching for something. I don’t know why, and I can’t bring myself to ask him either.
I don’t even know if I truly want an answer anyway as to why he looks at me that way.
My phone suddenly beeps from my pocket. Taking it out, I type out a quick reply and put it back into my pocket.
“Your mom?” Bexley asks.
“Yeah. She’s waiting up front. I should get going. I can wait for this stupid thing to be taken off my arm!” I say, jumping up and down, doing a little happy dance, making him laugh.
“Can you take notes for me in history class, please?” I plead, placing my cast and free hand in a prayer motion, giving him my best puppy dog eyes, and making him roll his.
“Sure. Are you coming to the rink after your appointment?” He asks, scratching the back of his head.
“Absolutely! I know there is no class tonight and I can have the rink all to myself!” I cheer, jumping up and down, but I don’t fail to notice how Bexcley’s shoulder sag as I do.
“Oh, hmm, ok. I’ll… I’ll leave the notes with your uncle then.” He says, trying not to show his disappointment.
“You’re not joining me on the ice?” I ask, pretending I haven't noticed his change of mood.
Teasing him a little won't hurt.
“Do you want me there?” He asks, a little surprised.
“I thought it was a given, but you don’t have to if you have something else planned.”
“No!” He shouts “I have nothing else planned. I’d love to be there!” He says, his smile returning.
“Cool. I’ll see you after school then.”
“Ok. See you after school,”
I walk away, heading for the front door. As I open it, I can’t help but look backward.
Seeing Bexley looking at me, I blush and turn back around so fast. I can hear him chuckle loudly from over where I am.
How embarrassing to have been caught!
I wasn’t expecting him to still be looking at me. But I don’t hate it.
As soon as I’m outside, I spot my mom’s car.
“Someone is in a good mood today,” She says as I buckle in.
“Dugh!! I’m finally getting my cast taken off!”
And I have a date with Bexley!
Wait, a date?! No, it’s not a date! Or is it?
We drive mostly in silence until we arrive at the hospital.
We make our way in and register at the front desk. In no time, we are ushered into a private room.
With a soft knock, the door opens and the Dr. comes in with a nurse and all the tools needed to cut out my cast.
“How’s it been going, Janelle? Any pain at all in the past week?” The doctor asks.
“It’s not really pain, just discomfort with the cast. I’m so ready for it to be taken off!”He chuckles, setting everything out on the little side table.
“I bet you are. Looking at the scan taken yesterday, your bones have healed very nicely, and yes, we can take your cast off today,”
“Thank god! I’ll be able to properly skate again!” I cheer.
“Yes, you can, but only gradually. Give yourself a few days, or even a week, before you get back to your full training. A little at a time is the way to go. Make sure to call if anything happens or if you have any pain or discomfort in the next few weeks, alright?”
“OK,”
“Now, let’s get this cast off of you now, shall we?”
~~~~~
I twist my arm in every way I can, examining it from every angle. It feels weird, but a good kind of weird.
“Are you sure you’re ready to go to the ice rink? Isn’t it too soon?” My mother asks, parking near the rink's front door.
“I am, Mom. Don’t worry. You asked the doctor twice before we left, and he told you it was OK, as long as I’m careful and train gradually.”I say, grabbing my backpack.
“I know what the doctor said.”She says, letting out a deep sigh.
“Nothing I say would change your mind now, would it?”
“Nope!” I cheerfully answer.
“Don’t wait up for me. I’ll probably be here for a while. I’ll ask Uncle Henley or Bex to drive me home later.”
My mother's eyes brighten up and a knowing smirk appears on her lips.
“Now I understand,”
“What do you understand?” I ask, confused.
“You have a date!”
“I do not!!!” I scream, making her laugh.
“You can tell me. He seems like a sweet boy. Your uncle always praises him.” She teases.
“It’s not a date!”
At least I don’t think it is…
“Well, regardless. Have fun and be careful,”
“I will, Mom. Promise,”
Aksara