Janelle’s P.O.V.
I can’t wait to get back on the ice!
I almost run inside the rink as soon as I’m out of my mother's car.
“Well hello there, little lady,” Sam calls out as I skipped through the door. “How’s the arm?”
“My cast is finally off! Look!” I excitedly say, lifting my sleeve and moving my arm around.
He chuckles, placing his papers down on the front desk.
“That’s great news. You must be quite anxious to get back on the ice and train again?”
“I am!” I exclaim, clapping my hands.
It feels great to have my full range of mobility back. I still have that weird tingle throughout my arms, but the doctor said it was normal. It’s from the pressure the cast made against my arm.
“Bex is here already. He’s probably warming up now.”
“Most likely. I saw his car outside,” I blush, still wondering if this is a date or not.
“You two have fun,” He chuckles again, eyeing me with a suspicious grin.
“Thanks,” I say, frowning a little.
I shake off whatever that was and rush to my locker to grab my skates.
As soon as I walk in between the bleachers, I spot Bexley, sitting close to the ice entrance door.
I don’t even attempt to control my excitement about having my cast off. I jump up and down, showing him I can move freely.
He seems happy for me.
“How about we skate around for a bit, and warm up before getting into anything more strenuous?”
“Sure. That sounds like a good plan for starters.”
I sit down and take off my shoes. Almost mechanically, he grabs my foot and lifts it up in his knee. But just as he puts it down, he realizes what he’s done.
“Sorry! It kind of became a habit in the past few weeks,” He says, his face turning crimson from embarrassment.
“It’s ok. I almost did the same thing just before you did,” I laugh nervously.
I put on my skate and tie them up. We both stand up at the same time.
“After you,” He gestures gallantly for me to step on the ice first.
“Why thank you, my good sir,” I mock, making him smile.
Out of instinct, he grabs my hand and pulls me to glide around the rink. To be honest, I kind of really like it when he holds my hand. It makes me feel safe in some sort of weird way.
We haven’t known each other for long, but in that short amount of time I’ve gotten to know him, I know he wouldn’t hurt me.
Plus, Uncle Henley knows him too. He would definitely not let me hang around him if he weren’t a good guy.
He would beat the crap out of him if he even attempted to hurt me.
I still remember how he punched him after he found out what happened last year.
It was awesome and frightening.
That was the moment I knew my uncle was my hero. Since I don’t have a father, he’s the closes thing I have to one.
I wouldn’t change it for anything in this world.
After about fifteen minutes of simply skating around, I spin backward, not letting go of his hand though.
“How about I try a simple jump?”
“Sure. How about a bunny hop?”
I stare at him with a raised brow.
“Seriously? A bunny hop? I know I haven’t trained in a few weeks, but that's way too simple,”
“Careful little steps, remember?” He says, smiling.
I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed before, he’s got a dimple on the left side when he smiles. But only on the left.
“I know, but seriously, I can do something a little more… Just more! I’m not a beginner you know!” I pout, making him chuckle.
“I know. Then, how about a spiral?”
“Ok. I could do that,”
I let go of his hand and start skating further ahead of him.
“ But if you feel the slightest discomfort, please stop spinning”
“Yes, sir!” I say, giving him a military salute.
Breathe in… breathe out. Slowly gather speed.
Slowly lean forward, lift one leg up off the ice.
“That’s it. Keeps steady.” Bexley encourages.
Keep both arms out to my sides.
Keep your head up.
“You’ve got this. A little more speed.”
Do not look down at the ice because you may lose your balance and fall.
I glide as long and as comfortably as I can until I feel that I begin to move too slowly. I stand back up with both arms out to my sides.
I take in another few deep breaths, then turn to Bexley.
“How was it?”
“Perfect,” He says, smiling broadly.
“Are you sure? Maybe I could have held on a little longer. Or maybe tighter?” I nervously ramble.
“No. I don’t think you could have done better. You’re amazing, Janelle.”
“Thanks” I shyly reply.
“How did it feel?”
“Good.”
“Just good?”
“To start with, yes. It was good.”
“What do you want to try next?”
Kissing you?
Wait, what!?!? Where the hell are my thoughts wondering?
Embarrassed by them, I turn around and glide away from Bexley.
“Are you ok? You kind of got flushed for a second. Is it your arm?” Bexley asks, catching up to me in no time.
“I’m not flushed, and my arm is fine. Let’s try something else,”
Before my mind wanders again!
“What do you have in mind?”
Still kissing you!
Seriously, I want to hit my subconscious, unconscious!!
“I-I don’t know,”
We skate a few feet before Bex gives a suggestion.
“How about a simple Axel?”
“Ok,”
I set myself into position and execute it perfectly.
“Seriously, you have a gift when it comes to skating. You are a true born natural.!” He declares excitedly.
“I’m not that good,”
“Are you kidding me?! You are by far the most talented skater I’ve seen.” He says, grabbing my elbow, stopping me from skating further.
“I told you before. I think you’re even better than my mom. I meant it then, and I mean it now. You are incredible!” He says genuinely.
“Thanks for saying that. Even if I don’t believe you, it makes me feel good anyway,”
“But I’m serious!” He shrieks, pulling me closer, and making my heart race.
He’s so close. I can smell the gum he was chewing earlier on the bleachers before he threw it out.
“Ok,”
He lowers his head, shaking it from side to side.
“Look, I don’t know how else to say it, but you’re really good. And I believe you can go far in this sport. If you want to, of course!”
I slowly lift my eye up to meet his.
“And I’ll be here for you every step of the way if you want me to,”
His eyes lower to my lips, making me lick them.
He bends down slightly, looking back into my eyes, silently asking for permission.
“Are you two already done practicing jumps?” Uncle Henley hollers from the top floor bleachers.
Oh. My. God!
My uncle almost caught me kissing Bex!
Aksara