Chapter 3 Cracks Beneath The Ice
Alina’s POV:
It has been almost a week since the chandelier incident, and Dad was discharged from the hospital now, and all this time, Carter kept visiting him. Now I am back in my skating practice for the final event next week, which wasn’t going as planned yet…
“Don’t lose focus, Alina, it’s your third mistake today!” My coach yelled at me from afar, standing outside the ice rink. His voice was sharp, ringing in my ears.
“I know, I’m trying,” I said, wincing at the pain in my knees from the third fall so far. I felt needles piercing my knees while trying to stand up.
“Babe, are you sure you’re not hurt?” Carter stood up from the seat, who was watching my solo performance.
“Yeah, i’m fine.” I lied, it’s not like I had time to rest anymore. The event was around the corner, and this performance was especially for a VIP guest; his name was kept secret for security reasons.
I pushed harder, forcing myself into the rhythm. Right foot, left foot, the ice whispering beneath me. Out here, I can almost forget. The gala. The near-proposal. Carter’s eyes were so full of expectation, and the hollowness inside me. I felt my head tilt and slip again when I tried to do a loop this time. And it resulted in my awful fall again.
“Ouch!” I hissed at the sudden pain in my lower area, and Carter stood up from his seat.
“Babe, are you okay? Do you want me to come to you?” He asked with concern and restlessness.
“No, I'm fine. Just lost balance.” I said with my head low.
“Huh, the performance is due next week, and you can’t stand on your weak toes? And what do they call you? Quad queen?” Isla shot a burning sentence towards me. I ignored her and stood up. She was the queen of the rink before me, but after my quad jump performance, she was long forgotten. Now she was standing in the corner, burning holes in me, even when she didn't need to be here.
“Well, if that’s the case, how about you show her how to do it? Quintuple flip this time! What do you say?” Carter shot back at her in the same tone, and Isla finally left from there, rolling her eyes.
I ignored her and started my fourth rehearsal this time. The hollow echo of my blades was the only sound audible.
"Again," my coach calls. "Clean edges this time." I nodded and started practicing once again, moving like a graceful swan, this time with full concentration.
It was a few hours later that I was done with my hectic training finally…no more falls and the rest of the performance was good. I was still wearing the same white glittery costume that was sweaty despite the cold outside. I was unlacing my shoes in the locker room when my phone chimed. It was a text from Carter since he had left a few hours ago.
“Let’s have dinner tonight. Just us. No excuses.”
I got lost in his text for a while. He was always so kind and patient with me that it would drown me in guilt.
“Okay.” Was the only word I typed. Then I got another text.
“Wear my favorite color please, I will pick you up at seven..will take you to your favorite place.”
I smiled at his words. Then typed a response. “I will,” then hit send.
I tossed the phone beside me and continued unlacing the shows once again, thinking about Carter. I was done taking off my shoes when I heard someone enter the locker room.
"Alina."
I looked up. Isla again.
“I thought you left,” I said nonchalantly.
“I was on the main ground, chilling, you know.” She said and I didn’t believe her.
She took a few steps toward me, keeping a smug face with her arms crossed. "Practicing quite late, I see." Her tone was smooth, but sharp underneath.
"Of course, I needed the ice to myself." I tried to keep my voice light. Neutral.
"Of course." She tilted her head, studying me like I was some puzzle she couldn’t quite solve.
"Isn’t it funny, though? All that talent and you still look exhausted. Are you sure you can handle everything these days? The skating, the galas, the boyfriend of yours?" Her last word dripped with envy.
I chuckled sarcastically, making her frown. "I can manage it all, you know. There’s a reason why I'm the one performing for the mega event and you’re not. I can handle pressure well."
She seethed with anger. "For now!"
“Huh, for now or forever, it’s still me.” I stood up and took a step toward her, making her step back.
“And as far as I remember, you aren’t performing at all these days, right? Why don’t you stop stalking me and start convincing Mr.Lee to give you a chance again? At least, you will have a reason to stay here late instead of watching others practice.”
She opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t find words. Humiliation was written all over her face. I didn’t want to target her that personally, but her bitchy behavior and my sassy tongue led it this far.
She turned to walk away when I said again, “As far as you are concerned about my tiredness…you might not know but hitting sextuple flips in a single performance isn’t a child’s play, honey. It’s record-breaking!”
She kept looking at me for a bit longer, an unreadable expression crossed her face, and then she finally turned, stomped her foot, and walked out, leaving behind a whiff of her strong and expensive perfume.
I exhaled slowly, trying to compose myself from the surging anger “Don’t give her power. Don’t let her get under your skin.” I repeated the words Carter told me about her.
