“Aimes, do you think I would have woken you up on your day off and forgot your skates when I was bringing you up here to skate on a lake?”
I eyed the bag on his back.
“You really thought of everything didn’t you?” I asked.
“Yep. I even have some snacks and hot chocolate tucked away.”
I let my legs drop, keeping my arms around his neck. His hands gripped my waist through my puffy jacket.
“Mmm, you know, if you spoil me this much, you’re never going to be able to stop.”
“Is that a promise?” He whispered before his lips pressed into mine.
We spent the better part of the morning skating over the frozen lake and it was amazing. We ended up practicing our upcoming routine—minus the complicated lift—and somehow doing it out in the open under the blue sky and pale yellow sun made it incredibly magical.
Asher left the ice before me, and held up a little cup of hot chocolate to entice me off. I made my way and I sighed, collapsing on the blanket that he had also stored in his magical backpack.
“I’ve never been so happy.” I sighed.
I was content and happy in a way I didn’t know I could be. It was like a weight had been lifted. I’d needed this—a day away, and not just a day I didn’t spend training. It was moments like these that reminded me that I truly loved skating, that it wasn’t just a job, or career. That I loved the freedom and the fluidity of it.
“Never?”
Something in Asher’s voice registered in my ear wrong, and I sat up and looked at him. Something dark seemed to flicker over his features, in his eyes.
“I mean, I’m sure I have, but today has been so perfect.”
Asher scoffed, and I flinched. The blue sky started to darken, and dark clouds started to rumble and roll across the sky. The sun disappeared behind them as a wind picked up. I tore my gaze from the sky and looked back at Asher, and I gasped. Blood coated his head staining his normally golden hair red and I backed away.
“You forgot about me.”
I flinched and clambered onto my feet as Asher stood and moved towards me. I was still in my skates having expected to head back out onto the ice after a little break.
“You fucking forgot about me.”
The blood was spreading and my heart was hammering in my chest and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. A storm was building and raging and brewing all around us and I had no idea what Asher was talking about, why he was bleeding, why he was mad.
“Ash-Asher, we-we need to get y-your head loo-looked at,” I stammered.
I wanted to reach out to him, comfort him, make sure he was okay, but I couldn’t stop backing away. I stumbled when my skate hit the ice, and then I pushed off, pushed away fromhim. Something stronger than my desire to go to him urging me away.
“Aimee!” He roared.
And I heard him chasing after me. “You fucking forgot about me! You said you’d never been happier. Didn’t you learn to never lie!”
His voice echoed and tears burned in my eyes, terror latched onto my chest and I could barely breathe.
“It’s your fault, Aimee.”
“If you hadn’t wanted to do that stupid fucking lift.”
I choked on a sob and nearly stumbled as the ice underneath started to crack.
“It’s your fault Aimee Bryant, and now it’s your turn.”
His anger was the last thing I heard before the ice cracked completely and I fell in, the ice water stealing my breath, my skates and jacket weighing me down. I saw his form over the opening of the ice and I reached upwards, but he just stood there.
Air escaped in bubbles through my lips and my tears were washed away by the water, and I felt myself drowning.
