Gemma decided to check in with Frankie the next day.
Gemma: How did your first practice session go for Skate United States?
Frankie: *Shrugging emoji*
Gemma: So a couple falls on your side-by-side and on your throw jumps?
Frankie: Pretty much. Our lifts were solid though.
Gemma: How does it feel to be back at an international competition?
Frankie: Surreal. This is my first senior international competition. I thought I’d be more nervous, but after Nationals last year, it just feels like Charlie and I are up to business as usual.
Gemma: I have the streaming schedule all worked out so I can watch your short program and free skate while I’m traveling.
Frankie: *Smiling emoji*
Three dots blinked. Frankie was typing.
Frankie: I wanted to ask you too?.?.?. Dad said you had a date yesterday? Who was it?
Gemma:I did. Leslie invited one of Ron’s teammates over to brunch at Suzy and Mr. T’s.
Frankie: And?
Gemma: Wipeout.
Frankie: Bummer.
Gemma:The only consolation was that I got to see another side of your dad. He’s scary when he’s in military mode.
Frankie: Uh-oh. It must’ve been really bad if Dad went navy on the guy’s butt.
Gemma: I wish I’d filmed it for you.
Frankie: I’ll have to ask him to fill in the details. I’m sure he’ll do so gleefully.
They exchanged a few more texts before Gemma realized it was getting late. She was just about ready to head out to the Sequoia Valley Elementary School Halloween Festival.
Frankie: You’re going to have a ton of fun tonight! Charlie told me almost the entire town shuts down for it. Send me pics. I can’t wait to see what costume you settled on.
Gemma: See for yourself.
She walked over to the mirror in Frankie and Charlie’s bathroom, snapped a photo of herself, and sent it to Frankie. She was wearing Frankie’s old skating dress that brushed the top of her knees. She’d accessorized with a black ribbon as a belt and secured her hair into a high bun.
Frankie: Va-va-voom! Princess Gemma is ready for her royal ball. All you need now is a glass carriage.
Gemma: No glass carriage tonight. Just a magical ride share. Speaking of which, the app on my phone is telling me it’s here.
Frankie: Go, we can’t have you be late for the ball.
Gemma: I’m going.
Frankie: Have fun and text me later.
Gemma: I will!
Chapter 6
