Two years ago, she was skating a different rink.
A different level.
Nineteen. Nationals. Real judges. Real pressure. Real chance. Something she'd worked hard for.
She fell on a jump.
A bad fall. It was just . . . wrong.
Tore her ACL. Meniscus shredded. MCL ruptured.
She healed. But she'd never get the chance to skate professionally again. That was her dream and now two and a half years later, she was still dealing with the after effects of it all shattering right in front of her.
Some injuries don't heal the way people want them to. And some injuries dig their claws in further than skin deep.
Charlotte rubs the spot just under her leggings where the scar lives.
"I hate that it still does this," she whispers, low enough only I catch it.
I don't know what to say. There's not much you can say. So, I just wrap my arm around her shoulder and lay my head on against hers, letting her lean on me as we listen to the hockey team start practice.
Chapter 4
Tip four; Focus on the head, that's where all the sensation lies.
Ivy
The library is unusually quiet for a Friday afternoon.
Which makes sense, I guess. Most people my age are probably doing something far more exciting than trying to finish a business assignment with a fried brain and eyes that feel... eggy.
That's a thing. Eggy.
I breathe out a rough sigh and force my eyes to continue along the page. Trying to absorb the words as I read them, but nothing happens.
A groan exits my lips, and I thump my head in the book again, squeezing my eyes shut.
Why do I do this to myself?
The chair beside mine is pulled out, a body falling heavily into the plastic and I lift my head, my eyes widening slightly to see Asher staring back at me, his elbows resting on the table. "What-" I look around the library before focusing back on him, "What are you doing here?"
His own eyes follow mine and he tilts his head, "Afraid to be seen with me, Ivy?"
"It's not that." I shake my head, "you're just not very-" I wave a hand, not finishing the sentence.
"Very?" He leans forward, his eyes heavy on mine as a grin begins to pull at his lips. "Very what?"
"Subtle."
"I'm not subtle?" He says the words like he doesn't know what they mean and I huff.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have some party?" I hope he does. Because then that means he won't be here with me, at this table in the university library whereanyonecan see us.
And I know there's a party because Leon is at that party, just like he's at every party.
"Skipped it." He leans his elbows on the table and gives me a look, "we're starting your lessons."
I almost choke on my own spit, "In the library?" I stare around the people near me, lowering my voice. "Asher-"
