I can’t believe I used exclamations. I never show emotion in text messages.
Violet:I don’t mean it like that. I guess I can’t put into words what I’m trying to say… overall, I like the solo figure skating events the most. I retract my previous statements.
Skye:You don’t get to take it back. You’ve already said it.
Violet:Haha! I think I can do whatever I want. I’ve earned that right.
My face starts to hurt, and I realize I’m still smiling at my phone.
Skye:How so?
Violet:By being a strong, independent woman.
I want to call her out on that since she wasn’t even independent enough to make it to her room last night, but I don’t want to draw focus on her bad night.
I do, however, want to know just how independent she is. What does she do for a living? Why is she in Milan? Is that getting too personal with someone?
I’m so not good at this.
Violet:Figure skating is also a work of art.
I don’t know if she says this because she means it or if she’s saying this to undo what she saidearlier.
Violet:The way they move over the ice and land those crazy jumps and twists. Not to mention the actual dance they’re doing the entire time they’re skating.
Skye:Well… hockey is basically figure skating, but with sticks and a lot more rage.
Now she sends through multiple rolling-laughing-crying emojis.
Okay, so I definitely like it when I make her laugh. I don’t know why, because it shouldn’t matter to me, but it feels like an accomplishment for some reason. Like a goal I didn’t know I had.
And I actually agree with her about the sport being a form of art. I’ve always been blown away by the movements they do on the ice. I know I can be like a bowling ball when I slam into the opposing team, but my arms aren’t floating above my head or anything when I do it. And I’m sure as shit not going to jump and twirl.
Violet:You’re fun to talk to.
That sends a jolt up my spine.
Is she flirting with me?
She said “ex-boyfriend,” so I assumed she was straight. Maybe there’s more to her than I realized. I just need to be careful.
Skye:Thanks
I regret that text as soon as I send it. When I made a mental note to be careful, I didn’t mean that I should annoy her.
She doesn’t text me back, and I don’t blame her. I should have replied, “You’re fun to talk with too,” as cheesy as it sounds. I almost cringe just thinking I should have sent that message. But I don’t want to do anything that I wouldn’t normally do. That’s what went downhill with Alisha when we were together. She tried to make me into something I’m not, and I finally snapped.
I’m done with that. I’m done inviting people into my life who don’t deserve to be here.
My phone chimes again, and I feel hopeful. But it quickly fades.
Paige:We’re getting ready to head out for dinner and then to the opening ceremonies. You want us to meet you in the lobby?
A text from Paige shouldn’t bum me out, but I was hoping it was Violet starting our conversation up again. I know I have the physical ability to say something first, but I don’t think I have the mental capacity to.
Skye:Yeah. I’ll meet you down there.
I erase any nervous thoughts of holding full conversations with an attractive woman for the first time in forever, and shift all of my focus to one of the first milestones while I’m here in Italy.
