Page 12 of Chasing Gold, Catching Her

The wind and snow immediately hit her, sharp and biting, almost threatening to knock her off her feet. She decided to pace a little, walking up and down the brightly lit streets near the hotel. Few people were around, an eerie quiet blanketed the city, like a scene from another world. Occasionally, someone passed on the other side of the street, but otherwise it was almost deserted.

Alisa wandered, waiting for the pill to take effect and for her headache to fade. Her thoughts spun chaotically, drifting between nerves and excitement over the competition. She took some snow and formed a snowball by applying it to the back of her head to ease the pain.

Then, at the hotel entrance, she noticed Tora. The blonde was standing alone, looking up at the dark sky. Steam rose from her mouth as she breathed, and her eyes were closed.

Alisa hesitated, trying to look away, but something pulled her forward. Slowly, she approached.

Tora opened her eyes as if sensing her presence and turned her gaze toward Alisa. She didn’t speak at first, just blinked slowly, sleepily.

Did she live in this hotel too? But I thought she said something about a cottage in the shower back then… or? Or did I make it all up and was it just in my head?

“Hey…” Tora said softly.

“Hello…” Alisa replied, unsure of what to expect from her rival.

“That masturbation of yours had a bad effect on you and you decided to come out in the cold for some fresh air?” Tora teased.

Alisa laughed, shoving her lightly. “Fuck you!”

“Okay, okay… no kidding. It’s cold today, isn’t it?” Tora continued, pulling her jacket tighter around her.

Alisa exhaled deeply, her breath steaming in the freezing air. Snowflakes struck her cheeks sharply, and for a moment, she had to chase away a memory she didn’t want, the image of Tora from the shower earlier. Her body warmed at the thought, but the icy wind reminded her sharply of reality.

“It’s only going to get colder… maybe rain too, brr,” Tora muttered.

“Yeah… I know. Winter’s rough sometimes, bone-chilling,” Alisa replied, desperately steering her thoughts away from Tora and swallowing nervously, waiting for the blonde’s next words.

“Yes, I understand,” Tora said softly. “Even though I’ve never been to Russia, I can imagine. We live at roughly the same latitude…”

“Well,” Alisa replied, warming to the conversation, “I think your climate is a little milder since you’re closer to the Gulf Stream.”

“Ah… well, yes, I suppose so. I’ll trust your experience, you’ve been to two countries now. You can compare it. How do you like it here?”

Alisa looked at Tora for the first time and realized just how close she was standing, close enough to touch. There was a faint, fresh scent on her, like mint powder. Alisa took a small, nervous breath and felt the headache ease slightly. The cold didn’t seem so biting anymore, and the world felt a little softer.

“Well… it’s not bad,” Alisa admitted. “Though the weather is harsh. I’d like to explore the city more, but maybe tomorrow will be better.”

Tora laughed softly. “No, it’s unlikely. Snowstorm all week.”

“Oh…”

A silence fell between them, filled only by the wind brushing the street.

Then Tora spoke again. “You didn’t skate badly today.”

“Yeah?” Alisa snorted, clenching her hands in her jacket pockets.

“Yes,” Tora said, nodding. “Despite the mistakes, of course. Everyone gets nervous.”

“Yes… nerves and all that,” Alisa echoed, her voice monotone.

Then Tora placed a hand lightly on Alisa’s shoulder. Alisa froze, noticing the graceful slenderness of her fingers, and her lips pressed together.

“Well… good luck tomorrow,” Tora said, withdrawing her hand and nodding.

“Thank you. You too,” Alisa replied, managing a small smile.

“Actually, maybe I should send you some nudes of mine? You will be able to fall asleep faster, I promise!” Tora raised her eyebrows and, with a faint smile, pulled out her phone. The screen flashed briefly with a quote and the number 1111, then went dark before Alisa could read it.