Chapter Four

"Come on, Marcus, you seriously don't know how to ice skate?" I asked, not quite believing him. "I really don't know how to ice skate, Adrian." He sighed, "Will you just let me hold on to your arm so I don't fall over?"

Alice rolled up behind me and whispered, "What are you waiting for? You don't want him to hold on to your arm? You could be his protector!"

I sighed, She's right. "Alright," I said. I held out my arm for Marcus and he grabbed my hand.

As soon as he pushed off from the wall he almost went down, he tightened his grip on my hand and I winced.

"Oh gosh, I'm squeezing the bruised hand aren't I?" Marcus asked.

I nodded, "Let me just..." I skated around Marcus and grabbed his other hand, "There, that's better."

We slowly skated around the rink, Marcus didn't want to go too fast as he didn't want to fall.

"HEY LOSERS," Alice yelled as she skated towards us, she slowed her fast pace and joined us in our slow one. "Why are you guys going so slow?"

"Because Mr.Scaredy-cat here doesn't want to fall down." I rolled my eyes.

"Aw. Then that means I can't see any of your cool tricks, Adrian." Alice pouted.

"Blame Marcus for that." I said, "Where's Dylan?"

Alice frowned, "He went home with some chick who was chatting him up." She grumbled.

I shook my head, "Wow, he even manages to pick up girls at the skating rink." I glanced at Alice,

"Sorry, Al, I know you're hoping he'll change but I highly doubt it."

"Yeah, I know." She sighed.

Marcus looked back and forth between the two then said, "Can I see some of your cool tricks, Adrian?"

"Sure," I said. I turned to Alice, "Do you think Chuck would play my song? And maybe clear the rink?"

"Of course he would, he loves to watch you skate."

"Alright, I'll go ask him." I skated away, headed towards the main office.

"Hey Chuck!" I said as I slid over.

"Welcome back, Adrian!" He smiled, "Do you wanna put on another show?"

"That's actually what I came over to ask." I gave a small smile.

"Alright, go get ready."

"Thank you!" I skated to the center of the rink and waited for the announcement.

"Alright everyone! We have another special performance from Adrian! Everyone clear the rink."

I took a deep breath as I waited for the music to start.

When everyone was clear and the music started I counted the beats and began my performance.

1 2 3 4-triple lutz-triple toe-1 2 3 4-double axel-1 2 3 4-triple toe double toe combination-beillmann spin...I was lost in my skating. I forgot that Marcus was watching me, I forgot that I hadn't practiced in over a month, I forgot all my worries...1 2 3 4-backwards high kick-1 2 3 4-leg lift front-one foot turn-1 2 3 4- 1 2 3 4...I put my entire body into my performance. I use my arms and my torso to show what the song is truly about...flip-1 2 3 4-double axel-double axel with leg lift-1 2 3 4-double toe flip-spin with backwards leg lift-1 2 3 4-1 2 3 4-sit spin.

I stood in the center of the rink, my chest going up and down as I tried to catch my breath. My eyes scanned the crowd and I saw Alice and Marcus. Alice was jumping up and down and laughing, while Marcus looked shocked. His mouth was open and he was absentmindedly clapping. I skated over to them.

"That was so cool, Adrian! That was a different routine than I've seen!"

"Yeah, that one was my favorite though." I looked at Marcus, "what did you think?"

"...that was amazing! I had NO idea you could do that!" Marcus said, he had a huge smile on his face.

I smiled back at him, "There's still a lot that you don't know about me."

"Apparently."

We smiled at each other, my gaze locked on his.

"Eh-hem." Alice coughed, my eyes snapped to her. "Stop flirting and let's go get something to eat."

I blushed and glanced at Marcus, his cheeks and ears were just as red as mine were.

"Yeah, alright. I'm starving." I resolved.

I skated over to the exit of the rink, I sat on the bench and started taking off my skates when I saw Chuck walk up to me.

"That was the best I've ever seen you perform!" He said excitedly, "was it because of your tall friend over there?" He gestured to Marcus as I blushed.

"...yeah. I kinda maybe have a little crush on him." I admitted as I put my skates in my locker.

"I can tell, you need to stop blushing whenever you see him." Chuck laughed.

"Hey now, don't laugh at my struggle."

"Why are you struggling? Have you asked 'im out?"

"Ha no, he's straight as they come." I sighed.

Chuck shook his head, "boy, you are oblivious."

I looked up at Chuck with a confused expression, "what?"

"He totally likes you, Adrian." He chuckled, "He couldn't keep his eyes off you the whole time you've been here. He was blushing for your whole performance."

"ADRIAN HURRY UP, I'M NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER HERE." Alice yelled from the door.

"I gotta go, Chuck...and I hope your right about Marcus."

I toed my shoes and ran off, waving at Chuck as I went.

"I know I'm right, boy." He called after me.

"So where are we going to eat?" I asked as we walked to Alice's car.

"I was thinking Pancheros." Suggested Alice.

"Sounds good to me," I shrugged.

"I call shotgun!" Marcus called as he quickened his page to the car.

"ROSA PARKS!" I yelled as I ran past him and got in the passenger seat.

Once everyone was in the car Marcus asked, "Did you just yell 'Rosa Parks'." He asked in a monotone voice.

"Yes, yes I did." I turned around in my seat and stuck my tongue out at him.

"Why?"

"Rosa Parks. Sit in a seat and refuse to move." I explained with a shrug, "I wanted shotgun."

"You are such a dork," Alice laughed.

"But you love me anyway!" I sang as I turned on the radio.

I flipped through the stations as Alice drove to Pancheros.

"Just pick a station already!" She snapped.

"There's no good stations!" I retorted.

"Oh my gosh, Adrian." She reached over and turned off the radio, "Then I guess we won't have any music."

I pouted, "That's not fair!"

"Yes it is, it's my car." She said as we pulled up to Pancheros.

We were still bickering as we entered the restaurant.

"Adrian, is that you?" Came a voice.

I turned around and saw someone that I never wanted to see again in my life. He was someone who hurt me both emotionally and physically.

"Blake?" I said quietly.

This is the routine that I based Adrian's performance off of. You can watch it if you want to.