Created By

CSLimeWriter

Rate this Story

Embed

"Everyone off the ice!" the guy standing at the doorway yells, causing everyone to either come to a complete stop or just ignore him completely. "I said EVERYONE OFF." Quickly the crowd around me thins out as they skate over to the small gateway exit. As I wait for the people in front of me to move I flick my wrist to see my watch. I am surprised that it reads one 'o clock. Time truly does fly.

"I'll meet you out there," I mouth to my best friend Emily Watson when she turns around to look for me. Once she gets the message she gives a quick nod and continues on her way. Emily and I called around last week and once we got a small group together we decided to meet at Frostie's Ice Arena and skate for a couple of hours; we've been here since ten 'o clock this morning.

Although I suppose this fact shouldn't surprise me. Jeremy Woodfirm, a friend I've had since second grade, had never skated before. After teaming up with a couple other guys we convinced him that Frostie's is the best skating arena in town and that he should come with us. And boy were we in for a shock. Jeremy took to ice like a little bird learning to fly. Not only can he do several spins - of which he had no idea that they actually have names - but he can really speed around the rink and even tried a few jumps.

Finally I am able to get out of the ice arena and, finding an empty bench, I begin to untie my laces. A frown creases my forehead when I accidentally knot one up. In frustration I try to untangle it but it gets me so worked up I just jerk my foot out of the skate and throw the laces inside.

"Christy!" Emily calls running up to me. We embrace and a smile creeps in and takes over the frown. Even without knowing it Emily can cure anything I have: sickness, sleep, loneliness... well, there's only one kind of loneliness that she can't cure from me.

Just then Jeremy walks up with his best friend and Emily's twin brother, Casey Reynolds. I smile as my eyes settle on Jeremy but my face forces its cheerfulness as I simply nod at Casey. What I want to do is walk up to him and smack that stupid little grin right off his face but that would be a bad idea 1) I work here and 2) how would that help people see Jesus in me?

"You were really practicing hard out there, Christy. Good job - you even watched out for all those little kids falling all around you." Jeremy chuckles and I blush with pride. I've been taking lessons ever since I turned seven, which was nine years ago. While I do skate at least three times a week - even when I'm not in class - I still take every opportunity I get to practice.

"Thanks, Jeremy. Hey, you had some pretty sweet moves out there yourself."

He laughs now. "Suuure, if you want to call them moves." We all laugh with him and the forty-five minutes is filled with talking and lots of jokes being passed around; all this time I try and avoid Casey's gaze or acknowledging that he's even here. Finally I decide it's time for me tog go. Pulling my keys from my purse I give Emily a tight squeeze. Turning now to Jeremy I hold out my arms for a hug but he just stares at me.

"It's called a hug," I explain as if I'm introducing a new method for something. "You simply hold out your arms, wrap them around the other person while he or she does the same thing (maybe throw in a pat-on-the-back) and then step away. Just like that."

But instead of giving me a hug the way I told him to he gives me a sideways hug. I cannot stand those kind of "hugs." Everyone who knows me knows that I hate hate HATE those sideways things; they're extremely awkward and don't express any feeling whatsoever.

So before Jeremy has time to break away I swing my other arm around his back and give him my special hug - my real hug. This surprises everyone - including me. I've rarely given anyone my special hug; even Emily. What am I thinking?

Instead of hugging me back Jeremy holds up his hands as if he's surrendering and takes a step back. "Whoa whoa whoa - slow down there, sister." I can tell he's trying not to crack a smile but just the same I feel the heat creeping onto my face...