THE FIGURE SKATER: reclaiming my glory

"woah! that's her", "she's back" and so on was the kind of whispers I heard as I walked through the hallway. "ha, the nerve of her coming back here after disappearing like that" someone said within the crowd of people but I couldn't care less because I didn't come back here for anyone but myself. I walked through the hallway towards my locker. "hey, welcome back Jade" Marietta who was the only one I could call a friend hugged me. "Long time no see" she said releasing me. "I'm good and you" I said. "same, how've you been" she asked. "I'm good as new" I said trying to smile. " what happened?, you just disappeared like you never existed, no calls, no text, why? " she asked worried. " it's complicated "I said. "hey Jade, welcome back...I see the rumors are true" Jenny who has always been my rival since like forever said to me. "oh! I see you already heard the rumors, turns out it's not just a rumor but the truth"I said, smiling sweetly. "Ah, of course.... but I thought I was going to hear the news directly from you since we're practically close" she said. " oops!! my bad...I initially planned on telling you first but...I forgot "I said feigning sadness. " I see...see you around then, I've got things to do....ah and a little advice for my best friend or should I say rival....I won't go easy on you " she said walking closer. I'm not a shortie but I'm not that tall either and she wasn't so much taller than me so I wasn't intimidated. "I don't plan of going easy on you either" I said. she scoffed and walked away. "wow! that was pretty intense, I didn't know there was still so much tension between you guys" Marietta said. " let her be, she's sick" I said walking away. We had to practice later today and check out our schedule for the week so I headed to the director's office to collect my schedule plans. It's been exactly two years since I left and I'm happy to be back but it doesn't feel like it, though so much has changed, from the building to the staff members and even our over-demanding coach who pushes us to our limits and now we're having a new coach and I hope he or she would be better than the last. "hi, I'm Aiden... I've always wanted to talk to you but didn't get the chance before you left" he said nervously. " ohh! nice to meet you Aidan, I'm Jade... Jade Audrey " I said smiling. " I know... I mean everyone knows who you are... you were literally the queen of the ice and I know you still got it in you " he said. I wanted to say 'thank you ' but got interrupted by a loud cheer. "what's going on" I asked. " it seems Jenny just did a flip" Aiden said. we were currently at the ice rink before Aiden came to me. "that's good" I said. "hey Jade, we meet again" Jenny said skating towards where I was sitting. "aren't you going to practice" she asked. "of course I would, after I finish massaging my legs" I said. "oh! yeah, they're probably stiff by now tsk,tsk..." Jenny said. "you think so?...I bet my legs are far more flexible than yours... even after not using them for two years" I said. "then show us, let's see how flexible they can be" she said. "enough Jenny... you're taking it too far" Aiden said "Fine" I said sitting up. "No...you don't have to do this" Aiden said. "it's okay... I'll be fine" I assured him. "it's been two years, Jade... don't do it, please" he begged. too late cuz I was already putting on my shoes. "don't worry... I'll be fine" I smiled. I skated to the center of the rink and started skating slowly.'it's okay... I'll be fine...I have done this before... it's no big deal ' I started increasing my speed little by little and then I launched into the air from a back inside edge with a toe pick assist and landed flawlessly on the ground rotating twice on the ice. " OMG!!!... she's good" "they weren't lying when they said she's the best" people started cheering and clapping saying good things about me so it makes me wonder 'what if i failed?... would they still clap and say those things? ... would they say it's been long that's why? ...or would they have said 'she's not even as good as they say' ...so instead of feeling proud, it makes me feel sick. I have always known I'm alone in this world where the fame and rivalry dominate over genuine friendship. "turns out I'm still more flexible than you are" I said to Jenny. "it's just luck, don't feel so super-fly" she said walking away. "she's so childish...is she she even up to 20 yet?" Aiden said. "more like a 6 yrs old child " I said. Our lunch break starts by 12 noon but it's 11:52 PM, so I'm going to the cafeteria so I won't be late. " hey Jade, over here " Marietta waved me over to the line. " xup, I didn't see you in practice today... what happened?" I asked. " I had an appointment with the doctor today"she said. " why? are you okay?" I asked worried. " Yes, apart from not being able to sleep properly, the doctor said it's insomnia " she explained. " I'm sorry, you should have told me so I can go with you " I said. " Nah, it's not necessary. besides you need to practice more... heard our new coach is here already....bet his young and handsome " she said dreamingly. " you wish" I said smiling. " there's a free table over there, let's sit there" she said walking over to the table. " here, you can have mine" she placed a bottle of milk on my tray. " you don't..." "yeah, I don't drink milk... I'm allergic" "ohk... thanks" I said I'm not a fan of food though but I can't say no to her. *later that day* We went back to the practice hall to welcome our new coach. "hello everyone, this is your new coach... and he'll be the one coaching you from now on" our director Mr. will said. " Hi, my name is Archer .J. Miller but just call me Archer... nice to meet you all and it's a pleasure coaching you" he said. "Damn... he's hot" Marietta whispered to me. "is that so?... how hot is he?" I asked her. "very hot... he's super hot" she said faning her face. "pervert" I laughed. But truth be told, our coach is young and handsome. he has this perfect sculptured face like a model or an actor with his long blonde hair which was packed up into a messy bun, then his dark brown eyes that complimented his fair complexion.then his body was as hard as a rock with muscles gripping his shirt tightly like another skin,then his voice....his voice sounded so deep and mature. he is a perfect work of art. A masterpiece.