The Ice Between Us:Broken Promises

One-Everyone Except Me

Violeta’s POV

I used to think the worst thing Rowan Mercer ever did to me was leave.

I was wrong….The worst thing was that he left me with absolutely no reason to hate him.

No betrayal…No goodbye…No explanation I could twist into anger and use to make forgetting him easier.

Just his empty bedroom I always snuck into, a love I didn’t know what to do about and seven years of wondering why I wasn't worth staying for.

“Has the pairing for the Ice Classic Event been done?” Mum asked, breaking the silence in the dining, her voice cold and judgemental as always.

“No, Mum,” I answered, keeping my eyes fixed on my meal.

I didn’t need to look up to know she was boring holes on my face with her eyes. “I thought you said you are already sure you and Nathan would be paired.”

“Yes, Mum, but that is only based on what everyone is saying and how much Nathan and I have worked for it. The school hasn’t dropped the official list yet,” I explained, swallowing hard as the room suddenly felt hotter.

“You gave me information based on school gossip?” Her voice was louder now, her hand hitting the table with a loud thud, forcing me to finally look up at her furious face.

“No…it’s nothing like that,” I tried to explain, but she wasn’t having it.

"I hope you aren't assuming you'll be paired with Nathan simply because you're dating him? I raised you better than that, Frostheaven will never compromise the yearly Ice Classic charity event over a relationship."

Her eyes moved over me, and somehow that was worse than if she'd shouted, "You've spent your entire life handed nothing but the best, Violeta. Don't start believing you deserve something simply because people expect you to have it.”

It took everything in me not to give her the exact response in my mind. I worked for everything I have now, she made sure of that.

“I deserve to be paired with him. I have worked for it all semester.” My voice was shaky, I wouldn’t even believe my own self, but that wasn’t what hurt most. The fact that my own mother didn’t even trust my skills enough to believe I deserved the role did.

“I am sure they would drop the list soon. I saw a post on the alumni group about the final decisions being made,” Arabella quickly chipped in, always trying to be the hero. In as much as I appreciate her taking the spotlight off me, it will only be for a few minutes, and Mum would see things differently like she always does.

“I don't even know why they are taking their time to do this. Everyone already knows you would be paired with Nathan. What's the suspense for?” Dad spoke up this time, his voice much lighter than Mum’s. As always, trying to ease the tension his wife practically breathes for.

“Exactly, Nathan is the hockey captain and the best hockey player at Frostheaven, and Violeta is currently top one in ice skating. She has really worked for it,” Arabella said again, her eyes softening as she took in my facial expression. I couldn’t even hide my pain.

I could never do anything right in Mum’s eyes.

“During our own time in FrostHeaven, your Mum and I were paired specially before everyone else. We didn’t need to go through all those screenings. That is exactly what they are supposed to do for you and Nathan,” he continued, his voice filled with pride as he talked about how it was for them. Neither of them would ever miss a moment to remind me how much I had to do to follow in their footsteps.

“Maybe there is a reason for the delay,” I murmured, pushing myself up from my seat. “I should probably get to school and know the reason for the delay. I am sure it will be cleared up soon,” I ended, already throwing my bag on my shoulders, turning to leave, and thankfully, no one tried to stop me. Any extra second here and I was going to lose it and then give Mum another reason to come at me.

---

The moment I stepped into the campus, I knew something was wrong.

The signs were everywhere. First of all, everyone was in groups, but they all seemed to be talking about the same thing. Secondly, immediately everyone noticed my presence, they all stopped talking, as if scared I would overhear whatever it was they were talking about….all eyes were fixed on me as I slowly walked past, and no, not in the usual way that I am used to. Today’s own feels different and not a good different…they all had one emotion in their eyes, an emotion that didn’t sit well with me.

Pity.

As I got to the hallways, it only got worse. Everyone fell silent on instinct, staring at me like they were anticipating a breakdown from me.

This is definitely not the numerous congratulations I had prepared myself for on my way here. Has the list not been released yet?

What the f**k is going on?

I had spent the entire drive back to Frostheaven imagining the announcement, the congratulations, the teasings, then maybe even a few jealous looks from girls who'd been hoping Nathan would choose them.

But this?

This isn’t excitement…this is pure pity, and I have absolutely no idea why.

“Vi.” Harper’s voice echoed from the other end of the hallway as she made her way over to me, running with an expression on her face that made my stomach drop.

“What’s going on, Harper?”

“Where the f**k did you keep your phone, Vi? I have been trying to reach you all weekend,” Harper cursed out, her eyes shining with anger and something else I couldn’t place.

First thing first, Harper never curses….this is bad.

“We had a family event, Harper, you know how those can get,” I explained.

Her face fell immediately, understanding. “Fuck.”

Another curse word…yup, deep s**t.

“We need to get to the rink, Now,” she said, almost immediately pulling me with her before I could even say a word.

“What is going on, Harper? Everyone is looking at me like I just lost someone, and now you are acting all scary. Is everyone okay? Where are Chloe and Sienna?” I rushed out, trying to catch up with her pace, but she wasn’t even paying attention to my questions. She just kept pulling me along with her like my life depended on it, and somehow, it felt like it.

As we approached the ice rink, a music I knew too well played from inside.

“Harper, why is my song playing?”

“Vi,” she breathed, her voice sad as we stopped right at the entrance door. She finally turned to look at me, conflict in her eyes like she was trying to decide if she wanted me to go in.

“What’s happening, Harper? Why is my song playing already? I don't have practice until noon.” I was starting to feel stupid with how confused I was, with no answers coming my way. It felt like everyone in school knew something about me other than me myself.

The sound of blades scraping across the surface echoed as the song finally came to an end, a pause following immediately after.

“Someone just used my song, Harper.” It was anything but a question. “That is supposed to be my and Nathan’s song for the Ice Classic. We picked that song first.” I was already pushing past her and heading inside before she could say anything.

My hands trembled as I wrapped them around the handle, pushing the door open with one big push…and just like that, the entire rink fell silent.

And then I saw them.

Nathan….and Sienna….Together on the ice.

My boyfriend's hand wrapped around my best friend's waist, dancing my exact routine with the same song we had promised would be for us only.

In that moment, Mum’s words replayed in my mind as if mocking me, "You've spent your entire life handed nothing but the best, Violeta. Don't start believing you deserve something simply because people expect you to have it.”

I worked for this, right?

My song started playing through the speakers once again, like it was the answer to my silent question.

Suddenly, I understood why everyone had been looking at me with pity.

Everyone knew.

Everyone except me.

And the world I'd enrolled into Frostheaven expecting to build for myself disappeared in a single second.