On Thin Ice: First to Fall Loses

Chapter 6

POV’s Philip

I briefly explained to him how, just as I was on my way out of practice, I saw a girl staring at her phone standing in the middle of the street, and how I had to drop all of my gear to free up my hands and yank her out of the way. My brows furrowed as I recounted the feeling of that disgustingly sugary, sticky iced coffee spilling all over me, and how my stick got completely demolished.

“Dude, you have three other sticks in the garage right now. I think you’ll survive.” Ethan stood up to grab a glass of water. “Sucks about the coffee, though. Although I’m sure she didn’t spill it on you on purpose.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled. “Anyways, turns out it was Penny driving the car. She was running late for practice.”

Ethan raised one of those thick eyebrows at me. “So that’s why you sound more pissed at this girl than at the driver. You know, technically, Penny shouldn’t have been speeding in the parking lot. For God’s sake, kids go there for practice sometimes, too. She needs to be more careful.”

He was right, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. I just huffed a breath. “You know, with me, she was always late. But of course, the idea of seeing Eld two minutes past when the rink opens makes her feel the need to plow down anyone in her way,” I muttered.

I hated the look of pity on Ethan’s face. “You still want her back, don’t you?”

I looked away. “Eld can have her for all I care.”

Ethan sighed. “It’s normal to be upset after what she did to you.”

I didn’t care for the reminder. Last year, she’d broken her ankle during one of her routines. She was depressed about not being able to skate for a few months, so she’d visit the rink whenever she was free. Including during off hours, my favorite time to blow off steam on the ice. I’d never really tried to get a girlfriend before, but talking to her… it was so easy. Dating her was even easier. She made everything feel softer, made the world feel better than it actually is.

Once her ankle healed, though, she got a new skating partner and broke up with me. A week later, she and Eld were dating. They’ve been together since.

I’d known Eld back at the first high school I went to. Never knew he was a figure skater. What a way to find out.

“You should try to talk to other girls,” I heard Ethan say.

I snapped back to reality, watching him tug on a sweatshirt. I walked over to the living room, picking up the remote and turning on the Eldian Titan’s hockey game.

“Alright, I’m going to head to the liquor store. We’re throwing tomorrow, and I’m making you show face. We’ll find you someone better, and maybe then you can show Penny just what she’s missing out on.”

I grunted. Sure, let him think that.

Just as he walked back towards the garage, I called out to him, “Hey, don’t forget the tequila this time. Not all of us can survive off of Tito’s and beer.”

Tequila always does a better job of making me forget.

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POV’s Tate

Finally, I finished marking up the last paper. This batch was pretty decent; my favorite essay had to be Marco’s, where he discussed the g******e of the Marleyan people and the following war that broke out between Marley and Evergreen. He did a good job of discussing the struggles of both countries and the reasons behind the conflict. So far, all of his papers have been some of the best ones I’d ever read as a TA.

Putting the papers neatly away into a folder, I tucked them into my schoolbag. Stretching my arms above me, I stood up, walking back to the living room. Riley and Lena were still awake and were now on the last episode of the show. I sat down between them, kicking my feet up onto the coffee table. Lena was no longer paying attention to the show; instead, she was on her phone, furiously typing away, a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Who are you sexting there?” I quipped.

Lena’s face flushed red. “No one,” she said too quickly.

My lips tugged into half a smile, but I didn’t push. Riley suddenly jumped up, reaching across me and lunging for Lena’s phone. “Let me see.”

Lena scooched to the far end of the couch, clutching her phone to her chest. “Riley.”

“Pleaseeee,” Riley drew out the word, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“Go back to your marine biology, and stop trying to study my texting habits.” Lena huffed.

Riley grinned. “Oh, but you’re so much more mysterious and unknown. Maybe I’ll make my next research paper all about you.”

I gently pushed Riley back into her seat. “Riley, you know that even if you dedicated your whole life to that project, you would still die knowing nearly nothing of our dear friend's secrets,” I gave a joking glance at Lena, and noticed her fighting a smile.

“You two are insufferable,” she muttered, amusement sparkling in her eyes.

I was about to sit back and relax when I heard my phone ring. Lifting it, I internally groaned when I saw the caller ID: Grandfather.

Just who I would love to avoid, but unfortunately can’t. I stood up, answering the call.

“Hello, grandfather.” I walked into the kitchen so that my roommates didn’t have to ask me why I looked like I wanted to jump out of a window right now.

“Tatianna, it’s good to hear your voice,” he rasped from the other line. “You haven’t called in ages. Have you forgotten your grandfather?”

That would be impossible, with all of the meddling he does in my life. “I’m so sorry,” I said profusely. “My research has been eating away at my time. I hardly notice the days passing by anymore.”

“That’s my granddaughter, ever the hardworker,” he said, pausing before he brought up the real reason he was calling, “The chef is making your favorite Saturday night. I’ll see you then.”

No asking if I’m even free. Pure command in his tone. That’s how it always was with Dhalis Zachary.