Chapter 4
1489 Words
WREN
Twenty-four hours, he'd said, like it was a normal thing to hand someone, a deadline for deciding whether to hand over a piece of your life to the person who's spent years trying to ruin it. I practiced saying no in the mirror that morning, out loud, just to hear how sure it sounded. It didn't sound sure at all.
By the time I got to the rink my jaw already ached from clenching it, and Talia took one look at me lacing up and said, "You're doing the thing where you overthink until you throw up. Stop that crap." I laughed, but it came out thin, because she wasn't wrong, and because some small, traitorous part of me had already started running the numbers on what saying yes would cost.
No matter how much I tried to focus, I couldn't do it with Cassius's offer still running through my mind.
"You okay?" Talia asked, handing me a bottle of water.
“Yeah," I sighed.
He gave me a day to think about it. Take it or not. And I spent the whole night staring at the ceiling.
I badly need the sponsors. But to fake date Cassius Blackwood? That's where I knew I'd have a problem. I couldn't stand that guy. I didn't think I could stay by his side for long, acting sweet just to convince the public that we were dating.
"Wren Ellison!"
Someone called from the entrance. I turned and squeezed my eyes shut.
"Please don't be ... " I whispered. "Oh, it's Sienna," Talia said, turning toward the entrance too.
The whole ice rink was immediately filled with squeals.
Then I saw them in bright red uniforms, long sleeves with their stomachs showing, short skirts, perfect ponytails, and pompoms in hand.
Sienna, the captain of the Ice Angels, skated straight and stopped in front of me.
"So it's true?" she said. "You and Cassius Blackwood?"
"Why don't you mind your own business?" Talia said.
"Shut up, Marsh," Sienna rolled her eyes at Talia. "I'm asking Wren."
I inhaled slowly. "Sorry, I don't have time for this." I was about to skate away but Sienna suddenly grabbed my hand and I lost my balance, crashing down onto the ice.
"Leave me alone! What do you need?" I said, in disbelief.
"Sienna!" Rocco tried to stop her, but she quickly shook his hand off.
"I'm fine," I whispered as Rocco pulled me to my feet. "Look, I'm not here to talk. I'm here to practice," I said, voice steady.
She crossed her arms. Behind her, the Ice Angels watched and snickered.
"Avoiding the question, Wren?" she smirked. "So you're not dating Cassius? Or did you just throw yourself at him?"
I rolled my eyes out of frustration, adjusted my gloves, and faced her.
"Whatever you're thinking, you better drop it. Please get off the rink. I still have to finish my routine." I tried to leave again, but I took a deep breath when she grabbed my arm - this time tighter, enough to keep me from moving.
What is her problem ?!
"Let me go, Sienna!"
"I'm talking to you! I just need one answer. Are you dating Cassius Blackwood?" She said it like a warning. Like if I said yes, she wouldn't hesitate to knock me down right here on the ice.
I was about to open my mouth when the door slammed hard. I hadn't even seen who came in, but I squeezed my eyes shut when I heard that familiar noise.
When will I ever get one perfect, quiet day to practice?
"The wolves are here!" The Angels shrieked and turned to the entrance. And just like before, they were like excited huskies on the ice, skating fast and wild all over the rink. Whistles filled the whole place.
"Hello, Ice Angels!" One of the hockey players called out.
I stared at the guy who just walked, but the smirk never left his face. I looked away when Cassius entered the rink and skated toward us.
"Cassius ... " Sienna called, with a wide smile on her lips.
"What's happening?" Cassius asked. I refused to look, but I knew he was staring.
"Hey, Blackwood. Can you please tell these Angels to stop pestering Wren? Can't you see we're practicing?" Talia asked.
"I was just asking if you and Wren are really dating!" Sienna said. "You know how I hate liars, Cassius." "What does it matter to you if they're dating or not?" Talia shot back.
"Look, we're just trying to finish one routine. Can you guys get off the rink for now?" I asked politely.
"Can't. Our coach sent us here," he shrugged. "And what's happening again?"
I sighed. "Sienna's asking if we're together, you know the-"
Cassius cut me off immediately.
"Yes, we're together. You got a problem with that, Sienna?"
I glared at Cassius. And just like that, everyone stopped. Angels, hockey players, everyone was staring. Even the figure skaters paused mid-practice to whisper.
"What?" Her mouth dropped open. "Y-you're dating Wren Ellison?" Talia asked, completely shocked, and even pointed at me. I shot Cassius a wide-eyed glare. Oh my god. What was he thinking ?! Does he even realize what he said?
"Wait-" I tried to speak again, but he cut me off for the second time.
"No one touches Wren from now on," he started. "Don't tease her or mess with her during practice. No more sabotaging her skates. Give her space to work."
He closed the distance between us. Before I could react, his arm was around me, gloved hand resting on my shoulder. I felt every inch of how close he was.
"Because from now on, I'm letting you know that Wren Ellison is my girlfriend. And anyone who messes with her will have to deal with me."
The whole rink filled with gasps and I could see everyone's attention snap to the two of us.
I lightly elbowed him and whispered, "What are you doing?"
He leaned in a little and I felt his breath against the top of my head. "I'm helping you, love," he whispered.
"I still didn't agree to this!"
"Twenty-four hours have passed. No answer means yes. Besides-" he leaned in even closer.
And I made the wrong move, because the moment I turned to look at him and tilted my head up, he was already leaning down. Our faces were almost touching, his nose only inches from mine.
"I talked to one of the sponsors last night," he said, grinning at me, "and they want to support you ... "
My eyes went wide.
"R-really?"
He turned his head to the side. "If you want to compete and not lose your scholarship, you might want to stop acting like you don't need connections ... " "Are you serious, Cassius? Wren Ellison? Really?" Sienna sneered. I could see the shock all over her face.
"What's wrong with her?" Cassius asked, his grip on me tightening even more.
"Cassius, come on! Everyone knows-"
"I don't think I need to explain anything else," Cassius cut him off.
I almost held my breath when I felt his soft, warm lips press against my left cheek. I felt my face heat up.
Cassius Blackwood just kissed me on my cheek!
"Oh my god!"
"So it's real ... "
Whistles broke out around us. I saw Talia with her mouth open, and Rocco with wide eyes like he wanted to ask me something but couldn't. "Wren Ellison is my girlfriend. Does anyone have a problem with that?"
No one answered.
Before I could fully process what he meant, Coach Naomi's voice echoed across the rink.
"All athletes, listen up!"
The whole space slowly quieted. I felt awkward that Cassius still hadn't taken his arm off my shoulder.
"Let me go now ... " I whispered.
He was still grinning and looking straight into my eyes.
"We need to be realistic, love ... "
I shook my head. Coach Naomi stood at the rink entrance with a clipboard. Her sharp expression meant something official was about to ruin my day.
"We will be holding a six-week joint training camp in Whistler," she announced. "with another elite sports university. Which means you'll have athletes from another school joining you."
A murmur spread instantly. My grip tightened on my gloves.
Coach Naomi continued, "You will train together, participate in promotional events, sponsor showcases, and photoshoots. This is an opportunity for visibility and sponsorships.
I exhaled deeply. Sponsors ...
Then Coach Naomi added, "Figure skaters will attend." I smiled. "Cheerleaders will also attend. And hockey players will be there as well."
My smile faded. The hockey players broke their silence all at once, and the rink erupted in shouting. I glanced up at Cassius. Of course he was already looking at me, with that smirk I hated.
"Guess fate's on our side. Six whole weeks with you, Wren Ellison."
- Writer
