First Valentine

I sit at my desk, bored by my work and counting down the minutes until it's time to go to the rink. The only excitement I've had at work recently is the arrival of a boy slightly older than me, Michael. He was confident, and sure of himself….completely different to me, yet I was attracted to his good looks and nice smile. I'd been shyly trying to flirt with him for a few weeks; this week was Valentines day, and I'd secretly been hoping that he might ask me out on a date. I'd never been on a date before, and the only boy I spent time with was Chris.

Valentines day fell on Wednesday and today was Monday. I stare at the pile of papers on my desk, willing for them to go away when I notice Michael approaching my desk.

"Hi" he says.
"Hi"
"I was wondering….if you, would perhaps want to go out with me on Wednesday, after work."

He flashes me a brilliant smile.

For a moment I forget how to speak.
"I'd….I'd love to" I manage to stutter out. Then I remember. Practice at the rink with Chris.
"But I can't….I mean…not straight after work. I have to practice until about seven"
"That's fine" he says. "I'll meet you outside here at seven"

I shyly nodded and he gave me another smile. I tried to remain calm, but inside I felt like I was going to burst. Attractive, cool, and confident Michael had asked me out on a date and I couldn't believe it.

On Wednesday morning, I carefully fold up the dress I had chosen to wear into my skating bag, along with heels, and some make up. At work, I was so pre-occupied by the impending date that I couldn't focus on my work. Luckily, the day went fast, and before I knew it I was at the rink. Chris turns up just as I'm lacing up my skates at the side.

"Hey you" he says, flopping down beside me with his skate bag.
"Hey yourself"
"How was work?" he asks.
"It was….quick"

He looks confused for a moment then shrugs and I don't explain further. I study him, while he pulls on his skates. I couldn't deny his good looks, and I also couldn't deny that I was attracted to him. Trouble was, he had never shown any romantic interest in me. His voice snaps me out of my reverie.

"You ready?"
"Oh. Yeah sure"

He gives me another funny look but doesn't say anything. We start the practice, but after an hour and a half things aren't going as well as hoped. Added to this, I was checking my watch constantly, mindful of finishing on time, and eventually, Chris, who was seemingly fed up stopped the practice.

"I think we need a few more hours at this" he says, once we've skated to the barrier.
"Chris, I can't. Not tonight"
"Why? And why do you keep looking at your watch?"
"Chris. Think about what day it is"
"Wednesday….February…14th. Oh. It's Valentines Day….what do you have a date or something?"

I know he's teasing so it surprises him when I answer.

"Yes. Actually I do"
He looks slightly taken aback but I just continue.
"I need to leave in half an hour"
"Oh…I thought…that you…."
"Wouldn't have a date? Other men do find me attractive you know" I snapped, and instantly regretted it when I saw his face.
"I…Sorry" I stammered. "I didn't…I didn't mean to…sorry"
"It's okay" he mumbles, but I know it isn't.
"Look" I sigh, "How about I call him and arrange to meet an hour later….give us more time to work"
Chris looks up.
"If you're sure?"
"Yeah, just give me a minute"

I pop my skate guards on and clunk upstairs to use the rinks pay phone. Michael agrees to meet me later, but changes the location to outside the rink.

When I return Chris and I set about continuing our practice and, after another half an hour everything seems to start coming together and we have a productive last hour. A glance at my watch at the end of our routine confirms that it's time for me to go and get ready.
"I need to go" I inform Chris and he releases me from his hold. I skate over to the barrier, and turn around, puzzled as to why he hasn't followed me.

"Aren't you coming?" I shout over to him.
"I'm going to practice on my own for a bit"
"Kay"

Turning away from the rink I clunk over to the changing rooms and change out of my training gear into the outfit I had so carefully chosen earlier. Smoothing my dress down I apply a little make-up and fix up my hair. I felt so nervous, but I was hoping it didn't show. I hadn't felt so nervous since the day I first met Chris. My heart seemed to quicken at the thought of Chris, but I told myself sternly.

"He doesn't find you attractive" I say to myself. "You're skating partners, nothing more"

Slipping on my heels I grab my stuff and head back towards to the rink, waving Chris over to say goodbye.

"Wow" he says. "You look….wow"
We both blush.
"Sorry" he says. "You just look…amazing"

I was shocked. He'd never complimented me on my looks before.
Embarrassed, I said thanks and made my way outside.
I expect to see Michael waiting for me but there's no-one waiting so I sink down into the bench next to the rink and wait. After a nervy 15 minutes there's still no sign of him.

"He's probably running late" I tell myself. However after another ten minutes I find myself checking my watch constantly, to make sure I have the time right, and after another 15 minutes the realisation that he's not coming hits me and the hot, angry tears come.

"How could I have been so stupid" I think. "How could I have thought that a handsome, cool and confident guy could be interested in quiet, mousy me?"

I hear the rink doors open and close and I try to wipe the tears away. I hear familiar footsteps and I know it's Chris. I hear the footsteps get closer and I feel him sit beside me but I don't look up.

"Please. Just don't say anything like 'I told you so'"
There's a silence which is broken when he say's quietly.

"I wouldn't" then "Are you okay?"
His words are enough for the tears to carry on falling and I manage to choke out.
"No. Chris I'm not"
He doesn't say anything so I continue.

"How could I think that someone would want to go out with me…I mean…he probably did it for a bet or something….dare you to ask out the quietest, ugliest girl in the office….and I fell for it…I thought he liked me….for me"

I hear Chris sigh.

"You're not ugly, far from it"
"What would you know" I mumble through the tears. "You don't fancy me"
"Oh Jayne" he sighs. "If only you knew…."
"If I knew what?"

I look up and he tilts my face towards his so I can look into his eyes.

"You are, the most attractive girl I have ever seen….not to mention the strongest…and the nicest…and…"
"You don't have to lie" I say.

He chuckles and slips his arm around me.

"I'm not, Jayne you are absolutely stunning, you don't know how nervous I still get around you"
My wet eyes meet his.
"Really?"
"Really. I just…..well….you know….we're skating partners.."
"I know" I say quietly.
"Well, how about this. I take you out tonight. You look stunning, and it's a shame to waste it…and every Valentine's Day, if neither of us have anyone…we'll go out together…as friends, skating partners…whatever we are…deal?"
"Deal" I say, finally smiling.
He hugs me close to him and places a soft kiss on my cheek.
"Happy Valentines Day Jayne"