Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians. If I did, another movie would've been out by now.
PART 2
Today was the day she was going to meet her new skating partner. Thia felt zero excitement whatsoever. She woke up, showered, got dressed, brushed her teeth, had a quick morning shake, and was out the door. Her mother had left for work by the time Thia was out the door, and Aster was still in bed, but would be up shortly due to the fact that school would be starting up in only a couple hours.
It was way after five, and she hurried to the bus hoping to get to the rink before the coach and Jackson showed up.
Thia went over some jumps because she was best at her jumps, and every time she did a jump she felt as if she were flying. For just a second she'd be off the ice.
She could've been even better at her jumps if it hadn't been for her new skates. So, her optimism didn't grow, if all, she felt herself dreading the moment of when Jack, or even the new coach would walk in. So, the most disciplined she could be, she continued to practice her jumps, and gradually some other skating moves.
She attempted some rotations, a bunny hop jump, and a Salchow. She landed smoothly on her Salchow, but nearly faltered on the other moves. But she prevailed, and continued to practice. As she practiced she kind of felt good about everything again. She was getting more confident with the moves, and eventually the rotations were near flawless. It felt good to have a rink to yourself even if it was only temporary. Thia felt free at one moment, just as she attempted a bunny hop jump.
Just as she was landing she felt herself kind of jolt because she realized someone was watching her. There was the guy who owned the rink that let her in, but she wasn't sure where he could've been. So there was a presence of a guy, who appeared to be in his mid 30s or so. His hair was black, he wore a black jogging suit with black gloves, and he was giving her this smug look. Was his expression smug because of her, or himself? Was there something she was not aware of?
Thia then blushed, because her landing was not so graceful as it could've been. Those darn skates. And she was also blushing because she had an audience.
"Um, hello," she said awkwardly.
The middle aged man unfolded his arms, yet continued to wear the same smug grin. "Your jumps are not so...bad. But everything else needs some...work." He didn't say this harshly, it was more critical and thoughtful. "And I can tell those are new skates. Silly girl, your feet aren't in the best condition because of those things."
Thia's face grew even redder, and she cursed herself a thousand times. I am so stupid. Seriously, new skates? He just had to notice.
Then did it dawn on her that this was the coach she and Jackson would be working with.
She tried being a bit more assertive and confident when she responded to the coach's comments. "Um, my older skates...I left them on the bus. My mother just bought me these recently. I do apologize for unpreparedness."
The coach chuckled. "Thia, I'm impressed you can even move your feet at all." He was at the sideboard of the rink. "But, you'll get even better once I get through coaching you."
He then told the petite skater his name was Kozmotis Pitchine. But he just went by "Pitch". He then started inquiring where her partner was.
Thia wasn't sure where that guy could be. If Pitch was already here, then Jackson should have already been here. He wasn't making a very good first impression.
"I'm not sure, Pitch. He should be here."
He sighed irritably. "You might already have to change partners. I already know how disciplined your partner is...do a Salchow for me."
At first, she didn't really understand that the coach was calling out moves for her to do. She just stood there and did nothing.
"Have you gone deaf?" Again, the coach wasn't harsh in tone, but it wasn't very friendly either. "Do a Salchow for me."
She did the move, but she faltered.
"Bugger! Thia do the Salchow again, but after, I want you to attempt a stag jump. Or, your best split jump. Then after that jump, attempt another Salchow following two loops."
Thia wondered if he was just trying to see what her weaknesses and strengths were. And that was fine, but she was rather annoyed at the fact that Jackson hadn't showed up yet, and God forbid if he did not show up, and she would have to continue performing all these jumps and moves for Pitch.
Just when he told her to perform a single axel jump, someone walked in. Thia took one glance at the person. And she figured that he was Jackson Overland.
But she didn't keep her gaze on him that long, she focused on doing the single axle jump. Thankfully, this time, she could ignore her feet and land the jump gracefully. Pitch didn't fail to notice. "Good Thia, you can stop now."
Thia still didn't try to look at the boy who was most likely around her age. She just skated to the sideboard of the rink and focused her attention on Pitch.
"Why are you late?" He asked Jackson. "That tells me how much of a disciplined skater you are."
Jackson shrugged. "I'm new here," he said in an even tone.
Thia rolled her eyes at the young boy's excuse. Pitch sighed irritably.
"What's your name?" The coach decided to ask, instead of commenting on the boy's seemingly weak excuse.
"Jackson Overland," he said. "But I just go by Jack."
"Okay, Jack. What I want you to do for me is put on your skates, and join Thia on the ice."
Jack nodded. "All right."
As he put on his skates, Thia saw that the boy wore a blue bunny hug, black skating pants, and his hair was brown. She decided to think that there was nothing really eye-catching about him, besides he was just her skating partner.
She moved away from the sideboard and waited for Jack to enter on the ice. He was lanky, and appeared to be taller compared to her short and petite figure. He was a little muscular too.
Yet, she hadn't really looked that much into him. She easily avoided eye contact and honestly felt a little flustered. She was a teen girl, and couldn't look a boy in the eye who was most-likely really cute.
Pitch's grin at the moment was almost a devilish grin. He crossed his arms while looking at the new skating pair. He was going to train them hard.
"Hello, Jack, I'm Thia's and your coach," the dark hair man addressed. "Thia has experience in figure skating I know. But do you have any experience?"
Thia still didn't look at Jack, but she did wait for his response. Because she knew he hardly had any experience in the sport.
"Yeah, I tried figure skating when I was younger. But I quit 'cause my interest went elsewhere. So...my parents are making me do this."
Thia would've scoffed at his response, but saw that Pitch wasn't really affected by the boy's answer. "Do you remember any moves? If so, do them."
Jack smirked and took one glance at Thia who still wouldn't look at him. Just like her, he didn't think much of her, yet he did wonder if that was her real eye color.
"No," he said slowly, "I am not really sure if I know any skating moves. I've forgotten since..."
The coach nodded, and looked at Thia. "I'm going to name each skating move, and Thia's going to do them for me..."
"I am?" She didn't ask this out loud.
"...After she does each move you will simply try to mimic her."
Thia wasn't even sure if that was a good way to coach. She honestly felt scared for her skating partner at the moment. What if he consistently fell on his butt? She didn't laugh at people easily, nor did she ever make fun of people. She just felt for people when they embarrassed themselves, got yelled at, started crying, got red in the face, and looked pitiful.
Thia still felt pain in her foot, so who would be feeling embarrassed after this? Admittedly though, Rashmi had baked Thia's skates all night, she'd put them in the oven after the skater went to bed. She was told that the best way you can break-in new skates is if you put them in the oven and set the oven to 225.
So, maybe Thia was just overthinking things like usual.
Jack started stroking his skates on the ice, he stopped next to Thia.
Pitch looked at Thia, and even winked at her. She didn't know what that wink meant, but she smiled in response.
"Okay, Thia..." The coach called out a skating move. Thia did each move, and surprisingly, after she did each move Jack did them with ease, but his technique was quite off.
"Jack," said Pitch, "When did you stop skating?"
Jack shrugged, and smirked. "When I was 12."
"How old are you?"
"I'm 16."
Thia nodded, because that certainly did explain why he knew how to do each move. Besides, it's a fact that you must get down most skating moves when you're young; between the ages 4 and 10. She just wondered why he didn't just come out and say this in the beginning.
This is when relearning everything came into effect. When you and your partner are new to pair skating, one of the first things you must do is relearn everything. Pitch told them this very thing, and he said that that's what Thia and Jack would be doing this afternoon. He then gave them notebooks.
"Record what you did this morning on your free time." The dark haired adult then left the rink. Jack looked at Thia, but she didn't look at him. She was off the ice in no time, her skates off. And soon was she out the door.
(end of chapter)
Author Note: Hello, everybody. I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry if there are any grammar mistakes, but I did try revising this chapter to the best of my ability. Anyway, the next chapter will be out shortly. Happy new year! :D
And thank you all so much for the feed back. I'm glad some of you take an interest to this story! But don't worry, Tooth, Jack, Aster, and the rest of the gang will be together eventually. I can't spoil anything. But thank you again, for the feedback. Please review, fave, and follow.
