Hiya! So, today all I did today was basically brainstorm about my stories! I'm still a bit puzzled over Prepare to Protect in whose POV I should start it out with, but *shrugs* I'll figure it out soon for sure! But, I came up with a few really cute ones for this one:) Maybe about...nine, including this one:)
Special Thanks To:
SmilesSaveLives
and
Chicky - Completely agree with you on that!
Also, to the rest of you who read:)
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own the HON series!
Chapter 12: Freezing in Love
"But, Stevie Rae," Rephaim complained,"I don't know how to ice skate."
She waved this away for the thirty-sixth time that day. She's heard it all from him. "No worries; it's not hard. Plus, I'll help ya."
He looked at her in doubt, heaving a huffy sigh. She couldn't help grinning at him and bounding over to where he sat on one of the bleachers surrounding the ice rink. He was just so cute all bundled up and frustrated. Since he was human, he was more vulnerable to the cold in the sports complex so he had put on more layers than the rest of them. They all had to buy coats and mittens, but he had to wear a sweater underneath, too, along with a scarf. Stevie Rae had done the same so he didn't feel left out.
In the sports complex, they had to set the temperature lower in this section of building in order to keep the ice frozen. It was quite impressive. This area was made for hockey, figure skating, and public ice skating. The one next door had a huge swimming pool cut up into about eight different lanes. She knew it also had an outdoor baseball field, tennis court, and football field. Inside held the ice rink, basketball court, swimming pool, and locker room that had punching bags and whatnot. In their section, it had a place where you bought your tickets and rented skates plus a concession stand. She hadn't expected it to be so well equipped.
They all had decided to go out that day for fun. With all the Neferet stress and school work, it was getting harder to just be themselves and have fun. Zoey and the rest of their group had sat down at one of the tables in the kitchen and held a discussion a little before sunset, leaving Rephaim wondering where they were going when they had all packed heavier clothing after he came back from being a raven.
"Do we really have to do this?" he whined, pouting slightly.
"Of course!" she scoffed. "We aren't gonna just sit here and bum around while everyone else is having fun." Stevie Rae grasped his glove-covered hand with her own. "Now c'mon! It's gonna be so much fun!"
Without some kind of warning, she jerked him up and lead him over to the gate. He had to focus on trying not to trip and fall as they hobbled on thin blades down the three steep steps. Zoey and Stark were already on the ice. Z was clutching the side of the rink, looking like she was going to pass out. Stark, on the other hand, was gliding in smooth circles around her with a cocky smile. Shaunee was taking a break on a bench near the gate, warming up her cocoa herself. Damien was trying futilely to tie his own skates, but kept tying knots in the laces. Shaylin had gotten Erik to join them and they were sharing nachos on the bleachers, but, from where Stevie Rae was, she could see Shaylin hogging most of it.
"Have fun!" Shaunee laughed as Stevie Rae managed to drag Rephaim onto the ice.
His feet immediately slid out from under him due to the fresh slickness of the frozen ground. She barely caught him and placed him near the wall before he was able to land on his back. His knuckles were white as his fingers clung to the edge of the wall.
"Stevie Rae, I really don't want to do this," he said through chattering teeth. "It is cold, the ice is too slippery, and I don't know how to do this."
Normally, when he said he didn't want to do something, she usually left it up to him to make the decision on whether or not he stuck to the idea, but she didn't this time. She wanted him to at least try it, even if he didn't like it.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Rephaim, but you're gonna do this. I'm not gonna let you go on this one."
"Why?"
"Because it's so much fun if you try! I promise it is. I wouldn't make you do it if I knew for sure you weren't gonna like it."
Rephaim stared at her desperately for a long time. As if finally realizing that she wasn't going to change her mind, Rephaim sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Alright, Stevie Rae. Show me what to do."
It was then that Stark skated past them and heard him. Behind her, she heard him make a whipping sound. In the corner of her eye, she saw him flick his wrist and skate away, laughing at Rephaim's sneer.
Rolling her eyes, Stevie Rae began demonstrating how to move his feet and hold himself. There were many times when she had to keep adjusting his arms for him. Soon, he was stepping a little ways away from the side and began to skate shakily. He fell, of course. Everyone usually falls during their first time. However, Rephaim didn't seem to believe her when she told him as a way to reassure him and calm the blush in his cheeks. But he got right back up and tried again, his persistent and stubborn side taking over.
Before she knew it, Rephaim was skating easily. He was laughing and grinning as he made his way repeatedly around the large oval. Stevie Rae had then began to teach him small tricks, like doing a figure 8 and skating backwards. Satisfaction rose inside her at the sight of him flying past her. She knew he was having fun. The people in the ticket booth began playing music while they all skated.
Eventually, they had to get up when the Zamboni guy had to lay down more water and cut away the old, sliced up ice. All of them took advantage of this to get snacks and drinks. Together, they cuddled at the top of the bleachers with hot drinks in their hands and a warm plate of nachos in their laps. They gazed around them, taking in the sight of their exuberant friends and the heavy-dressed man with a beard driving the Zamboni.
"So I guess skating isn't exactly the worst thing in the world," Rephaim said with a smile.
"I told you it wasn't." Stevie Rae shoved a handful of cheesy chips into her face, hiding her grin.
"I know. Maybe I should start listening to you and your outrageous ideas."
"Am I suppose to take that as a way of you sayin' you're having fun?" She lifted an eyebrow curiously.
He shrugged casually, taking a drink. She could see the steam of his drink and his breath through the chill of the arena. "If you want to. I mean, I'm not saying you should..."
They laughed, basking in the nice glow of being together and being in love.
Cute! I just LOVE ice skating! I remember falling. A lot. Especially when I first started:D Hope you liked it as much as I did! Please read and review:)
-RSR
