"Hyde, why did you tell my stepfather you were my boyfriend?" I asked once the two of us were alone in the basement.
"I didn't," he told me. "He assumed it, and why let him think otherwise?"
"Well…" I paused in an attempt to think of an answer other then the obvious one but when I couldn't come up with a good response I decided that the obvious answer might just be the best one. "Because you're not my boyfriend."
Hyde just laughed lightly at my response.
"So what is there to do in this town anyways?" he asked me.
"Well, I could show you what I do when I want to get away from here," I shrugged.
"Now you're talkin'," Hyde nodded.
"No, not that," I laughed. "Grab your coat."
Hyde shrugged and did as I asked as I ran off in search of my own coat. I then met up with him again out by his car. I began to give Hyde directions and soon we pulled up in front of the local recreational center.
"Why are we here?" Hyde asked looking out the front windshield toward the building after he had parked.
"You'll see," I promised as I opened the door and stepped out.
Hyde followed me as I walked into the rec. center and up to the front desk. I presented the receptionist with my community card.
"Hi there Eppie," the old receptionist greeted. "I haven't seen you around here recently."
"Sorry, Mrs. Galiger," I smiled. "I've been at college up in Point Place."
"Welcome home, dear," Mrs. Galiger said. "So you've brought a friend with you today?"
"Yeah, this is Hyde," I introduced.
"Nice to meet you," Hyde nodded.
"He's cute," Mrs. Galiger tried to whisper but was unsuccessful. I just laughed a little. "Why don't you two head on inside, the ice has just been smoothed out."
"Thank you," I said, grabbing Hyde's hand and pulling before he had a chance to protest.
"Ice?" he asked as I pulled him toward the rink.
I gave the guy at the front desk a dollar and took the two pairs of skates over to a set of benches. Hyde walked over and looked at me through his sunglasses.
"I don't ice skate," Hyde stated bluntly.
"You've never tried," I replied as I laced on my set of ice skates. "Com'on."
"I fall once and I'm through," Hyde threatened with a wag of his finger. I just rolled my eyes.
"Com'on Hyde," I said, pulling him to his feet once he had laced up his skates. I helped him balance on the thin blades and then led him toward the ice.
After stepping out onto the ice myself, I helped Hyde on and started telling him some of the basics. I skated backwards as I held on to Hyde's hands.
"Good, bend your knees," I instructed. Stiffly, he did as I asked.
"I can't believe you talked me into this," Hyde said.
"You asked for it," I told him.
"Oh yeah?" he sounded skeptical.
"Yeah," I answered. "By insisting to come home with me."
"Well if I'd known this was a requirement, I'd have thought twice," Hyde joked.
"Really?" I asked. Hyde nodded.
I let go of Hyde's hand and smiled a little as he attempted to stabilize himself on the unfamiliar ground. Once I was sure he wasn't going to fall, I took off and rounded the corner of the oval rink, picking up speed as I went along. Being the middle of the day during a weekday, the rink was nearly empty, giving me plenty of room to show off. Once I had enough speed, I set myself up and began to spin in place. I took in a deep and refreshing breath as I allowed myself to be set free. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of my hair flying around my head. After slowing to a stop I skated back toward Hyde.
"Wow," Hyde clapped a little. "I'm impressed."
"Thanks," I shrugged. "I used to take classes. I… I told you this is how I get away."
Hyde grabbed a hold of my hands to stabilize himself out. "What else can you do that I don't know about?"
I just shrugged with a little smile on my face. Hyde pulled on my arms to slide me just a little closer to him and wrapped his arms around my waist. Having nowhere else to go with my own arms, I let them lay across his shoulders. I wouldn't look him in the eyes though.
"Eppie," Hyde started to say.
"Hyde, will you take me to one more place today?" I stopped him from continuing.
"Yeah, sure," he answered, a little confused.
"Great," I smiled as I skated off toward solid ground.
"Em, Eppie?" Hyde asked.
"Yes?" I turned back toward him.
"How do I start moving?" Hyde inquired.
"Oh, sorry!" I laughed skated back to my friend.