"What the hell was that? You've gotten sloppy Cous." Addison ducked her head as her cousin questioned her with folded arms. "And you're wanting to run a team with technique like that?" Bucky rolled his eyes with an irritated sigh.
"Well, this was kinda, ya know, on the fly. I wasn't really performing at top notch." She defended timidly. "I was just having some, um, fun." The last word coming out quiet and fearful of his rebuttal. He laughed heartily in response.
"Fun. That's rich. I'll be here tomorrow morning at 5 AM sharp. Don't be late." He ordered, walking back to his car before she could even respond. Addison sighed and went to her parent's waiting in the car a few feet away, climbing in the back.
"Your routine was great tonight honey!" Her dad praised.
"Yes! What made you decide to perform?" Her mom asked.
"The mascot got sick so I was helping out my, um, friend." She muttered. Dale and Missy exchanged a glance.
"A friend, huh?" Her mother mused. "Your friend wouldn't happen to be that star hockey player, would it?" Addison slid down in her seat with red cheeks and didn't respond, giving them her answer.
"Well I thought his playing was phenomenal!" Her dad diverted the conversation, not really wanting to go into a crush talk with his teenage daughter. As he continued into a story about his hockey glory days, she watched the cityscape through the window and tuned it all out. Her mind was too lost in thought to care what her parents were saying anymore.
XxX
After pictures for that paper and a couple interviews, Zed was finally free. His first instinct was to look around for Addison, to which he found no trace. He sighed and followed his teammates to the locker room.
"Great game tonight Zed!" Daniel, one of his goalies, praised as he patted his shoulder pads when he passed to get to his locker.
"Yeah! Good job bud!" Sawyer, a forward, agreed. Zed laughed.
"Thanks guys, but we won as a team! I couldn't do it all myself!" He humbly disagreed. Their faces lit up.
"That's right!" Ziryan's voice bellowed in the echoing showers on the other side of the locker room. "If it weren't for my assists, he wouldn't make half the goals he does!" He added with a hearty laugh. Zed rolled his eyes but saw how his other teammates seemed to deflate. His brows knitted together before he leaned forward.
"Don't listen to him guys. All of us work together as a team and win these games." Zed assures them more quietly so Ziryan wouldn't interrupt again. They smiled at him then turned back to their lockers to get out of their uniforms.
Zed also turned and got into his locker, pulling out his phone and half expecting a text from Addison but was severely disappointed that his phone was empty. He sighed to himself and opened her contact, sending her a quick 'Hey just got off the ice. Can I call you when I get home?' message before putting it back in his bag to get cleaned up.
XxX
He immediately checked his phone for a reply after he was done showering but still no reply. His brain started to race with worried thoughts that maybe she was mad at him, or. His heart stopped. Ziryan's threat flashed across his mind. But he quickly shook it off. No. Ziryan's been here with the team the whole time. He wouldn't hurt someone like that anyways. It didn't stop the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach from growing since she hadn't replied like she normally would.
He grabbed his bag and hurried to get out of there. He pushed out of the locker room doors only to nearly jump out of his skin when Eliza was leaned against the far wall.
"Holy shit E! You scared me!" He cursed. She laughed.
"Wow! We walk home after every game together. What's got you all worked up?" She questioned as she matches his quick pace as he walked.
"I don't know. I just, I couldn't get ahold of Addison like I normally can. Did you see her leave?" He asked worriedly. Eliza scratched the back of her head nervously.
"Oh! Her! Yeah, I think she caught a ride with her parents! She's totally not avoiding talking to you for any particular reason! Nope! Definitely not!" She joked. Zed sighed in relief and it made Eliza raise a brow in confusion. "Um, you're not curious why she's avoiding you?"
"Well yeah! But at least she's safe! I was worried something happened to her." He admitted. Eliza blinked in surprise, that was honestly the last thing on her mind but Zed's jumpiness made way more sense. His relieved smile then quickly shifted to press into a serious line.
"Now spill! Why's she mad at me." He demanded.
"For your information, I was sworn to secrecy!" She teased. Zed rolled his eyes.
"Oh give me a break. We have no secrets! Tell me!" He pressed as they finally exited the arena and the cool night air engulfed them.
"Wouldn't you like that!" She continued to deny with a laugh. It was fun messing with her friend, after all. But his pout made her give in, just a little. "Ok ok. She's not mad at you." Zed looked over and raised a brow.
"Then why would she avoid me? We're friends!" He asked in confusion. Eliza suddenly grabbed his arm to stop them and turn him to face her.
"You can't be serious." She deadpanned. His confused face showed he had no clue what she was talking about. She groaned loudly and continued on their path, Zed having to jog a few steps to catch up.
"What? Just tell me! Please?" He begged. She gave him an annoyed look.
"You must believe everyone's just plain stupid if you think we all can't see it." She said, taking Zed aback by her bluntness. He grabbed her arm this time to stop them. A look of hurt written on his face.
"I'd never think you were stupid E! You're the smartest person I know!" He argued. She dropped her head with a breathy laugh as she shook her head.
"You're so dense sometimes." She muttered before lifting her head again. "Zed. I know you like her, I've known since day one!" She spelled it out.
His face paled but he didn't deny it. He knew she knew. She could read him like a book. They've been best friends for years! Of course she knew!
But that led to the point she was making, Addison knew. And that's why she was avoiding him!
"Shit." He breathed, his heart began to ache and he ran his fingers through his hair in a panic. Eliza realized the direction his mind was heading and physically grabbed him by the collar to refocus him.
"Hey! Stop freaking out!" She ordered. His panicked eyes met hers but it didn't settle his nerves. "Idiot!" She insulted and shoved his shoulders lightly. "She likes you too!" His eyes widen a fraction and Eliza kept talking. "It's just as obvious as you liking her. You two are so blind." She finished with an eye roll.
"She, she likes me?" He asked softly. Eliza groans loudly and turns to keep walking, they were almost home by now.
"Yes! Now just ask her out and we can all go on our merry ways!" She barked. Zed couldn't help but let out a dry laugh as he rushed to catch up.
"You know I can't just do that! What if you're wrong? Do you know how embarrassing that would be?! Then she'd really be avoiding me!" He argued.
"I promise she likes you. She's just avoiding you 'cause she's afraid you don't like her!" Eliza spelled it out. Zed blinked.
"Really? She's worried I wouldn't go out with her?" He asked in disbelief.
"Yes! I'm not saying it again!" She warned. Zed put his hands up in surrender and they walked the rest of the way in relative silence, his mind racing with thoughts.
Maybe he should give Addison a little space? Maybe regroup himself and talk to her Monday? He sighed. He wanted to just run to her house and ease any worries she might be feeling, but he knew that wouldn't be a good idea.
They finally reached their houses across the street from one another and said their 'see ya later's before retreating for the night. Zed making a b-line for his room so he wouldn't have to try keeping a conversation with his dad while his thoughts and emotions were so jumbled.
XxX
7 AM every Saturday, Zed showed up about an hour early to the rink before practice so he could get in a little extra practice in. To his surprise, there was already a melodic music playing inside the arena.
He entered quietly, setting his skates and bag down on the bench. Addison was skating. Her moves seemed more rigid, like she was tense. He frowned. She went into a jump, and landed beautifully.
"Quarter turn short!" A male voice yells inside the arena. Zed turns to see it's a man with black curly hair leaned against the wall in black skinny jeans and a black sweatshirt with black skates on as well. He looked back at Addison as she continued to skate.
She was covered in sweat. Not only her face, but her shirt showed the extra moisture she was exuding. But it was the lack of spark in her features that bothered him the most. It was always there when she skated. But not today.
She went up for another jump, her skate hit the ice and she so did she. He winced seeing her hard fall.
"Get up!" The man ordered. "Keep going!" Zed watched her in wide eyed horror as she got up, her face pained, and continued the routine, quickly going back into another jump, her ankle crumbling beneath her as she fell again. "Addison! Get! Up!" The man barked.
"Stop!" Zed screamed with tears brimming his lids. He didn't hesitate to rush the ice, his bladeless shoes slipping and sliding over the smooth surface. He scrambled across the rink, uncaring that he was a stumbling mess as he finally slid on his knees beside her. "Addison." He whispered breathily.
"Zed? What are you doing here?" She asked as he engulfed her in a hug.
"I, practice. But you, are you ok?" He asked frantically as he pulled back to check her ankles.
"Zed I'm fine." She assured him softly.
"Ahm." The man cleared his throat to get their attention again. "I'm sorry, who are you? And what are you doing hanging all over my cousin?" He asked harshly. Addison rolled her eyes and Zed flared up at him.
"She could've really been hurt! Why would you do that to your cousin?!" Zed shouted.
"Obviously you've never watch figure skaters practice before." He said snidely. Zed's glare deepened before Addison gentle grabbed his hand, offering a small smile of reassurance. He relaxed slightly as he helped her to her feet, then standing himself, clumsily.
"Chill Bucky. No. He hasn't ever seen Seabrook level training before." She snapped at her cousin before turning back to the green haired boy who came running to her rescue. "Come on. Let me help you off the ice." She offered sweetly. Zed still had on a worried expression that made her heart melt as he nodded his agreement. They heard the annoyed huffs and grumbles from Bucky behind them.
"You're sure you're ok? You fell pretty hard those couple times." He asked again. She laughed quietly.
"Yes I'm sure. My legs are just a little weak from exhaustion." She assured him. His brows knitted together.
"How long have you been here this morning?"
"Since 5. Bucky says if you can skate at top notch when you're half asleep, you can do it when you're wide awake." She explained with another eye roll.
"You shouldn't push yourself that hard. You could get hurt if you limit's overstepped. Trust me, I should know." He said with a dry chuckle.
"And why is that?" She asked teasingly.
"Freshman year I almost died of cardiac arrest after one of the games 'cause I'd trained day and night for, like, a week straight before hand." He said casually. Addison's jaw dropped.
"Oh my god." She breathed, instinctively tightening her hold around his waist. He softened.
"I know my limit now so it won't happen again. That's all that matters." He comforted, squeezing her lightly around the shoulders.
"You almost died and you're still playing hockey?!" She questioned in disbelief. "Your parents let you?!"
"Let me? My dad encouraged me to go back!" Zed laughed.
"Well I'd never let you on the ice again!" She flared almost, almost, angrily. Zed stopped, only continuing to slide for a second as he removed his arm from her shoulders and gently grabbed her hand instead. She turned to face him in confusion since they were so close to the rink exit.
"If I had never gotten on the ice again, I never would have met you." He countered in a sober tone. Addison sucked in a sharp breath. Zed lifted his free hand to brush her bangs behind her ear.
Her heart was thumping in her chest. His words, his touch, it all felt so romantic. But he saw her as a friend, doesn't he? Or was Eliza right? Wait, is he leaning in? Her pulse accelerated, letting her eyes flutter closed.
But suddenly they went tumbling back to the ice in a heap, Zed had lost his balance. "Whoops." He chuckled nervously. Addison laughed, the tension between them dissipating. Zed laughed with her.
"If you two are done goofing off, would you please get off the ice? I wanna get one more run through in before hockey boy needs the ice." Bucky called from the booth before his music started up. Addison quickly helped Zed to his feet and they got off the ice to give Bucky his space to perform.
"You can finally see what a real skater is like!" Addison enthused as they sat on the bench with his duffle bag. Zed smirked and nudged her arm.
"I have seen a real skater." He teased. She giggled and shushed him as she watched her cousin skate with a childlike excitement lighting up her features. Zed smiled at how happy she seemed and returned his attention to the dark haired skater.
Zed could admit that his movements were fluid and precise. As his routine went on, Zed realized he was completely enthralled. Bucky sure knew how to keep your attention. And he was definitely good, his jumps perfect and so many unique moves he'd never seen a skater use. At one point he was skating and stopped on a dime. That was impressive. Even he couldn't stop that quick.
When the music ended, Addison was on her feet cheering and clapping excitedly. Zed smiled and stood to clap beside her. Bucky chuckled and did a bow for his small audience before skating over to them.
"Alright. Get your stuff together Addison. I'll take you home." He instructed, turning to go get his own things to leave.
"Actually, Bucky, I'm gonna hang out here for a bit. I can walk home." She declined. He raised a brow at her then glanced at the green haired boy then back to her.
"Whatever. Just don't get pregnant." He commented before skating away. Both the teens blushed bright red. Addison stuttered out a few syllables but he was already too far to really argue with.
"Sorry about him. He's very blunt." She apologized with her head ducked in embarrassment.
"It's, um, it's ok. I'm glad you'll be staying while I warm up! I could use the company!" He changed the subject and got to putting on his skates. She smiled and went back on the ice to wait for him, skating around leisurely and doing some easy, pretty, moves.
Unexpectedly, Zed came up skating behind her and wrapped his arms gently around her waist. She gasped at first but smiled when she looked up and saw his. He took her hands with her back against his front and she used him as support, her back leg extending out as they glid effortlessly across the ice. The two continued bonding over the ice with little sweet gestures without even speaking.
They didn't realize that eyes were watching out of sight.