"Why are you just staring at me like that? You're so creepy."
The insult seemed to fly right over Rei's head. "Why do you choose to sit by yourself? Everyone else is skating."
"Well, sometimes it's good not to just mindlessly follow everyone else. Not that you'd know anything about that." Asuka crossed her arms and aimed her eyes away from the nuisance in front of her.
"I thought you weren't afraid of anything-"
"I'm not afraid! Say anything like that one more time and I'll make you regret it." Asuka snapped.
The two stared at each other in a stony silence. The only sound came from behind Rei, where the rest of their class was shouting and laughing as they skated around the rink. Rei stood perfectly balanced by a guard rail, not even using it to steady herself as she chatted with Asuka. She was seated on a bench, hands in the pocket of her hoodie and observing everyone else.
"Is it because you've never done it before?"
Asuka felt a rush of blood in her cheeks. Why did that bitch have to be such a know-it-all? She didn't say anything and Rei continued "Shinji taught me how, it isn't very difficult. If you like, I could help you get started."
"Tch, as if I need help from you OR that idiot Shinji! Just get outta here, will ya?!"
"As you wish," Rei said finally, pushing off from the railing and joining the others. Asuka was left to sulk in silence. She tried to distract herself by looking at her phone and counting the minutes before the class had to go back inside. It was cold however, and everyone else making so much noise was driving her up a wall. She sighed in annoyance and stood up, grabbing a pair of ice skates from the box the P.E. Teacher had provided. "Ayanami, get over here!" she barked, not even five minutes from when Rei had left. She skated over wordlessly. "Let's get one thing straight, I'm only accepting your help because I am extremely bored, got it?"
Rei didn't reply, and at first Asuka feared she might have changed her mind, wouldn't that be embarrassing? Finally she held out her hand for Asuka. "It will be easiest if you have someone to steady you at first," she said flatly.
Asuka complied. She was surprised that her hand was warm, despite Rei's cold demeanor. She gripped it a little too hard, but Rei didn't let on that she noticed. "Balance is crucial. As long as you keep going with a steady gait, you will not fall. Move with me," she said, tugging Asuka gently along the ice.
"Okay, okay...geez, warn me before you pick up speed!"
"You're doing just fine." Rei squeezed Asuka's hand as she said this, and the redhead wondered if she had meant to. They glided leisurely about the rink once before Rei said "I'm going to let go now. Try to skate alongside me."
Asuka nodded and Rei released her. She wobbled for a moment before moving confidently next to Rei, slowly but steadily. "Ha! Nothing the great Pilot Sohryu can't handle!"
Rei was about to reply when something collided with her from behind, causing her to fall on the ice. Asuka looked over in surprise and her eyes narrowed at Touji and Kensuke skating around the two girls. "'Ey ladies, pick up the pace!" Touji shouted over his shoulder as he zoomed away, Kensuke laughing behind him.
"Get back here, you pigs!" Asuka growled. She looked down and saw Rei rubbing her back. Those idiots, she thought angrily. "Here, lemme help you up," she said, holding her hand down to the other girl.
Rei seemed surprised that Asuka had offered assistance, but she took it. She rose up a little unsteadily, and Asuka almost fell herself. Rei quickly grabbed her other hand to steady them both as she got her bearings back. "Thank you," she said softly. They both noticed how close they were and Asuka coughed, breaking apart awkwardly. Rei didn't seem to care, instead trying to reach a sore spot on her back.
"That look like it hurt." Asuka remarked.
"It just knocked the wind out of me," Rei said, but she flinched as she took her hand off her back.
Asuka's eyes narrowed and she looked ahead at the two boys determinedly. "C'mon, let's go teach those two a lesson," she said, skating their way.
Rei followed, a little hesitantly. "Do you think that's wise?"
"Who cares, those brutes deserve it!"
Just as Touji was picking up speed, Asuka made her move. She skated close enough to hold her foot out in front of his, effectively flooring him. Kensuke gawked and turned around, but he was speeding up before he saw Rei in his path. She held out her arms to block him, being surprisingly strong despite her small frame. He fell right on top of Touji, who yelled in response. "You two are psychos!"
Asuka threw her head back and cackled, and even Rei looked on with an uncharacteristically bemused expression. Asuka put her arm around the other girl's neck as they skated away together. "Y'know, you're not as bad as I thought, Ayanami."