22: (CLSS-02) Open the sky

Skating 101.

Aelita had been eagerly waiting for over a week to attend this special after-school class. She watched Bryan before strapping on her new grey and blue-striped roller skates.

Her skates were some of her only possessions that weren't pink. When she had bought them, she was told that colour wasn't important, since they were going to wear down and the paint would scratch off anyways. Rather, comfort and durability were emphasized. And her feet fit snugly as she slid them in. It wasn't tight and she still had a bit of room to wiggle her toes as well.

After tying her laces and putting on her shoulder, elbow and knee pads, Bryan started showing her the basics: how to move forward, stop and turn. Aelita nodded as she watched him, eager to get going herself. She got up and immediately began to wobble, but she stuck out her arms and managed to remain upright.

At first, she held onto Bryan's hand as they slowly skated around the perimeter of the school. It wasn't bad at all. Aelita was concentrated on not falling; her body was fixed and rigid. However, as they rounded the final corner, she sped up too much and lurched forwards. Just as she was about to fall, Bryan reached out for her arm and pulled her back up without applying too much pressure.

"Thanks," Aelita mumbled.

He smiled. "You're doing fine. You're a bit stiff though. Relax, and it'll be easier for you to turn and find or adjust your balance."

Initially, Aelita was nervous of messing up; she wanted to prove to Bryan that she was a fast and competent learner. But then again, Rome wasn't built in one day. Bryan also seemed like a pretty laid-back instructor. He wasn't strict and it seemed like he just wanted to have a good time.

"Don't worry so much about falling. Your pads will minimize the impact. And you have me."

Aelita felt her face heating up even though it was another cold afternoon. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, if you actually do get bruises, I know where to get some ice packs," he replied cheerfully. She huffed.

"Just kidding. I'll be here to make sure you don't fall."

"Yeah well, you'd better." Aelita smiled.

They went for another lap. This time, Aelita felt more confident skating by herself. She loosened up and could feel herself becoming more flexible and light. She still teetered a bit when turning, but she was getting the hang of it. She could feel the wind blowing by her, and she loved it.

Bryan came alongside her and tapped her shoulder. "You've never skated before? Could've fooled me. You're a natural, A-tan."

"What was that? A-tan?" Aelita asked curiously.

She received no reply. Instead, Bryan grabbed her shoulders and directed her to a new path, where twenty or so stairs lay ahead of her.

Fear shot through Aelita. There was no way she could make it to the bottom, whether it was jumping or gliding down the railing, or whatever Bryan was challenging her to do.

"Hey! I–" She had only been skating for 30 minutes, this wasn't part of the lesson, right? She attempted to brake, but there was no room. Bryan grinned at her. This isn't funny, Aelita thought crossly, before she was lifted into the air. It happened in a split second. Bryan cradled her body in his arms and leapt upwards at full speed. Aelita had her eyes closed, clinging onto him tightly, bracing for the inevitable impact.

But it didn't come. Seconds felt like hours. Finally, she opened one eye and looked around. They were still airborne, flying, or seemingly so. The sky was no longer the limit.

Moments later, it was all over thanks to gravity. Bryan landed back on the ground and came to a stop.

"So, what do you think?"

Aelita was speechless. She had never felt that sensation before; of no longer having her feet bounded to the ground.

She smacked Bryan's shoulder. "You could've gotten us both killed!" she exclaimed, but there was no hint of anger. On the contrary, she couldn't help but smile.

"That's impossible, I'm far too graceful," he said confidently, which only earned him another jab.

"And for your information, this is what I'll be teaching you next."

"But it seems so…difficult," said Aelita, still stunned that he had managed to clear all those stairs.

Bryan laughed. "No harder than moving from a tricycle to a bicycle. Obviously, it'll take longer. But if you get the basics – which I think you've mastered quite well today – then the really fun stuff like this is a piece of cake, as long as you stay relaxed and in control. That being said, how was your first flying – I mean skating lesson?"

"It was amazing. I've got the best teacher in the world," she said enthusiastically, her eyes shining.

"By the way, you're the best skater I've ever seen. Did you ever enter any competitions back in Canada?" Aelita added. She was a bit surprised when Bryan shook his head.

"Nope. I didn't want to show off my amazing skills to everyone."

She figured as much; Bryan had just defied the laws of physics with that jump. It was as if he had sprouted wings. And naturally, stuff like that would generate much attention.

"Fair enough. One more thing."

"Hmm?"

"Can we do that again?"

"What, talk about the ethics of showing off?"

"No, I mean that," Aelita pointed to the stairs behind them.

Bryan smiled. "Absolutely not. Only one ride per day, that's the rule."

She tugged at his arm and tried to show him her best puppy-dog face, but remembered his immunity to such things. Bryan turned around and began to skate away. He looked back, sighed, and motioned for her to follow.

"Come on. You can't jump off when you're already at the bottom."

Aelita's face lit up once more. She sped up and darted past him.

"Race you to the top! If I win, we get to do it twice," she yelled back.

Always a kid at heart…Bryan chuckled and followed her. And two jumps later, despite the slightly sore arm muscles, he was satisfied that everything between them was back to normal.

Aelita had begun taking her first steps off the ground, towards the infinite atmosphere that awaited her above.

Fragmented Legacy Fun Fact 022:

Aelita is the only LYOKO warrior who has two modes of transport from Kadic Academy to the abandoned factory: a scooter and roller skates (once she masters the 180-degree moon drop wind dash technique, that is).

A|N's:

Another Code LYOKO Short Story is in the bag! I'll probably have one of these little snippets into Team LYOKO's life per season.

Feel free to leave a comment, and as always, thanks for reading Code LYOKO: Fragmented Legacies =)