DISCLAIMER: Same as last time. If you need to see it, go back and look, but I'm not typing it again (today).
Chapter 6
After hiding under the covers of my bed and contemplating my life choices for a solid two and a half hours, I came to a five word conclusion: I shouldn't have done that. And the only other possible conclusion that I could find was I really shouldn't have done that. I had worked my entire life to keep my mouth shut as much as possible, particularly around those bigger than me, to avoid getting hurt again. And then I go and contradict my entire lifestyle, practically yelling at a man I had only known for two weeks! Not only was I jeopardizing my physical and emotional safety, but also my hockey career. The basis of my life, tied with dance and my family. So I was thoroughly, truly, royally screwed.
Thoughts flashed through my mind, thoughts of quitting hockey for good, but I brushed those aside. Nothing could replace the gap that quitting would leave in my life, and nothing could replace the friends and bonds I had made through playing the sport. And when Charlie finally convinced me to leave the safe haven that was my bed, I had made myself a promise.
I would never use my voice again, as long as I had control over it (which, newsflash, is something I will always have control over).
I took a deep breath, and looked back into the mirror. I inspected my makeup once more, ensuring its perfection. Adam came up behind me.
"We'll be fine, Claire. We've done this hundreds of times." I rolled my eyes and shot him a look. He sighed. "Okay, I get it, we've never performed in front of this many people. But we're amazing together. We can do this." I grinned; he was totally right. I smoothed down my skirt, and Adam grabbed my hand, leading me over to the side of the stage. We smiled at the other pair of dancers, silently wishing them luck as the pianist started and we went out onto the stage. They joined us soon after, and the dance went smoothly ( watch?v=wcOEHvWi1rY&feature= , skip to 1:24; Claire and Adam are the couple with the girl in the blue dress).
Afterwards we headed back to the hotel for a night of sleep before our early flight back to Minnesota in the morning. As I settled into the hotel bed, exhilarated from the performance, I thought back to the hockey games Adam and I had had to skip for this chance, and I was suddenly very glad that we had skipped those games.
A/N: So, I'm really sorry about this. I meant to upload earlier this week (I was actually aiming for last week) but I had two large writing assignments due for English, and a few scattered, smaller writing assignments for other classes. Also, I was hoping that this chapter would be longer than it turned out to be, but I also wanted to upload this. I'll try to get another chapter out by Monday or Tuesday, as I have a three day weekend (and can therefore procrastinate my homework for longer). So long for now!