Chapter 2: "Wait, don't let go!"

Fine wasn't sure what to expect when Princess Mirlo invited them to go ice skating at the Waterdrop Kingdom. Her sister and she were definitely curious about ice skating coming from a kingdom that has average weather all year around. So it's not that Fine wasn't excited, but she definitely wasn't prepared for what awaited her in the large ice rink.

"Can we hold hands, Rein?" Fine asked as she nervously stared at the ice. Rein also seemed hesitant as she took her sister's hand in hers. Fine's eyes drifted to Mirlo, who seemed to be in her own little world as she casually skated in circles near the center.

"Come on, Fine! We can't keep standing here! Especially when the others come!" Rein announced. Fine could tell she was just trying to pump herself up in order to face the ice. However, Fine wasn't prepared for Rein to suddenly tug her onto the ice without a shred of warning. Fine screamed as Rein moved a little too fast for her liking.

"Rein, please slow down!" Fine pleaded as she attempted to grab Rein's entire arm. Rein glanced back at her sister, a stressed look on her face.

"I don't know how!" She replied in a panic. The twins propelled forward a bit too fast for them to handle. They clung to each other and screamed as they practically crashed into a solid pile of snow at the edge of the rink. Not long afterward, Mirlo approached them apologizing profusely.

"I should have known you two were still novices! I forgot that this was your first time! I'm really sorry, I just got really excited to be on the ice. The ice freezes over like this only a couple days a year so..." Mirlo explained. The twins popped their heads from under the snow, freezing cold.

That was how the twins ended up sitting on the benches, greeting their friends as they piled into the makeshift ice rink. Their friends commented and discussed the twin's sorry state.

"It was our first time!" The twins about screamed when Altezza commented about their clumsiness. Fine just slumped back in her seat, still cold from the snow. Rein, on the other hand, clenched her fists and let out a determined roar.

"Good luck, Rein!" Fine said as her sister march back onto the ice. Despite her fierce attitude, Fine watched expressionless as Rein fell right on her butt immediately after stepping onto the ice. And it happened again.

And again.

And again.

Until Shade finally approached with a smug look. Fine witnessed him pull Rein up from the ground and begin playfully pulling her around the ice. Fine smiled. She knew Shade would make sure Rein doesn't fall anymore.

"It's not fun to be the only one sitting here and watching right?" Fine was surprised to see a hand right in front of her face. She looked to the owner, knowing exactly who it was.

"I'm kinda scared I might sprain something if I fall again..." Fine replied, looking at the floor. She absently clinked her blades together. Her sister was always the braver one. Fine was okay sitting on the sidelines like this. It's not like she was the only one.

"I'll teach you. Take my hand." Bright said, motioning with his hand again. Fine looked at him, then at his hand, then at him again. His expression softened her resolve and she took his hand. Slowly, he pulled her to the edge of the ice. Fine stiffened as they stood right before it. "Do you trust me, Fine?" He gave her a kind smile and squeezed her hand in his.

Fine knew that it was just a simple confirmation, but she couldn't stop her face from warming at the question and reassurance. So she buried her face in her scarf and nodded her head in response. She heard him chuckle, but didn't have time to look since Bright was already taking his first steps on the ice. He slowly turned around, motioning for Fine to take his other hand. Slowly, ever so slowly, she grabbed it and stepped on the ice.

Immediately, Fine felt herself panic as her feet slid out from under her. She quickly clung to the closest thing to her: Bright.

"Calm down, Fine. Calm down. Just breathe, okay? I won't let you fall." Bright gently said. Fine opened her eyes and looked directly up at Bright. Her face was practically pressed up against his chest and she blushed furiously. Quickly, she pulled herself up. With Bright's help of course.

Once again, they linked hands and slowly, Bright pulled her around the rink. Fine kept staring at her feet, trying to keep her footing but every now and then she would sneak glances at Bright. Sometimes, she was sure Bright was staring at her, but Fine wasn't too sure.

"This is actually pretty fun!" Fine said after a couple rounds. "It's a lot easier with a partner."

"Yeah. I usually ice skated with Altezza before. She was also a klutz on the ice in the beginning." Fine giggled as she glanced around for Altezza. "She wouldn't stop clinging to me at first. She would grab my waist so tightly, we would both fall." Bright chuckled at the memory as he turned to face Fine and took her other hand. Fine didn't understand the change in position until he gave her a stiff smile. "Don't be scared okay?" He said. Fine felt her panic increase which was a mistake because she accidentally loosened her grip on his hands. The minute she did that, Bright pulled his hands away and backed up on the ice.

"Wait, don't let go!" Fine said, immediately reaching out to him. He was still within arm distance, but not within Fine's arm. "Bright!" Fine cried as she regained her balance.

"Skate to me!" Bright said when he was sure she was balanced. He moved about three feet ahead of her. "You can do it!" Fine held her arms out to keep her balance. She knew she looked like an awkward penguin compared to everyone else on the rink, but she was concerned about falling on the freezing solid ice. She stopped looking at her feet for a couple minutes and saw Bright, his arms wide open and waiting for her. She didn't want to disappoint him.

She clenched her jaw and slowly pushed herself towards him. She wobbled with every little step. "One more foot." Bright said, sounding really eager. Fine reached out to him when she thought she was in reach.

Big mistake.

She leaned forward a bit too far, losing her balance in the process. She reflexively grasped for his held out hand and he quickly pulled her close to him in response. The resulting momentum caused them to twirl a couple feet forward. When Fine was sure they stopped twirling she pulled away and looked up at him.

"You did it." He said with one of his signature smiles. Fine smiled back when she suddenly realized how close they were.

Bright had one arm around her back with the other cradling her head while she had both arms wrapped around his waist. She blushed furiously, and attempted to push him off, but almost fell back again, causing Bright to pull her impossibly closer.

"Hm? Is it too cold? Your face is really red." Bright said, placing his forehead against hers. Fine couldn't even tell if he was messing with her or if he was genuinely concerned, which made her even more dizzy.

She never thought she would pass out from overheating on an ice rink.