Picture - #1
DISCLAIMER: Story mine, Characters mine.
“Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me”
There was ice. Lots of it. A great expanse of glittering white that looked dangerously slippery, and I had a bad feeling that it would hurt if I fell on it. No, when I fell on it.
“You can skate, right?”
I had almost forgotten that I wasn’t here alone. My exceptionally cute girlfriend had decided that we were long overdue a date and had insisted on surprising me. I was hoping for something more along the lines of going to see a movie but humiliating myself in front of her would do just fine.
“Yup, of course I can. Not a problem!” I tried to sound confident. It’s been three years and I’m still desperate to impress her. I’d just have to find a way out of this before she discovered that I can barely stand on ice. Trying to actually move in any direction other than down is near impossible
She laughed! One of these days I will actually learn that she can read me like a book.
“What? I can skate!”
“Really?”
“Well, kinda.” Less confident.
She just stared at me.
“On my butt” I mumble.
I can’t believe the subject has never come up before now. Every year we admire the temporary outdoor rink that is set up in the park from the beginning of December. It really is beautiful with all the twinkling white lights strung through the trees around the perimeter. We’ve never discussed actually going skating though. If I wasn’t so terrible at it, it would be quite romantic. We were even late enough to have missed the worst of the crowds.
Maybe I could still get out of this, now that she knew my secret...
Nope, not a chance. She wrapped herself around me and put on her best wounded puppy expression. The one I absolutely cannot say no to.
“Will you try? Please?”
I lasted a whole three seconds before giving in. The smile that I received in return made decide that the bruises and frozen arse I would end up with would be well worth it. She leaned up and pecked me on the lips before grabbing my hand and dragging me to the counter.
***
I’m sure both skates had the same size on them. In fact, I looked twice just to be certain. My left foot must just have shrunk sometime when I wasn’t looking. I wasn’t going to complain, I was going to have fun on this date and she was going to keep on smiling at me like that and... And she was standing right in front of me. I must have been too busy glaring at my skates to notice that she had moved.
Damn, that means I have to stand up. It can’t be that difficult, it’s only been ten years since I last tried this. The floor isn’t that far down...
Before I can reassure myself any further she is grabbing my hand and helping me to my feet. I’m better at this than I thought! I even manage to take the few steps towards the ice without falling over.
This might just go okay.
Actually getting onto the ice was harder than I imagined. She stood beside me offering encouragement as I clung desperately to both the wall and her hand. My feet just wouldn’t stay underneath me.
She looked horrified, I really don’t think she could have imagined that I would be this bad and I couldn’t help being amused.
A couple of minutes later I had both feet on the ice and was trying to stand still without falling over. The wall was fast becoming my best friend as the previous holder of that title was doubled over in front of me, nearly in tears of laughter. It is apparently amusing to discover that I can still do the splits. That is really going to hurt tomorrow. Okay, so I was laughing too but that’s not the point.
After regaining our composure she grabbed my hand and I begin taking baby steps along the wall. It’s not really going so bad, I think I was actually beginning to get the hang of it. By the time we had made it half way around the rink I was able to talk and do whatever it was that was passing for skating at the same time. When we had made it all the way around I was really having a good time and beginning to get ambitious.
I let go of the wall and managed to last almost a nanosecond before hitting the floor arse first.
My girl was helping me up before the wet had even managed to soak my jeans and within seconds I was flailing again before grabbing the wall. It really was good fun though.
That happened twice more before we both crashed to the floor in a tangle of limbs. My legs had gone one way, I went another and she tried to catch me. Not the smartest thing she has ever done.
That one had actually hurt my elbow and knee as I tried to avoid falling completely on her and from the way she winced I’m sure I’ll have to kiss her bruised butt better later.
I had to admit defeat, it wasn’t fun anymore.
“I give up”
“Me too” Was that a hint of a smile? ” Shall we go home before you squish me again?”
“To bed?” I tried to sound suitably pathetic but I’m certain it came out more hopeful than I intended.
She grinned and nodded. “Bed sounds like a safer idea”
“much safer, and warmer”
“definitely”
After we made it safely off the ice and into the car I couldn’t help myself from asking, “same again next Christmas?”
All I got in response was a kiss
End
Story by: AC
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