CHAPTER 4

(AHVI'S POINT OF VIEW)

The fun thing about figure skating is learning new choreography. Though it's a bit difficult getting the steps, the spins, and glides, I love the feeling I get as I follow the sound of the sensual music.

However, this choreography is particularly hard as I take a spin and land on the ice with a thud. I get up and try again but end up falling on my ass.

"You're not doing it right, Ahvi," My choreographer, Bella, observes from the corner while my partner Rigel and Miss Katherina watch from the beaches. "You're not maintaining the equilibrium and you're not steady on the blades,"

"She's good for her first time learning this choreography, give her some credits, Bella," Rigel gives me a thumbs up and flashes a big smile.

"Let's take five," Bella claps her hands, calling a break before gliding off the rink. I watch as she takes off her skates and walks off.

"How about I join you?"

The voice behind me is unforeseen and sudden and yanks a gasp of shock out of me and has me staggering but an arm loops around my waist and steadies me on a chest. When I look up, I find the icy blue eyes of Rigel shining down at me with a grin.

"Are you okay?" He inquires with his arm still circling my tiny waist.

Slowly, I rip myself from him. "Yeah, thank you," I reciprocated the smile. For a second we stand there staring at each other till a loud voice interrupts.

"Hey, shameless flirt!!"

We reel our heads at the same time, finding Quinn, Rigel's girlfriend standing outside the rink with her hands on her hips and her gray eyes shooting malicious daggers at me.

"Office, now!" She deadpans. I look over at Katherina, she gives an approving nod and gets up from her seat.

I decide to follow her lead and slide off the rink, coming beside Quinn and taking off my shoes.

"You're a whore you know that, throwing yourself at my boyfriend so shamelessly!" She hisses like an annoyed snake.

I scoff and stand straight after taking off my shoes. "Your boyfriend is my dance partner, I've lost count of how many times I've jumped on him. If you have any problem with the arrangements, you can always make complaints to the General Manager. You are good at it." I say and walk away before she can open her mouth and vomit more rubbish.

I reach the General Manager's office in a minute. She smiles at me and motions her hand for me to stand beside four other girls who are really good on the rink. Quinn matches in a second later and doesn't bother concealing her aggravation. What a brat.

"I called you ladies here because I have an announcement you all have been waiting for," the general manager pauses for a second, scanning our faces for a reaction before continuing. "It's time for the National and International Championship,"

"Aren't they done at two separate times?" One of the girls inquires.

"Yes but things have been different this time around, that's why you will be divided into two groups-"

She's cut off by Quinn who raises her hand suddenly.

"I want to be on the International team. I already have a good ranking on Nationals,"

"Actually no, you are going to be on the National team, you already have good rankings on Internationals. Ahvi, Benita, and Malinda will go International."

"WHAT?!" Quinn explodes like an overheated bulb. She sends a sharp glare at me. "Nationals Championship doesn't matter. Going International is my chance of entering the Olympics-"

"And that's why you keep failing Nationals because you think they don't matter," the Manager cuts her off. "But they do, sweetheart and that's why you are going to Nationals this year. Your ranking dropped badly and if you do not pick it back up, you are never joining the Olympics. That would be 10 years of wasted opportunity,"

Quinn glares and crosses her arms over her chest. "You think you can ship me off to wherever you want. My daddy is the biggest sponsor in this shitty organization. What do you think he's going to do when he finds out huh? Just wait and see, Miss Xenia," With a stomp, she storms out of the office.

Miss Xenia sighs and waves her hand dismissively at the rest of us. I follow everyone out till I hear the sound of my name.

"Ahvi,"

I pause, then turn around. "Yes, Miss Xenia?"

She smiles. "I know you have been dying to join the Olympics. You have good ranking on both Nationals and International Championships but this performance determines whether you join the Olympics next year or not. Don't miss it,"

I return the smile with a bigger one. "Thank you, Miss Xenia."

She nods. "I've already sent the details to Miss Katherina, she will fill you in on everything that's required. You can go now,"

With a nod, I finally step out of the office but instantly come face to face with Quinn. I attempt to walk past her but she blocks my path.

"First you're trying to steal my boyfriend and now you're stealing my trophy. You have a lot of nerves, Ahvi. You think Miss Xenia's show of favoritism is going to make you win?" She barks and it's annoying.

"How about you lower the attitude and the brattiness, maybe others will start to like you, including your boyfriend."

She smirks. "You better watch your mouth, three months is a long time. What if you wake up one morning in a hospital bed and discover your legs are broken,"

I feel my eyes darken. "Are you threatening me?"

She laughs humorlessly and raises her hand in surrender. "Oh no, just a friendly reminder that accidents happen all the time and you should watch your back at all times. See ya!" She waves and walks away, soon disappearing.

"She's a freak," Miss Katherina shows up.

"More like a daddy's spoiled brat."

*~*

Practice comes to an end at 3 pm, I step out of the large building with my backpack over my shoulders, earbuds strike to my ears, a black mask over my face, and a bucket hat over my head. I step on the pavement.

"Planning on taking the bus again?"

I turn around quickly and swallow a gasp at the sight of Vance in a casual outfit.

I take off my mask. "Vance, what are you doing here?"

"What else? I'm here to pick up my little step-sister,"

I look over his shoulder to find a black SUV parked at the side. When I look back, the glint in his eyes tells me he won't take no for an answer. With a sign, I walk towards his car, and suddenly, a female voice calls.

"Vance!"

We both pause and turn around to find a girl older than me with vibrant short red hair.

"Get into the car," Vance tells me and opens the car door of the passenger side at the front while the lady gets closer.

"But-" I want to protest but think against it and just slip into the car and he shuts the door and the girl arrives.

I watch from the glass as they react. I rarely see Vance smile at others but he smiles at her. It's not a big one, just a tiny curve at the corner of his mouth but it's still a smile and the sight makes my stomach whirl and my jaw clench and when she stands on her tiptoes to kiss him on his cheek, I see nothing but red.

I grab the door, half mind to push it open, and slap her across the face with only one thought in mind; she's kissing what's mine!

Soon, she's leaving while Vance gets on the driver's side of the car and starts driving. I try to keep my mouth shut and just focus on the building passing by but my mind keeps flashing the stupid kiss over and over again.

"Who's she?" My heart wins over my brain to not say anything. He's my stepbrother and can kiss whoever the hell he wants.

"A friend," He answers without looking at me.

"A friend that kisses you on the cheek," I scoff. "That's some friend. Tell me, do you kiss all your friends?"

Suddenly, he matches the brakes on the car and turns to me. I let out a gasp as he leaned his face forward so close that I could feel his warm breath on my face, his lemony scent on my tongue and a little bit closer, our lips would be touching. My heart goes wild underneath my chest.

"Are you jealous?"

Time stops and his question hangs in the air. He looks into my eyes with a glint of mischief and sin in his green eyes that suddenly makes me want to risk it all and kiss him but I fight it and move back.

"N-no," My voice wavers, and I look outside through the window with a blush staining my cheeks. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

He chuckles and starts the car again. "Then don't ask."

I shouldn't have asked. My poor heart can't keep taking this.