Lines in the Ice

Chapter 2

I dug out my book from the contents of my book bag and began to read. Read and think. Think and read. Read, think, and a little napping. It’s pretty comfy back here, I don’t see why I can’t sleep back here.

I must’ve been dozing because when I woke up the guys were already leaving. I could here their voices as they joked around and left. When I peeked around the corner, Tod was still there talking to his coach. I quickly crawled backwards and waited for them to leave.

It took them at least ten minutes to finish talking and then the room was quite. I got up and walked to meet Dan. He was behind the counter like always, only this time Michael was sitting behind the counter too.

“Hold up, you guys are in the same room and you aren’t fighting! I’m dreaming,” I said over dramatically.

“We can behave too, it’s just fun to fight,” Michael defended himself.

“Yeah, especially when you’re around because you look like you want to pull your hair out every time you see us,” Dan chimed in.

“Just give me the skates,” I muttered.

“Here.” I grabbed the skates from Dan and Michael jumped the counter.

He sat with me as I put my skates on until he had to use the bathroom. I decided to leave him and get on the ice. I walked out and looked at it. I took a deep breath before heading for the slick surface. I stepped on and skated towards the middle. Dan started to play the song Glad You Came by The Wanted, one of my favorite songs. I was lost in my own world.

I didn’t notice Will watching me from the bleachers. He was quiet and observant. It wasn’t until I heard Michael talking to him, to be more exact, calling him a stalker.

“I’m not a stalker, I was here before you guys came in.” I stopped and looked at the two boys. “You don’t have to be so protective of your girlfriend.”

I burst out laughing and I fell on the ice. They both looked at me like I was weird. “I’m….I’m no….not his…his girlfriend,” I managed to say.

“Oh,” was all Will said.

I regained my composure and looked at him. “Yeah. By the way you shouldn’t be here. The rink is closed.”

“You’re here,” he retorted.

“Because she has permission. You, however, do not,” Michael seemed to get annoyed with Will easily.

“Whatever. Bye, Brenna,” Will said as he walked towards the exit. I watched him the whole time, and so did Michael.

“I don’t like that guy. How does he know your name?” I turned my attention back to Michael.

“My science teacher said my name in front of him, he’s a new student.” I remember when Will had helped me build my model.

I skated towards a very silent Michael. He seemed to be in thought and barely noticed me when I reached the edge. I was practically right in his face and he was still just looking into space. I poked him in the forehead and he snapped back.

“Uh yeah, sorry.”

“It’s fine, Michael.” I leaned over the side and lifted my feet off of the rink. “Hey Michael, this going to be awkward but I need a favor. Can I stay with you tonight? I’m being locked out of my house.”

“What?” he asked with total wonder.

“My sisters have some friends over and I need a place to stay,” I said blushing and adding air quotes on “friends”.

“Yeah I guess that will be alright, as long as you don’t mind my snoring roommate.” I laughed and he smiled.

“So it’s set, I don’t have anything to wear but it’s okay.” He gave a deep sigh, it was a sigh that I learned meant he was thinking very deeply.

I turned and glided away from him. I went right to the middle and then fell. Well I didn't really fall, I just kind of sat down. The ice is really cold but I want to make ice angels before I leave. It’s fun to just lay on the ice sometimes.

“What are you doing?” his voice echoed off the walls. I turned my head to look at him.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m laying on the ice.”

“You’re a strange one.”

“Yeah I know.” So what, I’m weird. Deal with it.

My body got cold fast and I got up. It was almost time to leave so I skated to the door. I couldn’t find Michael anywhere. He better not leave me here.

I found him sitting in the lobby talking to Dan, apparently he’s invited to the wedding too. I sat down and put my feet on Michael’s lap. He knew exactly what to do. He unlaced my skates and took them off my feet, I just sat there and watched him.

“Bree you have that boy doing just about anything for you,” Dan chuckled.

“Yeah I know, isn’t it great?” I laughed

“For who?” Michael asked.

“Me of course,” I joked.

I made him give Dan the skates too. Then I made him get me a drink as I sat on the bench and rolled my ankles. He’s like my own little butler, normally he doesn’t do this kind of stuff. Is he feeling pity for me because of my sisters? I really don’t want him to feel bad, I mean this stuff happens all the time. He just doesn’t know about it.

“Ready to go,” he asked while giving me his hand. I grabbed it while nodding and he helped me get up.

“Bye, Dan,” I shouted and gave Dan a hug. He grumbled something incoherent about not yelling when the person is standing next to you.

“See you later, Dan,” Michael chimed while pulling me out the door. I skipped behind him to his car.

It’s a nice car. I’m not sure what type of car, but it’s a nice car. Nice and warm. I got into the front seat and made myself comfortable. The seats were leather, but they were heated. Michael started the car and backed out slowly.

“I’m going to need a ride to school in the morning,” I stated with a smirk. He rolled his eyes at me.

“You are really high maintenance. Don’t worry I’ll get my roommate to give you a ride in the morning,” he teased.

I rolled my eyes before closing them and putting my feet up on the dashboard. The car drove smoothly, it only hit a few bumps making a relaxing ride. There was music playing softly in the background. The whole situation is calming. When we get to Michael’s dorm I am stealing his bed and going to sleep.

I should probably worry more that I’m going to Michael’s dorm and I’m staying in his bed for the first time, barely knowing him and all. In comparison to the bench where some hobo could come up and rape me, I think Michael wins. Besides it’s much warmer in a college dorm.

I yawned largely and shifted in my seat. I’m watching Michael as he drives. There’s this funny smile on his face, it makes me want to smile with him too. One hand was on the steering wheel and the other was on the shift.

I grabbed his free hand and laced my fingers with his. Then I played with his fingers, he didn’t pull his hand away. He has large hands, they could eat mine for a snack. Am I high right now? What am I even saying?

“Are you finding my hands interesting?” I was startled by his voice. It sliced the silence in the car, but it wasn’t an annoying sound. It just seemed like it belonged with the quiet noise. His voice is deep and strong.

“Very interesting.” I gave a little giggle, I must be really tired.

“Don’t worry we’re almost there.”