Rumours of the ink

They tried to suppress their laugh. They weren’t used to this, surely they’d have to get used to it eventually. James was doing his best to try and teach them, it was hard. He wanted to smile and laugh because their laugh was cute.

“Literally all i did was touch your hip”

“Sorry.” They shook their head a bit and looked down and back up. Trying to take it seriously. “Sorry, continue.”

“Okay, well we were skating in laps together. And that was fine, we mesh pretty well together. Now this is Jaspers favourite thing to do when we’re just messing around. It’s a pair spin.”

“Oh that thing you and Jasper do every morning.”

“Yeah, exactly that. So here’s just how the form is supposed to look. Straight this arm across my chest.” Watching as Asra did it, he grabbed a hold of their hand. “Good, now the other one on my other hand.”

“On my hip?”

“Yeah. Good just like that.”

They glanced at James, he was staring down at them. it was stupid how flustered he made them.

“How does- like does Jasper.”

“How does Jasper function being touched like this? Well as you know pair skaters are supposed to get romantically involved that includes anything physical.” James started. “Outer leg raised a little, just in a point.”

“Did anything physical happen between you and Jasper?”

Asra was asking questions they needed to know if they were actually going to try anything with James. They didn’t want to prey on a relationship they weren’t aware of.

“I’m going to push off and you just let yourself flow with me okay?” Asra nodded and they spun at a very slow speed. “One time. But it was her birthday and Will let us drink. It didn’t go far, from what I can remember then she told me to stop. So I did. And we talked about it and we agreed nothing was supposed to happen between us so it won’t.”

“What if Jasper never said stop?”

“I don’t know. But I don’t like living what ifs.” He shrugged a bit and let go of them. “What’s important is what’s going on around you now. And right now, I have you alone in the rink.”

“Yeah, teach me how to pair skate. Nothing more.” Asra smirked a bit. “At least not yet.”

“Not yet? I still have a chance.”

“Finish teaching me the spin.” Asra pushed him a bit. “But are there really no feelings between you and Jasper?”

“You know ive never had someone ask about another girl while we were hanging out.”

“Well I mean, we both know what’s going on here.” Asra mumbled while they pushed forward together to just do another lap together. “I can’t do anything if I know Jasper has these unresolved feelings for you.”

“She doesn’t. Trust me, we spent an hour talking about the next day. She doesn’t like me in any other way than a friend, she also literally said. ‘It was my first time drinking and I don’t know why I did it. But I would rather gouge my own eyes out then sleep with you.’ Still stings to this day.”

“Because you think she's hot.” Asra spinned to face him. Stopping their moves completely.

“I mean yeah have you seen her?” He joked and smiled. “I’m kidding. I really don’t mind. She’s not even my type anyway.”

Asra pushed him away before skating backwards from him. They didn’t do much, it was the first time skating together. They only did skating around the rink and the one spin. Asra wanted to do a jump, and they also wanted to do the pair camel spin Jasper and James always did together. But James kept having to tell them not yet, it was literally the first session.

“So are you done questioning me about Jasper now?” James asked as he was taking off his skates.

Asra shrugged a bit. “Yeah. I know what I need to know.”

“And what’s that?”

“I told Jasper no promises about you. So if I do try anything with you they can’t get mad at me.”

They smiled at him before picking up their bag. James was close behind them since the two didn’t want to get caught. Asra nearly screamed when they saw Lillians car. Pulling James to hide from the front door.

“Oh my god.”

“What?” James watched him. “Are you okay?”

“Lillians car is here. What the fuck did you tell her?”

James watched them before taking keys out his pocket. Showing them he drives Lillians car here by setting off the alarm. Asra hit his chest and rolled their eyes.

“You scared me.”

He tried to stop himself from laughing but he couldn’t. “When we came back I needed a car. And Lillian and Will usually drive together now that he’s home for good. So she’s letting me use her car.”

Asra calmed down from their soul leaving their body and stopped before they separated to go home. They grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving yet.

“Actually can I ask you something before we both go home?”

He saw the energy change with Asra. Asra wasn’t joking and being funny right now. They had a serious question that clearly bothered them.

“Yeah of course.”

“Will came home for holidays. He even came home when Lillian needed surgery last year. Why did you guys ever come home?” They shook their head. “Actually no. Don’t answer that.”

“We were on training contracts.” James answered simply. “Training aboard was great but as a group we were too quick to agree to go to Japan. And then we were forced to train up to 82 hours a week and we had to keep perfect grades as well as trying to keep up with our personal lives. And then it wasn’t until the first Christmas we realized we got in over our heads with training. Will wanted us to be the best and he signed a contract he knew that we shouldn’t have taken. But look at us now, we almost placed.”

“You almost placed but at the cost of your friends and family. Not mention your sanity.”

“The first six months in japan were really difficult. But we’re fine now and I’m sure Jasper is still beating herself up about not talking to you more.”

“Sorry, I really didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories.”

“It’s okay.” He shrugged and smiled at them. “We’re all skaters, trauma comes with the industry.”

Asra laughed a bit. That made them feel better about how things were with Jasper. They seemed like a completely different person but that’s because they were. James’s and Jasper changed while they were gone and for Asra it was like they were meeting Jasper all over again. The pair split for the rest of the night. Asra went home and so did James. As soon as Asra walked through the door however it was a fight. It always was lately. Asra could breath and their mom would find a reason to get mad.

“where were you?”

“Training.”

“Really at 11:30 at night?”

Asra rolled their eyes as they kicked off their shoes at the front door. Leaving they’re skating bag by the door so they could grab it in the morning without having to drag it down the stairs.

Asra had gotten really good at lying. They knew most skaters' mothers were overbearing but Asras took it to another level. On Asras 18th birthday they had to buy a new phone so she couldn’t track them anymore.

“I’m trying to get my jumps down. My triple toe loop is consistent but I keep getting in my head about it.” Asra sighed as they took off their coat as well and tried to walk past their mother. “I have to be up at 5. Good night.”

“You better not be overworking yourself.”

“I’m not.”

That was a lie. And the next morning proved it. They weren’t late but they were so tired. They finished their two hours in the gym. Sitting on the bench while they were waiting to go on the ice. It wouldn't be a day at the rink without drama. This time however it was Connor and James at each other’s throats. Asra was watching them, Katie honestly didn’t not mean to bump into Jasper. Jasper knew this and told Katie it was okay and even smiled at her. Katie kept apologizing but Connor made a stupid comment to himself James heard.

“Maybe if you didn’t take up so much space no one would bump into you.”

“What did you say?” James moved out from behind Jasper.

“Oh I’m sorry did you not hear me? Maybe if your partner did take up so much space while she was stretching this wouldn’t be an issue.”

“There’s a whole rink. You didn’t need to come right next to us.”

“Oh but where's the fun in that? Whenever we’re training you guys seem to be off your game.”

James pushed him. He didn’t like when people said shit about them. They experienced a lot of that in Japan, they spent their first year proving they were worth the effort of training. Now if anyone said anything, especially about Jasper, he wasn’t going to let it slide. Connor pushes him back and Will could see James balling his fist.

“James!” Will called out in his mad voice. “Back off.”

“Talk shit about my partner again and I’ll make sure you never skate again.”

“Uh no no.” Jasper pushes him away from Connor. “Do not listen to him. He’s just being dramatic. I’m so sorry, it’s fine. Please don’t listen to him.”

“What do you think you're doing?” Dustie asked as Jasper and James went back to Will. “You can’t mess with them like that.”

“You said to make sure we keep gold.” Connor shrugged.

“But we don’t have to insult and harass our competition.” Katie rolled her eyes as she took off her skate guards. “That was my fault.”

“It’s not like they’re going to place at nationals this year.”

Clearly Connor was more aggressive than Katie was. He wanted to keep his gold metal no matter what, that included his little plan. He wanted to train at this rink to throw Jasper and James off their game. So far it was working, he noticed James becoming distracted. Whether it was because of Asra or them, he wasn’t focused.

“You don’t know that. They’re already better than they were at nationals. How about we work in perfecting your programs, not messing with the heads of your fellow skaters.” Dustie took the guards from Katie and Connor. “On the ice now. Keep this up and you’ll be in gym workouts next week with no ice time.”

Dustie sighed as she watched Connor and Katie go off. Standing with all the other coaches. She looked at Will.

“I’m sorry about him.”

“It’s fine. James is hot headed sometimes.”

“Connor can be an Instigator.” Dustie shook her head. “We’re working on that.”

“Maybe work harder, as much as I know there are rumours and tensions off the ice, I don’t need your pair bringing unnecessary drama and uprooting everyone’s training.” Lillian shook off Will's arm that was around her shoulder and stepped away from Dustie and Will.

“She’s just in a mood today.” Will tried to defend her.

“She’s always in a mood.” Jason added as he was joining the after Sam and Jenn made their way into the ice. “Remember Asras flip out last year?

“Let’s not talk about that.” Will shook his head.

“No details.” Jason nodded agreeing but looked at Dustie. “All these skaters have tough skin. But with your boys mentality, he’s going to make this place a toxic area for them to train.”

“I have to keep him in control.”

Dustie nodded letting Jason and Will know that she was acknowledging what they were saying. Asra was sitting on the bench near the coaches. Waiting for Lillian to give them the go ahead to training. She was taking a minute outside to calm down. Asra didn’t like being talked about like that, like they’re the example for a bad skater. They knew they were held at a different standard after getting their diagnosis last year. They had one breakdown after a competition and now everyone looked at them like they were a ticketing time bomb.

Trying to let themself get too in their head. It bugged them for the rest of the day. Trying to take their mind off it they planned an outing with the other skaters.

“Get in!”

Asra stopped the car for not even a second while Jasper and James were running out of the house. Clearly they didn’t tell Will where they were going. It didn’t help that Will and Lillian we’re legally Jaspers parents.

“This isn’t your Brius.” Jasper laughed as she climbed into the back seat. James barely had time to close the door before Asra was speeding off.

“No I borrowed my neighbors truck. I did have to give her 50 dollars for a security fee but I needed a bigger car for this.”

“Why do you say Prius like that?” James glared at Jasper. “I hate you.”

“I know you do.”

The pair were back for a month at this point. Asra decided they spent too much time only training and doing nothing else. So they were stealing them away for something fun.

“”Where are we going?” Oliver asked as he was in the front seat.

“Well first we’re picking up Jenn.” Asra stopped at another house. Watching the 16 year old rush out of the house and jump into the car before her parents could stop her.

“Welcome to my car of runaways.”

“Thanks for picking me up. I don’t know why my mom was in such a mood. I don’t have any training tomorrow.”

“You have your math test on Monday though.” Oliver looked in the back at Jenn. “Also we haven’t really met. I'm Oliver .”

“Oh yeah I know who you are.” James nodded. “we just didn’t hang out much before Japan.”

“No we didn’t.”

The car was loud with talking, they stopped to pick up another skater named Caleb as well. When your life is surrounded by one sport it’s hard to make friends who aren’t also skaters. They saw each other everyday and they only really had each other at the rinks.

“Where are we going?” Oliver asked again as Asra stopped at a building. “You're joking.”

“Nope before Jasper left we promised her bowling when she got back. And now we are bowling, let’s go.” Asra got out making sure to grab their purse.

Jasper looked at James, she was stupid excited for this. Getting out, she grabbed his hand and ran after the others . James didn't like bowling that much, but Jasper was his best friend so he would do anything for her.

“Oh my god, I haven’t been in here forever.” Jasper followed Asra to the front desk.

“I know the last time we were here was to celebrate Oliver gold at sectionals.” Asra just smiled more. “I know we Haven’t won any medals yet, it just felt like we had to.”

“You're the best.” Jasper hugged Asra before going to pay their share of the lane. “I almost forget that Oliver Won gold in juniors.”

“I know I’m amazing.” He flaunted a bit as he took his shoes from the employee.

“Yeah but haven’t won gold in the senior division yet.” Caleb added.

Caleb was a new skater at the rink. He started training there last year and he got pretty close with the male skaters. He trained alongside Oliver a lot of the time. Caleb was Oliver ’s biggest supporter and vice versa.

“Oh I’m going to this season. Watch me.”

“Okay okay.” Jenn spoke up. “We are here to have fun! No skating talk.”

“Jenn is right. Let’s go!” Jasper smiled happily and skipped over to the lane they paid for.

Asra nearly screamed when James bumped them. He just laughed a bit and sat down next to them when he got to the lane.

“Can you not.”

“I’m just putting on my shoes.” He smiled innocently at them. “I have no idea what you're on about.”

Asra was tempted to hit him with their bowling shoes but they decided not too. That would raise suspicion and they didn’t need that. James and Asra had three sessions together so far. It was fun, just James was getting comfortable. Not that Asra complained.

“Who’s going first?”

“We have to wait for sam. His mom is dropping him off.” Jenn spoke up. She checked her phone to see how far away he was.

“What are they doing here.” James stood up when Connor and Katie walked in.

It pissed him off that they looked nice and put together even away from the rink. They were always so well put together. Katie was wearing a very black oriented outfit, black jeans with a nice black button up, black heeled boots. It was like she was trying to look better than everyone else. Connor just dressed himself in black fitting jeans and a white t-shirt with a black bomber jacket.

“I Uh, I invited them.” Asra said quietly.

“Why!” Jasper asked. “That’s like me inviting Diane !”

“Diane and I are civil. We respect each other, you guys need to stop having this tense energy. It fucking sucks.” They told the pair before standing up to greet the others. “Hey! I’m so glad you guys could make it.”

James was fuming. He didn’t want Connor there not after what he said to Jasper. He was under the impression Asra invited them with no motive other than to piss James off. He couldn’t sit next to them. He stayed sitting next to Jasper.

“I’m going to get a drink. Do you think they sell alcohol in this place?”

“It’s a bowling alley.” James answered Connor. He shook his head and rolled his eyes.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Your 18 anyways. How are you going to buy alcohol?”

“Uh not to be weird but I’m 16. I don’t really feel comfortable hanging around people who are drinking.” Jenn spoke nervously watching James and Connor while it was Katies turn to bowl.

“Yeah me either.” Sam also spoke.

“Okay that’s no problem. I won’t drink.”

Connor was oddly nice to them. although they were competing in the senior pairs this year, he didn’t see them as a threat. Plus they were actual children and he wasn’t about to make them feel uncomfortable. His only issue was with people his age trying to mess with his 5 year plan. James stayed hostile for most of the night. Jasper tried to get him to calm down a little but he wasn’t budging.

“What’s his fucking problem.” James mumbled when he got up to take a breather. Jasper followed close after him.

“He just wants to mess with your head. You can’t let him.”

“Yeah easier said than done.”

James paced a bit. Looking at the door when it opened again. It was Jenn, his demeanor changed a bit. He Smiled at her. No one was mean to Jenn or Sam, they were always treated like the little siblings of the group. Which they were Because they were the youngest. Asra yelled at Jenn once because they were having an off day and since then everyone watched their words around Jenn because she was honestly too pure for the industry that was figure skating.

“What’s up?” Jasper asked.

“We were going to go to McDonald’s after we finished our second round of bowling.”

“Oh fun. Okay.” She smiled. Jenn just nodded and closed the door. “Are you going to act civil so we can hang out with your friends? Because I want to hang out with them.”

“I don’t have to go with you.”

Jasper just sighed and rubbed their temple before going back inside. They didn’t have to go everywhere together, but they did. While the group was having their fun little night out, Lillian was texting Asra a lot.

“They can't just come and steal my kid.” Lillian mumbled as she was in the kitchen, she was doing dishes aggressively with Will.

“They did what you asked.” He handed her a plate to dry. “Connor and Katie are there aren’t they?”

“I mean yeah. I just can’t believe dustie had the audacity to ask me.”

Will watched as she was drying the plate, her fingers were going white from gripping it. She was just stressed and Asra aged her.

“She just wants Connor to get along with people. How do you think Connor and Katie would feel knowing most of the senior skaters hung out without them?”

“I don’t know.”

“You used to be a skater. How did you feel when people wouldn’t invite us to stuff because we won gold one year?”

Lillian huffed and crossed her arms. Glaring at Will because she knew he was right. Lillian dried her hands off before going to leave the kitchen. Will followed her.

“Come on.”

“She asked me knowing that Connor and James are just going to but heads all night. They don’t get along. James was ready to physically fight him. He’s so aggressive now.”

“They were treated like jokes for a while in Japan. I don’t blame him. They had to earn their place.” Will signed a bit. “After Japan he’s just really defensive over Jasper. He has a lot of pent up anger.”

“I wonder why.”

“Okay I thought we were over this.”

“You can’t just send them off like that and think its okay just because you pay for their therapy.”

“I told you I talked to them.” He stopped and held his hands up. “I get it, you took in Jasper so they would get out of the system and you just want to protect them. But I made a mistake. I spent two years with them. They both know if messed up, and I’m doing everything I can for them. I’m not doing this right now.”

“Your right.” Lillian mumbled and looked down. “I’m sorry, I just don’t think Jasper was mentally ready to stray from their routine.”

“She’s going to be fine. She’s with friends and she knows to call if she needs us. She also had James there.”

“I know.”

“She got the go ahead from her therapist. Besides giving her a strict schedule and never letting her have fun is what led to her break down in Japan the first time.”

“Do you really think she’s going to be okay?”

“She’s a fighter okay? James, Jasper, Oliver , and Asra are tough. If they have each other they’ll be fine.”

Lillian just nodded and went to sit on the couch with Will. She tried to be calm but she was always worried about those four and their friends. She took on Asra when she was 12 and then when Will started coaching Jasper and James, Jasper was still in foster care and was going to be placed three hours away. So Asra begged Lillian to do something and the only thing she could think of was to apply to be a foster parent and take her in. They had their own little skate family and Lillian wasn’t going to let anything separate them again. Later that night James and Jasper returned with Asra not too far behind them. They were sent straight to bed as soon as they got back, Asra spending the night because they didn’t feel like driving back to their house. James wouldn’t talk to them at all though.

They’d have to fix it tomorrow.

Sitting in the stands, it was the end of their two hour break they got everyday. Their break was supposed to be used to study but they didn’t study today. They didn’t need to. There were no assignments due. They were waiting for Lillian to come back from whatever she was doing. Asra had spent all morning working on the long program choreography off ice. However, Asra also knew Lillian would want them to use their new skates. Fully break them in.

Asra hated new skates.

Currently they were stuffed at the bottom of Oliver ’s locker so Lillian couldn’t find them. Watching Lillian come in but she was on the phone. Asra knew she was busy so she just went to stand next to the other skaters. These girls were just watching the other skaters Practice. They were also Known for spreading rumours. Especially ones that were wrong. They didn’t bother indulging them. Even if no one believed it, Asra knew the truth. These girls just liked to discredit anyone they don’t like.

“You know, partners aren’t supposed to get romantically involved.” One of the girls who was wearing a pink Leotard spoke and crossed her arms. “They’re a little close don’t you think? “

“Yeah did you see them outside of the bowling alley last night. They looked like they were fighting.”

The three girls talking all had the same coach and they wore identical outfits. They looked like the plastics but if you turned them into ice skaters.

“Jasper said something like ‘I wanna hang out with our friends.’ Guess her and James are on the rocks.”

“It would be a blessing, look at him. I wish he had picked me to be his partner.”

Asra stepped away from the girls, they rolled their eyes. But they saw Jasper stepping off the ice. Talking to Will quietly before heading for the changing rooms. They took their chance, they left their skate guards next to Lillian and went into the ice. James saw then making their way towards him.

“You really think you're going to be faster than me?” Asra tried to catch up but he had longer legs. “James stop running away from me.”

They tried to reach out to grab his arm but he ducked behind Dian.

“Uh excuse me.”

“Shh.” James used her as a human shield. Moving them each time Asra tried to get closer.

“I’m trying to train here.”

James rolled his eyes and pushed her at Asra before he skated off. Asra groaned because they fell over.

“Get off me.”

“Sorry.”

Diane struggled for a second to get up. Oliver came by to pull them to their feet, afterwards both Oliver and Diane helped Asra up.

“What is that about?” Oliver asked Asra but Connor and Katie were quite literally skating in circles around them.

“It’s because Asra invited us to go bowling.”

“I didn't want to invite you.” Asra tried to defend themselves, the three on the ice were turning to try and keep the couple in view. “Can you fucking stop.”

Asra didn’t care if they would get in trouble. They watched the pair before putting their skate in the way. Making the two stop just before they could slice through Asras foot. Katie however lost her footing and fell. But of course this pair was so perfect that Connor caught her before she could hit the ice.

“Little mr James is feeling threatened because my coach made a last ditch effort to make us integrate peacefully in the rink.”

“Yeah I know.” They rolled their eyes. “You need to fucking stop.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I know you're new here. But I have literal knives on my feet, and I’m not scared to sever an artery.” They used their finger to poke his chest. “Watch your fucking mouth. I don’t care who the fuck you think you are. But at the end of the day this rink is a safe place for most of us. A lot of us are friends. If you make him feel uncomfortable again, I’ll slice your stupid perfect face open.”

“You think my face is perfect?”

“Your gross.”

“Connor, leave them alone.” Katie pushed him. “Why do you always do this. I’m getting sick of it.”

“It’s just some light bantering.”

When he said that, Katie shook her head and made her way back to dustie. Everyone could hear dustie telling Katie to wait before following the girl out.

“Might wanna watch your mouth or you won’t have a partner for much longer.”

Asra waved and smiled, he rolled his eyes a bit and went after his partner and his coach. They looked at the other two they were with.

“He’s such an asshole.” Diane shook her head. “You know yesterday I saw him talking with that pair. Jenn and Sam, he was giving them like actually nice pointers and then he turned around and tripped James.”

“He tripped him.”

Asra was about to go after Connor and rip him a new one but Oliver stopped them.

“Ah ah. No. Last thing we need is you getting banned from competing over some stupid rivialry your not even apart of.”

“He’s not worth it. But he is a dick though.”

The three broke away from each other when their coaches caught them talking instead of practicing. Asra went on like usual with their Practice, they finally got their long program so they were just trying to get that down. But they noticed Jasper never came back after they left. They tried to talk to James but he refused to even look at them. Asra knew how much he hated Connor. They didn’t even want Connor at the bowling alley. Towards the end of their training for the day Asra tried to talk to him again.

“James.”

“I have to change.”

“Can you wait one second? Please.”

“What.” He sounded annoyed and stopped in the hallway. Asra was caught off guard like they didn’t expect him to actually stop. “What? You wanted one second. What.”

They didn’t want to bring up the Connor thing in the hallways for everyone to hear. Somehow they thought talking about the training was better.

“Are we still meeting tonight?”

“Can’t I’m busy.”

“What? With what?” Asra grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving. “With what?”

They could tell that James was being put on the spot.

“Jasper has their follow up with their leg bruise.”

“They’ve been gone all day. I also know that was at 3. Jasper is my best friend you know. I talk to them all the fucking time.”

“So? She’s my partner. I dropped her so I should be spending time with her after the follow up.”

They tried to stop him again but he kept going. Pushing the door open to the boys locker room. He disappeared from sight and Asra huffed. They weren’t going to let him just lie like that. They didn’t even bother getting changed. They left their bag in the locker room and walked outside. Thankful In the moment that his current car was Lillians. They knew what it looked like. They sat on top of it. Waving at people as they walked past. They saw those three girls come out of the rink. They all watched Asra while they were waiting for their parents to come get them.

James was almost tempted to go back inside and make Asra wait as long as possible. But he wanted to go home and shower so he just made his way

Over. He could see Asra sitting on their phone so he made the car alarm go off.

“Get off.”

“No.” Asra crossed their arms and waited. The alarm scared them but they weren’t going to give in easily. “Why are you so mad at me.”

“Really…” he shook his head like they were unbelievable. “Get off my car.”

“No.”

James opened the back seat to throw his back in before going to pull them off. It wasn’t hard, they were small and there was nothing to hold onto.

“Is it because I invited Connor to bowling?”

“No it’s because you chased me at Practice.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head before going to get in the car but Asra stood in front of it. There was a car behind him so he couldn’t leave.

“Move.”

“No.”

At this point they were just making a scene so he leaned over and pushed open the passenger side door of his car. Asra was suspicious but they took it.

“You're mad because I invited Connor to bowling.”

“Glad to see you catching up.”

“Okay. I get it, I would be pissed if you invited Diane somewhere. But also Diane isn’t that bad. I talked to her Today. She’s actually really fun to be around.” They shook their head to rid their brain of the random thought. “Okay anyway I’m sorry okay. I would never intentionally piss you off.”

“Oh really why?”

“Well first off your training me to pair skate? I told you that a dream of mine so why would I fuck that up?” They asked it and James just crossed his arms and looked away from them. “And I wanna sleep with you.”

Asra shrugged and leaned back in the seat.

It was quiet in the car for a few minutes. Asra was almost regretting saying it. As if James hasn’t spent this first month back flirting non stop with Asra.

“Well I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

They tried really hard not to freak out. They were bold so they should have assumed that James would be just as bold.

“Well good.” Asra honestly was at a loss for words. They had no idea what to say to him now. “So are we meeting at 9 again?”

“Yes.” James nodded and Asra nodded back. “Don’t be late.”

“I won’t be.”

Asra got out and went back into the rink. Lillian was sitting and waiting for them. They looked more pale than usual and Lillian was worried.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t wanna talk about it.”