Chapter Text
I walked back to the ice rink at around 10 a.m., ready to begin my practice session. My previous experience this morning still fresh in my mind. I'd come early to get some extra time on the ice, only to be abruptly kicked off by a rude guy who yelled at me to leave. Another guy, who I assumed was part of the same group, just stood there watching.
As I stepped into the rink, I saw that the same two men were still there, but now they were joined by about ten others. It looked like a full team practice. I figured these must be the team that the rude guy was talking about earlier. I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. I just wanted to practice without any more interruptions.
I made my way to the bench near the wall and sat down. I took my time unlacing my sneakers and pulling out my skates from my bag. As I was lacing them up, I could hear the buzz of activity on the ice. The sounds of blades cutting through the surface, pucks hitting the boards, and teammates calling out plays filled the air. It reminded me of the intensity and camaraderie of team sports, something I experienced differently as a figure skater.
As I focused on tightening my laces, the sound of skates approaching caught my attention. I looked up to see a tall guy with longish black hair gliding towards me. He had an air of authority about him, and his expression was a mix of curiosity and determination.
"Hi, I'm S.Coups," he said, offering a friendly smile. "I'm the captain of the hockey team. We just moved to this rink because we had some issues at our old one and we need a place to practice for the upcoming winter olympics in a few months."
I nodded, introducing myself. "I'm Chan, Im also an olympian but i figure skate, I'm supposed to be practicing on this ice rink , but your team is still on the ice."
S.Coups's expression shifted to one of concern and embarrassment. "I’m really sorry about that. We didn’t realize. We'll get off the ice right away."
Before he could turn to relay the message to his team, I stopped him. "Wait a second. One of your teammates was really rude to me earlier. This morning He yelled at me to get off the ice without any proper explanation just told me that his team had to practice, I just found it really rude…"
I pointed to the guy who had yelled at me, and S.Coups's eyes narrowed as he looked over. He seemed genuinely upset by what I had told him.
"I'll handle it, dont worry chan,” S.Coups assured me, his tone firm. He skated away and called his team over, speaking to them with authority. I couldn't hear exactly what he was saying, but it was clear he was addressing the situation.
While they wrapped up their practice, I continued getting ready. I finished lacing up my skates, put on my gloves, and grabbed my water bottle. When the hockey players began leaving the ice, I ignored their curious stares and focused on my own preparation. The rink was finally mine, and I intended to make the most of it.
Once I was on the ice, I started with a few warm-up laps to get my muscles loose. The ice felt smooth beneath my blades, and the familiar glide brought a sense of calm over me. I let my body fall into the rhythm of skating, focusing on my technique and form.
After a few laps, I headed back to where I had left my water bottle. As I skated over, I noticed S.Coups waiting for me.
"Hey, Chan," he greeted me, his tone apologetic. "I really wanted to apologise for my teammate's behavior earlier,It was completely uncalled for on his part and I’ve spoken to him about it. It won't happen again i promise and if it does let me know?”
I appreciated his sincerity. "Oh uhm Thank you, S.Coups. I understand things can get heated or people can get excited , but a little respect goes a long way."
"Absolutely," he agreed. "To avoid any more scheduling conflicts, can I get your number? That way, we can coordinate our practices better."
I hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "Sure, that sounds like a good idea, i don’t give my number out often so maybe just keep it to yourself though”
S.Coups chuckled and handed me a pen, and I wrote my number on his hand. As I did, I couldn't help but notice the numerous callouses and scars that marked his skin—a testament to the hard work and dedication required to compete at such a high level in his sport, i snapped out of my thoughts and handed scoups his pen.
"Thanks, Chan you dont have to worry i wont share your number with anyone ," he said, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "I'll be in touch. And again, I’m really sorry about earlier."
"No problem," I replied, giving him a small smile. "I appreciate you handling it, ill wait to hear from you"
With that, S.Coups skated off the ice, joining his team as they finished gathering their gear and left the rink. I watched them go, their eyes occasionally flicking back to me. I wasn't sure if they were curious, apologetic, or just wary after the confrontation.
Turning my attention back to my practice, I felt a renewed sense of focus. I started my routine, running through jumps, spins, and footwork sequences. The rink was quiet now, save for the sound of my blades slicing through the ice and my own breathing. I pushed myself, aiming for precision and grace in every movement.
As I skated, I found myself reflecting on the encounter with S.Coups and his team. It wasn't often that I had to share my practice space with others, let alone a full hockey team. But in a way, it was a reminder of the broader community of athletes I was a part of. We all had our own goals and struggles, and sometimes, those paths intersected in unexpected ways.
By the time I finished my practice, I was exhausted but satisfied. I had worked hard, and despite the earlier interruption, I felt I had made the most of my time on the ice. I unlaced my skates, packed up my gear, and headed out of the rink, Having the lingering thought of scoups on the back of my mind reminding me to check my phone later tonight.