Chapter Text
Even though it was expected, the 4am wake up call was rough. The harsh cold of the Minnesotan winter cut through James' clothes as he chucked his gear in the back of the car.
'Honey there's breakfast on the seat if you want it.' His mum smiled from the driver's seat, receiving a grunt in response. She was unnaturally perky considering the ridiculous hour.
Whilst grasping for the banana-topped tub of granola, prepared the night before, James' eyes involuntarily tipped open and closed in rhythm with the cars forward motion. He was exhausted. They made their way down the interstate to the Roseville rink. The breakfast remained untouched as James fell in and out of consciousness.
When the car came to a stop he jerked awake, his body finally responding to the fact he would have to be warming up on the ice shortly. The leafless trees peering down at him. Still gripping onto the plastic box filled with granola, grabbing his duffle and unbuckling his seatbelt in a sudden flurry of activity.
James' coach, Kelly, had for the last two years convinced him that practice would be easier for their schedule before school, and he was inclined to agree. Still, he could never get used to waking up at 4am, despite the fact it allowed him time to have a little bit of a social life outside of skating and schoolwork. A boy needs some opportunity to go on dates. Mondays were particularly hard, Kelly didn't do weekend sessions and James took Fridays off, meaning that for three precious days he got to sleep in. It was nice not to have to squint listlessly at the sunrise from a dull car park every single morning. After thanking his Mom for the lift James set off. This morning sorely missing his bed as he trudged past twinkling frozen grass, stuffing food into his mouth. The car wove off in the background, the smell of gasoline lingering with the sweet taste of banana alongside his steps.
The rink was overly bright, causing James to be further woken from his sleep-addled state. Still the lack of sleep felt stark as he laced his skates tightly in the uninviting chill of the locker room. His fingers warming up against the friction of the laces as he tightened them securely around the smooth leather boots. Other skaters milled about, most with their parents, often in a zombie-like state. Considering the hour the place hummed with activity, despite the lack of conversation, the overhead lights hummed along with their sun yellow glow. James kept his head down, spending as little time as possible in the locker room and avoiding the skater drama at all costs. He would rather be falling on his ass slipping over his own feet then making friends this early in the day.
Kelly was waiting for him as usual, and the two exchanging tired greetings.
'You're working on your double axel today James.' Kelly said with a stern lilt in her voice. She knew James hated practicing axels but wanted to force him work on them so he might actually improve by the start of the season.
'Ugh, if I must.' Came his bitter response. After a few laps around the ice James began setting up the jump. Concentrating on his outside edge he attempted to pull his body into the air, soon realizing that his take off was tenuous and slipping straight out of the jump. He was used to propelling himself from a turn, jumping from a forward glide as opposed to a backwards glide, this therefore felt wrong to him.
Kelly called from the sidelines 'Go again! Keep your right arm and leg aligned this time.'
Sighing James tried again and was moderately more successful although did not make the full rotation. His leg was already starting to tire from the weight of his body being held and twisted by its motion. It was too early for this, he could already feel his head slamming against the desk in class later, much to his teachers dismay.
'Better,' the attempt did not go without comment from Kelly, 'take a break from jumping for five and we'll quickly run through the blocking for your moonlight program.'
James smiled, relieved. Kelly knew not to push him too hard on a Monday morning. He put his headphones on and started the track when Kelly gave him a thumbs up. Skating closer to the centre of the rink and tucking his arms behind his back. He turned out of position traveling in a circle around where he was previously stood. His skates scraped softly on the ice, making a fleeting impression. He focused on where he had to be rather than the upcoming jump. His body laser pointed, scratching intricate lines with a delicate stiffness onto the ice below. Grace and fluidity despite how tensed every one of James' muscles were. From the sideline Kelly made some notes about timing. Instead of jumping, like he would have in competition, he placed weight on the heels of his feet, moving backwards to the edge of the rink. Twisting slightly instead of making a full rotation. He felt his blade gliding beneath him as his body resisted, colliding into something hard.
'Hey, watch it!' James' head whipped round bringing him face-to-face with Kendall, who was yelling.
Kendall was fairly new at the rink. Since breaking contact with his pairs partner, Jo, he had set sights on skating in mens singles, James' territory. As a result of the news all the regular skaters had implicitly given Kendall a wide berth to avoid his rumored bitchy personality. Apparently the drama which led to the pairs break-up had caused some kind of deep resentment making Kendall hostile towards his rink mates. James figured this hostility was due in part to the early start rather than some stupid drama. But then again he'd never met the guy.
'Look where you are going, my god.' Kendall ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation.
James rolled his eyes, 'I was going backwards.' The rink etiquette that most skaters followed was that if someone was traveling backwards it's those around them who are responsible for not bumping into them. Knowing he was in the right James steered himself up to be as stubborn as possible in the wake of Kendall's possible rage.
'You were way over there ten minutes ago. Were you ever taught to stick to your spot?' Kendall argued, pouting.
James stood his ground, 'We switched to blocking, requiring the entire rink.'
Kendall gritted his teeth, 'Book some personal time then. Just because you're a cheapskate-' He continued to berate James, his eyebrows drawing together with each comment.
As they argued the two drew closer together, both iron willed, reluctant to back down.
'Too bad you don't have a partner to protect you.' James bit back, knowing it could hit a nerve.
'Don't need one.' Kendall raised his voice attempting to draw other skaters into the argument, he lifted one of feet 'I'm not afraid to use these blades to prove a point asshole.' He turned back ready to shoot towards James and continue their argument in a far too physical manner for James' morning brain.
Fortunately at this moment their respective coaches decided practice would be a better use of the boys time than fighting. Although Kendalls initial white hot rage had yet to dissipate, he was forced to back away, as his coach screamed at him practically dragging him across the rink. The initial flame now doused created a distinct cloud of smoke over the rink.
After practice James untied his skates lazily as Kelly went through progress and plans for the rest of the week. Half-listening James instead concentrated on chugging water, trying to douse the flare of annoyance and breathe easily again. Eventually Kelly left him to get ready for school. Today he figured he'd skip the bus, he earned a cab ride to campus.