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Jeanine leans over the railing of the ice rink. She is wearing a faux-fur hat, its deep navy colour complimenting her blonde hair beautifully, her dark grey eyes piercing as they unwaveringly fix one woman on the ice.
She knows her. Evelyn had been in school with her, a vivacious girl who, despite her being academically below average, Jeanine had always liked. They hadn’t spoken much since, only exchanged a few words when they passed each other when their social circles overlapped. When Jeanine still hung out with Andrew, it happened more often, and she had barely seen the girl in the past few years.
The large hall was cold, and joyful music was echoing off the walls. Evelyn’s wild curls bounced as she skated, her movements approximative and her balance uncertain, yet able to move around confidently enough.
Their eyes met. Evelyn held Jeanine’s gaze, expecting Jeanine to immediately look away, but she didn’t, and Evelyn’s already rosy cheeks blushed. After a few seconds of unwavering eye contact during which it was a miracle that she did not cause an accident on the ice, Evelyn made her way over to where Jeanine was standing, watching her. As she stopped next to her, unelegantly catching herself on the railing, she accidentally placed her hand on Jeanine’s glove clad fingers.
“Hi,” Evelyn said, moving her hand away as soon as she had found her balance.
“Hello, Evelyn,” Jeanine replied, her powerful voice quiet for once.
“Did you come with somebody?” Evelyn couldn’t imagine Jeanine skating. "Or did you come for me?” Evelyn asked.
“Would it be odd if I said I’m here for you?”
“Yes. But odd doesn’t bother me.”
Jeanine hummed. “I came here to see you.”
A song ended, making the silence feel awkward for a second before a new one picked up. Jeanine hurried to say what she had come to say, knowing that if the moment passed and conversation became casual again, she wouldn’t be able to muster the courage to say it.
"Can I invite you for a cup of tea after skating? There's a nice place just across the road."
"I'd love that. I'd like to stay here for a little while though, I just got here a few minutes ago."
"I'm happy to wait." Jeanine meant that fully, she was wearing a few warm layers and watching Evelyn skate - something she so obviously loved - was a privilege. Jeanine thought about Evelyn often.
Evelyn seemed to hesitate.
“I mean it,” Jeanine reassured her. “I’ll be here. Have fun.”
Evelyn smiled broadly, then she dropped a kiss on Jeanine's cheek before skating off.
It took Jeanine a few moments to process this. She knew she was blushing, her mind whirring, her nerves trying to come to terms with the fact that the lovely Evelyn Johnson had just kissed her cheek.
She didn’t stop smiling as she leaned on the railing, watching Evelyn twirl around, occasionally looking back to Jeanine.
Evelyn came back nearly an hour later. Jeanine had taken a seat, but otherwise she had not stopped watching Evelyn. Evelyn sat near her to remove her skates. They didn’t talk, they didn’t need to.
They walked together to reception as Evelyn gave back the loaned skates and pads she had worn for safety, Jeanine offering to hold her bag as she organised her belongings. After stuffing everything back into her bag, Evelyn smiled apologetically.
“Sorry, I’m a bit messy.”
Jeanine couldn’t help but smile back. Jeanine disliked anything messy, except when it came to Evelyn. In her, she found it endearing.
“Let’s go,” Evelyn offered, waving towards the exit. Together, they walked out, towards their first date.