Chapter Text
The crisp air of the rink was far more unforgiving than usual tonight. Evgenia launched herself into the most challenging jump she could muster with the strength of a bear. Her breath caught, her legs tucked, and she took off into the air, spinning—it felt as if hundreds of tiny ice shards were picking at her skin as she launched herself up. Three times, she counted before catching herself with a lazy landing. She couldn't help but let her eyes wander, in hopes of catching sight of those familiar brown eyes she once called her world staring back at her. When she caught no sight of them, Zhenya felt like crumbling. She dug her foot into the ice with more strength than necessary and took off. She left behind the empty arena in haste, stepping off the ice, and as Zhenya put on her guards, her hands slipped, and the sharp blade picked at her skin. She felt a scorching ache in her wrist. But it was nothing compared to that persistent ache in her chest.
“Alexandra Trusova,” Zhenya acknowledged the younger girl with a warm smile as she began picking up her stuff from the locker room. That girl was still so strange, she thought. Zhenya's gaze ran over her. “Are you always here this late?”
Trusova nodded to her in response. “Are you?”
Zhenya nodded back politely. “Just on Fridays.” A small smile tugged on her lips. She placed her skates in her bag. Zhenya realized that this was the first time she actually heard Sasha ask her something in response. Usually, Alexandra would just roll her eyes and make some snide remark at the other girls—sometimes Zhenya would even catch her scowling at Anna.
Alexandra coughed awkwardly, breaking the silence. “I should probably get going. You should, too. Unless you wish to get locked in here with Eteri Georgievna herself."
Zhenya snorted out a short laugh. “Oh, the horrors.” She said, a small genuine smile tugging at her lips. The first smile she had had in months. Zhenya’s eyes scanned the room, searching for Alina’s bag. A small frown tugged at her lips when she realized Zagitova must've gone home early. But in the corner of her eye, she saw it—Alina’s training bag slung into the corner of the room. Alina had been working herself to death; Zhenya knew it and so did everyone else. But did she really have the right to lecture her when everybody else did it too?
“Hey, have you seen Alina around here anywhere?” She asked, tilting her head slightly. Maybe Alina forgot to grab her training bag before she left, that stupid girl.
Sasha paused at the door and rolled her eyes, and her lips pursed. “No, and I'd like to keep it that way,” she muttered under her breath with a strained expression.
Zhenya's head tilted again, a habit she picked up from Alina. “What, why?” she asked with a small giggle. “I mean, she could be obnoxious sometimes, but—”
Trusova interrupted her with a flick of her wrist. “Obnoxious is an understatement, Evgenia.” But the corner of Sasha’s lips churned, and Zhenya questioned if this was her weird way of showing affection. “Ask Anna if you see her. They’ve been spending an awful lot of time together lately.”
Zhenya gave Sasha a small nod and stood. She couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation rise in her stomach. She ignored it altogether. Why would she feel bad if her rival was befriending others around her? Shouldn't she be happy? Zhenya shook her head, bringing herself back to reality. “Goodnight, Sasha.”
—---
Zhenya was back in her bed, stirring in her sleep. She found it difficult to rest that night. Her fingers played with the hem of her soft blanket. The familiar vanilla smell lured her in and drowned her. The blanket wasn’t hers—well, it was. But it was a gift from Alina. Zhenya could remember the day as clearly as ever; they were such young, little girls. It was she and Yulia who were training when Eteri Georgievna called the pair over to meet the new skater, Alina Ilnazovna Zagitova.
Zagitova was shyly tucked behind Eteri, peering out at the two girls who stood before her with threatening glares. She swallowed thickly. Eteri chuckled, resting her hand on Alina’s shoulder and beckoning her forward. Alina slowly brought her hand up to wave at the pair. “Um, hello. My name is Alina Ilnazovna Zagitova.” Alina babbled on, her voice high. “And I look forward to training with the two of you.”
Yulia’s lips quirked, and she shot Zhenya a glance. Zhenya shot her a warning glare and then turned her attention back onto the small girl. “Hello, Alina.”
“My name is Yulia. Hopefully we’ll become friends,” she said, holding out her hand for Zagitova to shake. Alina took it hesitantly, with a small questioning smile. Yulia then said in a teasing manner, “As long as you're not as stuck up as our dear Zhenya over here.”
Zhenya pinched Yulia’s side teasingly. Eteri scoffed. “Well, it seems Alina will fit right in. Glad we settled this.”
The rest of practice flew by in the blink of an eye. Alina wasn't half as bad as Zhenya thought. For a timid, small girl, Alina had a fire in her that Zhenya didn’t expect. Yulia stayed back on the ice, rehearsing her program while Zhenya slipped on her guards and took a seat on a bench inside the locker room. She felt rapid shivers run up her when she relaxed and unfastened her laces. She huffed. Zhenya forgot to pack an extra jacket today.
Zhenya heard small ruffling in the aisle behind her. She held her breath. “Yulia, if you’re trying to scare me again, it's not working. Come out.” When no response came, Zhenya buried her head in her legs irritably. No other girl besides her or Yulia stayed this late. Sometimes they did—but it was uncalled for.
“Um,” a small sound came approaching her. Zhenya snickered as her chest lurched. “It's just me.”
“Jesus,” Zhenya breathed out. Her words trembled from the shivers coursing through her. Her eyes flickered over the girl's face; her cheeks were lightly flushed. How strange, she thought.
“Are you cold?” Alina spoke, tilting her head as she glanced over her.
Zhenya nodded her head. She let out a small, trembling chuckle. “I forgot to pack my extra jacket, so—” Before she could finish her sentence, Alina was already digging through her bag almost frantically. “Hey, what are you doing?”
This girl, Zhenya thought, reaching out to grab her wrist. Before she could, Alina whipped out a furry blanket from her training bag, shoving it into her hand. “Here,” she said breathlessly. “Take it.”
Zhenya silently watched her for a few seconds in surprise. Her eyes gazed over Alina’s flushed face and clammy hands, and then she couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She nudged Alina playfully. She really thought that girl was reaching for a bomb or something—maybe a pair of blades to crack her head open with. Her laughter paused when she realized she was the only one giggling. Zhenya felt as if all the life in her was sucked out.
“Hey,” she met her gaze. Alina’s own eyes were hesitantly meeting hers. “Thank you,” she said, taking the blanket and wrapping it around her arms.
The other girl nodded her head with pursed lips and rosy cheeks. How adorable, Zhenya thought. “You clearly needed it more than I.”
Zhenya felt herself progressively warming up. Alina glanced down at her phone, which buzzed. “Oh,” Zagitova stood. “My grandma is here. Goodbye, Evgenia.” Alina left her there, the blanket left forgotten, wrapped around Zhenya tightly.
“But I didn't tell you my name—” she called, but Alina was already far gone before she could get the words out. She felt a strange feeling of distaste rise in her stomach when Alina left. Zhenya was already planning on how to make this cute girl become her friend.