Archive of Our Own

Mel doesn’t think she has ever run this fast in her life. When she got the call from the hospital, she immediately left the lecture hall, and just sprinted through the streets until she reached the nurses station, where they directed her toward her friend’s room. When she opened the door, Abby was sobbing in the bed, and her boyfriend -Frank- looked like he was trying to calm her down. Mel was out of breath, so when she spoke, it was a bit hoarse.

”What- what happened?” she stepped closer to her bed, scanning her whole body. Abby just looked up at her, but was crying too hard to answer, so Frank did it for her.

”The doctor just confirmed, it’s an ACL tear.” he pulled on his mouth.

“Shit. Did you drop her or something?” she automatically assumed, it was Frank who caused this.

“Sure! Whatever happens it’s obviously my fault.” he got defensive, not believing his ears.

”I asked you a question which you didn’t give a clear answer to, so…”

”Guys, please.” Abby said between sobs. “My life is over, and you are bickering.”

”Sorry, Abs.” Mel said feeling guilty. “And your life is not over, don’t even say things like that. It’s not a quick recovery but-” she was now next to her, putting one hand on her shoulder.

”Yes it is over, Mel! I won’t be able to attend the Gala, they hold for us! We worked so hard!” she was full on sobbing. 

“I told you, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care about it.” Frank said, trying to ease the situation.

”But I do! Gosh… Your mother will be there! It’s the first time she is willing to come to our performance! She will hate me even more now.”

”Abby, stop thinking about her!” Frank was more firm this time, putting both hand on her face turning her head to see her face. Mel didn’t really understand why it was such a big thing. She heard that Franks mother was some kind of big dog in the skating word, but that’s it. 

“I’m sure she will understand! The priority is your wellbeing.” she tried to calm her down but it didn’t work.

”No Mel! She won’t! You don’t know her, she’s so-“

”Abby. Enough.” Frank interrupted, giving her a scolding look. 

Ah yes, Mr. Langdon doesn’t like to air his dirty laundry. He likes to remain mysterious and arrogant in every situation he is in, like this one. Mel can’t help but huff at his response, which earned a questioning look from him.

”Would you like say something, King?” he asked with that annoying tone he has.

”I just don’t like the way you talk to her.” Mel said straight up. She was the complete opposite of him. Always honest, open, down to earth. Voicing her opinion and feelings, standing up for others. 

“Do you like anything, I do?” ha matched her cockiness.

“No.” Mel said, voice firm.

”So why should I care?” he made a point.

”Please!” Abby interrupted them again. “I can’t believe that you guys can’t spend 5 minutes in a room without bickering.” 

“Sorry.” they said at the same time, feeling like little kids who were just lectured by their mom. 

“Whatever.” she dropped down on her back to the bed, putting both hand on her face, shaking slightly. “I just don’t know what to do now. There are too many people counting on us…” her voice was weak, Mel hated seeing her like this. She bit her lips, looking at Abby, then shifted her gaze to Frank who was stroking her hair, looking devastated. This was the first time, that Mel felt really bad for him, he was too human now. With his messy hair, wrinkles between his brows, big circles under his eyes. She couldn’t stand the thought of not fixing this, because she was not like that, she was a ‘fixer’ by nature.

”I could do it.” she said finally, and both of the others looked at her with wide eyes. “I could skate with Frank on the Gala.” she swallowed feeling a little bit awkward.

”Really?” Abby squealed, almost jumping up from the bed, pulling on Mel’s arm, so she practically feel onto her. 

“Yes.” she chuckled, as Abby pulled her closer by her neck and held her tight. 

“Oh my God! I’m so happy, Mel thank you!“ she finally let go of her, so Mel could pull away, she looked at Frank who was sitting on the chair next to the bed, with a shocked expression. “Frank, it’s gonna work right? “

”I mean- I don’t know, we only have 8 weeks, and she is a hockey player...”

There it was, that tone Mel could not stand. The way he said ‘hockey player’ like it was filthy. 

“I’d hate to burst your bubble but I figure skated for 8 years before hockey.” she crossed her arms, giving him a mean look. “I won’t hurt you, princess. Don’t worry.”

”I’m not sure I can believe that.” he crossed his arms too, knocking his head to the side. “But for Abby’s sake, I’m in. Let’s do it.”

Abby clapped excitedly, and hugged both of them again. As she was explaining the routine, and what changes they could make, Mel and Frank looked at each other, trying to read the other’s thoughts about the whole situation.

****

Their first practice took place on a Friday afternoon, in January, 1 week after Abby’s injury. Mel just finished her training with the hockey team, so let’s just say she was warmed-up enough. They talked to the Ice dancing coach -Joe- beforehand, and he agreed to this whole thing. He was also relieved that there will be a performance after all. Abby was sitting on the bench, insisting on watching them. 

Mel was still wearing some of her hockey stuff when she arrived from the other ice rink to this, walking like a pinguin with her skates still on.

“Hey! Sorry, had ice time.” she said as he dropped her bag and helmet next to Abby. “How are you feeling?” asked her while pulling off her jersey, changing into something more ‘dancey’, so a tight fitting black long sleeve wa where choice.

”I’m okay. Still hurts a bit, but much better.” she was looking up and down on her. “You know, you can use the dressing room.” and that’s when Mel realised that she was standing in her bra, and leggings, while trying to pull down the shirt on her head. She was never self conscious about these things. She played hockey, they saw each other naked all the time in the showers, also she was a Kinesiology major, planning on becoming a PT. The human body wasn’t some big mystery to her, it was not something you had to hide or be shy about. It was something everyone had, it was anatomy. 

“Oh sorry.” she chuckled and looked around her, Frank was standing on the ice, trying not to look at her, and the coach was turned away, not even giving the chance to interpret the situation wrong. She quickly pulled down her shirt, took off the covers from her blades, and stepped onto the rink and skated next to Frank, who had an amused look on his face. 

“Don’t even start.” she warned him . “I know I'm not sophisticated enough for this and yes, I would change in the middle of a highway if needed.” she waved with her hands. 

“I’m glad you don’t have any issues with it.” he said still amused, and Mel just rolled her eyes, now looking at the coach. 

“So! I am aware of this situation being difficult, but I was informed that Melissa has a figure skating past, so I am not that worried. Mel, you got the tapes, right?” Mel just nodded. “Luckily we could record the choreography one time before Abby got injured, so you could be familiar with the moves.” she nodded again, remembering the video, trying to recollect everything she had seen. “The Gala’s theme is the 80’s, that is why we went with that song, just to be clear.” Mel smiled, remembering the song choice; She’s like the wind by Patrick Swayze. She loved Dirty Dancing, so she was pleased with it. The coach, slid into the ice as well, skating towards them, and when he got next to them, he put his hands on their shoulders, turning them to face each other, guiding them closer. 

“I’m not expecting you to do it exactly like Abby, we will probably change a bit on the choreography, feel free to improvise at some parts.” he said that to Mel, who nodded. “What we really need to work on is your chemistry.” he pointed between them, and they looked into each other’s eyes. “That disgusted look both of you have, has to go.” Mel had to take a deep breath, because this was the hard part really. Skating? Easy. Spins and jumps? You got it. Looking at Frank Langdon with love and longing in her eyes? Impossible.

”Come on, King. I can hear you sending me death threats in your mind.” Frank said, with a smirk.

”You wish. I’m not wasting any more thoughts on you than necessary.” she snapped back.

”Jesus.” the coach pinched his nose. “Just imagine different people, or puppies or whatever. Please make this work somehow.” his tone was begging and Mel felt bad. She can do this, she can totally imagine someone else, Ryan for example.

”Yeah. That’s better.” the coach said, seeing their face’s soften, and even small smiles appearing. “Keep that, and let’s dance.” he slid out of the rink to start the music, so Frank asked, almost whispering : “Who are you thinking about?”

”You don’t want to know.” Mel smiled, letting him grab her waist, getting them in starting position. “But it’s working, then?”

”It’s almost like you can stand me.” 

“Turns out, I’m good at acting too.” she raised one eyebrow, having a smug look on her face.

”Let’s see how you do on the ice, first. We can talk about the acting later.” 

For no one’s surprise, Melissa King skates like she was born doing it. She gracefully owns the ice, sometimes Frank can’t help just to stare at her improvised moves, seeing her do things, even Abby didn’t do before. The only thing they have issues with that there are plenty of lifts&spins in this choreography, and they can never get them right. What you need, to do these types of moves, is trust. And Frank knows that Mel doesn’t have that towards him, and it crushes him a little. After an hour of practicing and simultaneously failing at one particular lift&spin at the beginning of the choreo, Mel just whines.

”I can’t! Let’s just go home please. Let’s try again tomorrow.” she is leaned on her thighs, looking at Coach Joe.

”Let’s just do it one more time, let’s get it right and then we can go.” he insists. 

“But I can’t!” she whined again, straightening up, and throwing her head back, her messy bun bouncing around.

"You can, you just don’t trust me.” Frank said, looking at her.

”How could I? You could drop me at any moment…“ she shook her head.

”Abby!” Frank called out, not breaking eye contact with Mel. “How many times did I drop you, like ever?”

”Zero!” she shouted back, and Frank looked at Mel with a ‘see?’ expression on his face.

”But- I’m heavier than her and-” she started to search for excuses.

”That doesn’t matter. I bench press with twice your weight probably.” this sentence earned a questioning look from Mel, but she didn’t comment. “Just get out of your head, and let me do it for you.” 

“Okay.” she nodded slowly, and then Joe started the music again. They skated, doing the moves they first improvised, but now agreed to have it in the routine. As the song progressed and they got closer to the lifting part, Frank felt a bit nervous. He knew he couldn’t mess up, because Mel would never trust him again after. After the chorus the instrumental part came, where Frank lifted up Mel, who was horizontal, holding onto him, while he was spinning, balancing both of them on the ice. They finally did it, only the landing didn't go quite as planned because Mel landed on her ass, but then jumped up immediately, squeaking with happiness!

"Oh my God! We did it! Abby did you see?" she shouted, and skated towards her. Frank just smiled, feeling relieved that he didn't mess up. He skated after her, stopping at  the boards, next to Mel who was holding onto them.

"See? I told you, I'm not a dropper." he looked at her proudly.

"Well I still landed on my ass, but it's not your fault. I'm just happy we can go home now. Right, coach?" she called out to him, and he just nodded laughing. Mel was off the ice in a matter of seconds, kicking her skates off, gathering her things, and putting on her shoes. 

“You guys coming back to the dorms?” she asked when she was ready to go, pulling the hair tie out of her bun, letting her hair fall on her shoulders, and back. It has gotten so long, she needs a haircut.

”No, we are  getting something to eat. Do you want to come?” Abby answered.

”No thanks, I’ve had enough for today. See you on Monday! Bye Coach!”  she put on her coat, and was out of the door without looking back, only thinking about her soft and warm bed, as she was speed walking on the snowy streets of Minnesota. She finally reached her door, and practically fell through it.

”You are alive!” her roommate Trinity Santos exclaimed. She was also her teammate, so it was really good deal. A friend, a roommate and a teammate in one person.

“Not for long if I am not sleeping in the next 30 minutes.” Mel said, dropping her things, starting to undress immediately, getting ready to shower. Trinity was unphased, they saw each other naked all the time. 

“How bad was it?” she asked 

”Actually, not that bad” Mel confessed, now standing in her bra and her underwear, gathering her things for the shower. “It was nice to finally do something else on the ice besides slamming into other people and hitting a puck. And also it reminded me of the old times, when my parents were still alive… So it was quite nice.” 

“Oh I’m glad, but I was not concerned about the skating part.” she chuckled.

“Yeah, Langdon is still annoying. I don’t really know how can Abby stand him. But he is a really great skater, we have to give him that. Very talented guy.” Mel really thought this about him. The way he moved on the ice, there were some times she was mesmerised with him, even. Also he is incredibly strong, and athletic, and it’s undeniable that he is really handsome, such a shame that he is an absolute asshat, but as Mel was washing her hair, standing in the shower, she felt grateful that he was very easy to work with today, listening to her every request, watching her every little shiver and immediately reacting to it. She couldn’t help but think about if he is this way with Abby, too.

The next week, she regretted thinking about Frank Langdon this way. In this particular week he was very very difficult to work with. He criticised her every move, getting annoyed at her when she was late or tired, even when he knew she just had practice. 

“Do it again! I can’t lift you like this!” he exclaimed shaking his head , annoyed once again, needing to start over.

”Do not raise your voice at me!” she said.

”Then do it right! It’s not that hard!” he said, loud again.

“You do it after a 2 hours of hockey practice, asshole!” she shouted at him. “I am doing You a favour here! At least act decent with me.” she was at the verge of tears because it’s been a long week and a long day. All she wanted to do was lay in her bed, and sleep, and not be lectured by an inconsiderate prick.

“Just do it right once, and we can go, you don’t need to get all emotional over this.” he said, almost rolling his eyes. His voice was different, even to himself, it reminded him of his mother’s tone. The way she would speak to him, in that passive-aggressive, degrading tone he could not stand. 

“Oh okay, big words from a psychology major.” she put up her hands. “I’m leaving.” Mel said, trying really hard to not let a tear fall from her eyes, and started to skate away. It was only the two of them on this Friday night, Abby was sleeping already and coach called in sick. 

Frank felt a twist in his stomach, he didn’t even realise how rude he was the whole time, he was so in his head, dealing with his own demons that he completely forgot about Mel, and how it would affect her. This was a bad trait of his, not considering other’s feelings enough, but if you were brought up the same way he was, you would understand. Abby understood, or more likely tolerated it, she didn’t have any choice because they needed to remain partners, and she was very submissive in this sense, he forgot that other people-like Mel-are not like that.

”Wait.” he called out to her, looking at her back, as she was already moving away. He went after her grabbing her wrist. “Mel, please, I am so sorry.” she stopped, but still didn’t look at him. 

“Just let me go home, I’m tired.” she said softly. 

“Okay. But I can’t let you go like this.” he tugged on her wrist, and she finally looked at him, his heart ached looking at her face, her big eyes full of tears and the exhaustion taking over every inch of her body. “I am truly sorry. I was inconsiderate and I was only thinking about myself. Please forgive me.”

She was biting her lips, taking in his words.    ”You called me Mel.” she said finally, surprising him, and he furrowed his brows in response. “You must be sincere, because you only call me King.”

”This is what you took away from this?” he chuckled a little.

”No. I also learnt that you are capable of taking responsibility for your actions.” she said so simply, Frank couldn’t help but chuckle again. “It’s a good trait, don’t lose it.” she smiled a little, then she freed her wrist from Frank’s hand, and started to skate away again, getting off the ice without looking back, only waving at him when she went out  the door.   ”See you, Sunday!” she shouted, and Frank just nodded and stood on the ice for a little bit, thinking about this whole interaction. 

They planned a practice for Sunday morning, because Mel knew she would not be able to come in on Monday, she would be too hangover from her birthday party. She was excited when she went to the rink, finding Frank already there. She thought about Friday night, how he was behaving, and even though it was really hurtful then, she had a newfound respect for him, and for the way he was owning up to it. 

“Hey.” she said. when she got closer to him. He was already lacing up his skates. 

“Hey, King. Looking older already.” he smiled, as he tried to acknowledge that today was Mel’s birthday. 

”You have such a way with words, it’s incredible.” she said sarcastically and rolled her eyes as she sat down next to him, and started to change into her skates too. He just smirked, then got on the ice, and started warming up. 

Mel followed him, doing some exercises before they started to dance. It went well, mostly, but there was a jump and turn, where Mel couldn’t hold her balance. She landed on her ass, again and again. 

Frank was watching her, not saying anything, not correcting her in any form, and it started to irritate Mel. 

“Can you tell me what I’m doing wrong?” she finally asked after her 10th attempt at it, she was very frustrated. 

Frank just pulled on his mouth. “I don’t know.”

”Bullshit. You always know.” she snapped and him. “Just tell me.”

Frank was visibly torn, Mel could see his mind racing, and she was confused, why was this suddenly an issue.

“Last time I gave my opinion, I made you cry. I don’t want to do that again.” he confessed and Mel’s breath hitched. 

“You think, I cried because you corrected me?” she raised her eyebrows, hand on her hips, and Frank just nodded, almost looking like he was embarrassed. Mel sighed “I cried because you were an asshole, and it was a long day.”

Frank just blinked at her, and she continued. “You are still the best skater in this rink, Langdon. I value your opinion, I just want you to deliver it in a more decent way.”

”So you are not upset with me, still.”

”No.” she smiled a little and Franks face softened. “But I will be, if you don’t help me because you are in some kind of war with yourself.”

”Okay, okay.” he finally relaxed. “Let me show you….”

On this Sunday night, they celebrated Mel’s birthday in the local bar. She was wearing a black bodycon dress that showed off her figure and her hard earned muscles. She was wearing some black heels also and the whole outfit was very feminine and not really fitting her usual tomboyish look, but sometimes she liked to dress up. Her hair was in a messy updo, her makeup just smoky enough, with a reddish lip. 

She arrived at the bar with Trinity, and her friends and teammates were already there. All of them cheered when she came through the door, and all of them hugged her whispering some compliments or good wishes into her ear. 

“Oh good lord! Mel! You look amazing!” Samira exclaimed, the girl she was friends with because of their common interests, she is a Kinesiology major too. 

“Thank you! You look great too!” she reciprocated the compliment, looking at her blue dress and wavy hair. 

“Shots anybody?” Trinity jumped between them, asking the question.

”Yes absolutely!” they said at the same time laughing.

”Mel!” she heard Abby’s voice, from somewhere, so she turned her head towards her. She saw her petite figure in a green dress, her ginger hair in soft waves, smiling really big. She looked beautiful. Behind her, there was Langdon, wearing all black, his shirt was somewhat see though, but suited him perfectly. Hair pushed back a little but some strands hanging in his forehead.

”Hi!” she hugged Abby, as she was telling her ‘happy birthday’. “Thank you! So glad you are here.” she smiled, then looked up at Langdon, who was surprisingly smiling at her. 

“Happy birthday, King.” he said, hands in his pockets, holding eye contact with her. She smiled, shaking her head a little thinking about their interaction in the morning. 

“Thank you, Langdon. Good to see you too.” she said with a tone that was not too convincing. 

“Uff. Don't choke on your enthusiasm.” he clapped back, now grinning. Mel didn’t answer only shook her head again,amused. “Shots?” she asked and both of them nodded. 

They found Trinity so the 5 of them got their tequilas with a piece of lemon, standing in a circle. “To Mel!” was the shoutout and everyone drank their own drink.

“Okay! Next round!” Samira shouted and everybody agreed, and some more people joined them.

“Mellie!” Mel heard Ryan’s voice, from behind her, and she turned around. “Happy birthday, baby!” he put both of his hands on her face and pulled her into a deep kiss. Mel felt a little bit uncomfortable, that this was happening in front of this much people. 

“Hi.” she finally said, when he let her go. “Thanks.” she smiled at him. He looked great, his wavy brown hair was perfectly styled, his green eyes were practically glowing he was wearing a white shirt with gray pants. “You know my friends.” she pointed at their little group, and he nodded. 

“Hey! The ice princess is here!” Ryan said as he was hitting Langdon on his shoulder. There was something degrading in his voice that made Mel itch, but tried to ignore it. 

“Hey, Ryan. I didn’t even know you two knew each other.” Frank said, with his usual smug expression. 

“Oh man, I don’t just know her.” he winked, and Langdon looked at Mel, with a ‘really?’ expression on his face Mel bit her lower lip, because she felt how hard Frank was judging her in this moment. 

“Yeah, me and Ryan are….” she started but stopped because she is not really sure what they are, they have sex sometimes, went on some dates but that’s it really. “ ….we know each other. Yes.” she finished her sentence and heard Trinity laugh next to her. “Do you want a shot?” she asked Ryan and he nodded. 

After a few hours, she lost count of the drinks she had and the hugs she gave out to strangers. The music blurred into one long pulse, and for a while, she let herself disappear into it.

She was at the bar again, leaning slightly on the counter.

“Another one please!” she said, slower than usual. Before the bartender could answer, a voice cut in beside her.

“Ryan? Really?” he asked immediately when he got next to her, without any context.

”What? What about him?” she asked, her words coming out slower than usual because of the drinks.

”He is an asshole.” he stated.

”So what? You are an asshole.” Mel said, now turning her whole body towards him. 

“But he is a different kind. He is a bully.” his voice was concerned.

”He is a hockey player, they are all like that.” she shrugged.

”You are not like that.” the way he said it landed differently.

”You don’t know me.” Mel shook her head, but it made her lose her balance a little, so Frank quickly grabbed her waist. 

“I know you enough, Mel.” he said softly, his voice dropping slightly on her name, while still holding her, and Mel’s heart started pounding in her chest. The music shifted behind them, something slower now, heavier in bass, wrapping around the edges of the room. Mel looked at him before speaking.

“You know, it’s just such a shame…” she started and Frank raised his eyebrows. “You are handsome” she squinted like she was trying to be objective, “smart and insanely talented, sometimes even kind, yet...” Frank’s eyes were wide, eager to hear the end of the sentence.

”Sometimes?” he echoed. Mel ignored him, only gave him a nasty look.

“…you still make my blood boil with your cockiness. You make me so mad sometimes I could kill you.” Frank’ mouth twitched.

”Is this a love confession?” he asked, grinning. 

“You wish. It’s an ‘I can tolerate you when you behave’ confession.” she hit him on his chest.

“Got it, boss.” he nodded, still smiling, looking down at her, still holding her waist, slightly grabbing it firmer. Mel probably would have done something really stupid if she didn’t see Abby getting closer in her peripheral vision. She quickly stepped back, leaving Frank with a confused expression. 

“You guys having fun?” Abby approached them, and immediately hugged Frank on the side, looking meaningfully at Mel. 

“Yep. Just talking about the choreography.” Mel said quickly , and was grateful she could still lie when she was drunk. Frank just nodded, backing her up which made Abby visibly relieved.

“Okay…. well really I need to find the girls. Feel free to join us on the dance floor.” she winked at them, and when she gave Frank a peck on the cheek before she left,  for an unknown reason , Mel had to look away. He stayed where he was, and Mel only looked at him after a beat, there was a strange silence between them now. “Well,” Mel forced a smile. “I should find Ryan.”

Frank’s expression didn’t change, only something flickered in his eyes. “Yeah, sure.” he looked away and the way he said it made something twist in her chest.

“Okay…” she laughed awkwardly. “See you around?”

Frank finally looked back at her. His face was perfectly neutral again. “See you around, King.”

There was nothing wrong with the exchange. Nothing strange. Nothing she could point to later. Yet as she walked away, weaving through the crowd in search of Ryan, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d left something unfinished behind.

The next week was very stressful for Mel, because on Friday night, they had a game against Wisconsin, their biggest rival. She regretted several times, that she offered to help Abby out, because she was exhausted to the bone. The only thing that didn’t stress her out, was surprisingly Frank. He was really understanding and helpful this week, he even rubbed her feet one time, after she could barely walk. 

“You really don’t need to do this, Langdon.” she said when he was kneeling before her, his fingers applying pressure to her sore feet.

”It’s for my benefit, too. If you injure yourself, I’m doomed again.” he said softly, not looking at her. It was only them again, Abby only watched them the first time, and Coach could not be present all the time, but he trusted them to do it right. 

Mel thought about the time they were in the hospital, and Frank’s mother was mentioned. She was really curious about the situation with her. 

“Can I ask you something?” she asked slowly and Frank just hummed. “What’s the deal with your mother?” he stopped rubbing her calf and looked up to her, his eyes icy.    “You don’t have to tell me, I just-“

”You are right. I don’t.” he cut her off, and Mel felt embarrassed, and started to bite her lips. Frank was still looking at her, looking like he was mentally calculating something then he took a deep breath. “My mother, she is very difficult. She was a national champion, she even made the Olympic team, but them she got pregnant with me.” he swallowed, and looked down at Mel’s feet, he let it go and slowly, stood up. Mel’s eyes followed him, waiting for him to continue. “She hated my father, blamed him for ruining her career. He could not stand it, so he left after I was born. She also wanted a girl, so she could follow in her footsteps, but she got me.” Mel’s heart ached, for him. “So I tried really hard, to make her proud, doing all the skating in the world, working my ass off, but it was never enough. When I switched to ice dancing she was furious, she didn’t even speak to me for months.” he chuckled a little, finally looking at Mel again, who was looking up at him from the bench. “My grandma was my only supporter. She loved seeing me on the ice, but she died a few years ago so…” he shrugged. 

“I’m really sorry.” Mel said, sympathetic. Frank shrugged again, smiling a little. 

“Now you know why I am the way I am. I know I’m difficult, but I’m trying.” Mel gave him a knowing look. “Most of the time!” he laughed. “I chose psychology to help myself too. Also I want to be a child-sport psychologist, I’ve really seen the worst of it.”

”That’s really great. I think it suits you.” Mel smiled at him, and watched as he sat down next to her, turning her body to face him. 

“So what’s your story?” he knocked his head to the side.

”Will you analyse me? Is this a session?” she raised her brows.

”No. This is just two people talking, who are forced to work together, trying to build some kind of trust.” he shrugged his shoulders.

”Okay.” she cleared her throat. “My parents are dead. They died in a car accident when I was 14. I switched to hockey after that.” Mel watched how Frank’s expression changed, his face was full of emotions. “My aunt raised me, she is amazing, my biggest supporter ever.” she smiled at the thought of her. 

“Oh Mel…” his voice was really sweet, and concerned. 

“No. Don’t pity me. I worked though it, I’m fine. And skating like this again, I feel really close to them. They loved seeing me on the ice.”

”I bet. You are very good.” he smiled again.

”No need to lie, but yeah, I’m pretty decent.” she chuckled. “I just wish they would see my games. I’m really in my element when I play.” she smiled a little absentmindedly. “I love the feeling of belonging somewhere. Having teammates, doing something together, never being lonely.”

”I’ve never been to your games, or any  hockey game really, but I can imagine.” he smiled.

”You can come to the one on Friday. We always need more supporters.” she nudged his shoulder.

”Okay, I’ll tell Abby.” he nudged her back, and they smiled at each other, feeling content, and Mel felt like maybe there a chance for them to be friends. 

****

The locker room buzzed with nervous energy. Some players were stretching. Others sat silently at their stalls, headphones on, staring at the floor as if the game had already begun somewhere inside their heads. The muffled roar of the crowd filtered through the walls.

Mel sat on the bench, elbows on her knees, rolling her shoulders to loosen them up. Her stick rested between her skates. Across the room, the captain stood and addressed the team.

“One step at a time. We play our game, we stay disciplined, and we stick together.” then the door opened, and someone shouted “Two minutes!” Immediately, the room came alive, helmets snapped into place. Gloves were pulled on. Players rose from their stalls.

The coach gathered them into a tight circle. “This is our house. Make them earn every inch.” everyone cheered at his words and started to go up on the ice.

The arena lights dimmed as the announcer’s voice echoed through the rink; 

“Starting at forward, number 23, Melissa King!”

The crowd erupted as Mel pushed off from the tunnel and skated onto the ice, raising her stick to the crowd, grinning with her mouthguard in. She couldn’t help but searched the crowd for Frank, seeing if they really came. She felt her relief when she spotted them, Samira, Abby and Frank, next to each other, cheering, Samira waving at her like crazy. Mel just nodded upwards, signaling to them that she sees them, Frank started to smile too. Trinity arrived next to her on the ice, so they gave each other a side hug. 

When all of the players were out on the ice, they took their sides, and the two teams stared hard at each other. The referee stepped into the circle, and dropped the puck, and the arena went crazy. 

The game had been good. Fast. Physical. Competitive. Exactly the kind of hockey Mel loved. She'd spent most of the night focused on the puck, the next play, the next shift.

By the middle of the second period, Mel already had an assist and 1 goal to her name, and she was feeling pretty good when the whistle blew but then someone hit Emma anyway.

Emma slammed shoulder-first into the boards. The arena gasped. The puck was already dead. Everyone knew it. Emma crumpled to the ice. For a heartbeat, nobody moved. Then Mel saw Emma’s pained expression under the bars of her helmet and something hot flashed through her chest. By the time the nearest official reacted, she was already skating.

The Wisconsin defender had barely turned around when Mel grabbed the front of her jersey. “What the hell was that?”

The defender yanked free. “She should keep her head up.”

Wrong answer. Mel shoved her, hard. The player stumbled backward. Immediately, teammates flooded in from both sides.   Gloves, grabbed jerseys. Officials blew whistles. The crowd roared. Somewhere behind the chaos, Emma was still trying to get up. And that was all Mel could see.

“King!” One of the referees wedged himself between them. “Enough!” Mel’s chest heaved.

”You can’t make that hit after the whistle!” her words came out before she could stop them. 

“And you can’t skate across the ice, looking for a fight.” the referee scolded her, then pointed at the penalty box, and the crowd booed at him. 

“2 minutes! Roughing.”

Mel took down her helmet, took out her mouthguard and shook his head while, laughing. “Sure, whatever.”

She skated towards the box and dropped down on the bench there, breathing hard, trying to calm herself down. She tilted her head to the glass, eyes closed, when she opened them, she could see Samira in the crowd, anxiously fidgeting with her fingers, Abby chewing her lips and Frank pointing at the rink, while talking to them, looking upset. 

Frank did not just look upset, he was upset, furious even. Maybe this is why he didn’t watch hockey. 

“How was this fair? They started it!” he practically shouted. 

“This is hockey, babe. I just hope Mel didn’t get injured. We need her!” Abby said nervously. Frank scoffed, of course Abby is thinking about the Gala right now.

Frank’s eyes drifted back to the penalty box.

Mel was still sitting there, arguing with the referee through the glass now. Of course she was, she never backed down, did she? Never stayed quiet, never accepted things because someone told her to. Frank smiled at the thought, still looking at her.

A few loose strands had escaped her braid and stuck to her forehead. There was a faint flush on her cheeks from exertion. Her jersey hung awkwardly on her frame, several sizes too big, hiding any shape beneath it. Nothing about the scene should have been distracting and yet, Frank couldn’t drag his eyes away.

When Mel’s penalty is up, she gets back on the ice, 2 minutes was enough for her to remember that winning would hurt Wisconsin a lot more than another shove ever could.

The puck was tied up along the boards when she joined the play.

“King!” A teammate called for support. Mel was already moving. The anger was still there. It had just found a better target. Wisconsin pressed desperately in the final minutes. One goal down.Then two. The clock became their enemy.

“One minute!” The announcement echoed through the arena and crowd was already standing. Mel glanced at the scoreboard.

Minnesota 5.

Wisconsin 3.

It’s almost over, 50 seconds, and they win the game. Mel skated with everything left in her and when the horn sounded seconds later, she let out a big laugh. 

The arena exploded, players poured over the boards. Someone nearly tackled Mel in celebration. She barely stayed upright but she wrapped an arm around the nearest teammate.

Across the ice, Wisconsin skated away in frustration. Behind her, the captain was already being mobbed by the rest of the team.

Emma bumped her shoulder.

“Worth the penalty?”

Mel looked toward the penalty box. Then back at her teammate. “Every time.” she grinned, and pulled her in onto a hug. 

After celebrating and changing in the locker room, she walked out with a grin, and pride on her face, texting Ryan, if he is up to something. Trinity went ahead, to meet with her girlfriend so this would be a lonely night for Mel.

“Mel!” she heard Samira’s voice, and almost fell over when she lunged into her side, hugging her.

“Hey! Thank you for coming!” she hugged her back. 

“Of course! It was so intense , are you okay?” she asked with a concerned look.

”Yeah, I’m fine. I’m used to it.” she just shrugged, then she looked behind Samira, and saw Frank, alone. “What are you doing here?”

”Good to see you too.” he said sarcastically, and he stepped closer to her.

”No I mean- Where is Abby?” she raised her eyebrows, looking around one more time. 

”Her knee hurt so she went back to the dorms.”

”Oh okay.” she nodded. “Did you enjoy the game?”

”It was mildly frustrating, but yeah. You were great.” he cleared his throat ”At least it looked like you were, I don’t really know anything about hockey.”

Of course he couldn’t just leave it at that and compliment her, Mel just rolled her eyes. “Thanks, I guess.”

”So!” Samira said. “What now? Drinks?” she clapped looking at both of them. 

“Actually-“

”Mellie Baby! You were amazing!” Ryan’s voice echoed in the arena.

Frank looked at Mel immediately, with disbelief on his face.

”Ohh I get it!” Samira laughed. “Celebratory sex! Go get him, girl.” she nudged Mel on her shoulders.

”I- sorry guys.” she still only looked at Frank, whose face was unreadable, but his jaw was so tight Mel thought it might break. “We can get drinks tomorrow.” she offered. 

”Sure. Enjoy your night, King.” Frank said, tone neutral. Mel felt really bad, and was not sure why. She quickly waved at them and rushed to Ryan who was on the way to her. That night they did have sex, but all Mel could think about during it, was Frank’s blue eyes, and that disapproving look he had in them.

The next week of  practices went well, not much happening, the two of them didn’t really talk unless it was necessary, Frank was decent with her, not raising his voice once, but that former openness of his disappeared. Mel thought it was a one time thing, she couldn’t really read him, she just hoped they could get on good terms, maybe even be friends somehow.

But Frank was not like that, and she accepted it, but there was a day when Mel was convinced that he was like this because of jealousy. Which was a silly thought, considering he had a girlfriend but there isn’t any other explanation for this interaction;

That day -on the Monday after the match- practice had been going surprisingly well. Which was exactly why Mel was suspicious. Frank hadn’t yelled at her once. Hadn’t sighed dramatically when she messed up. Hadn’t even corrected her more than necessary. It was unsettling. Her phone buzzed from the bench. During a water break, she skated over and grabbed her bottle, checking the notification while she drank.

Ryan, he sent some kind of stupid reel with cats and Mel laughed despite herself. When she looked up, Frank was standing on the ice waiting. Watching her.

She shoved the phone back into her bag and skated over. “Ready?” she asked.

Frank pushed away from the boards.“Good text?”

Mel blinked. “What?”

“You seemed entertained.”

“Oh.” She shrugged. “Ryan sent me something stupid.”

“Of course he did.” he mumbled.

Mel narrowed her eyes.“What does that mean?”

“Nothing.” That tone definitely meant something. Before she could ask, Frank clapped his hands together. “Again from the beginning.”

They took their positions and the first attempt went well. The second didn’t because Mel was half a beat late.

“Your timing...” Frank informed her.

“It was fine.” she said, breathing hard.

“It wasn’t.” he argued.

“It was close enough.” she shrugged, not giving him the satisfaction of being right.

Frank stared at her and Mel stared back. Finally, he sighed. “Sure, Mellie.”

Mel’s mouth fell open. “…did you just call me Mellie?”

Frank immediately looked away.“No.”

“You absolutely did.” she let out a laugh. 

“No, I didn’t. Focus on the footwork, King.”

Mel couldn’t believe him, she just laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“That’s rich coming from someone who responds to ‘Mellie Baby.’” he mocked Ryan.

Mel’s mouth hung open again. “Oh my God. You actually remember that?”

Frank looked genuinely offended.

“It is impossible to forget.”

“Why?”

“Because I had to hear it with my own ears.” 

“Please tell me, you don’t spend your free time thinking about my ‘love life’” she laughed. 

“Just skate, King.” Frank rolled his eyes and skated away but Mel caught the faintest hint of pink on the back of his neck. They had some weird moments before but this was far more interesting than anything. 

But again, Frank was the most confusing person on this planet, because a few days later, after one particularly rough training Mel had, when she went on the ice with a busted lip she didn’t even acknowledge, he was very much anything but rude or nonchalant. It was also the day where a lot of things came up to the surface.

“What happened?” Frank asked, when she skated next to him.

”Hm? What do you mean?” she furrowed her brows. 

“Your lip.” he pointed. “You are bleeding.” 

“Oh, it’s nothing. You should see my ribs, full of bruises.” she just waved him off and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

“Can I? See it?” he asked slowly. Mel looked at him with a curious look,     -this will be an other interesting day- she thought, but then started to lift up her shirt. 

“See?” she pointed at them. “I always have them. It’s permanent at this point.” she chuckled. 

“Always?” he raised his eyebrows, and Mel just nodded. “So when we skate, and I grab you and lift you-“

”Yeah, it’s hurts but it’s fine.”

”Shit.” the curse slipped out of Frank’s mouth. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

”There is nothing to tell.”

“But-” Frank ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to hurt you. We could wait a few days, adjust the lifts, do something.”

”You don’t hurt me, Langdon. Come on, if we’d wait for them to faint we would never skate.” she looked at his painful expression. “What?”

”I just-“ he swallowed, looking at her ribs again because she still didn’t pull down her shirt. “I feel stupid. I didn’t realise how much you sacrifice for this.” 

“It’s not a sacrifice, I want to help.” she shrugged her shoulders.

“Why?” 

”I don’t know, I’m just like this.” she really didn’t have an answer to this.

”How?” he pushed.

”I don’t know, Langdon. Why is it important?” she was getting frustrated with this.

”I am trying to understand something.” 

“Please don’t psychoanalyse me.” she finally pulled down her shirt, and gave him a mean look.

”I’m not psychoanalysing you. I just don’t understand.” he moved closer to her, talking softly, not trying to scare her or annoy her even more.

Normally she would have rolled her eyes. But something stopped her as she was looking at him properly now. At the tightness in his jaw and the frustration in his voice. She suddenly realised something. Frank wasn’t trying to win an argument here, he wasn’t being smug. He wasn’t even psychoanalysing her. He was worried. Not about the Gala, not about the lifts, about Her. 

Mel swallowed, and talked softly now. “I don’t have an answer for you. If there’s something to fix, I fix it. It’s not hard for me, I like skating, and I like Abby and-“ she stopped, looking at Frank with a confused expression. 

“And?” Frank asked. The word came out barely above a whisper.

Mel frowned.“-what?”

“You said you like Abby.” His gaze didn’t leave hers. “And?”

The rink suddenly felt too quiet.

“And…” she started. Frank waited and Mel hated that. Because she knew there was an answer. She just didn’t know why it felt this wrong.

“And I like skating with you,” she finally muttered.

Something flickered across Frank’s face. Not surprise. Something worse. Hope. The realization hit her immediately and Frank took a small step closer.

“Just skating?” Mel’s stomach dropped.

“Langdon-“

“Mel.” The way he said her name made her forget what she was about to say.

His hand landed lightly on her forearm. Neither of them moved. Neither of them looked away.

For a second, she had the insane urge to lean forward but then-

“HEY! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?” they both turned their heads and moved away from each other immediately. It was Ryan, who looked pissed off, coming into the ice. 

“What are you doing here?” Mel asked. 

“I should be asking the same question! Why are you here with this dick?” he practically spit his words at them, Mel felt her pulse quickening, she really didn’t like his tone.

“We skate together. What’s the issue?” she asked, trying to stay calm. She was standing between the two boys, staring at Ryan.

”Issue? I don’t want this twink touching my girl. Do boys not like you anymore, so you have to go after taken girls?” he was full on raging now, and Mel completely lost it.

”Shut up Ryan! What the fuck is wrong with you?” she didn’t like to curse but this time she didn’t care. “He is my friend! Who has a girlfriend, just so you know. But even if he was gay, why the hell would you care?” she even shoved him a little, she felt her face get red, she could barely think straight. 

“What-“ Ryan was speechless, he didn’t expect it to go this way.

“And I’m not your girl! I never was! Jesus! I can’t believe there was something between us… you disgust me.” she practically spit the words. 

“Mellie, you can’t be serious-“ Ryan moved closer to her and she automatically stepped back, reaching behind her back trying to find Frank’s hand.

”Oh I am! And don’t call me that! I hate it.” she then grabbed Franks hand, and pulled on it. “Come on, let’s go.” they skated off the rink, quickly kicked off their skates, and rushed to the direction of the exit. Mel was still shaking from anger when she  stopped at a corridor to catch her breath.

“Sorry! I know I shouldn’t have- I just, I can’t stand it, you were right he is a bully, and it made me so angry how he talked about you and to you, because, you don’t deserve it, not a drop of it. I’m just so sorry I didn’t mean to make this harder for you-“ Mel was pacing back and forth, while almost breaking her fingers.

“Mel.” he stopped her spiralling with his hand on her shoulder, and waited until she picked up eye contact with him. “That was the kindest and bravest thing that anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.” 

“What? No.  I’m sure Abby has stood up for you before but-“ she started to try and ease the situation a little bit.

”No. Just you.” he held eye contact with her.

”Oh.” the realisation hit Mel like a truck. How could Abby stand it? She knew there were talks about him, she heard it in the locker room and in the dining hall but never witnessed anything before this incident and even seeing it this one time made her blood boil and he is not even her boyfriend. She couldn’t understand how Abby could not care about him enough to stand up for him. Her eyes roamed on his face, now feeling his hands on her shoulders, gripping her, with grounding force. “I just hope I didn’t make it worse for you.” she whispered. “I know you don’t argue with them because you don’t care but-“ I do. -she thought- She did care, more than she would ever like to admit. 

“You could never, Mel.” he shook his head, his hands sliding to her arms, pulling her a little closer. “You make everything better, whatever you touch or do, whoever you speak to, everything just gets better with you in it, sweetheart.”

The pet name made Mel’s mouth dry and her pulse skyrocket. She bit her lower lip, and formed fists just to not grab Frank, because the urge to to that was stronger than ever. “That’s really kind of you.” she whispered. “Why are you so kind to me?” she was confused now, because this was not like them.

“It’s not kindness, it’s honesty.” he said and Mel swallowed, her body melting into Frank’s hands. “And I know you were always like this.” Mel furrowed her brows, opening her mouth but Frank continued. “You probably don’t remember, but we have met before. When you were still figure skating too.”

”No way. When?” she couldn’t believe her ears, she had no memory of Frank whatsoever.

”It was in middle school, we were at the same competition.” he moved his hands from her arms to her hands and held both of them, while telling her the story. “I failed miserably, I fell on my ass after an axel. I was devastated.” he was looking at Mel, who was listening to the story, trying to put together the pieces, biting her lips. “So as I was sitting on the bench, trying not to cry and not to think about the screaming I’m going to get at home, a blonde girl appeared and smiled at me so bright, I thought she was the Sun.” he pulled the corner of his mouth into a half smile. He was looking at their hands, Mel was mindlessly caressing his knuckles with her thumb. “So this girl, she said to me, with the most genuine tone possible that she thought I did good, that I looked like I was born for the ice and ‘one bad skate-“

”-Doesn’t make you a bad skater.” Mel finished the sentence for him, her eyes wide, having the biggest realisation of her life. “Oh my god! That was you!” she exclaimed. “But-how could you possibly remember that?”

”How could I not? It was the first time that someone said something nice to me even though I failed. I even thought you were my guardian angel.” Frank chuckled, and Mel smiled too.

”Stop. It’s crazy, how did you even recognise me?” she shook her head.

”Your smile is the same.” he said softly, looking at her lips. “And it’s easy to recognise someone you’ve thought about every single day for 10 years.” he admitted with a slight blush on his cheeks.

Mel couldn’t even think about words, she was so shocked, and also so touched she felt lightheaded. This can’t be, Frank hates her, they are rivals, they - “But you can’t stand me! I don’t understand-“

”No, Mel. You can’t stand Me. It has left me with no other choice, just to play my part.” he shrugged his shoulders, and Mel felt terrible. 

“Oh god! I feel horrible.” she looked at their interlinked hands and pulled away, she was too embarrassed to be touched by him. Frank wanted to pull her back, hold her hand again, but respected that she needed space. “I’m really sorry.”

”No, it’s okay, I understood it, I’m not easy to like. And I played my part really well, I kinda liked it how I could get under your skin.” he grinned and earned an eye roll from Mel. “Do you want to feel worse?”

”No.” she responded immediately. “But tell me.”

”I only went into ice dancing, because I was hoping I could get you as a partner.” he confessed, slightly embarrassed.

Mel’s eyes widened, her mouth almost hang open from shock. ”No! Jesus! This has to be a lie!” Mel was practically shouting, her hands running through her hair, and Frank chuckled. “You are unbelievable. Straight up stalker- I mean it’s kinda scary, a girl says some nice things to you and you can’t forget about her…” she was talking more lightly now, joking about the situation, trying to ease the tension between them. She needed this emotional distance, because she felt like she is about to fall on to her knees.

”It was not just a girl. It was you.” he stepped closer, so the effort Mel put into them having some space, just went out of the window.

”You- you can’t say stuff like that.” she almost whispered.

“But it’s true.”  he tucked her hair behind her ear, but leaving his hand on her face. Mel felt her heart beating in her throat, unable to look away from Frank’s eyes. “For a while I thought I imagined you. Then I saw you in the dining hall, when Abby first introduced us….” Mel nodded, she remembered that day. “I immediately knew it was you, but when I realised that you don’t remember me, and I wanted to die, Mel. You, and your memory was everything for me for the past 10 years.”

”Frank…” Mel closed her eyes, and automatically shifted closer to him, she could feel his hot breath on her lashes, and how he lifted his left arm to touch her other cheek too. This was the first time, Mel called him on his first name, and Frank almost groaned from satisfaction. He used up all his restraint during their practices, so he could not hold it back anymore, he pulled her face closer until their lips met. He felt like a weight lifted off his chest, when Mel kissed him back, and pulled him closer by his shirt. It was not a long kiss, not because they didn’t want it to be, because Mel’s phone started ringing, and snapped them out of this.

Mel looked like a deer in headlights, when she pulled her phone out of her back pocket. She turned the screen so Frank could see the caller, it was Abby. Mel closed her eyes and answered the call.

“Hey! What’s up?” she was sounding somewhat normal.

”Hi! Are you still with Frank? I can’t reach him.” Mel looked at him, because the phone was loud enough for him to hear it too. She swallowed hard before answering.

”Yes, we are practicing the lift.” she closed her eyes again, her cheeks hot from lying.

”Okay, can you please tell him to call me back? I need him to pick me up some meds.” 

“Sure.”

”Thanks! You’re the best! See you soon!” and with a click the call ended, and Mel felt like throwing up. They just stared at each other, not really sure what to say or to do. 

“I think you should call her.” Mel finally said, and Frank’s stomach twisted, he didn’t say anything just nodded chewing his lips. “And I am going.” 

“Can we just-“ Frank tried to reach for her hand, but Mel was faster, and pulled her hand away, even stepping back further. 

“No. We can’t. See you at practice.” she turned around, and didn’t look back, she grabbed her stuff from the floor and left the building with slamming doors.

Frank stood there for a little while, burying his face in his palms, trying to think about a solution, so that this situation doesn’t hurt anyone unnecessarily.

The kiss changed nothing and somehow, it changed everything. The next week, they were back on the ice as if nothing had happened. Frank still had a girlfriend. Mel was still only filling in for Abby. The gala was still approaching far too quickly so they practiced, now every day.

At first, they avoided looking at each other for longer than necessary. Conversations became painfully professional, reduced to clipped instructions and technical corrections. The silence between them felt heavier than any argument they had ever had.

Then Abby started showing up.

Before the kiss, she’d missed most practices, usually staying home to rest her injury. Afterward, she was suddenly there for nearly all of them, sitting by the boards with a coffee in hand, watching every run-through.

It should have made things easier but instead, it made everything worse, because now they had an audience.

An audience that didn’t know why Frank sometimes forgot what he was saying halfway through a sentence whenever Mel laughed. An audience that didn’t notice how quickly they pulled apart after a lift had ended. An audience that couldn’t see the split-second hesitations, the lingering touches that lasted just a little too long before either of them remembered themselves.

If Abby didn’t, Coach Joe, must have noticed their new dynamic, because he was blown away by their chemistry on the ice. And he frequently mentioned it too, which made Mel’s stomach twist. She didn’t see herself from the outside, but there was some things she noticed too; The way Frank’s hand would remain at the small of her back for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

The way his fingers would brush hers when they took starting position.

The way he kept finding reasons to stand too close together.

Every joke felt dangerous. Every accidental glance felt loaded. Every casual conversation with Abby standing only a few feet away left a sour knot in both their stomachs. But the worst part was pretending, they weren’t thinking about that kiss every single time they stepped onto the ice together.

They had 1 week until the Gala, when Abby pulled Mel aside as she was coming out of the lecture hall. 

“Oh- Abby.” Mel was a little distraught when she saw her. “Is everything okay?” 

“Frank wants to break up with me.” she said, “and I think you know something about that.” her eyes were cold, her tone colder. Mel just stared at her, unable to form an answer. 

“I- don’t-“ she was stuttering, she could only hear her own heartbeat in her ear. Abby sighed, disappointed. 

“All I want to know…” she took a deep breath. “Did you guys sleep together?” 

“No! God no! I would never-“ Mel answered immediately, trying to defend her little dignity that remained.

”Okay. Good, because that would complicate things.” Abby nodded, and Mel was confused, because this was not the response she expected.

”What-“ Mel asked. “I mean how do you-“

”How do I know something is going on?” Abby chuckled a little. “I saw you guys on the ice, I’m not blind Mel. Even the first time you danced together, he looked at you like you hung the moon.” Mel cringed, because this could not be true. “Don’t make that face, it’s true. I know him like the back of my hand. He never looked at me like that, not once in this 10 years we were partners.” her voice was more bitter now. “I think… we only got together because it was convenient. We knew each other, we trusted the other, for a long time we only had each other, and also this is why we didn’t break up, even when we should have. Gosh… We didn’t even kiss since you guys started to dance together.” she chuckled bitterly. “But now, things got different, with my leg, with us being seniors… and well, new opportunities presented.” she smiled, looking meaningfully at Mel, and she understood what she meant.

”I’m sorry Abby, I really didn’t mean for this to happen.” the guilt Mel was feeling was eating her alive. 

“Don’t be, I’m kinda glad it happened this way, I can’t even be mad at you.” she shrugged and Mel felt even more bad. Mel didn’t know what to respond to this, so she just nodded, chewing her lips. “I hope we can stay friends, Abby.”

”Of course.” she smiled. “One thing though, don’t complicate things until the Gala ends. Or figure it out until. Don’t make this harder for yourself.” 

“Oh.” Mel just understood what ‘complicate’ mean. “I won’t make this harder for anyone. Thank you.”

Abby nodded, and looked like she was about to say something else, but didn’t. She turned around and left Mel staring at her back, standing in the hallway then slowly she started to walk back to her dorm.

A few hours passed, and she was laying in her bed, she was alone, thinking hard, her emotions were at war with her common sense.She tried to remember the exact moment everything had changed. The turning point. The day Langdon stopped being the most irritating person she’d ever met and became… Frank.

There hadn’t been a single moment. It had happened gradually. Somewhere between the endless practices and arguments. Somewhere between rolling her eyes every time he opened his mouth and finding herself looking for him in the rink in early mornings.
Maybe it was the way he always knew when she was upset, even when she hadn’t said a word. Maybe it was the way he never backed down from an argument with her, no matter how intimidating she tried to be.
Or maybe it was because, despite all his overthinking and annoying habits, she had never once doubted that he was a good person.  Mel let out a frustrated sigh and buried her face in her pillow. She had practice with Frank today, which she was equally scared and excited about. Because she now could see her feelings clearly, and it terrified her. 

After a few minutes of agonising thinking, she started to gather her stuff, in her usual bag when someone knocked on her door. It must be Trinity -she thought-, she probably forgot her keys. 

“I told you to bring keys-“ she said as she was opening the door, but she stopped in the middle of the sentence. She found herself staring at Frank, who looked flustered. “Frank? What are you doing here?”

“I- I just talked to Abby and…” He scratched the back of his head and looked away for a second. “I wanted to make sure we’re okay. That you’ll still come to practice.”

Mel stared at him. “Yeah,” she said finally. “We’re okay. I’m already packing for the ice.”

The tension seemed to leave Frank’s body all at once. “Good.”

An awkward silence settled between them. Neither moved or seemed eager to end the conversation. “Do you want to come in?” Mel asked. Frank nodded immediately.

“Yeah. Thank you.”

She stepped aside and let him enter. She sat on her bed and watched him. He looked strangely out of place standing in her room. Frank was usually confident. Annoyingly confident but now he looked like he didn’t know what to do with himself.

After a moment he sat down on the edge of her bed. Mel couldn’t help smiling.

“What?” Frank asked.

“Nothing.”

“Mel.” ha said with a playful tone.

She laughed softly. “It’s just funny seeing you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.” he argued.

“Oh, sure.” she nodded amused.

A familiar smirk appeared on his face. There he was. The Frank she knew.The one who always had a comeback ready. The one who somehow managed to drive her insane and make her laugh in the same breath. He shifted slightly closer.

Not enough to be obvious jut enough that she noticed.

Enough that her pulse immediately picked up. Frank turned toward her fully and reached for her hand.

Mel’s breath caught. She let him take it and let him pull her closer.

Their knees brushed. Then their shoulders.

Then suddenly there wasn’t much space left between them at all. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She should move away and she shouldn’t complicate things but instead she stayed exactly where she was.“Trust me,” Frank said quietly, his eyes fixed on hers. “I’m not the one who’s nervous here, King.”

Mel swallowed. ”Right.”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. ”I just wanted to make sure we can still dance together. You know our chemistry…” Mel almost laughed.

Hours ago Abby had told her the exact opposite.

This wasn’t about dancing. Maybe it never had been.

Frank’s thumb brushed against her skin. A tiny movement that felt impossible to ignore.

“I think our chemistry is fine,” Mel said softly.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Frank didn’t look convinced. Or maybe he was waiting for her to say something else. To admit something.

The silence stretched between them.

Mel’s eyes drifted to his mouth before she could stop herself. When she looked back up, he was already watching her. Couldn’t stop wondering what would happen if she leaned forward just a little more.

Frank’s gaze flickered briefly to her lips. Then back to her eyes. The movement sent a rush of heat through her chest. The distance between them suddenly felt unbearable.

“But maybe,” Mel whispered, “we should test it.” Frank didn’t hesitate. Not even for a second. He leaned in, and Mel met him halfway. They kissed each other like their life depended on it, Mel hated how good of a kisser Frank was. It was unfair.

She felt dizzy, the way he touched her, and the way he guided their mouths, it was like when they danced together, just so much better. After it got way more heated than it should have been, Frank pulled away, and Mel being Mel, let out a noise of frustration and started to pull him closer by his shirt. 

“You are so impatient and needy. Such bad traits...” he grinned, and Mel groaned.

”You have way too much confidence…”

”Yet, you like me.” he leaned closer.

”Sure, keep dreaming.” she said sarcastically but still placed a peck on his mouth. 

“Let’s go, King. We have practice.” he stood up, and pulled on her hand and she smiled.

Let’s just say it was a great practice if we don’t count the times, when Joe told them maybe they have too much chemistry. 

On the day of the Gala, Mel was nervous, not because of herself but because of Frank. She wanted this to be perfect for him. Her blonde hair was in a braid, and she was wearing the black flowy dress Abby was supposed to. She stood in front of the mirror, checking herself out when Frank stepped into the changing room. 

“We are on in 15 minutes.” he said, as he was looking at Mel. He was wearing  elegant black pants and a dark gray shirt with the top unbuttoned. His hair was pushed back with a few loose strands. 

“You look so good, it’s infuriating.” Mel turned to him. 

“You compliment like no one else, King.” he smiled. “You look beautiful. But I like you more in your hockey stuff.”

”It does something to you, huh?” she smirked as Frank was getting closer. 

“You have no idea.” he put his hands on her waist. “Are you nervous?”

”Of course. I want this to be perfect for you.” she confessed, playing with the buttons on his shirt.

”It already is.” he waited until she looked at him with confusion. “With you in it, it is.” Mel’s heart fluttered, and she felt heat rush into her face. She hated how much of an effect he had on her, but at the same time she loved it. 

“You are surprisingly cheesy.” she said finally. “I have to ask Abby how to deal with it.”

”It wasn’t like this with her.” again, Mel’s pulse picked up. “It’s the ‘Melissa King’ special, I like how flustered you get.” he smirked and Mel hit him on the chest. 

“Someday I will beat you with my hockey stick.” 

“Don’t tease me!” he laughed and gave her a quick kiss on her lips. 

“And now, our senior Ice Dancer pair will close the Gala! Unfortunately the original female lead got injured but her friend decided to step up, please welcome on the ice;  Frank Langdon and Melissa King !” the crowd clapped after the announcement, and they went on the ice holding hands, waving with their free ones. 

The arena fell silent as the first notes of She’s Like the Wind filled the air.

Mel took a slow breath.  A few months ago, if someone had told her she’d be standing at center ice with Frank, wearing Abby’s dress and performing in front of hundreds of people, she would have laughed in their face.

Now she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Frank squeezed her hand once before he pushed off and got into starting position.

The nerves were still there at first. Every movement felt too important. Every step carried the weight of expectations. Don’t mess up. Don’t fall. Don’t ruin this for him.

The thoughts chased each other through her head until she caught Frank looking at her. Not their reflection. Not the crowd. Her. And suddenly she remembered every obstacle they had already overcome.

The endless practices. The arguments. The frustration. The guilt. The confusion. Somehow they had made it through all of it. One step at a time. Just like this.

The realization settled over her with surprising calm. They didn’t have to be perfect, because they never had been.

Frank was thoughtful where she was impulsive. He analyzed everything while she charged straight ahead. He lived in his head while she lived in the moment. For the longest time she had thought those differences would tear them apart. Instead, they had become the reason they worked. The reason they balanced each other.

The music carried them across the ice as if they had been doing this together forever. Every turn felt effortless. Every lift felt lighter. Every glance felt like a conversation.

By the time they reached the final section of the program, Mel wasn’t performing anymore, She was living it. And judging by the smile she caught on Frank’s face, he felt it too.

Whatever waited for them after tonight, the complications, the difficult conversations, the uncertainty, they would deal with it. As the final note echoed through the arena, Mel realised something she hadn’t allowed herself to believe before. Because no matter how impossible everything had seemed at the beginning, somehow they had found their way here. And maybe they would find their way through the rest of it too.

They grinned at each other, when the music ended, and then hugged. Frank was holding her so tight, she thought he would never let go, and she didn’t want him to. “Thank you.” he whispered in her ear which made her hold him closer. They let go and bowed to the audience, flowers were thrown on the ice, and Mel spotted Abby in the crowd, cheering for them. She waved to her, laughing. The whole thing was unbelievable. 

After getting off the ice, Coach Joe hugged and congratulated them, Mel was so relieved she could cry. A lot of people, and the organisers went out of their way to praise them. She was overwhelmed with emotion, and she could sense that Frank was too, by the way he was squeezing her hand. 

They hugged again, and tried to find a place to sit down, and take their skates off, when an elegant older woman approached them. Mel was smiling at her, waiting for her to congratulate them as the others did. 

“Your posture still collapses during the lifts.” she said with narrow eyes looking directly at Frank.

The smile immediately vanished from Mel’s face.

Frank simply nodded.“Noted.”

Mel blinked at the woman. They had just finished one of the best performances she’d ever seen him give. And that was the first thing this woman had to say?

She let out a quiet scoff before she could stop herself.

The woman’s eyes snapped toward her. It was sharp, cold and evaluating. “Something amusing?”

“No.” Mel crossed her arms. “Just surprised that’s the feedback you went with.”

The woman ignored her and looked back at Frank.

“Perhaps this partner will tolerate you longer than Annie.”

Mel frowned. “Abby” she corrected.   ”And she didn’t leave because she couldn’t handle Frank.”

The woman’s eyebrow lifted.

“No?”

“No.” A tense silence followed.

The woman slowly turned toward Mel.

“And you would know?”

“I know that he’s the best skater I’ve ever worked with.”

A humorless smile appeared on the woman’s face.

“Of course he is. Until he decides to disappoint you because he can’t skate the way we expect him to.” she was looking at him again, with narrow eyes.

Mel stared at her. Then at Frank. Who was still standing there. Silent. Taking every word. Something inside her immediately got angry.

“Okay.” She laughed once. “Who are you exactly?”

The woman straightened slightly. “I’m his mother.”

A beat passed. “Oh.”

Suddenly everything made sense. The criticism. Frank’s silence. The impossible standards. Everything.

“I see.”

The woman looked vaguely satisfied. As if she expected Mel to finally understand her place. Instead Mel tilted her head.

“So what’s your answer to the second question?”

For the first time all evening, the woman looked genuinely confused.“What second question?”

Mel raised her eyebrows. “Why are you such a pain in the ass?” She heard Frank choke on air next to her and his mother ’s face drained from colour. 

“Mel-“ she heard Frank’s voice faintly.

“I’m sorry?” she choked out. 

“I hope you are.” she shot back. “Because what your son did and does on the ice is incredible. You should be proud, someone would kill to have a child like Frank. But before you start to pat yourself on the back, it’s not because of you, it’s his hard work and dedication. So please, in the future prepare some nice words, next to your sour face.”  she ended her speech with a meaningful look.

Frank’s mother was speechless with wide eyes, then she slowly nodded. She straightened up once again, and looked at Frank. “See you at home, Frank.” she looked back at Mel. “Melissa.” she nodded at her as a goodbye and turned around. At least she remembers her name, now.

Mel felt Frank’s gaze on her face and this was the moment she started to feel bad. She closed her eyes, and slowly turned to him. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself-“ she was cut off by Frank’s hands that cradled her face. 

“Thank you.” he pulled her into a kiss. “This was amazing to watch.” he laughed and Mel smiled too. “But we need to work on impulse control in the future.”

“Sure. Whatever you say.” she rolled her eyes, grinning and leaned in for an other kiss.