Chapter 1
Setting: The 2002 Olympic Winter Games: The Night of the Freeskate Shae-Lynn�s POV: Adjusting my hairpiece, I glanced around me. Here I was�once again at the Olympics. Even though it was my third time, it never ceased to amaze me. I was with the best of the best, competing to prove that I was, in fact the very best there�just like they did hundreds of years ago. Shaking out my arms and legs, trying to rid my body of nervousness, I looked over to my left where my partner, Victor was standing. He seemed to be feeling the same nervousness I was. I smiled to myself as I watched him try to calm his shaking nerves by taking long deep breaths in and out�in and out�in and out. He has done that before every major competition since the day we first paired up. God�I remember being this nervous that day�.I can still remember it like it was yesterday� -Flashback- Pulling my long hair back into a ponytail and glanced over at my mother with a worried expression. �Are you SURE he wanted to meet with me here? God, I can�t believe I�m even doing this. I only did pairs�sure I do dance on my own but I never had a partner. What time is it again?� My mother looked at me exasperated. �Did you even stop to take a breath? Slow down Shae�it�s ok,� I could see her struggling to keep a straight face. I exhaled and allowed my face to break into a smile. �Sorry,� She smiled and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. �Honey, you�re too hard on yourself. You�re allowed to be nervous. I know this is new but he DID see you skate. He wants to give it a try. All you can do is go out there and skate your best,� Just as she said that, the door opened and a young man walked in with his skating bag slung over his shoulder. He quickly scanned the room looking for me. He looked my way and smiled. It was the biggest, most welcoming smile I had ever seen and it made me feel 100% at ease. I smiled back and he began to walk over. �Sorry I�m late,� he said quickly. �My car always breaks down at the worst times. He extended his hand. I�m Vic,� I smiled and shook my head. �It�s no big deal,� I shook his hand. �I�m Shae-Lynn�Shae�whatever you want to call me,� �Shae-Lynn�that�s a pretty name. I�ll call you that if you don�t mind,� He quickly laced up his skates and stood up to lead me to the ice. �No�that�s fine. Really, everyone calls me Shae so it�ll be a nice change,� We began stroking around the ice, our steps falling right into place, staying in perfect unison without even thinking about it, �I just think it�s such a beautiful name, why not use it?� He laughed quietly. I joined him. He was a really nice guy. I already felt comfortable with him. �Good Point,� After that, Vic�s coach called us over and had us go through some basic skills like swingrolls, twizzles, anything he could think of. Then he asked us to do a few dances. Victor took a few deep breaths. I glanced over at him and giggled. �What?� he asked, with a smile spreading across his face. �You look nervous,� I said giving his shoulder a little push. I saw his face begin to flush pink. �I kinda am. I get nervous over everything. This calms me down,� The way he reacted caused me to laugh even harder. �As long as it helps, I�ve got no problem� The music started. �Good,� He said laughing as we took our first steps. I remember glancing at the glass while we were skating and I was amazed at how good we looked together. Our body type, our hair color, just how perfect our legs matched�it was amazing to me. The way it felt when we skated felt perfect too. I felt so relaxed skating with him. It was just so easy and I could see in his eyes he felt the same way. By the end of the night, he had asked me to be his partner and I quickly accepted. I was thrilled. �Are you excited?� my Mother asked. I looked solemnly at her. �Yes. I will skate with him but just so you know, I will not marry him,� My mother burst into laughter. �No one�s forcing you honey,� and with that, we left. -End Flashback- He still was exactly the same. Over the years we grew closer and closer. We were very different. I was more outgoing, ready for anything. He was a little more reserved, a little more quiet. Together, though, we were like the perfect person. He always made me laugh and vice versa. I couldn�t imagine skating with anyone else. I walked over to him and put my arm around his shoulder. �You all ready?� I asked, rubbing his shoulders gently, trying to ease his nerves. He turned and smiled at me�that same smile he smiled all those years ago. �Yeah, just a little nervous�you know me!� I laughed quietly. �Yeah I do,� I paused as we both looked out on the ice. �We can do this Vic,� I said softly. He turned and faced me. �I know we can. We just need to skate our best out there. The rest is out of our hands,� I nodded and began to fidget. Walking around, moving hands around, doing whatever I could to clear my head. He began to laugh. �See�now you�re nervous,� I stopped and looked over at him exasperated. �No I�m not!� He looked at me pointedly. �Ok fine�fine�god, Vic you�re the only one who can tell when I�m nervous. You KNOW that drives me crazy!� He laughed and pulled me over into a big hug. �Oh well, you should have gotten used to that by now,�. He then got silent and we just stood there in each other�s arms. I felt my nervousness seep away as I relaxed into his embrace. Even though Victor and I had been friends for 12+ years, nothing really romantic had ever occurred between us. Sure there was some flirtatiousness and glances every now and then. Sometimes, there would be some harmless crushes but it never turned into anything. Since the beginning of the season, however, I began to realize that my feelings for Victor had begun to gradually change. I would find myself smiling more when I was with him. I would make excuses to hang out with him more. I would find myself trying to find ways to look over at him. Any time any physical contact occurred, like if our fingers brushed together when we skated next to each other or if he had to hold me close on the ice, my heart would race. I tried to ignore the feelings. I got angry with myself and tried to force them to go away. After all, Victor and I agreed a long time ago that we wouldn�t let our relationship become romantic. Too many good partnerships are lost with messed up off-ice relationships and that was the last thing we wanted. However, no matter how hard I tried the feelings wouldn�t go away. I began to realize how I was feeling wasn�t fair to my then boyfriend (and current coach), Nicolai and broke things off with him. Victor�s relationship with his long time girlfriend, Maikki began to dissolve and I began to wonder�could all the obstacles that were always in the way be starting to go away? We found ourselves hanging out more than usual, laughing a little more, moving a little closer�all unconsciously. I began to wonder�could he be feeling the same way? He pulled away from me slightly and planted a quick kiss on my cheek. �Come on, Shae-Lynn. We�re on soon,� I nodded and squeezed his hand. It was time to skate.
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