23

DUDE ! I shouted, glaring at him. Would you just shut it ?
He burst out laughing and shook his head. You’ve got it bad, he muttered as he reached under the counter and handed me some skates.
And what size are you Lily ?
I’m a six.
Nodding, he reached a bit to the left and plonked a smaller set of skates down. You kids have fun now, he grinned. You have an hour.
Thanks man, you’re a good friend, I smiled.
Bye Mark, nice meeting you, Lily waved, before picking up her skates and wandering over to the seats surrounding the ice rink. After a couple of minutes of struggling with the ice skates, we both wobbled our way over to the edge of the rink, where a section of the glass was open. I spent a lot of time at the rink, hanging out with Dean and Mark, but I usually sat on the seats while they skated. It didn’t come naturally to me. At all !
Ready ? I smiled at Lily who was standing beside me.
She nodded and placed her left foot on the ice. As I stared, she pushed forward and glided over the ice with ease. She looked over her shoulder and grinned at me briefly before turning back around, beginning to pick up speed. As her blades glided along the ice, her hair whipped out behind her. Her arms were outstretched, and she skated around the rink like a pro. I was mesmerised. Not taking my eyes off her, I gingerly put my left foot on to the ice and pushed off slowly, flinging out my arms either side of me for balance. No sooner had I stepped foot on to the ice, I felt myself wobble, a cry escaping my lips.
CRAP ! I yelled, rocking myself backwards and forwards in a battle to stay upright.
But as I felt myself falling, Lily appeared in front of me and wrapped her arms around my waist, keeping me upright. She laughed as I clung on to her for dear life. Yeahhh, I muttered. I’m not the best skater.
I can see that , she laughed, looking up at me.
As I stared back at her, the music system suddenly came to life and a woman’s voice came over the speakers. The lights dimmed slightly, making the rink appear smaller. And as the song’s lyrics filled the room, I smiled down at Lily. So, not bad for a first date, huh ?
Not bad at all, she whispered, pushing away from me gently. But if you want a kiss, you’ll have to come get me.
I watched as she slowly skated backwards, a mischievous grin on her face. She raised her eyebrows, daring me to play along. She didn’t think I would, but boy was she wrong ! I’d do anything to feel her lips on mine. So, I slowly moved my blades along the ice, flapping my arms wildly trying to stay upright. I heard her laughing a short distance in front of me.
Lily shh, you’re distracting me ! I shouted, my eyes going wide when I felt myself falling backwards.
SHIT ! I yelled as I felt myself losing my balance.
I twisted my body to the side and fell on to the ice. My shoulder jolted and I cried out, flipping over on to my back. Reaching up and rubbing the shoulder, I sighed, knowing I’d just made a fool out of myself. As I stared up at the ceiling, cringing, I heard a sharp hiss along the ice as Lily skated over and stopped just in front of me. She looked down, a concerned look on her face.
Are you ok ? She whispered.
Sure, I nodded. Just a bruised ego.
She laughed and reached her hand out towards me, intending to pull me up. When I gripped her hand, I looked in to her eyes and grinned mischievously. When she looked back at me, a look of understanding flashed through her eyes. Don’t you dare ! She laughed, trying to pull her hand out of mine.
Of course, I did what I was thinking. Yanking her hand, she fell forwards, a look of surprise on her face. She landed right on top of me, her face inches away from mine. You’re a real jerk, you know
But I just smiled and pressed my lips against hers, stopping her mid sentence. And as she kissed me back, wrapping her arms around my neck, the melody of the song echoed around the darkened ice rink.
…………………………..
Lily :
I walked up the stairs in front of Noah, a small smile on my face. The date had been perfect, and Noah had obviously pulled out all the stops. As we climbed to the second floor, I jumped when I felt a slight pinch on my butt.
Hey, I scowled, looking over my shoulder. Did you just pinch me ?
Maybe… he smirked, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
Yeah, well that’s the last time you’ll be doing that, I laughed, pushing off from the stair I was on and running up at full speed.
Oh no you don’t ! I heard Noah say behind me, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I grinned, taking the stairs two at a time. As I reached the second floor, I jogged to the door to my apartment and span around, surprised to see Noah right behind me. He was laughing, his hand outstretched to reach for me.
You lose, I breathed, my chest heaving.
When he reached me, I expected him to slow down, but he didn’t. Striding over, he grabbed both of my arms and pushed me against the door. Stepping in close, he pressed his body against mine, trapping me, no space between us. I was still breathing heavily and as I looked up, I saw that he was too. The tip of his nose was red, and his black hair had fallen messily over his forehead. My breath caught in my throat as he reached up and brushed the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip.
Lily, he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine.
Smiling softly, I stood on tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck. My forehead was still pressed against his, so I leant back, leaning my head against the door. Staring up at him, I noticed that his breathing had slowed, but the tip of his nose was still red from the cold. Smiling, I moved forward and kissed the tip of his nose gently. I was surprised when he burst out laughing, moving his head away from mine.
That kinda tickles, he laughed, rubbing his nose.
Seriously ? I asked, arching my eyebrow at him. You’re nose tickles. That’s kinda weird dude.
Oh really ? He smiled, unwrapping my arms from around his neck and taking a step back. So where are you ticklish ?
Crap ! I uh I’m not actually ticklish, I stuttered, trying to sound like I wasn’t completely lying.
Now you wouldn’t be lying to me, he grinned, inching closer to me with a gleam in his eye. Would you honey ?
I gulped, pressing my back even harder against the door. No, I said, shaking my head slightly as he kept creeping closer. Noah…
My eyes widened when I saw him lunge towards me, a goofy smile on his face. His hands went straight to my sides, squeezing gently. I burst out laughing, trying to push him away. But I couldn’t, my strength drained away as the laughter continued to pour out of me. I felt him laugh against my shoulder, pressing me against the door.
Please, I whined, pressing my face against his shoulder to try and stop the giggles. Noah…
Well, since you asked nicely, he smiled, lowering his hands to his sides with a look of mischief in his eyes.
Breathing heavily, I reached up with my gloved hand and wiped the tears from my eyes. Leaning back against the door, I scowled up at him. Well, I tried to scowl but I couldn’t quite manage it. He was grinning like a little kid, and I couldn’t help but smile back.