CHAPTER 25

"I never thought I would need bravery in the small moments of my life. I do."
-Veronica Roth

The skating rink was mostly empty other than a few couples. I decided we'd do all the talking outside of the rink though, on the very table I've been sitting on and drinking my hot chocolate.

"Did I keep you waiting?" Evans appeared in his winter jacket and a cute red hat on his head, with his skates in hand. He bent down giving me a little kiss on the cheek.

"Hey. And no," I said, smiling.

"Perfect. Where are your skates?" He said glancing around my chair.

"Um, well I thought it'd be best for us to just speak over some warm hot chocolate."

"Why?" He asked confused. "We could chat while we skate."

"Because... this hot chocolate is amazing. And I'm comfy right here."

"Hazel, you do know how to skate right?" He asked skeptically.

I just sighed and Evans started laughing. I gave him an annoyed look

"You could've just said, Hazel."

"No. No I could not have 'just said', Alex, because it's a little bit embarrassing and you're just perfect, aren't you?"

"Wow. Don't get your panties in a twist, lady, I get it. You're jealous I'm so perfect." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at me.

Trying not to laugh, I rolled my eyes. His eyes twinkled a little. That mischievous little twinkle in those gorgeous green eyes.

"I'll teach you. How about that?"

"I'd love to learn, but I really think we should talk first."

"Nope. Let's go!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me up out of my chair. I leaned back just in time to grab my cup of hot chocolate. What? There was still some left in there and wasting food isn't right.

"Alright, what's your size?" I replied that it was a 4 and a half and he made fun of my tiny feet, then bought the skates on rent. We walked back to the gates of the rink as soon as I had my skates tied on.

"Ready?"

"No?"

"Perfect."

And with that he lead me on to the ice, I tried to stay near the railings so far just scraping my feet one inch at a time. Oh gosh, this is going to get embarrassing. 

"Okay slowly, try to spread your legs a little further." Then as if he just joked about how wrong that sounded in his own head, he snorted.

"Oh, don't be immature."

"What? I didn't say anything."

"Whatever." I scowled, then carefully did as he instructed.

"Okay, now take longer strides."

I tried but with two strides, I felt myself lose balance and gasped loudly.

"Shit-" Evans grabbed my hand and firmly held it until I straightened back up. "-damn it."

"It's alright, I got you. We got this." And suddenly my mind flashed back to that night in the hospital and I looked at him. His face was concentrated on me as he held both my hands and I followed.

Unfortunately, while I got lost in my thoughts, I went to fast and my skates slipped and I landed hard on my bum. On top of that, I'd pulled on Evans' hand too hard and he fell too, half on top of one of my legs.

We both groaned at the same time, then looked at each other and burst out laughing. 

"You suck, Hazel." I stuck my tounge out at him.

We both struggled in getting up, and we tried again with our sore bums. After a little more effort, I sort of got the hang of gliding around slowly.

"That's it, Hazel. You got this!" Evans said enthusiastically. We skated to the railings to take a break, standing there catching our breaths.

I looked up at him, his lips deep red from the cold, a rosy blush and his hair that needed a cut was all messy. I smiled, and he looked at me too. In the quiet moment, you could've heard my racing heartbeat. He leaned a little closed and I couldn't stop myself either. I pulled him in for a kiss.

As we left the rink, I realized I'd been feeling high all along because my heart just dropped remembering what I had to tell him. I'd ruin this if I told him. I'd lose him. I don't know how he'll react. What if he gets upset or angry?

"What're thinking about?" He asked me, noticing my concern.

"Nothing." I answered, smiling.

♡♡♡

HELLO... it's me.

Ok updating after forever, sorry. But I'm back and I'll update sooner. This story's pretty amateur. But it's okay, it's still cute. Byee