.

.

.

.

..........M.E.R.I.D.I.A.N......L.I.G.H.T.S..........

.

.

Glancing at the enormous building in front of me, I gripped the straps of my backpack nervously before letting out a shaky breath.

I didn't know why I was so nervous. I mean, it's just a meeting where it would determine my future in figure skating. The hell, I just made myself more nervous than I initially was.

Shaking my head to be rid of random thoughts, I opened the door to what would be my new home-rink for the rest of my competitive years in this sport.

When I first took a look around, I was kind of surprised. The Toronto Cricket & Curling Club was like a hotel based on its reception area. Further in, I could see a restaurant style lounge through a set of elegant double doors.

"Miss, can I help you?" a smartly dressed receptionist asked me behind the wooden counter.

"Oh, um, yes," I stuttered, blush covering my cheeks as I felt out place in this elegant establishment. When the website said that the TCC was a prestigious sports club that was founded dozens of years ago, they weren't kidding one bit.

I scuffed my worn, faded rubber shoes against the recently polished floor as I viciously regretted not dressing up just a little bit. I was wearing a grey hoodie, faded pants, black backpack, along with my supposedly white but sadly not white rubber shoes.

Gathering the little courage I had, I met the curious stare of the receptionist. "I'm looking for Mr. Orser? Do you know where he is?"

"Brian Orser? You just missed him, he left a couple of minutes ago. Don't worry, he'll be back soon. Do you have an appointment with him?"

"Uh, yes... and no. I was supposed to meet him yesterday but my flight got delayed." I grimaced as I remembered the hellish interconnecting flights that I had to go through. "Is there a chance I can meet him even without appointment? He was expecting me yesterday..." I trailed off as I didn't know what more to say.

"Oh, ok, let me check." The receptionist typed a few things in her computer, possibly looking at the schedule of the instructors. It took a few minutes before she finally looked up. "Fortunately, Coach Brian has an hour free before his next class at 2pm. I just don't know if he'll be back before then..."

We both looked at the enormous grandfather clock at the side of the lounge. It was already 1:16pm.

"If you want, you can wait inside?" the receptionist offered kindly. "Or, I can schedule you for another appointment tomorrow?"

"No, it's ok. I'll take the risk." I smiled at her, before I gestured entering the restaurant. "Is it ok if I...?"

"Certainly, may I have your name please? I'll tell Coach Brian about you when he comes back."

"Elana. Elana Ferrer," I replied, readjusting my backpack again.

A few moments later of giving identification and signing on the logbook for guests, I was free to roam around the place. From where I was standing on the restaurant style lounge, I could see the gigantic rink behind the large windows.

"Wow." I gaped as skaters of varying nationalities and instructors zoomed by. The rink had the height of two floors combined into one to give it a stadium-like feel. On one side of the rink were different flags hanging on the walls, on the other side was a resting area with benches on it. I could see that there was an office on the far side accompanied by a gym directly above it.

I approached the window and slowly touched the glass with my fingertips. Excitement rushed through me as I visualized myself joining the other skaters behind this window.

Soon.

I gave one final smile before I looked around. I wasn't famished so I decided to explore the club. Checking my watch, I could spare several minutes before coming back here again. I decided not to go too far just in case I miss Coach Brian again.

Passing through the hallways and nodding politely at the people I encountered, I started to feel more comfortable in this place. Last time I checked the website, I noticed a swimming pool in this club. Problem was, even when I went round and round the place, I couldn't find it anywhere.

The easy way to get there was to ask anyone here actually, but I wanted to explore this club on my own for the heck of it. Somehow, I found myself in the basement. Contrary to other basements where it would be grimy and dark, the basement in TCC was a comfortable place to hang out with the couches and the trendy café. There was even a way through the glass doors leading to the tennis and cricket grounds.

Judging from the iced drinks, frappes, and cheesy nachos that were being served, I felt my stomach finally grumble in protest. It brought me back to reality.

"Shit!" I cursed as I saw that it was already 1:48pm.

Through trial and error, with me losing my way around this maze of an establishment, I finally came back to the lounge area. Just in time, I saw the receptionist I talked to earlier looking around the place. When she saw me, her face lit up. "Coach Brian is in his office."

"Sorry! I was walking around when I got lost..."

"No worries, just head towards that hall. At the corner, turn right. His office is in the second one."

"Ok, thank you!"

I followed the receptionist's directions and, now, I stood in front of the door of my future coach. Nervousness began to bubble inside me again. I tried to open the door, but just when my hand was about to touch the knob, I hesitated and retracted my hand. This happened a few times, I didn't know why I was this nervous. I tried again... keyword on tried...

"Hello." A warm, mellow voice reached my ears, causing me to jump in fright. "Are you going to go in?"

"Oh, uh, um..." I bit my lip as my cheeks flushed in a healthy dose shyness and embarrassment. Standing beside me was a blond woman with a kind, smiling face. Her blue eyes flashed in understanding as I shifted awkwardly.

"Are you here to sign up for classes?" she asked, shifting the box full of files in her arms.

"Ah! Here, I didn't mean to block the way..." I immediately opened the door for the blond woman.

"Thank you." She smiled as she passed through while I was holding the door open. I hesitated again before following behind her.

"Tracy, have you seen the..." Brian was shuffling the papers on his desk when he saw me standing inside his office in pure awkwardness. "Oh, hello, you must be Elana Ferrer?"

"Yes," I trailed off before I shook myself out of it. "Please, just Elana will do." We shook hands.

"Brian Orser," Brian introduced himself, before he grinned. "Likewise, Coach Brian will do."

"Yes Coach. I'm sorry, I wasn't able to attend yesterday. My flight got delayed."

"It's ok, the Philippine Federation informed me about it. Please, have a seat." Brian smiled, as he gestured to the seat beside his desk.

"We have a new student?" Tracy got a pleasant surprise as she set down the box of files on one of the tables.

"Yep, Elana, meet Coach Tracy. She's one of the main instructors here."

"Hello," I politely greeted, also shaking her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too. I hope you enjoy it here."

We all finally sat down around Coach Brian's desk as they started to interview me.

"Have you settled in?" Coach Tracy began. "It must've been such a long flight."

"Not at the moment, I just got here yesterday night. I still need to fix up the place."

"Still got jetlag, huh?" Coach Brian grinned, as he took out a blank file. He had a pen on his hand. "Just relax today. We'll take it easy until we get you adjusted to this place, alright?"

"Ok, thank you Coach."

"I'll just a few questions then we'll take you to the rink, get a feel of it." Coach Brian said.

"Yes Coach."

"Ok, tell us, what kind of music do you usually go for?"

"Hm." I seriously thought about before looking up at them. "I'm versatile. I guess, it depends on what I want to choreograph for the season."

"Really?" Coach Tracy was astonished. "You choreograph your own programs?"

"Yes, I love working on my choreo. Sometimes, I get advice from my dance instructors whenever I want to follow a particular dance style. My past coach also helps a bit by giving me some pointers."

"I saw videos of your past programs. I gotta say you're really good. We'll be happy to support you in your future programs whenever you need it." Coach Brian smiled and continued, "We actually have another instructor here that helps in the skater's choreography. If you're having trouble, you can approach any of us."

"Thank you Coach."

"Ok, next question," Coach Brian said, jotting down notes on the file. "What's your goal next season? Well, actually, this season. It's only a month before the start of the Grand Prix series..." He had a difficult expression on his face as he said that.

It's true. It's already the middle of September and the start of the Grand Prix series would take place on the last week of October, specifically at the NHK Trophy in Japan. I heard that Coach Brian accepts students starting June, and July was already late. It was kind of a miracle that he still accepted me when I arrived so late this September.

"I... I want to win," I shamelessly admitted, my face was hot but I looked directly at him as I said it. "I know I can do it. I also know that I have plenty to work on. I know it's only a month before the season starts, but I'll do what I can to improve myself in that remaining time."

Both Coach Brian and Coach Tracy were surprised by my bluntness.

"You have that fire," Coach Brian started, before quirking his lips. "I like that. You're right, for this upcoming season, it's too late to properly build your skills from the ground up, but as I said, you're really good. Honestly speaking, I wouldn't accept you this season if I didn't notice your potential."

Coach Brian had a serious air about him as he put down his pen, he continued, "I wouldn't accept you because it's already too late, only a month left before the next one. It would just hinder your progress if you changed mid-way. But I remembered your performance in the Olympics, I noticed that fire in you."

"Ah!" Coach Tracy suddenly let out, then her face lit up as recognition dawned on her. "That's right, you're that girl who made that comeback. That was amazing."

I shifted shyly on my seat as I was met with praise left and right.

"Do you have a program ready for the upcoming season?" Coach Tracy asked.

"Yes, I have it here." I took out the cd from my backpack and gave it to them. "It's an extra. My past coach always required me to produce one so that he can have a copy."

"Thanks, we'll play it later in the rink," Coach Tracy said, patting the cd on the table. "The only thing we'll have you do today is to do a couple of exercises and you'll have to do a run-through of your programs so that we can see what needs to be improved on. Are you up for that? Or, do you want to do it tomorrow?"

"No, it's fine Coach. I can do it." I nodded resolutely.

"Great!" Coach Tracy smiled.

"One last thing," Coach Brian said, leaning back on his armchair. "You told us your goal for this next season. What about in the next five years? Where do you see yourself? What is your goal?"

I met his gaze for a moment as I thought about his question, then I smiled and replied, "To win Olympic Gold."

*****

It's been a week since I first started training in the TCC. My training regimen doubled from what I was used to, and it's been killing me.

The skaters enrolled in the TCC were surprisingly few. I guess I was just used to an avalanche of skaters from my experience back in the Philippines. Nagoya even had more skaters than this place. I soon learned from the others that Coach Brian's highly publicized scandal might have something to do with it. There were several Korean skaters here in the past, but they left one after another when Kim Yuna did.

Of course, what I heard was gossip and, from all the training I've been doing lately, I didn't have the energy to pay this gossip any mind even if I wanted to. Besides, a coaching change was kind of common every after Olympics. Look what I did.

Fresh out of my step sequence, I circled around the ice then executed a triple Salchow the moment after.

"Elana, watch the axis," Coach Ghislain, the jumping specialist among the coaches, called out as I passed by. "Don't lean too much on the side. Make sure to steady your upper body."

"Yes Coach." I wiped my sweaty forehead with the back of my hand as I gained speed once again. I repeated the step sequence in my long program prior to jumping another triple Salchow, more cleanly this time.

"Good job! Good job!" Coach Ghislain clapped then he focused on the other skaters at the rink.

I placed my hands on my waist as I absentmindedly glided for awhile, trying to get back my breath. My stamina needed to be worked on, just a couple of jumps left me breathless. Patting my legs, I upped my speed and retraced my steps, paying utmost attention to my choreography. There were some aspects of my program that needed improvement and I was troubleshooting what to do next.

The skaters in this rink had apparently surrendered their program music to the instructors, and for good use. The program music of different skaters had continuously been playing throughout our practice session and we would give way for that particular skater if their music was on, just like when it came to the practice sessions in official events.

When my music came on, I focused on the steps and spins whilst I forgo the jumps. I slowly lost myself in my program as I let the music envelope me. I moved in tune with it taking careful note of my edges.

It was Coach Tracy who pointed out that I sometimes shift suddenly with my edge that it damages the continuing transition I was aiming for. I didn't even know I had that problem but I was glad that it was made known.

When my program music came to an end, I posed in my final form for a second before letting go. I gasped for breath as the exhaustion hit me head on. I didn't know why I was so tired, I didn't even jump in my run-through.

"Elana," I heard someone speak up, it was Coach David. He's the one who mainly helped the skaters with their choreography. "When you pose at the end, make sure to pivot fully in an arc. Don't forget, move your arms gently, not forcefully, but gentle like a wave." He acted the pose himself as he explained and I mirrored him.

He nodded in satisfaction. "Yes, just like that. Also, when you get in that spiral sequence, make sure to snap your movements and move a little more swiftly. Don't forget that while you're performing for the judges, you're also performing for the audience. Try to bring in more flair to your movements and engage the audience with your program."

"Ok Coach." I nodded.

Coach David helped me a lot in the last few days. He focused on me as I did my programs, helping and suggesting moves to make the routines flow more smoothly and naturally. Now that I thought about it, maybe that's why I was so exhausted even when I didn't do my jumps.

With all the added movements and the fast-paced steps, it made my program more complex and had eventually reached a higher level of difficulty. Coach David helped me develop my step sequence to level 4, at least if I perform it correctly in swift precision.

In less than a month, the new season would start. Even if I felt like dying with all the work that I was doing, the countdown made me determined to do what I could to improve. My biggest nemesis would be my stamina. If I didn't have enough stamina, then even with my complex program, I wouldn't be able to perform it.

I decided to take a break for a while. I put on my blade guards and sat on one of the empty benches while thirstily gulping down what little water I had left in my tumbler. Every muscle in my body was protesting. I pushed myself too hard. I needed a break lest I come down with something.

"Still doing ok?" I glanced up and saw Coach Brian grinning at me from his position at the side of the rink. He had one hand on his jacket pocket while the other was holding a cup of coffee. It seemed that he was observing his skaters on the side all this time.

"My muscles are screaming at me," I admitted as I winced when I shifted.

"Don't rush it," Coach Brian advised. "This takes time. You'll eventually get there. It wouldn't do to knock yourself out of the competition before the actual competition even begins."

"I know." I sighed, stretching my legs before me as I drank again from my tumbler. "I'm just worried that my stamina wouldn't be enough."

"As I said, it takes time. I noticed your improvement. Remember that change doesn't happen overnight, so just keep doing what you're doing and, most importantly, trust us and trust yourself because hard work doesn't lie."

"Ok, thanks Coach." I smiled gratefully at him.

"By the way, have you decided which event you're competing in yet? Your federation told me that it's ultimately your decision when it comes to these things."

"Yes, the Philippine Federation is much more hands off than others," I explained, and then I hummed in thoughtfulness. "Hm, I need more time to practice... I was thinking NHK Trophy and Skate America."

"Are you sure? NHK is more or less three weeks away."

"I can't prolong the inevitable." My shoulders slumped down.

"Hey, I told you, we'll get there." Coach Brian grinned and then he sipped more of his steaming cup of coffee.

*****

It was late in the afternoon when I dragged myself through the doors of my apartment. I was dead tired from today's practice.

I lived ten minutes away from the TCC. The low-rise apartment building was newly built that's why my apartment had this comfortable, modern design going on. Some of my things were still unpacked and currently collecting dust at the corners of the living room.

Knowing that I would only get a headache if I slept in my current sweaty state, I forced myself to take a shower, scrubbing the dirt away from my body methodically before setting up the bathtub for a nice good soak. There was a shower room in the TCC, but I preferred showering in my own home where I could relax immediately after.

During my comfortable soak in the tub, my hazy mind suddenly became clear when my phone sounded in notification. I groaned as I sluggishly reached for my phone and noticed that it was a Line message. There was only one Line friend I had at the moment.

How're you today?

Dead.

How dead?

I yawned as I typed in a reply.

I feel like a Zamboni ran me over. Come, massage me. Quickly. D;

I wish I could. I'm a senior now, the federation just came out with our assignments.

Ooh, where to? I'm in NHK and Skate America.

NHK! I'm in NHK as well, but my second event is in Cup of Russia... :(

I smiled as I read his reply. I quickly typed back.

Wooo! Oh yeah! I miss you! At least we're in one event together. :D

I miss you too...

Hey, hey, Yuzuru... if we qualify then we can be in two events together. Let's go to the Grand Prix Finals!

... you do know I just graduated to senior, right?

So what dude?! When I first turned senior, I shamelessly went to the Olympics!

Oh what the heck, ok, let's try it.

I stepped out of the tub and dried myself off. Brushing my hair, I dropped my dirty clothes in the laundry, turned on the a/c and the television before finally flumping down my comfy bed. All this while, I was naked as the day I was born.

Yawning, I got into the covers as I set a movie on a replay loop. With the bedside lamp on and the movie on replay, I was ready to sleep. It became a habit of mine to do this routine whenever I was alone in either a hotel or a house. It made me feel a little less lonely.

What are you doing now?

Sleeping, what time is it there?

Lunch time, I'm on break.

Don't you have school? You bring your phone with you to school? Bad Boy Yuzu!

I'm badass like that >:D

My laugh turned into a huge yawn midway through.

Well, mighty badass one, I really need to sleep. I'm yawning like crazy.

Ok, go get your beauty sleep. I'll talk to you tomorrow, bye! :D

Good night/morning! Have a fun lunch! ;)

*****

I was currently on my morning jog. Coach Brian was the one responsible for all the hellish exercises I've been subjected to. Even mornings outside the rink, I had to do my scheduled exercises. The only thing I was thankful for was that the coaches back in TCC weren't too strict when it came to my diet. I was actually free to eat whatever I wanted as long as I maintain my ideal weight with these exercises.

The air in Canada was getting cold hinting that winter was near. It wasn't too cold that I had to wear tons of clothes but it was comfortable enough that I didn't have to deal with being so sticky while I jogged.

As usual, I was listening to music with my earphones. Not my program music, but random ones to get my body pumping. Suddenly, the song I was singing along to was interrupted by a call. Not halting my jog, I clicked the call button on my earphone.

"Hello?"

"Era," Yuzuru's voice came through.

"Yuzu! What's up?" I was surprised since all we did in the past month was chat in Line. For good reason, calls were expensive. "Why the call?"

"No reason, I missed hearing you."

"You sound like a love-lorn teenager." I chuckled, stopping my jog as I saw a vending machine nearby.

"You were the one who broke my heart in the airport. Take some responsibility for that."

"Yeah right." I rolled my eyes sarcastically. I picked a chilled soda and waited for it to descend. I continued to joke, "Some heartbreak will do good for you now and then. How many teenage girls confessed to you now?"

I heard a huff of amusement at the other side of the line. "Not a lot. I'm a gentleman, you know? I think some of them got intimidated by how friendly I was to them."

Taking the soda out of the vending machine, I popped it open and grinned at this brat. "Kill love with friendliness, nice strategy."

"I only learn from the best."

"Oh, stop it Yuzu." I sipped my soda and sighed contently as the cold drink trickled down my throat. "So, how's that sweet girl at the beach? Any updates?"

"Why exactly are we talking about these girls?"

"What? I'm interested."

"Jealous?"

"Yeah, I'm jealous that my badass Yuzu is gonna be taken away soon!" I exaggeratedly exclaimed.

"Good thing for you, I don't like jealousy." He seemed to want to say something more before he stopped.

"We'll see each other in a week." I sat down at an empty bench and gazed at the large pond in the middle of the park. Some people had started to roam about the place but not enough to break the peacefulness of the scenery.

"You're coming early?"

"Yeah, need to scout the venue and all." I leaned back on the bench as I relaxed and eased my tensed body. "You? When are you going to Nagoya?"

"Just about the same time."

I then realized something. "It's late right now in your place?"

"Not exactly, it's 9pm here."

"13 hours difference..."

"We're basically at separate ends of the world."

"It's not that far," I said, then sensing Yuzuru's question, I continued, "I mean, if you laid the world map flat down and added a new world map next to it, we're pretty near."

"... you're getting weird again."

"It's true!" I protested, adamant.

"Fine, let's go think it your way."

"Besides, we're only a phone call away," I added.

"A very expensive phone call."

"You're the one that called," I pointed out. "Why are you being so negative? I thought you're a gentleman?"

"I'm a bully, remember?"

"Gosh, I knew that term will come bite me in the ass someday."

.

.

..........M.E.R.I.D.I.A.N......L.I.G.H.T.S..........

.

.

(Not an exciting chapter, but it needed to be done. I would love to add more details about Elana's training in TCC but I didn't want to bore you guys.)

(By the way, I miss you guys too! Thank you for the continued support even when I wasn't able to update for so long. I was really worried that this novel was forgotten.)

(I actually wrote a chapter before this one, it's in Yuzuru's POV... but then I thought that it was too soon to have a Yuzu POV... or is it? It's already written, but the content of his monologue... was it appropriate for a 15 year old to think like that?)

(Yes, Yuzuru is only 15 - turning 16 -, so I can't exactly progress here. That's why I'm zooming by the years. It's freakin' hard to write when age is such a constriction. Why the hell did I think that having an older Female Lead is such a great idea? Why?)

(I know that many of you feel like Elana is dense when it comes to romance, I actually think so too LOL! But it's really hard for her to take a 15 year old boy seriously, lmao!~)

(If you're looking forward for more chapters, please leave a vote and/or a comment. It means a lot to me and I get really happy when I see new notifications.)

(Thank you!~)