Instead of being asleep or studying late at night, I found myself on the phone with Jess, listening to her gush about her Valentine’s date. The late night call had somehow stretched to over two hours, yet the number of words I had spoken could be counted on one hand.

Not that I have much to add. I avoid romance as much as possible. 

During her shift yesterday, Greg asked Jess if she wanted to go to the ice rink with him for Valentine’s. Of course she said yes, her eyes all a-twinkle, her smile overtaking the rest of her features. Study plans with Naddie were crumbled up and thrown in the trash.

Jess is a very competent skater, considering the fact she only does it twice a year. She’d practice more if the rest of us were willing, but after a few traumatic experiences that will never be spoken of, we’re not interested. Zach would be, but he avoids crowds like the plague, and the rink is always packed.

Greg made the perfect move inviting her there. She was buzzing with giddy excitement the whole school day, then dashed off before the bell finished ringing. I suspect she imagined gliding with Greg, performing all sorts of pirouettes and spins across the ice, weaving in with music that special way pair figure skaters do.

Turns out, Greg can’t skate. Jess found out as she easily slid out onto the rink, did a lap, only to find him clinging to the edge for dear life, knees locked in a desperate semblance of balance.

‘Why did you invite me to ice skate if you can’t do it yourself?’ she asked, trying hard not to laugh at the sight.

‘You mentioned once that you enjoy it, but never have the chance to go, so I figured…’ Greg grinned sheepishly.

His words made her pause, and she pursed her lips in thought. A small smile crept onto her face as she reached out for his hands, intertwining their fingers.

‘Come on,’ she said. ‘I’ll teach you the basics. It’s like dancing, you just have to let loose.’

I’ve known Jess a long time. She’s omitting a big portion of the story here, so I’ll add it in for her: Jess cannot teach to save her life. Greg must have fallen multiple times, most likely earning many bruises for his charming idea.

What Jess focused on instead was how they held hands the entire time. And though they were both wearing gloves, the energy of that touch was “magnetic”.

‘You suffered enough,’ Jess eventually said. ‘Let’s go have some hot chocolate to warm up, my treat.’

‘Hot chocolate sounds great, but only if I get to pay,’ he smiled, and despite her protests, he kept insisting.

Jess pouted, then grinned. ‘What a gentleman, thank you,’ she said, and quickly gave him a little kiss on the cheek.

Before he could react, she skated back into the centre of the rink, disappearing into a dizzying number of spins. Her hair flew loosely around, hiding her bright red cheeks.