The competition was in the next town over, but they managed to get there before it started. Luckily, Lyric had planned to meet Michael there, so he was able to save them all seats after Lyric texted him the new plan.

“So, what is this?” Lyric’s dad asked, looking around the arena.

“Figure skating.” Lyric hissed. She accepted the program that Michael offered to her.

As she started to scan it, she realized that she had never asked Luke what his last name was. Luckily, there was only one Luke listed. Luke Smith.

“So, his last name is Smith.” She mused quietly to herself.

Just then the lights dimmed.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” An announcer’s voice filled the arena. “Welcome to the third Rosegoode community figure skating completion. Before we begin, let me introduce you all to our panel of judges.”

A spotlight waved over a table occupied by three people right beside the ice. They were introduced by name, and their credentials were stated, but none of it meant anything to Lyric. She thought she should ask Luke afterwards, if she remembered.

The competition started with a nine-year-old girl dressed in yellow. Lyric watched, impressed by her confidence, knowing that she could never skate like that. But when she stopped comparing the girl to herself and instead thought of Luke, she was less impressed. She had to remind herself that the girl was much younger than Luke.

The program separated female and male skaters with a short intermission, during which a Zamboni ran over the ice.

“That was… different.” Lyric’s dad commented.

“I thought it was beautiful.” Her mom picked up her purse and placed it on her lap. “But you never told us which one was your friend. Who am I rooting for?”

“He hasn’t gone yet.”

“Wait?” Her dad turned to stare at her. “Men do that?”

Lyric glared at him, but it was Michael who spoke. “Yes, and in big competitions, they do four rotations on jumps instead of three.” Lyric could hear the admiration in his voice. Then he got up and walked past them to the aisle. “I’m getting something to drink. Anyone want anything?”

“Hot chocolate!” Lyric chimed. Her parents declined and Michael slipped into the crowd.

“I’m surprised.” Her dad muttered after a moment. He was looking at Lyric with a raised eyebrow. “When we go to Michael’s games, you jump at any opportunity to leave the arena.”

Lyric’s stomach twisted. “You noticed that?” She looked away. “I, uh, needed to escape the cold.”

“But not this time?”

She thought about it for a moment. She had to admit that watching the skating had distracted her from feeling cold, but even now she didn’t feel the need to leave. Maybe all those hours watching Luke practice had gotten her body used to the temperature without her realizing.

In response to her father, she just shrugged. “I’m fine.”

Michael got back with Lyric’s hot chocolate and a soda for himself. Lyric sipped her drink while Michael and her dad talked about hockey stuff. It wasn’t long before the second half of the competition was starting.

Lyric watched the male skaters, eagerly awaiting Luke’s turn. It wasn’t that it wasn’t fun to watch them, but it was hard to appreciate their programs while waiting for a specific one.

Finally, the announcer gave the introduction she was waiting for. “Luke Smith. Sixteen years old.”

Luke glided out onto the ice, the light glinting off the rainbow sequins on his shirt. He took his starting position at center ice and waited.

Then the music started and he was off. The program was perfect, everything on time and on point, just the way Lyric remembered from his practices. Even though she had seen it so many times, she was still captivated by the grace with which he moved. It was so fluid, one element leading to the next.

The music Lyric had come up with was a pop medley. A single song performed by different artists in many different languages. She had cut it together herself, making sure that the English version was used only to emphasize certain themes that Luke had said he wanted to convey when he skated.

All too soon, the track was ending. Luke did his final jump, landing and going immediately into a complicated spin. With the last note, he came to a stop and struck his end pose, his arms stretched high into the air and looking to the sky.

There was a moment.

And then, all around Lyric, people where jumping to their feet and cheering. Of course, she was right there with them. Beside her, Michael produced an ear-splitting whistle. Even her parents were on their feet.

On the ice, Luke lowered his gaze from the ceiling. He looked around at the crowd for only a second. Then he was making a beeline for the edge of the ice. Lyric lost sight of him as he disappeared into wherever the skaters came from.