Lucas and Maya returned to the rink, their faces clouded with frustration, silence weighing heavily between them. Without exchanging a word, they stood back to back, the cold of the ice nothing compared to the frosty tension that hung in the air.
A coach approached them, a clipboard in hand, his expression stern.
"Finally. You're both here. This is the routine for your pair performance. I'm in charge of your training."
He extended the paper toward them. Neither Maya nor Lucas made a move to take it—or even glance at it.
Raising an eyebrow, the coach asked, "You don't want to see your routine?"
Lucas scoffed, not even looking at Maya. "I can learn any routine in a day. Give it to her. Maybe she'll manage to pull herself together by the next competition."
Maya shot back instantly. "Yeah, like how you trained for two days before the last competition—and lost."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "I lost? That was by a single vote. A vote you probably got from your friends."
Maya smirked. "Sure, oh shining star of the Silver House. So why were you training yourself into the ground last week if you're so above it all?"
Lucas snapped, "I wasn't training for you! You're the one who's had her eyes on me from day one!"
Maya scoffed. "Wow… Narcissistic much? On the ice, maybe you're a star—but off it? You're painfully average."
Lucas smirked proudly. "You know how many girls are after me?"
Maya glanced behind him. "Yeah, they're probably lining up right now."
Lucas turned quickly. No one was there. He glared at Maya. "You—"
Maya cut him off, turning to the coach. "Coach, I can't focus today. May I be excused until tomorrow?"
The coach, clearly stunned, nodded slowly. "Uh... sure. That's fine."
Without another word or glance at Lucas, Maya walked off the rink.
Lucas watched her leave, mouth agape. Then turned to the coach, fuming. "See? If Coach Lian didn't baby her so much, she wouldn't act like this. I'm not skating with her. I'd rather perform with my aunt than this arrogant girl!"
The coach muttered under his breath, staring at the paper, "Why am I even coaching these two? Lian's mad at me, not them..."
Maya stormed into her room, slamming the door shut. "Self-absorbed... arrogant... Who does he think he is?"
Lucy, doing her makeup, and Sophia, getting dressed, turned to her in surprise.
Lucy asked, "Maya? Everything okay? Did you talk to the coach?"
Maya forced a smile. "No, it's nothing. Where are you two going?"
Sophia beamed. "Zimo and Hwan are taking us to buy matching practice outfits. Thought we'd coordinate from day one."
Maya sighed. "Lucky you. Already going shopping... I'm jealous."
Lucy smiled. "Actually, the whole dorm's jealous of you."
Sophia added, "Yeah, not everyone gets to skate with Lucas."
Maya snapped, "Don't even say that selfish guy's name! I need to convince Coach Lian to switch my partner. Alexander's unbearable!"
Sophia snorted, "Lucas."
Maya grumbled, "Whatever. Two names, double the pain."
Then, mischievously: "You sure you don't wanna switch partners with me?"
Lucy and Sophia both grabbed their things and dashed out, claiming they were late.
Maya was left alone.
That night, sleep evaded her. Ideas churned in her mind. By morning, she had a plan. She limped into the rink, an elastic bandage wrapped tightly around her ankle.
Spotting Coach Lian, she approached slowly.
"Hi, Coach... I was going to visit your office, but my ankle started hurting again. It's an old injury acting up. Could I have a few days off to rest?"
Lian's gaze dropped to her ankle, calm and unreadable. "Alright. Three days. No practice."
Maya smiled brightly. "Thank you. I just don't want Lucas's practice delayed. Maybe... pair him with someone else?"
Lian gave her a small smile. "It's admirable that you're thinking of your partner. Let's go to my office and review the roster."
Inside, Maya was giddy—but kept up the limp. If Lian looked, she limped. If not, she walked normally.
As they stepped into the office, her fake smile faded. Lucas was already there, sitting casually.
Lian said calmly, "Lucas, I've got bad news... and worse news. Which do you want first?"
Lucas sighed, "Worse."
Lian: "Maya's injured and wants to switch partners."
Lucas feigned sorrow. "Oh no! That's so upsetting. Hope she gets better soon."
Lian nodded. "Now the bad news... Since you're also injured, neither of you can practice."
Maya blinked. "Wait, what? Lucas is hurt?"
Lucas casually placed his bandaged wrist on the table.
Lian: "Fell down the stairs yesterday. Hurt his wrist."
Maya smirked. "Aww... How tragic."
Lucas stuck his tongue out at her.
Lian chuckled. "Since you're both out, take time to rest. You'll resume together."
Maya protested, "But you said we could switch partners!"
Lian smiled. "Now you're equally injured. Better to stay together. That way, you'll look out for each other."
Lucas jumped in, "Coach, my wrist isn't that bad. I can train now."
Lian raised an eyebrow. "That's not what you said two minutes ago."
Maya glared at him.
Lian stood. "Now, both of you, out. I've got work to do. And please… no more silly tricks. My decision's final."
Maya and Lucas got up slowly, guilt and tension hanging between them. They walked out, saying nothing. But as the office door clicked shut behind them, Maya turned, eyes blazing.
Lucas growled, "What? Like I ruined everything on my own? You hurt yourself, amateur."
Maya snapped, "Says the guy who wrapped a bandage around his wrist for show. You think the coach is that dumb?"
Lucas retorted, "She believed me—until you ruined it."
Maya: "You could've come up with a better plan, genius."
Lucas: "Sorry I didn't know you were working with your tiny brain on the same lame idea."
Maya rolled her eyes: "Whatever. What now? Everything's messed up."
Lucas shrugged: "Don't ask me. You ruined it. You can't even fake a limp properly."
Maya: "Oh really? And people with wrist injuries don't do their hair with that hand."
Lucas: "I forgot, okay? The coach didn't notice. Ugh, you're just bad luck to even look at."
He stormed off. Maya muttered, "You're the bad luck, not me."
She returned to the rink and silently watched others train. On the far side, Lucas sat on a bench, pretending to watch but clearly lost in thought.
An hour passed.
Lucas approached Maya. She didn't look up.
Maya muttered, "I don't think we can change the coach's mind."
Lucas: "Then we'll have to train."
Maya sighed. "Seems like it. Might as well start today."
Lucas warned, "Just don't get on my nerves."
Maya: "Right back at you, self-obsessed star."
Lucas glared. Maya ignored him, unwrapping her ankle. Lucas did the same with his wrist. Both still fuming—but silently agreeing to move forward.
From the office window above, Coach Lian watched them. A small smile formed.
"Not the worst start... Let's hope they figure it out before the end."