Page 30 of Boots & Scars

The students looked at each other nervously, but Cooper just shook his head and gestured towards the ice.

"Well, go on then," he said. "I ain't got all day."

The students stepped onto the ice, their movements hesitant and unsure. I watched as they wobbled and stumbled, their arms flailing as they tried to keep their balance.

Cooper followed them onto the ice, his hands shoved into his pockets. "Jesus Christ," he muttered. "It's like watching a bunch of newborn deer trying to walk."

I couldn't help but giggle at his comment, earning me a glare from Cooper.

"What's so funny?" he snapped.

"Nothing," I said, trying to keep a straight face. "Just enjoying the show."

Cooper rolled his eyes and skated over to the students, his movements smooth and effortless. "All right, listen up," he said. "You gotta bend your knees and keep your weight centered. And for the love of God, don't lean back."

The students nodded, their faces etched with concentration as they tried to follow Cooper's instructions. I watched as they slowly began to gain their footing, their movements becoming more fluid with each passing moment.

As I skated past them, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. It was amazing to see how far they had come in such a short amount of time, and I knew it was all thanks to Cooper's guidance.

I glanced over at him, expecting to see a look of satisfaction on his face. But instead, I was met with a scowl.

"Don't go getting any ideas," he said, his voice low. "I'm not here to make friends."

I glided over to one of the students, a girl who looked like she was barely staying upright. Her knees were locked, and her arms were flailing wildly as she tried to maintain her balance.

"Hey there," I said, skating up beside her. "You're doing great, but try bending your knees a little more. It'll help you stay stable."

The girl looked at me with wide, panicked eyes. "I'm trying," she said, her voice shaking. "But I feel like I'm going to fall any second."

I held out my hand to her. "Here, let me help you."

She hesitated for a moment before reaching out and grasping my hand tightly. I could feel her trembling as I began to guide her across the ice.

"That's it," I said, my voice calm and reassuring. "Just take it slow and steady."

We skated together for a few moments, the girl's grip on my hand never loosening. I could feel the tension in her body as she tried to stay upright, but gradually, I felt her begin to relax.

"You're doing amazing," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Just keep breathing and focusing on your balance."

But just as the words left my mouth, the girl's skate caught on a rough patch of ice. She let out a yelp of surprise and instinctively clung tighter to my hand, pulling me off balance.

I tried to steady myself, but it was too late. We both went tumbling down onto the hard, unforgiving ice. Pain shot through my hip as I hit the ground, and I heard the girl cry out beside me.

For a moment, we both lay there, stunned and breathless. I could feel the cold seeping through my clothes, and my hip throbbed with a dull ache.

I heard the sound of skates scraping against the ice, and then Cooper's voice cut through the air.

"What the hell happened?" he demanded, his tone sharp with irritation.

I pushed myself up onto my elbows, wincing at the pain in my hip. "We fell," I said, stating the obvious.

Cooper rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no shit. This is why you don't help. Good intentions have consequences."

He held out a hand to me, and I took it gratefully, allowing him to pull me to my feet. I stumbled a bit, my hip protesting the sudden movement, but Cooper's grip on my arm kept me steady.

"There's never anything wrong with good intentions. And I'm fine," I said, brushing off my clothes. "Just a little bruised."

I turned to the girl, who was still lying on the ice, her face pale and her eyes wide with shock.