Page 106 of My Last Dance

“Not that kinda Gala,” Patrick explained with a chuckle. “It’s an exhibition, like an ice show. It’s tradition for skaters to participate in one after the US Nationals and again after the Olympics. They’re meant to be a fun way to come together and show off easy but fancy skills.”

“Wait,” Kappy frowned in thought. “That’s what you were Daisy Duke for!”

I paused.He watched that?

“You skated to a country mash-up, right? I liked those little shorts.” He wagged his eyebrows.

Of course.Blushing profusely, I smacked him upside the head, making him laugh.

“I’ve already run through all the scenarios,” Patrick continued. “I’ve scoped out everyone who will be at Sectionals. If you guys skate the way I know you can, you’ll fly through to Nationals, and I don’t wanna get caught in a lurch without a show number.”

“So, what should we do?” I asked.

Patrick squinted at his clipboard and scratched his cheek. “That’s the thing, I’m kinda stuck. We’ve already used all my ideas through the years. How about each of us brings a couple ideas to practice tomorrow?”

________

Back in my apartment, we went to our usual corners. Even though it was only 8 p.m., I could hear Kappy fully snoring on the couch.

I closed myself in my room, but without the costumes to work on, I felt fidgety and unbalanced, like I was forgetting something I should be doing.

Carl let out a low meow.

“I know, baby,” I pouted, grabbing him up to snuggle in bed.

Flipping on the TV, I settled on the newest thriller. I loved scary movies and all things Halloween. Watching scary movies made the scary parts of life feel minor. You couldn’t be upset about your lame love life while watching a damsel in distress running for her life through the woods, ya know?

My limbs were heavy with exhaustion, but between the screaming wind and harsh rain pelting at my windows and this intense movie, my eyes were wide open.

Of course the movie ended on a cliff-hanger, so I dove right into the sequel.

The main character on the screen darted into the woods, scrambling away from her killer. She had a hand on her car when something grabbed her ankle. She opened her mouth to scream and—

The screen went black.

I immediatelythrew the covers over my head.

What. The. Fuck?

My whole body trembled with panic.

Shit, shit, shit.

Maybe that movie wasn’t such a good idea.

Maybe—

“Ahh!”A scream tore from my throat, because someone wasstanding over me. Gripping my blanket over my head, I battled with the intruder. Carl let out a hiss. Wildly flinging my limbs, I felt my foot connect with something hard.

“Ow, fuck! Piper!”

Realization dawned on me like a bucket of cold water poured over my head.

Peeking out from under my blanket, I saw his familiar outline, and… and…Oh God.

“Carl! No!” Scrambling out of my twisted blankets, I jumped to my feet and tried to dislodge Carl from Kappy’s head. “Shh! Carl, baby, c’mere!” Finally gathering Carl, I snuggled him into my chest. “I’msosorry,” I squeaked out.

“That really hurt.” Kappy held his jaw. “Jesus, Piper.”

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