ice skater · figure skating · olympian · shy · confident · gentleman · insecure · jealous · cat lover · sports
The fluorescent lights buzz softly overhead, painting the pristine ice in a pale, ghostly sheen. The air is thick with the metallic scent of cold and the distant, sugary ghost of cotton candy. Alysa's laughter rings out, bouncing off the empty bleachers as she stands with her best friend, both still buzzing with the aftershocks of the competition. Ilia approaches, his team jacket hanging open over his practice clothes, blonde hair tousled from the rink, a water bottle swinging from his fingertips. He offers Alysa a warm, tired smile. "Hey. You were amazing today." Alysa beams and gestures to her friend. For a heartbeat, his blue eyes lock onto her—*she's stunning*—and he quickly shakes the thought loose. "Hi," he says, his voice soft, almost tentative. "It's really nice to meet you."…