Felix's POV
Felix woke before his alarm.
For a few seconds, he stared at the ceiling.
Then he remembered why.
Training.
He reached for his phone. It was six in the morning.
"Too early."
He turned over.
But just then, his alarm went off.
Feeling defeated, Felix groaned. "Fine."
And he got out of bed.
...
By the time he reached the rink, the sun had barely risen.
The building was quiet, that was how he preferred it. Because there were fewer distractions.
There were no crowds, no cameras, no questions. Just the ice.
Felix stepped onto the rink and took a slow breath, the cold air filling his lungs.
He pushed away from the side.
One lap.
Then another.
His body gradually found its rhythm so he went on and practised his footwork.
Turns.
Spins.
Jumps.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Coach Vance watched from the side.
"Your landing was better." Coach Vance praised.
Felix stopped.
"Better?"
"Much better."
"That's almost a compliment."
"Don't get used to it."
Felix laughed skating back into position.
"Again?"
"Again."
The next attempt was cleaner. Felix landed and continued moving.
For the first time that morning, his mind was completely quiet.
Until it wasn't.
Aurora.
The thought appeared suddenly and he almost missed his next turn.
"Felix!" He heard his coach call out.
So he corrected himself.
"Sorry."
His coach frowned. "What happened?"
"Nothing."
"You nearly missed the turn."
"I know."
"You're distracted again."
Felix looked away. "I'm tired."
"That's not what I asked."
Felix sighed.
Coach Vance stared at him for a moment.
"Something has been bothering you recently, what is it?"
"Nothing."
"Someone?"
Felix froze.
Coach Vance smiled.
"I see."
"You see nothing."
"Of course."
Felix shook his head.
"Can we just train?"
"Sure."
His coach turned away.
Then added...
"Whatever her name is, she can wait until after the competition, I told you the last time."
Felix stared at him, not saying a word.
"Felix, I hope we're on board"
"Fine", Felix muttered between his teeth.
...
Training lasted another two hours.
By the end of it, Felix was exhausted. He sat on the bench, towel around his neck.
His phone vibrated.
It was a message from his father.
Father: Come home when you're finished.
Felix stared at it.
There was no mention of business, no meeting, no instructions, simply come home.
He put the phone away.
...
When he arrived home later that afternoon, his mother was in the kitchen.
"You look exhausted." She looked at him concerned.
"Training."
"I figured." She chuckled.
She handed him a glass of water.
"Your father wants to see you."
Felix looked at her.
"About what?" He inquired.
"I don't know."
He took a drink. "Is he angry?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
She smiled.
"Yes."
Felix nodded, then, headed towards his father's study.
He knocked.
"Come in." His father's voice sounded from inside the study.
Felix opened the door.
His father looked up from his desk.
"How is training?"
"Good."
"The competition is getting close."
"I know."
His father nodded.
"I know how important it is to you."
Felix wasn't expecting that.
He sat down.
"Thanks."
His father leaned back.
"I don't want you worrying about the company right now."
Felix blinked.
"What?"
"You heard me."
Felix studied him.
"You've been telling me for years that I need to prepare."
"You do."
"Then—"
"After the competition."
Felix was quiet.
His father continued.
"Finish what you started."
Something loosened in Felix's chest.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
Felix smiled. "Thank you."
His father nodded.
"But once the competition is over, we'll have a conversation."
Felix's smile faded slightly.
"About the company?"
"Yes."
He looked at his father.
"I thought you just said—"
"I said after the competition."
Felix understood.
His father wasn't giving up.
He was simply giving Felix time.
"Fine."
"Good."
Felix stood.
"Can I go?"
His father nodded.
Felix reached the door.
"Felix." His father called out.
He looked back.
"Whatever happens at the competition, remember that you don't have to prove your worth to anyone."
Felix stared at him.
That was perhaps the most unexpected thing his father had ever said.
"Thanks."
He left.
...
That evening, Felix sat on his balcony. The city stretched before him.
For now, things were simple.
He had skating, he had the competition, he had time.
Afterward...
He didn't know.
But he would deal with it when the time came.
His phone buzzed.
He checked it.
A message from his coach.
Coach Vance: Rest, practice will be intense tomorrow.
Felix smiled, putting his phone down.
Then his thoughts drifted back to Aurora. He wondered if she was thinking about him.
He laughed quietly. "Probably not."
But somewhere across the city, Aurora was standing by her window, wondering about him too.
Neither of them knew how quickly their separate worlds were beginning to move towards one another.