Chapter 15: Chapter 15

I don’t go into devotion, I can’t. I have to find Scott and talk to him. He is being irrational. I stop dead in my tracks in the doorframe of our classroom. Michael complains, “What are you doing? Why aren’t you coming in?”

I look into his eyes, “I have to find Scott and explain to him how irrational he’s being, our relationship depends on it.” I leave Michael to run from classroom to classroom while the static with the national anthem plays on the overhead speakers until I find him.

I wait for the bell to ring and I grab his arm as he’s leaving the classroom. “Scott!” I say holding onto his arm as firmly as I can. He doesn’t look surprised or happy to see me, “We need to talk.”

“I’m going to class,” he grunts.

“Skip it just this once, we need to discuss my situation.”

He grabs me by both arms below the shoulders and practically shakes me, “It’s not just your situation anymore, whatever you do affects US. It’s our situation. I don’t SKIP classes or want to hear why you should date this guy, that’s your decision. Date him, do what you want, but don’t bring me down with you. I want grades I can be proud of and a chance to stand on an Olympic podium for my country, Nigeria. You might want to ask yourself what you want, what’s important to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a class to go to.”

Anna rounds the corner on the way to her next class when she nearly bumps into us. She sees Scott, his hands grasping my arms and not knowing if I need her help or not, “Unhand my friend,” she orders half-joking but mostly serious.

He releases my arms muttering, “Gladly,” before walking away.

“Scott?” she gushes.

“The one and only,” I answer unhappily.

“What an Orgasm!”

“You don’t stand a chance,” I tell her. “He doesn’t waste his time with girls.”

“Fuck, don’t tell me he's gay? What a travesty!”

“No, he’s focused on his goals; which are good grades and winning an Olympic medal for Nigeria.”

“So what’s wrong with that?”

“He doesn’t want me dating Michael.”

“Hm yum, he’s an Alpha Orgasm, they’re the best kind,” she says giddily. “Maybe he likes you! Weren’t you going to break up with Michael when you went back to skating anyway?”

“No! I’m falling for him.”

“Get the fuck out! What the fuck do you see in him? Scott’s way better looking. Did Michael pop your cherry or something? There’s something you’re not telling me,” She eyes me suspiciously.

“No, there isn’t! Seriously what should I do?”

“Well, what was Scott saying to you when I interrupted?”

“He gave me an ultimatum. I have to choose between skating with him or being Michael’s girlfriend. He doesn’t think I can have ‘divided loyalties,’. He says my decisions don’t just affect me anymore, they impact both of us.”

“It’s a no-brainer, Isabella. Scott isn’t giving you a choice. You need to break up with Michael. You have too much riding on this partnership. He fucked up his hair anyway. You’ll get over him,” she minimizes. Deep down I know she’s right. I don’t have a choice this is a no-brainer.

I pull my phone out and text Michael. Anna reads what I’m typing:

ISABELLA: Can we talk?

MICHAEL: When?

ISABELLA: After school.

MICHAEL: Sure, Meet me at my car. I’ll drive U home.

“Are you breaking up with him tonight?” she asks.

“Why prolong the inevitable?” I answer.

“You’re making the right choice,” she reassures. “You are such a talented skater, it would be horrible if all those years are wasted.”

“Anna, I swear, I hate Scott more now than I ever did. It will be a miracle if I don’t kill him before we ever make it to the Podium.”

“You don’t hate him, you’re just upset. You better get your ass to class. You have way too much drama floating around you lately!”

“Whatever!”

After my last class, I meet Michael at his Mercedes. He’s there, already waiting for me. The Mercedes is gone. I open the passenger door and get in. Michael puts the key in the ignition and starts driving. He doesn’t stop until he pulls into a park by the lake.

Michael turns his car off and lights a cigarette. He opens the window and takes a long drag before exhaling the smoke. Cold air begins filling the car mixing with the fumes of his cigarette. It’s starting to snow big snowflakes. I watch them for a minute before returning my attention to him. “This is when you break up with me,” he says bitterly. My silence is his answer. He takes a few more puffs before safely putting it out.

“I’m sorry Michael.” I pull him over to me by the scruff of his neck and I press my lips hard against his. My kisses are hungry, hungry for him. “This is so hard for me,” I confess between them.

He pulls away for a second and looks into my eyes, “Then don’t do it,” he pleads. His eyes are searching mine and showing a hint of fresh tears. It breaks my heart to see him weak.

“I have to,” I whisper.

Michael is my rock during one of the lowest times in my life. My relationship with him made the idea of me never skating again a little more bearable, and this is my way of repaying him. He deserves more from me.

“Let’s take this into the backseat,” I suggest.

He doesn’t answer me, instead, he starts up his car and begins driving in the direction of his house. There are no cars in the driveway, so we park and head up to his room, “My parents won’t be home until late,” he informs me.

We close the door to his room and he backs me against his bed until I can feel it behind my legs. “I never wanted our first time together to be our last,” he says miserably. Tears start running down my cheeks as he makes love to me, for the first and last time.