Chapter 79: Chapter 79
In the boardroom, Nelly, Miles, Tammy, Justin, Scott, and I start immediately reviewing all the long programs and rating the skaters with a score out of ten. The female with the lowest score is going home. Of all the female skaters it was unanimous that Paris’s inconsistency would affect future results, so she received the collective lowest score. Scott, her boyfriend, and fellow skaters at the camp were going to be upset, especially losing his girlfriend for an entire year. This would create drama in the camp.
The men proved to be a much harder decision. Scott, Rick, and Brett all skated well. It became more subjective in these cases. We decided to send the man with the weakest jumps home, and that ended up being Trevor. Scott and Mira are chosen to be the pairs team and that is who Scott and I will be coaching. With around-the-clock training from Scott and me, I won’t be surprised if they make the top ten. We allow them to compete for individual titles too but all coaching at the camp is geared towards their pair skating.
We finish our deliberations and then Scott said to Justin, "Let the skaters in." They entered the boardroom wearing their team outfits and figure skates. They’re nervous because nobody wanted to leave camp and train at home. The cameras start rolling and Scott hosts this episode.
“We would like to thank the athletes and coaches for the patience and consideration they’ve shown during this trying time. We would also like to acknowledge the outpouring of support from fans who have reached out to Isabella. It is my pleasure to announce that Michael Anderson has been charged this morning with sexual assault causing bodily harm. We all hope that justice will be served.
“The judges have deliberated, Isabella will you be kind enough to call out the names.” Justin cues the music. I pick up the photos of the skaters who are safe and started calling out the girls who will remain.
“Paris, I’m sorry to say you will be going home tonight. Please say your goodbyes, go back to the Village, and pack. You will still be allowed to represent Nigeria in competitions, and when you arrive home you will be provided with a new coach if yours is currently on the panel. Your coach will not be returning with you.”
Miles, Paris's coach before the camp walks up to her and hugs her. Tears run down her cheeks rendering her a pitiful sight. Jay stands with her, both facing me. “The coaches have discussed your progress, Paris, and feel that training off-camp will benefit you. Your relationship with Scott is distracting you from focusing on your skating. This separation will do you good. We want to thank you for coming to the camp.” I lean in to hug Paris and wipe her tears in an attempt to provide comfort to her.
Scott is next to approach her. “I’m going to miss you, baby,” he whispers in her ear. “I’ll see you at the competitions. Don’t worry. It’s not going to be an entire year before we see each other again.”
They begin kissing each other like lost lovers for a few seconds before the rest of the skaters cluster around Paris to show support and hug her. She then stands alone in the room until the men are summoned.
We do the same for the men. Trevor is now left alone. I look at him and give my commentary followed by a hug and then the skaters cluster around him to proffer their support. Trevor joins Paris putting his arm around her and the two head back to the Village to pack. Everyone else remains. The two will be taped in their rooms and the car taking them to the airport.
I ask the skaters to return to their original positions, and that’s when I announce the new Nigerian pairs team, "You will train harder than all of our competitors put together because it’s completely new to you. You will no longer only be accountable to yourself and your coach, but now you will be accountable to your partner. You will support one another, share the wins and losses.” I pause and look into Scott’s eyes. I tell him I love him without exchanging a single word. I remember when one of us would let the other down, it was that person’s job to say, ‘it’s ok, we’ll win next time.’ "Nigeria hasn’t had any stellar couples since Scott and I competed. You will win the hearts of Nigerians and everyone will be rooting for you! Scott and Mira, please step forward. You are going to be Nigeria’s next super couple!”
Mira smiles and appears excited. Scott, however, fails to display any modicum of enthusiasm. He carries a look of shock on his face. “Paris-” he said. The skaters cluster around Scott and Mira and make it difficult to see their reactions. I sneak over to Justin and say, “Show Paris in the limousine watching what we just announced. Have her reaction televised as she’s driven from the Village.”
The skaters leave the boardroom and continue following the schedule set up for them. The camp has only six skaters. I looked at Justin and asked, “Can I see the footage from the limousine ride?” Justin looks at his watch and then at me. “The driver should be back in about forty-five minutes. Why don’t you and Scott meet me in my room and we can watch together?”
“Thanks. I’ll tell Scott.” I walk over to Scott and tell him I want to watch the limo ride. I’m secretly hoping the drama in the car will steer the spotlight away from me. We meet at Justin’s room, “The limousine driver is bringing up the tape now.” It was perfect timing, as seconds after he says it, we hear a light tap on his door. Justin opens the door and takes the tape from the driver. He thanks him and closes the door. When we were all seated, Justin plays the tape.
Both athletes are in one limousine. Paris’s makeup is smeared from when she was in tears during the boardroom scene, she’s a mess. She and Trevor go to the car and at first, they are quiet. They sit on the same bench seat together and Trevor’s arm is around Paris’s shoulders for support, both genuinely upset.
The staff member in the car driving said, “Isabella has footage of the rest of the boardroom meeting she would like you to watch.”
“I don’t want to see anything. I just want to go home,” Paris says petulantly.
Trevor interjects, “Sure, play it. What do we care about? We’ll end up watching it later anyway.” The boardroom scene is played for Trevor and Paris and their reactions are videotaped.
“Unbelievable! Of all the men they could have chosen to go into pairs, they chose your boyfriend!” Trevor is astounded.
“Scott told me it’s going to be okay, that we’ll still see each other at competitions. This is bullshit! I’m going to go back home and work my ass off. I’m not going to let any person or show discourage me. The only thing I have the power to do is make them regret not keeping me there,” Paris sneers.
Trevor smiles. “Now that’s the attitude of a fighter!” The filming stops when they pulled up at the airport. I thank Justin for letting us watch the film. I tell him it was good to air. I lead Scott back to his room and take out my phone. I call the salon that did my hair and asked if we can close off a section for one-day filming makeovers. Gerard will consult with them, but Scott and I will have the final say over how the athletes will walk out. The staff is very accommodating because to them it’s a huge free commercial. They give us an alarmingly high price for the day, but in the end, we agree to the terms. The date is set for the following week, allowing time for the salon to readjust previously booked appointments.
This week the focus will be on training and commercials with the athletes sporting their before-the-makeover looks. I make myself comfortable on Scott’s bed and look at the six pictures of the remaining hopefuls. On the back of each photo, I jot down my ideas. I wanted the "kids" to feel good about their new looks and I tried hard to come up with styles that will flatter them.
“Do you want to go over my suggestions on makeovers for each skater?” I ask Scott.
“What do I care about makeovers? It’s out of my realm of expertise. I’m into wash and go,” he jokes. "You go ahead and do whatever you like. To be honest with you, I’d rather not go.”
“Please, come,” I plead. “I don’t want to do this by myself. You have to come.”
“I won’t make you do it by yourself,” he reassures.
Scott and I go to the arena. All the skaters are present. We announced that a week from that day, the makeovers are going to take place. The skaters are excited about it, except for Scott, who seems to be in a foul mood. Scott and I are going to have to work on him. After the announcement we allow all the competitors to continue with their practice except for Scott and Mira, whom Scott and I held back to talk.
“Our lessons with you are going to start tomorrow,” Scott informs them. "You guys have to get used to skating with each other. Isabella and I will be coaching you every free skate session without fail. Your coaching will take place on the ice, in a pool, and the gym.”
“Sure thing, coach,” Mira says.
“Please say that again, Mira.” Scott has a look of satisfaction at being called a coach.
“Sure thing, Coach!” I like the sound of that too. It’s the first time we had ever been called coaches. Scott rolls his eyes and runs his glove through his hair, moving strands away from his eyes as he skates off in a huff. Mira appeared to be disappointed by his reactions.
“Don’t worry,” I encourage. “He’ll be okay. It’s just a lot for him right now because Paris was sent home. Give him some time. He’ll come around to the idea.”