An Ice Queen for sale (Alice)
Chapter 31

Chapter Comments Chapter 31 Rivals

And after I kissed her cheek again, I walked to the table with her in my arms. I could see their surprised faces when they saw Gemma, but I didn't care.

They greeted

Gemma took a seat first. There would be a place for Alice as well, but she made sure she wouldn't fit between us. However, Alice didn't seem to care. She stayed in one place, leaning against the wall. I felt heavy, but unfortunately the only thing that I could do was to hear it. Leah looked at her, and she stood up with a sudden move.

"Alice, take a seat."

And she sat on the lap of Seth. Aline thanked her and took Leah's seat, that was next to mine. Gemma couldn't hide her disappointment. Actually, she was fuming.

as a figure skater.

My family chatted happily. Seth and Leah explained why they waited to let Ava skate, while my parents excitedly planned her future as a My father planned to take some lessons from Ava, and Sloane teased him about being too old to skate.

I only smiled at them, and I didn't say a word, I remembered those videos that I saw about Alice, and abo I saw her training a few times. They had no clue what it takes to become a figure skater. They had no clue how hard they working to do this sport successfully. How strong they have to be mentally to take all the failure that they are going through till they get there where they want to be. Sometimes I looked at Alice secretly, and I could see that she was probably thinking the same.

But the worst and funny at the same time just came after that, Gemma tried to be the centre of the conversation. She told us she took some skating lessons when she was about ten. She said she was the best in her class, and she knows a lot about skating She said trainers begged her to continue, but she refused them, because her family couldn't afford it. As I glanced at Alice's face a few times, I laughed inside. Her thoughts were written on her face. That was the second time since she arrived in my life that I noticed she had a had side as well.

I wished I could show Gemma that Alice was a professional figure skater, making her feel guilty, but I couldn't,

Eventually, everyone was relieved when Ava wanted to go ice skating instead of listening to Gemma's self-praise.

Seth and Leah stood up first, followed by us. We all walked down to the ice rink. As soon as we arrived, little Ava waited impatiently while Leah took the safety stuff out. It surprised me how many things they had to wear, but as I looked around, I realised that all the kids were wearing the same protective

stuff

I watched Alice too. If I could, I would just ask her to help Ava. She didn't take her eyes off of her, and for a reason I felt like she was quietly making sure everything was in the right place on little Ava. Apparently, she wanted to help, but I didn't want her to steal the attention. At home I thought maybe she could skate too, but when I saw those weird people around, I decided that would not happen. Even if I really wanted them to skate together. I couldn't let them do that for Alice's safety.

Finally, when little Ava was ready, she just leaned on the paling and watched the kids. There were many trainers around, and one of them stepped to Seth and Leah. He introduced himself first. When he noticed we were all here together, he introduced himself to all of us. When he got to me, I noticed he watched Alice, and he frowned. I didn't like that, though. He was around his thirties. He was bland and tall, with a muscular body. After we shook hands, he stepped to Alice.

"Hello my name is Mike, I am going to be Ava's trainer."

Alice smiled at him and shook his hand.

"Alice Less Sullivan:

His smile went wider.

"That is a pleasure to meet you, Alice."

Alice smiled back at him. And I hated that, but I felt like I could tear that trainer apart. The trainer apologized to us. He said he forgot something, and he would be back in a few minutes. Mum didn't like that at all, but my dad held her arm before she would say something. As soon as the trainer left. Gemma walked to Ava and squatted down

"Ara, big slowly. I believe you are a really talented little gul, and I'm sure you won't fall

About the little one's expression showed

disliked Gemma, but she nodded at her. Gemma looked at us.

Chapter 31 Rivals

"If he doesn't come back soon, I'll go with her. Don't worry."

My family members" expression said everything they were thinking without words. Only Ava looked sad. We all looked at er, when she took the first step to Alice. She looked up at her, and I could see Alice felt really uncomfortable.

"Alice, could you come with me, please?"

Alice first just looked at her speechless, then she took a deep breath, and she looked like she had enough of pretending. She went on her knees. First she checked if her padded shorts were on her properly, then she checked her elbow and knee pads. Last, she checked her skates, and she made the lace tighter. Finally, she looked at Ava and smiled.

"Isn't that too tight?"

Ava smiled at her.

"No."

"Can you m

you move in them?"

"Yes"

"That might hurt you the first time, but you'll get used to them. Always use the same skates. Okay?"

Ava nodded.

an

"And just to answer your question. Yes, if he won't come back soon, I'll go with you."

Then she smiled at Alice and nodded.

We all watched the scene only. No one said a word. The only person who couldn't take it was Gemma. She was fuming as she stepped there.

"Why do you think you may do that?"

I stepped there before it would be too late, I folded my arms around Gemma's waist and held her in my embrace.

"Gemma please, this is about Ava," I whispered.

She looked at me.

"Are you defending her?" She whispered back.

"No, but it's our family event. Do not ruin that."

Then I looked at Alice.

"Alice, you stay away from the ice. You may not go on it. Understand?"