From the look on Aaron's face, Elise knew he didn't believe her. But she didn't know why. 

They had been close friends since they had their first skating lesson. Sure, they had had their arguments. There had been some with her yelling and crying and him not talking to her for weeks, but they had always made up in the end.

At least until she had moved and they hadn't spoken for years.

"Why don't you look like you believe me, Aaron?" she asked, sipping at her coffee to hide her surprise. It really was a very good latte. 

"Because I'm not sure I do," Aaron answered softly. 

"Then let's not talk about it now, not when our conversation is going so well," Elise suggested, almost desperate to keep things from turning unpleasant now that Aaron had stopped laughing. "I'll convince you somehow, but first let's just catch up like we had planned."

Aaron took a deep breath obviously trying to relax again. "What would you like to talk about then, Elise?"

"How about your hip? Everyone knows what happened to my knee, but I don't know what happened to you," she offered, trying to broach the subject carefully so he didn't retreat back behind his cold exterior again. 

"It was a stupid mistake," Aaron said simply before sipping at his coffee. It looked like he was hiding his face behind the cup instead of meeting her gaze.

"And choosing to do a triple axel instead of a double just because I could during an exhibition was a better choice? It seems like your mistake did less damage."

"I wasn't paying close enough attention to my skates. One of my blades came loose for the free skate at regionals," he answered reluctantly. "I made it through and won, but hurt my hip in the process. I was in pain with every step, and I couldn't lift my leg coming out of the jumps. Hell, just jumping was agony. I made it through the short at Nationals, but there was no way I was going to make it through the free. I withdrew instead of doing more harm. 

"That's why I wasn't there when you got hurt. I was sitting with my icepack, watching on TV with the skating club. They were trying to cheer me up instead of letting me brood."

Elise's heart broke for him as she listened to Aaron's story. For as long as she remembered his goal had been the podium at nationals so he would be part of the world team. He pushed himself so he could stand next to the best skaters in the world and prove himself their equal. That mistake had been a set back, one that could have ended his career if he were less stubborn.

At least she had gotten her medal before hurting herself. Aaron had seen that chance slip away, and blamed himself.

"You'll get your chance next season," Elise said firmly. She had complete faith in him and would do what she could to get him to believe in himself too. She would be his girlfriend, cheerleader, and rink mate. She wasn't his coach, but she could help push him at the same time he pushed her. 

"You sound so sure of that," he said, smiling a little even though he sounded skeptical. 

What Elise wouldn't give to have a glimpse of what was going through his mind. Anything to let her know if this was going as well as she thought it was. Aaron hadn't closed himself off yet, which was a hopeful sign. But there was the comment she had made about him being a dick that had embarrassed him to start. 

"Of course I am. I've seen what you've choreographed. You get that polished, and keep working on your skating skills like normal, and you've got a winning program. You've got it, Aaron. Take care of yourself and keep up all your intensity and passion, and you will go far," she assured him, every word completely confident in her evaluation of his skills.

Their moment was interrupted when her phone buzzed against the table. Elise broke their eye contact to see a message from her mother.

And the time.

"When did you say you had class?" she asked. She didn't want their date to make Aaron late for class. Then he might never want to go on another one again.

"Ten-thirty, why?" Aaron answered, looking curiously over his cup at her.

"Do you realize that it's already ten? You should go so you can still take your shower and get to class. I don't want to make you late."

Aaron immediately started to his feet to down the rest of his coffee in one gulp. He obviously hadn't realized how late it had gotten while they were talking. "Can I get your number? So I can call later? Or I could text," he asked, already pulling out his phone.

That was all Elise needed to smile again. That question meant that he had enjoyed their little date enough that he wanted to keep talking with her later. It only took her a moment to rattle of the number, before she shooed him toward the door. 

"Go! I don't want you to be late. I'll clean up here, so just go. Have a good class, and I'll see you again for our next figures practice. Don't forget to wear your best pants."

She laughed as he blushed lightly at her comment while still managing to look thoughtful. Aaron moved quickly around the table to kiss her cheek before nearly running out of the door in his rush to leave.

This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.