Nola Scott

I smooth out the baby hairs that start to fall from the bun on top of my head. "That was good, Nola. Try again," Coach Laurel says. I shake my head, my hands resting on my hips. "Not good enough," I mumble to myself as I set myself up for my jump sequence again. Taking a deep breath, I skate around the empty rink, aware of all the eyes on me. I glance briefly over at my teammates who sit on the bleachers.

My eyes land on a brunette who shoots me a thumbs up. I smile at her shortly. Not only is she my teammate but my crazy roommate as well. While she can be a bit. . . much at times, I still love the girl to death. She's also one of my biggest supporters.

Once I'm in a good position, I step out and do my Axel which I successfully land before landing the last two. I breathe out a breath I didn't realize I was holding in once my feet hit the ice. My teammates praise me with claps and cheers. I let out a deep breath and smile, my hands resting on my hips. "Good girl. Alright, get on outta here," Coach Laurel says, shooing me off the ice. We've been here for the past hour because I've been trying to perfect my jumps.

"That was sooooo good!" Delia, the youngest on our team at sixteen, exclaims. I give her a real smile, "Thanks." As I walk towards my duffel bag, my teammates continue to give me compliments on my jump sequence. My heart swells at their words. I love hearing praise but as the masochist I am, someone bashing me gives me more motivation. For this reason, I don't let people give me praise enough. Only when I really want and need to hear it.

For example, right now. I've had a shitty past couple of days not just on the ice but at school too. While I'm just a freshman in college, the change has been drastic. I've been feeling the effects of it too. My body hurts. My brain hurts even more. I'm tired all the time and I have said no to going out three times this week.

I don't know why that competition with Miles a couple of days ago pushed me to put the two most important things in my life first again. He certainly didn't give me a motivational speech that pushed me to reconsider what I was doing with my life since entering college. He did nothing close to that actually.

Just like I figured after meeting him that first time at Blazing Ice, he was a complete dickhead. I'm not going to sit here and say I was a complete angel but what kind of guy tells a girl to fuck off? Especially one he barely knows. It threw me the wrong way but I shouldn't have expected better from him. He's a professional athlete and while not all of them have egos and attitudes the size of Mars, I could tell from the moment I met him that he did.

I've been around pro athletes my whole life because of my uncles. Even though I was really young, I could see and feel the vibes they gave off. They might love the sport they play but eventually, the fame and money gets to them. They become different. I don't know Miles Dempsey enough to know if he used to be a different person, but I know who he is now. He proved my point by being a complete asshat to me too.

For years, I've strayed far, far from people like that. I was lucky enough to have learned how to stand up for myself at a young age and be able to have the attitude to do it. My dad likes to say I'm a lot like my mom in that way. She's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, but if you push her too far, she'll show you what she's about. I'm the same way.

I remember being fifteen and telling off seven-year-olds for being mean to my brother Foster. I'll stick up for anyone in my family always. Even if it's Kayce although God knows he can stick up for himself.

I've had to use my attitude more these days. People in Los Angeles aren't nice. People in college aren't nice. No one expects an average-sized, blonde-haired, big blue-eyed, figure skater to be as wicked as I can be.

Try me.

The only reason I didn't go more off on Miles was because I didn't want to waste my breath on him. I have better things to do and better people to talk to. I just hope that's the last I see of him.

Focusing on myself and bettering myself is something I've been struggling with and that is all I need to worry about right now. I've got too much on my mind and plate to be thinking about horrible people.

I get some random splurges of bad mental health. It's nothing new. I'm used to it now. But it sure does fucking suck when it happens.

My most recent one was at the end of August when school started. It's almost the middle of November and it's still eating me up as much as I try to say it's not. The reason I started drinking and going out more was in hopes that being happy and having fun would push all of the negative thoughts away. It always works in the meantime - although there are times when it sadly doesn't - but it never lasts in the long run.

As soon as the next party is over, I'm back in my room. Alone. Crying. Staring at the wall or ceiling feeling empty. I do the necessary crying, fall asleep, wake up and pretend I'm fine. No one notices a thing and that's okay. It's the way I want it.

My mom and dad would worry too much if they knew. My mom was diagnosed with depression when she was a teenager so I know what she would try to do if she knew the way I was feeling. Dad would also do the most and I just don't need that right now. Being alone is better. I feel more content. It's one of the reasons I moved out of the house. I might not live alone but it's better than living with two overbearing parents and four siblings.

I miss them most days but the distance is something I needed.

"When is your brother's bday again?" My roommate plops down on the bench next to me. She's dressed in skintight black leggings, a light blue cropped long-sleeve, and some matching ankle socks. Her dark brown hair is pulled back into a high bun like mine and her face is all natural showing her freckles. She's naturally beautiful and her big hazel eyes complete her perfect girl-next-door look.

"Uh, Friday. Why?" I question, pulling off my skates. "Because," she shrugs, "I want to come to his birthday party. He's having a birthday party right?" I put the cover over my blades before throwing them into my duffel bag. "Seriously? He's turning 15, not four," I say with a small chuckle. She furrows her dark brown brows. "Well what do 15-year-olds do for their birthdays if not have a bday party?" she asks.

"You were fifteen three years ago, what did you do?" I shoot back, raising a brow. I slip on my tennis shoes and wait for her reply. "I don't remember," she taps her chin with her pointer finger, "I think that may have been the birthday I had mono." I shake my head. "Yeah, that's it! I stayed home watching all three high school musicals and my mom made me brownies as a cake." Her eyes light up at the memory but then they sadden.

I wrap my arm around her waist in comfort. "You can come to Brooks' party. My parents would love to have you there, Brooks too." It takes two seconds for her to take herself out of the trance she was in, turning to smile widely at me. We both grab our bags from the floor and start walking over to her car. Since our schedules were matched up today, we drove here together unlike separately like we usually do.

"Any plans tonight?" she asks as we both throw our bags into the backseat of her blue Volkswagen Beetle. It's a cute, tiny car she got as a graduation gift from her dad. "Maybe," I shrug, "if I get the homework I have for my Biology class done." I sigh at the thought. I'm terrible at any type of science oddly enough since my mom was a Bio-Chem major. I'm more of a business girl like my dad.

"You?" I ask in return. She starts pulling out of the parking lot as a car beeps behind her when she almost hits them reversing. My eyes widen but she doesn't even flinch, not acknowledging what just happened. "I have to finish revising one of my group partners' part in our project," she rolls her brown eyes, "he send it to me late, per usual, and it's due Sunday." I scrunch my nose at the thought. I hate group work, especially with procrastinators.

"Ember," I emphasize her name, "you're always doing homework. Take a night off or something," I say, nudging her arm. I shouldn't have suggested the idea knowing she would want me to do the same with her and I've been trying to cut back on that. Then again, it has been a while since I've gone out and I think I might need a night off soon.

"I'm a nursing major, Nola. Did we forget?" She stares at me firmly. "We're freshmen! We haven't even started taking courses for our majors yet, babe. Take a breath, I'm sure you'll get that 4.0 GPA," I assure her. Ember is big on academics just like I am only she takes it to a whole other extent.

Ember stares at me for a long moment, contemplating whether or not to believe me. "Is there anything tonight?" she finally asks. My smile grows at her words. "ATO is having an 80s-themed party tonight," I tell her, pulling out my phone to show her the text I received last night from Eli Webber, ATO's President. "Don't we have to be in a sorority to go to that?" Ember groans.

I loop my arm around hers. "No. We just have to be hot." A smile creeps onto her face and she throws her hair behind her shoulder. "And that we are," she says. "Let's do this."

***

As soon as me and Ember stepped into ATO's house, the smell of weed, cheap beer, and sweat filled my nostrils. While disgusting, I invited it all in. I've been trying to focus on school and figure skating so I've missed some parties thrown by my favorite frat.

The music that's no longer muffled has people yelling the lyrics and swaying their bodies to the beat. I waggle my brows at Ember, grabbing her hand and pulling her further into the crowd of people. She steps towards me awkwardly, making sure not to slip on her feet with those big ass heels she decided to wear.

I laugh at her attempt to stay up as she shoots a shy smile toward Joey Van Natta who seems to be appreciating the little pink dress I put her in tonight. Eventually, Joey pulls his eyes away from Ember and looks at me. His grin only grows as he inches toward me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "My favorite geed," he says, looking down at me.

I roll my eyes at the term. "My favorite pledge! Ember, this is Joey, he's Eli's little. Joey, this is my roommate, Ember." I introduce the pair before unwrapping Joey's arm from around me. He extends his hand toward her which she grabs and shakes shyly. Typically, she's not shy around boys.

But not all boys look like Joey Van Natta. The nineteen-year-old looks more like he's 21. He's about six-three. He has blue eyes that can pull in absolutely anyone he speaks to. His dark brown hair curly hair peaks out through his backward UCLA cap. His pretty teeth also do him justice.

"Nice to meet you, Ember. Sick name." Em flashes a smile at the compliment and nods. "Thank you!" I grab her arm shortly after, squeezing between them. I don't want to be alone for the rest of the night. "We'll catch you later, Joe. Do you guys have any drinks?" I ask. He nods, lifting his arm and pointing towards the kitchen. "Enjoy the party, girls."

The two of us smile before we cross through a ton of people to get into the kitchen. I just hope the alcohol didn't run out yet. I stalk towards the cooler that sits in the middle of the kitchen and lift the white lid. Tons of drinks sit on top of one another and I giggle like a little schoolgirl as I make my pick. "What do you want?" I ask Ember.

Her eyes scan the inside of the freezer. "Same thing as you!" she says over the music. I pull out another Twisted Tea and hand it to her. We both open our drinks, staying by the cooler. "Cheers girly." We hit our cans before chugging the first Twea down. Everyone knows the first drink of the night is always supposed to be chugged.

It's something my uncle Rhys taught me.

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and set the can down, grabbing two more. I hand one to Ember. "Let's go fuck shit up." I don't waste another second grabbing her hand and leading her back to the dance floor. Hopefully, the drinks don't run out too quickly because our night is far from over.

***

The next morning, I woke up to a leg draped over my body. It took me a while to realize it was a male leg. I froze as I picked up my head - which I regretted instantly when it felt like someone had taken a hammer to it - and saw it was just Eli. Oh, thank God. Eli would never touch me. I've known the guy since I was ten. His dad and mine worked together for years. We've always been friends.

I let out a sigh of relief until I realize...

Where the fuck is Ember?

I move Eli's leg off me causing him to groan as I flop off his queen bed. When I look down at the ground, Ember lays on Joey's lap as he sits up against the wall. Both of them are knocked the hell out. "What's happening?" Eli groans. I turn and he's sitting up on his bed, rubbing his eyes. "Nothing. I thought I lost her." I gesture to Ember who he knows as well.

A small, weak chuckle escapes him. "Don't worry. My little took care of her all night," he says. My eyes widen slightly in fear. She was as drunk as I was. I pray they didn't do anything she couldn't consent to. "Nothing like that, Scott. I wouldn't let that happen when they were both as trashed as they were." Eli must have seen the panic in my eyes.

I nod. "Thanks for the bed." He smiles, laying back down again. "Anytime." I don't miss the flirtatious tone in his voice. He doesn't always use it with me but there are times when he will. Eli knows my dad will all but slaughter him so he doesn't push it too much. I shake my head as I pick up my shoes. "We need to get home," I say before I start to shake Em awake.

"Don't waste money on an Uber, I'll get a pledge to take you home. He's sober, don't worry," Eli says as he picks up his phone. Em groans as she awakens, her eyes widening when she sees me above her. "Wake up, sleepyhead," I say with a smile. She makes a disgruntled face as she sits up from Joey's lap, not even realizing she was sleeping on the floor.

"Morning, Em. Pledge should be waiting for you guys outside. Please get home safe, text me when you are, Nola," Eli says, pointing at me. "Got you, Prez," I tease. He chuckles as I lead me and Ember out of ATO's house. The house is absolutely trashed but quiet to the point where you can hear the birds chirping away outside.

"Uber for dos?" I say as I open the back door of Eli's car which I'm surprised he let this guy drive. "Hop in beautiful ladies," he says. I close the door behind me as Ember giggles at the frat boy's words. Once we make it on the road, I pull out my phone which I do not remember using since last night before we got here.

6 missed calls, 2 messages:
Brother 1
Brother 2
Kiersten <3
Brother 3
Mommy
Daddyio

Daddyio: Not good, Granola.
Mommy: :((((

"Shit!" I say, realizing it's Thursday. I've been having Thursday breakfast with my family since I can remember. It's already inching 12 in the afternoon, meaning I missed it. "What's wrong?" Em asks next to me. I shake my head quickly and shove my phone in my pocket.

It doesn't take much longer to get home since we only live three minutes from campus. "Let me know if you need anything, Em!" I say as I rush into my room. "Okay!" she shouts as I close my door behind me. I call my dad and the line only rings three times before I get an answer. "Yes, flake?" he says, voice unbothered.

I roll my eyes. "Dad. I'm sorry, I really did forget. I didn't mean to flake, I would've called you and let you know. I'm not Kayce," I defend myself. I love family breakfasts. It's one of the only days I'm able to catch up with my family after long weeks and it's been a while since I've missed one. "Kayc was there this morning," he replies. I hear the sound of his car engine. He's probably on his way to work

"Yes, I know." Every single one of my family members called me and I did not answer anyone. "Mom send me sad faces,"
I say into a sigh. "I saw her type those," dad replies dryly. I groan in frustration. "Why don't you show Kayce this same annoyance when he misses every week?" I question.

"Hey, I'm not annoyed. But a little, 'hey dad I'm partying on Greek row tonight, might not make it to family breakfast' would have been kinda nice," he says smoothly. My mouth gapes open. "How did you know I was at ATO?" I ask. He laughs. "I didn't know it was ATO, but your brother said he saw you on some frat dude's story. Which by the way, can you please stay away from all frat guys? They're bad fucking news, Nola."

I roll my eyes at my dad's concerns. "Not the ones I'm friends with. You know Eli Webber is in Alpha Tau right?" I say. My dad stays quiet for a moment and I can already see him rolling his eyes. While Roman Webber, Eli's dad, is a hard worker, his son is the complete opposite. There's not one day of the week when Eli is sober. He's a senior this year meaning he's having more fun than he ever has.

"Eli Webber is not someone to make an example of, Nola," my dad finally replies. I almost laugh because it's true but overall he's a nice dude. I've met guys one thousand times worse. Miles Dempsey crosses my mind at that. Ugh. I still can't stand that guy. Why did I even think about him? He's been nonexistent to me these past few days.

"From the stories I've heard from mom and uncle Valdez, you sounded like the complete frat boy in college," I tease, knowing he'll get defensive. He scoffs. "I may have been an annoying athlete but I was nothing like a frat boy. Actually, I had a good friend who was in a frat and I know I was nothing like him," he says. "Oh really? Are you still friends with him?" I question, pulling out some clean clothes so that I can shower.

"Uhhhh, forget I said that. I have to go soon, I'm driving up to my client's neighborhood. Can you give your mom a call for me? She'll want to hear from you." I ignore the weirdness in my dad's voice and nod even though he can't see me. "I'll call her in a bit. Love you, be safe," I say. He returns the sentiment before hanging up.

I pick up the remote from my bed and turn on my TV before walking over to get a clean towel from the hallway bathroom. When I return, my jaw sets tight at what's on the TV. I cross my arms over my chest.

"The season looks like it's going pretty well for you guys. Is this winning streak you're on getting you excited for the rest of the season? How are you guys coming together as a team to make it all possible?"

Like the cool, calm, and collected asshole he tries to make himself seem like, Miles takes a hand and rakes it through his long, dark brown hair. A red scratch sits on his cheek, one I didn't see the last time I saw him. He looks like he wants to sleep rather than give an interview. Miles adjusts the backward cap on his head before speaking.

"Yeah, you know, winning is nice. We don't like to focus too much on the rest of the season or what's to come. I think we're playing good because we're taking it week by week and focusing on what we have to focus on." He gives a slight nod, initiating he's done answering the question. Then, he turns his head when another man starts to speak to him. I pick up my remote and turn the TV off before he can even open his mouth again.

"Not fucking today."