For the millionth time, Parvati made a sweeping figure eight on the ice rink before coming to a neat stop at the edge. Flecks of snow shot upwards from the blades of her skates like a fairy snowfall, contributing to the mini mound of snow from previous laps. She'd practice it so many times out of giddiness, but it was clear she'd been foolish to think he'd even come. She tugged her scarf up to hide her flaming cheeks.

A group of girls sat off to the side on the park bench, giggling. There was nothing like Starbuck drinks, trendy clothes too thin for winter, and sitting under a decorated tree to give that popular-squad vibe. Naturally, they attracted hot guys from their school like moths to a flame. Her friends were partly undercover to make sure that Parvati's online boyfriend wasn't some creep. She was grateful for having them. But a part of her envied how much fun they were having, and more than that, she felt guilty for dragging them back from exploring the rest of the park.

One of them, Simran, waved her over with a mitt. "Yo, you holding up okay? Want to go to Tims and get an iced capp with me?"

"You're crazy, girl! It's minus fifteen degrees celsius!" Parvati shivered. "And...I don't want to buy anything yet."

The small talk dissipated as everyone turned stone serious. Krushi put her fists together, blowing out steam from her nose like a dragon. "Whoever you met online, this dude is a jerk. We already harassed the skates rental van and sleuthed around the guy groups, but no one matched the description you gave us."

Simran put a hand on Parvati's shoulder, though her jacket was too thick to really feel it. "Let it go. Just because this Advik dude isn't head over heels for you doesn't diminish your worth as a person."

"I know."

"You're not unlovable. You have us!"

"I know." Parvati looked up to the crescent moon hanging in the sky like a marble earring. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I know, but I still hoped....that..."

Simran gave her a bear hug. Parvati rested her chin on her friend's shoulder and sniffed.

She shouldn't have trusted online dating. But then how did her other friends get lucky? Was it a case of good Instagram management? Did she not invest enough time in the right photos? What made her the prime candidate for guys to play her like a fiddle, again and again?

Parvati had so many plans. She and Advik spent hours pouring over a brighter future that they'd spend together. They would move out of home, travel the world, and most importantly, never have to worry about school again. Advik didn't make fun of her dreams. Maybe it was because he knew exactly where she was coming from, and big dreams or not, her feelings were validated. On a late night call, Parvati had told him this, and why she loved him so much. When his profile picture popped up with his reply, it was the happiest night of her life.

"And I love you because you're optimistic. You instantly make me feel better."

At least she had her optimism going for her, if not her physical features or intelligence. Now she felt like her optimism would be the death of her, perpetually dragging her to the edge of impossibility.

Parvati stumbled. Simran was ushering her in the same direction as everyone else. Confused, she turned back to see that the ice rink was being evacuated so the big machine could smooth it over with a fresh layer of ice.

"Come on, let's get those ice capps now!" Krushi hollered. "You're coming or not?"

Despite Krushi's brash nature, Parvati knew it was Krushi's way of cheering her up. No sense in wallowing. She nodded stiffly. "'Kay. We'll be there. My feet are hurting from these skates anyway."

She plopped down on the bench beside Simran and yanked out the laces, one by one. Fresh tears welled in her eyes.

"Simran..."

"What's up?"

"You know, I read this article online. The girl thought she was being stood up, but it was only a couple minutes before the guy came. And you know what the guy did? He had everyone skate to the ice rink's edge and form a circle. Then he proposed to the girl in the middle. It's romantic."

"It is cute."

"You think it's stupid for me to think that could happen."

"Anything can happen," Simran said matter-of-factly. She reached over to adjust Parvati's beanbag hat. "It's just unlikely. Sorry, but I can't trust a guy until I've talked to him for at least a few months. In person," she emphasized.

Parvati sighed. "He told me he lived only a few cities away."

"Maybe he lived further away and didn't want to disappoint you. An ambitious promise."

"But do you think I'm stupid? For believing that?"

"A little. But I wish I could be as trusting as you. It's not a bad thing. That's what makes you a good friend." Simran beamed. "Besides, it's been forever since we last met up! I'm so happy!"

For Simran, Parvati could try to put a smile on her face. Simran was one of her first best friends, after all. "That's true."

"Can you teach me how to do that figure eight move afterwards?"

Parvati nodded. Pride rose to her cheeks in the form of pink. "Okay! It's super easy."

"Yeah, right. Okay, Krushi and the others are probably wondering where the heck we are. Let's go!"

Simran stood up and held out a mitten-covered hand to Parvati. With the moon and the fairy lights wrapped around the trees, Simran's face glowed gently in the night.

Wordlessly, or perhaps at a loss of words, Parvati took her hand.