Chapter 1.24

A/n(1): Um… Before we get into the next chapters(it really has nothing to do with this specific chapter), I'd just like to reinforce that I may have created these characters, but in no way do I condone their actions, and although my own morals may have heavily influenced their decisions, they are not me, and I am not them.

A/n(2): On a lighter note, I hope you skip this chapter. It's kind of unnecessary, but I needed to put it in as a transition. I hate it… from the very bottom of my heart. I feel like this isn't that much lighter than the previous note. Anyways, if you do read it, I hope you enjoy it, although you probably won't… I hate it when I hate myself.

As soon as Ling Xia submitted the recording to the authorities, the conflict was resolved. Lucas was allowed to participate in the competition again, and Ivan was arrested. Unfortunately, Jain was still unable to compete.

The world championship started up again, no more scandals interrupting the main event: figure skating. So the soft music began, barely masking the serene sound of skates gliding across the ice.

Ling Xia let himself be taken away by the ice underneath him, his movements fluent and smooth. He drifted across the ice slowly. The deep and somber cello music seemed to follow his movements. He prepared for his first jump.

Picking up some speed, he skated backward. At the perfect moment, he lifted his right foot up, letting his left foot bend into an outside edge. He struck the ice with his toe pick, using that action to push himself into the air. He made sure to keep his outside edge on his left foot pristine and untouched as he launched into the air, spinning around rapidly.

He crossed his arms over his chest and twisted his feet together. In less than a second, he had finished four rotations and was coming back down at an incredible speed. He unwound his legs right before he hit the ice, landing on his right foot.

As if the impact of his skate on the ice was the trigger, the music picked up. The music that told of two lovers from fair Verona was now telling of their reuniting in death. It was a happy tune, with sadness hidden deep inside because they had to part with their loved ones.

Ling Xia found it more sorrowful than happy, so he emphasized that fact in his skating. He kept his feet on the ice as if even the two lovers' love for each other couldn't lift their spirits. But he still embodied the joyful part of the tune, dancing around on the ice.

Soon, it came time for his feet to leave the ice. He jumped up and landed on his left foot, using the moment to spin. He crouched down into a sit spin as the music completely changed into a jaunty tune. As his body quickly turned, he straightened his legs and started his step sequence.

This was always his favorite part of every program. He had practiced this routine dozens of times, so he had it memorized, down to the very last detail.

So as he put on a reckless and confident smile, he jumped and danced around on the ice. He looked like he was having fun, and, in truth, he was. It was really difficult to perform these maneuvers, and even harder to do them on ice. But it was also a lot of fun to practice for something so difficult and then accomplish it when it mattered.

As he twisted and turned, Ling Xia's movements were crisp and clean. They also were flaunty and all over the place, portraying the feeling of the music well. He wasn't able to enjoy the music for long. The beat suddenly reached its climax.

Before the thrilling note could pass by, Ling Xia turned and did a triple axel quickly followed by a triple toe loop. He almost botched the landing of his triple toe loop, barely keeping his balance. He stepped away and skated for a bit before doing another quadruple lutz.

Then the tune changed into an ominous and creepy one. The notes were long and filled with a foreboding feeling. Ling Xia skated along, and as if predicting the metaphorical jumpscares of the music perfectly, he always had an accompanying move.

With a long, resounding yet romantic note from the violin, Ling Xia bent his back backward, staring up at the sky for a layback Ina Bauer. This was the last drastic change in the tune, leaving it representing a hopeless romantic in love with her senior. Also for the last time, Ling Xia changed the way he skated to a more amorous one.

The notes that were made by the violin were ambiguous and long, depicting a scene of a romance of the centuries. He finished the last of his jumps here, at which point he started his second spin of the program, a truly dazzling one.

As he spun, the cold air coated every inch of his lungs with every breath he took, and the quick motions blew his inky hair back. The combination spin was fast, having only two positions. He finished quickly, his back bent, one arm splayed on his chest and one reaching up to the sky.

The music slowed down incomparably as Ling Xia stepped out of the spin. Once again, the blades of his skates carried him around. It didn't take long for the music to reach the end.

Ling Xia lifted his left leg high and his front became parallel to the ground. He spun slowly. Hooking his left skate with his finger, he bent the bottom portion of his leg up.

The music faded out, and so did Ling Xia's skating. He slowly came to a stop on the ice.

It took a moment, but the audience realized that the performance was over. They clapped their hands together as Ling Xia caught his breath. His chest moved up and down, and when he finally had enough air in his body, he bowed to the bleachers.

Then he left, skating to the entrance of the rink, and hugged his coach. It was a relief to not have to carry his own weight after an exhausting program, but it was only a short moment.

They let go of each other. "You did great!" his coach exclaimed, excited.

Ling Xia grinned in response.

…

Ling Xia sat nervously, waiting for the last score of the World Figure Skating Championship to be announced. On the outside, he had a calm facade, but inside he was full of anticipation.

It didn't take long for the free skate score to show up on the board. It was 256.09 points. Ling Xia couldn't remember what the short program's score was, so he waited for it to show up on the screen. He gripped the edge of his seat and leaned forward.

Finally, the free skate score slid down, revealing the score everybody was waiting for. Did Lucas beat Ling Xia or would Ling Xia take home the gold medal today?

...

Ling Xia's name was called. He placed his foot on the ice, pushing himself onto the ice.

A bright smile adorned his face as he waved to the crowd. Applause rang throughout the huge building, and he pulled to a stop before the podium. He stepped onto the black cloth laid down, not letting his toe picks catch onto it. Finally, he stepped onto the podium, taking his spot.

Soon everybody was in their places. The head of the ISU came over to them, placing the bronze medal on Lee Baek-hyun's neck. Ling Xia clapped, and the man reached for the second medal, delicately nestled a cushioned box.

Ling Xia bent his head, letting the man place the medal on him. He straightened after he shook the other's hand, watching the medal hang from his neck.

The white lights above shone on the medal, bouncing off its reflective surface and reaching his eyes. The glint of the silver was visually appealing. He had always liked silver more than gold. It was an elegant color, much more so than the flashy color of gold. Though, if handled well, even the flashiest of colors could be full of eloquence.

So he liked silver. That wasn't to say that he liked silver medals more than gold ones. But this was what he would have to settle for this year. Next year would be a different story, he resolved.

A little while ago, he saw the results for Lucas's score, and it was 0.61 points ahead of him. 0.61! He couldn't imagine how close the quality of their performances were to reach that result.

That was why he was confident he could beat the other next year. He just had to practice a lot. Next year was also the Olympics, so Lucas could get ready to get destroyed! …On the ice of course. They were still friends when they were outside the rink.

His thoughts were brought back to reality when another round of applause reached his ears. He looked up to see Lucas shaking the head of the ISU's hand with a broad grin. Ling Xia raised his hands, clapping along with the audience. He wore a proud smile on his face.

Yes, this year, he felt pride that his friend could stand in that spot, but next year, it would be him that enjoyed the glory.