"Oh." Stacia's smile didn't waver. "I just meant it should obviously be you. I know that. I love weddings and would love to take on all the responsibility that entails. But if you want the position?—"
"No, no, no, that's all you," I said quickly.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. I hate weddings."
"Freya," Mom snapped.
"Not yours in particular," I said. "Just weddings in general. Blech."
Stacia laughed like I'd said the funniest thing in the world while my mom frowned. Then my future stepsister squealed and pulled my mom and me in for another hug. "I'm so excited. Can you believe we're going to be one big, happy family?"
I couldn't.
I really couldn't.
What would Dad say? Would he be sad or shocked like I was? Would he have trouble believing it?
With Stacia cutting off my air supply with her swimmer-strong arms, and my mom throwing me an apologetic glance because she knew I wasn't a big hugger, I knew it was true.
My final thought as I stumbled away, mumbling about having to go, was maybe I should open a lemonade stand. The lemons just kept coming.
Heart numb, mind too full to process everything, I walked and walked.
Eventually, I ended up on the other side of the sports complex. I wasn't watching where I was going, had only ever been to the aquatic center to see my mom, so when I finally looked up, I didn't recognize a thing. If I retraced my steps, I knew it would lead back to the pool, but...something in my stomach clenched at the thought of seeing Stacia and my mom happily making wedding plans.
A moment.
I just needed a second to get myself together.
Then I'd go back and smile and pretend.
But right now, I wanted a place to hide. An escape. Somewhere I could cool down and think.
Shouts and laughter came from my left, and I followed the sound, hoping for a distraction.
The ice rink was just as big as the pool. But instead of blue waves, the water was as white as snow. And instead of swimmers, several little figures moved across the frozen surface, practicing some kind of drill, shouting and laughing with their friends. A slight chill settled over my cheeks as I walked closer to the ice, taking a seat a few rows down but still near the back. The only other person in the stands was a girl several seats away. Headphones covered her ears, a hoodie thrown over her head, and I wasn't sure, but from the way her body was slumped to the side, I thought she might've been asleep.
Sounded like a good idea actually.
Closing my eyes, hearing nothing but the sound of skates gliding over the ice, I tried to think logically.
So, my mom was getting married.
It had been years since my parents' split. My father didn't date much, but I knew Mom had been seeing Eric, Stacia's dad, for a while now. In remarrying, she would gain a son and a daughter, one who shared her dreams and could possibly make those dreams come true for her. A daughter who loved the sport that she loved.
Mom was chasing her happiness, and I would be happy for her.
Even if it killed me a little.
"Hey, are you okay?" someone asked.
Eyes popping open, I looked to my right and saw a boy. He looked like he was maybe nine or ten. His hair was dark and kind of all over the place. His light blue eyes stood out in stark contrast. The pads under his white jersey made him look like a little Michelin man.
"I'm fine," I said, sitting straighter. "Why do you ask?"
He gestured to me with the hand holding his helmet. "You're crying," he said.
