Free Thin Ice by Niki Settimo

team over my house all the time, and it never ends well for me.”
    Laughing, Dylan replies, “looks like I’m going to have to show those kids how to treat a beautiful lady.”
    “Please, you tell them that and they’ll laugh in your face.”
    “Blackmail is a wonderful thing. I should know. My youth coach used to bribe us with ice-cream after every game if we won.”
    We hop out of the Jeep and Dylan heads around to the trunk and grabs a picnic basket. My heart speeds up a little and I really hope this doesn’t turn into a disaster.
    “A picnic?”
    “I say we worked up an appetite. And it’s gorgeous out. I’m taking you to my favorite spot, come on.”
    We walk a few minutes on the park trail and stop at a table that overlooks a lake. There are flowers surrounding the entire perimeter of the water and a bridge in the distance. It really is a beautiful site.

    Staring in amazement at the beauty surrounding us, I have to ask, “How’d you find this?”
    “I go running on this trail every morning.”
    “Tegan and I go to the gym everyday, but this is so much nicer. I’ve always loved being outside.”
    “You could come with me, if you want.”
    “There is no way I’d be able to keep up with you.”
    “I somehow doubt that, but I’d keep pace with you. It’s not a race for me. More like a way to just start my day and clear my head.”
    “Yea, we’ll see. But seriously this place is beautiful.”

    We sit down at the table and he starts pulling out food from the basket. Pretzels, water bottles, and sandwiches.
    “I guessed chicken and lettuce on a wrap. Is that okay?”

    Can I go for the ‘I’m not hungry’ excuse again? Think Elli. Just play it cool. “That’s actually perfect. Thank you. You’ve really thought this all through, haven’t you?”
    “Is it working?”
    “Is what working?”
    “Me trying to impress you?”

    Smirking, I look down at my hands. I’m picking again. When did I start? Judging by the fact I’m not bleeding yet, probably when he pulled out the food.

    “Why are you trying to impress me Dylan?”
    “Isn’t it obvious? I really like you Elli. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.”

    Mumbling to myself ‘you have no idea’, I look up at his puzzled face. I give him an encouraging smile and try to come off as somewhat sane.

    “Elli, can I ask you a question?”
    “You don’t have to ask if you can ask me a question. You can just ask.”
    “Why do you find it so hard to believe I like you? I can tell by the look on your face you’re fighting really hard right now to think this out.”
    I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know what to think. “No ones ever liked me this way Dylan. I’m a little hesitant to let people into my messed up world.”
    “I find it hard to believe no one has ever liked you.”
    Looking down, I reply “It’s not that hard to believe for me. You could do so much better than me.”
    “Why do you think that?”
    “I really don’t know how to answer that. For one, I’m not exactly thin and….”
    “Stop right there.”
    Finally looking up, I see him stand and make his way to my side of the table. He grabs my hands, that now sport fresh pink skin, as he looks at me and says “I don’t know what’s happened to make you think so little of yourself, but I can assure you this; for what little time I’ve spent with you I already know you’re smart, kind, funny, passionate, hell I could make a whole list. When I saw you skating, I knew in an instant I needed to get to know you. You are so beautiful Elli. Everyone has different body types, and yours is full of killer curves. You hide them, when you should embrace them. The way you let loose today on the paintball field was a site to see. It looked like you didn't have a care in the world. Not many girls would even touch a paintball gun. No girl I’ve ever met has even stepped foot on an ice rink, let alone know anything about hockey, and you’re the first person