[Lake] Could this be love?

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell curiously frowned at Andie as he put the skates on. "So you just happen to carry two pairs of skates around in your bag?" she asked sardonically. "And yes," he said, standing up, "I'm ready! I'm always ready!" He wobbled over to the ice and glided on. After getting a fair way out, he turned around and called out, "you really do work magic, Ms Andie!"

[rileybabe]

Andie laughed. "Why thank you!" she replied. She skated over to Russell and said, "Hey, I think we need some music. What skating tricks can you do?"

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell looked down at Andie and laughed. "Music would be good!" he said, smiling, "but, just between you and me-" he looked around, making sure no one else was there "- I actually can't do that much! Only actually learned to stay on my feet during the holidays. Laurie taught me to while we were near a large lake like this." He spun around and spread his arms, tilting his head up and closing his eyes.

[rileybabe]

Andie's face fell. She had been hoping that Russell could show her what he knew. Then she brightened. She could show him what she could do.. Skating away from Russell she did a toe-loop then tucked in her arms, applying pressure to her toe pick she flew up into a triple lutz and executed a perfect landing. Her feet touched the ice and she beamed at Russell.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell watched in amazement as Andie did an impressive move. He clapped wildly and whooped a few times then doubled over backwards with laughter. He bent backwards laughing then slipped and fell over backwards and landed hard on his backside. He lay on his back, still laughing.

[rileybabe]

Andie froze as Russell fell on his back, here jaw dropped in surprise. "Are you okay?" she asked while putting her hand over her mouth to hide her laughter.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell, still laughing, said, "course!" He stayed on his back and started flapping his arms and legs about. Suddenly he stopped and looked at Andie. "Come join me!" he said, "it's quite pleasant, really."

[rileybabe]

Andie laughed and shook her head. "How 'bout I help you up instead?" she grabbed his hand and pulled him up, but just as he got his balance she lost hers and stumbled forward, regaining her footing just in time she looked up. Russell's face was just inches from hers. Their eyes were locked. She could feel a blush spreading across her normally pale cheeks adding color to them...

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell smiled naughtily as Andie pulled him up. How embarrassed he felt, being up staged by a girl he ... he shut that though far away. He was up right now and he was about to say thanks when suddenly Andie lost her footing. Rus instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist and hugged her close to him. She looked up at him and he smiled. "You alrigh'?" he asked, "you got your balance? Should I let you go?" He teased her a little by pretending to let go but then holding her tighter ... closer.

[rileybabe]

Andie could feel her breath coming in short gasps... "I- I'm fine." she whispered at a loss for words. Russell pulled her closer, and held her tighter. Is he going to kiss me? she thought.

[Russell Parkhurst]

"Fine?" he repeated, "oh good!" He smiled and let her go. He turned from her and scatted away. He had his hands behind his back and he was getting used to the skates. When he didn't hear Andie following he turned around and looked at her. "Is everything alrigh'?" he asked again, "you coming?"

[rileybabe]

Andie just stared. "I'm fine." she whispered after a moment. But she wasn't. She had just met Russell and already she was falling in love with him. Isn't that wonderful? she thought sarcastically. Chances are he's already got a girlfriend. And even if he doesn't what are the odds that he'd want to date me? It's not like i'm pretty, or special. she thought bitterly to herself.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell saw the conflicting looks on Andie's face. He skated towards her then skated rings around her. "Fine, huh?" he mused, "frustrated, irritated, neurotic and emotional?" He stopped in front of her and stood up to his full height, "I dare say you are fine." Then he cast that aside. "Oh forget your worries," he said, grabbing her hand, "we're skating, that's all that's important!" He skated away, dragging her along with him.

[rileybabe]

Andie smiled and let Russell pull her along. True, she was in love with him but it was best not to rush things or pressure him. For now the best thing to do was just to enjoy being with him. Then she stopped. If I don't tell him now, I'll never get another chance she thought. "Russell, wait. There's something I need to tell you..."

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell was happily skating along, holing Andie hand, when she suddenly stopped. Rus circled to face her and stopped. He ed his head and smiled his skew smile at her. He skated closer to her and looked into her beautiful eyes. "You going to tell me my fly's down?" he asked jokingly. Then he noticed a look in her eyes and thought she might be wanting to talk about something serious. But right now all he wanted to do was skate. He sighed. "Is it life threatening? No? Then let's skate!" He turned to skate away.