Roller Skating

"Where are we going?" I asked Tyler for the umpteenth time.

It was a week later, Friday and ever since we left school, Tyler has been driving me to an unknown destination. He didn't even tell me anything, but instead of turning in the direction of home, he took a different road.

When I had asked him where we were going, he just told me that we are going somewhere, but he refused to share the location with me.

"You'll soon find out." Was his response now.

"I don't understand why I have to go with you." I replied.

"Because, it will be great." He said as if that answered my question.

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared in front of me. "Well why you won't tell me? You're such a meanie."

Tyler took a quick look in my direction and then chuckled. "I know."

After driving in silence with me watching the surroundings to our destination, the car finally pulled to a stop. I also noted that it took us thirty minutes to get here.

I craned my neck to look out the window of the parked car. Tyler was parked in front of a building on our right side. I looked up and read the sign that was printed on the building in big, bold black letters.

My eyes widen in surprise when I realized where we are. I turned to face Tyler. "You took me to a Skating Arena?"

Tyler nodded. "I remembered when you mentioned that you haven't skated before. Why not give it a try now?"

I shook my head, smiling. "You're always doing some unexpected things Tyler King, but anyways I don't mind this at all." I replied. I've always wanted to try roller skating, but never got around to do it. I turned back around and pulled the car door. "Come on. Let's go."

When we entered the building, Tyler rented roller skates, knee pads and wrist guards for both of us. We then walked down a few steps to the skating area. We then sat on a bench and put them on.

When I was done, I stood up. However, it wasn't easy as I felt my foot sliding from under me. I held unto the bench to regain my balance then sit down again.

Gosh...this was harder than I had thought.

"You know, I don't have any idea what I'm doing here." I said to Tyler as he finished putting on his skates and stood up without falling.

Tyler laughed. "That's okay. I'll show you. It's actually easy. You'll get used to it in no time."

Knowing how difficult it was for me to stand a while ago, I shook my head. "I don't think so."

"First, you have to master walking with the skates on." As he said that, he moved across the floor without no problem at all. It was like second nature to him. He then skated back to me. "It's like riding a bicycle."

"That's easy for you to say. Besides, how can you compare this to riding a bicycle?" I asked flabbergasted.

Tyler crossed his arms over his chest. "Come on, you've always wanted to roller skate. Now that you have the opportunity, are you going to just give up and sit here all day?"

He was right. How am I supposed to learn if I sit here and complain about how difficult it is? I have never been a quitter before and I'm not going to start now. Especially with something that I've always wanted to do.

After a while, I sigh loudly and Tyler grins.

"Okay, let's do this." I replied, gathering all the confidence I had.

"Now that's better." He extends his hand to me and with his help this time, I was standing. I still hang on to him though for fear if I let go, I'll fall flat on my face. Tyler guided me to the skating area.

The roller skating arena was a big area. It was expanded in a wide square with tiled floors. Around the large square were benches in which people sat and watched their friends or family members skate. Currently, there were quiet a few people on the floor skating.

When we were on the tiled floor, Tyler pulled us to a halt. "Okay, place your feet shoulder width apart like this." Tyler parted his feet a little and I followed him. He then explains what to do to keep my balance and I did as I was told. "Doing this will prevent you from toppling over."

"Right, but I still feel like if I let go of your hands I'm going to fall." I expressed as I tried to keep my position.

Tyler nodded. "Just keep in mind that the skate is a part of you now. Whenever, you feel you're going to lose your balance, just move your foot until you're in a comfortable position. It going to take a while to get used to."

This was way harder than I thought. "Why did I wanted to do this again?" I asked myself aloud.

Tyler shook his head. "Now, try it. Just move slowly forward. First to the right, then to the left, then to the right again and just continue doing that."

As Tyler said this, he did the movements and I followed his actions. He let go of my right hand, but my left hand was still holding his.

"Now, try it on your own now." He said as he tried to let go of my other hand.

I held on to his hand. "No! Are you crazy? I'm not ready. I'm going to fall!"

Tyler laughed at my reluctance. I turned my head to glare at him until he stopped. "You'll be fine. It's just a trial run."

"Whatever, but if I fall, I'm blaming you." I warned.

He chuckled a little. "I didn't say you weren't going to fall." He clarifies.

"Tyler!" I exclaimed as I grip his hand tighter.

He had the nerve to laugh again. "Of course you might fall, it's your first time." He said.

I brought my right hand over to him and hit him on his shoulder. "Hey! You're not helping." As I did that, I lost my balance again, so I held on to his shoulders.

Tyler looked at me. "Why so abusive?" He teased. "Is that anyway to treat your instructor?"

I rolled my eyes. "Instructor my ass."

He chuckled at my statement. "All I was saying is that, falling is not a must. However, if you think that you're going to fall, you're definitely going to fall." He said. "Now, let's do it." He let go of my hand once again and I reluctantly let go.

I moved my foot as I was told earlier and without even realizing it, I was actually skating. "Tyler, I'm doing it." I said without turning my head. "I'm actually doing it."

"I told you you would." I heard him say behind me.

I wasn't completely relaxed though, because I felt really awkward. Despite all that, it feels really great to be skating. It feels like I was gliding across the floor. I wasn't paying attention to anything else, but me and my skating. It was truly a wonderful feeling.

But as luck would have it, I lost my footing for a bit and I went tumbling to the floor. Standing up again was a task as I tried to regain my footing. Tyler reached over to me when I was half way up and helped me up fully.

"Not bad. You were actually doing great until you fell in the end." Tyler stated.

"I was, wasn't I?" I asked excitedly. "It's really not that bad. I just have to keep trying."

For another half hour, Tyler and I continued to skate. I fell down countless of times, but it was worth it because I had fun. Now, I know why I was interested in skating. It's like I knew it would be this fun.

After we were done skating, Tyler and I left the arena and head home. On our way home, we stopped at Starbucks to get something to eat and drink.

I ordered a cup of strawberry lemonade and a chocolate bar. Tyler ordered a creme frappuccino.

"So tell me," I began after I took a sip of my drink and looked at Tyler, who sat across from me. "How did you learn to skate? You don't seem like the kind of person to skate."

"I've been skating since I was eight years old. My mother and father are both adventurous. When they were married, they tried everything you could think of; mountain climbing, skiing, bungee jumping, canoeing, roller skating. Anything you could think off, they tried it." Tyler explained. "And whenever, they went roller skating, they would take me with them. We skated a lot, so I learnt fast."

"Wow." I said referring to his parents adventurous living. It wasn't really surprising though. Tyler's mother and father were the coolest people I've ever met. "Well, at least everything makes sense now."

After, we fell into silence as we finished our drink. When I was done, I looked at him again. "By the way, thank you for bringing me there." I replied. "You know, you can be cool and thoughtful when you want to be."

"I'm always nice." Tyler defends.

I grinned at him teasingly. "Uh huh...I'm sure you are."

"You're not a nice person. Is that how you treat your friends?"

"I didn't know we were friends." I said mocking him.

Tyler brought his right hand over his chest in fake hurt. "Ouch. You wound me deeply."

I rolled my eyes at his behavior. "You are so dramatic."

"Nahh, I'm cool dramatic." Tyler said winking.

"Right. Of course you are."