Chapter 44

Pixie

I just finished checking my skates. Then I adjusted my costume. Anna always does an excellent job but this one has to be my all time favorite. It is a white bodysuit with orange, yellow and red flames going from just above my navel, up my chest, over my shoulders and down my back. I have gemstone covered fabric bracelets around my wrists and the same as a necklace. Attached to the bracelets and necklace is sheer fabric with the same flame design so when I hold out my arms the fabric will flow behind me. The effect is going to be amazing. At least I hope so. I’m almost ready to take the ice. I just have to do one thing. It is something that Rocket and I have always done before a long program since I hit my teens. It was shortly after my accident and my first competition. I started to freak out.

I was scared. That's all it was. I was scared to get back on the ice. I was terrified I was going to fall and hurt my back again. I was scared to let my parents down. Scared to let Casper and Nixon down. And the Red Devils who had been by my side since forever. Rocket saw me begin to panic and stopped me. She sat me down and showed me how to control my breathing. When I was able to breathe normally she got me to talk and I explained everything to her. She didn’t judge me or tell me I was full of shit or to suck it up. She got down on her knees in front of me so she was eye level.

She told me my fears were normal. She told me that I had no reason to be afraid of letting everyone down. If I thought I couldn’t do it we would pack up and leave. No one would be upset. They will support me on and off the ice. But what she said next is what got me on the ice. She said and I quote “ Sabine we love you. We have your back. If you want to stop being a champion and be a regular teen. We are here. If I want to become a prospect for the Devils. We are here. If you want to show the world nothing is going to keep you down. We are here. Nothing is going to change that. We are here in your heart and by your side. And I will take down any mother fucker who tries to tell you otherwise.”Rocket said.

Yes, I got my ass on the ice. I placed fifth that year. It wasn’t bad for just coming back. I was hoping for at least third to impress my family. But I didn’t need it. When my score was announced my parents, all the Devils and Nixon rushed me. I was picked up and hugged by everyone telling me how proud they were. So now before a competition Rocket gives her brand of pep talk. The gist of it is that they love me. Truthfully, I don’t need the talks anymore. I feel their love for me in everything they do. I have never questioned it. I just like the tradition of it.

I look up just as Rocket is coming towards me and I smile. “ You ready to show these bitches what a Devil is made of?” she asks. I laugh “ Rocket, you know I’m not Devil.” She gets down on her knees in front of me. “ My favorite Pixie, I may have not ever said this. And it is clearly overdue. You may not wear the kutte which is a shame because you looked hot as hell in it. And you may not have the ink but you my girl are a Devil at heart. You are in the Devil family for life. The bond we have with you is stronger than any ol’e lady. It is in your blood the same as it is Casper’s. Now you get that cute ass out there and show them what you are made of.” Rocket said.

You see why I love this woman. How can you not? She is the toughest biker chick I know but is there for a hug when I need it. And I’m getting one now. I hold her as tight as I can and whisper “ I love you, Rocket. I always will.” I hear her sniffle. “ I love you too. Always. But enough of this mushy shit. Time for you to burn up the ice.” She said. Best lady ever. Casper, Viper, Rocket and Nixon escort me to the ice. I get to the center of the ice and wait for my music to start.
I decided to keep with the eighties theme and go with ‘ Magic’ by Olivia Newton-John. I start off by skating slowly backwards. Not many start off like that. They like going forward to pick up speed.I get halfway around the rink before I jump and turn around to pick up speed. I’m going to need it for the next part. I let my arms go back so the fabric can fly behind me and lift my leg. When I’m sure I have enough speed to keep me going I settle in with a sit spin one leg pointed straight out.

As I pull out I let myself drown in the music. I let everything fade away. It is just me and the ice. I make another lap to get ready for my next spin. I bend backwards with my arms pointed towards the ice and rotate four times. I’m barely out of the spin before I dart across the rink in a figure eight pattern dancing to the music. I need to do my first jump. I dig my skate into the ice and leap, pulling my arms in tight to spin three times for a triple axel.

When I land it is on one foot skating backwards just before I do a backflip. Not everyone one can do those moves so close together. I’m proud that I can. I finish my set to hear thunderous applause. But honestly I don’t care about that. It is the next part I care about. I’m the last skater of the night so I have a surprise for the audience. I let out a piercing whistle from the center rink. The door opens and my elite team flies out to join me.

This piece took some work but we got it down. I was going to have them do it by themselves but they urged me to accompany them. I couldn’t resist their little faces. ‘ Freedom Was A Highway’ by Jimmie Allen came on and we set off. You got it we managed to incorporate line dancing, the two step and ice skating. I hear hooting and hollering from one side of the arena and know it is the Renegades. Possibly the Devils too. The song is close to the end and the girls get in line with me in the middle for our last move. The boys are at the end of the rink racing towards us, Jax right at me. Me and the girls drop for a tight sit spin. The boys leap in the air to do a front flip right over us. One boy for one girl.

I can feel when Jax is over me and I see his shadow. Once the boys are clear we pull up out of the spin. My team comes over to me and we all bow. The arena goes crazy. I swear I can hear the people stomping their feet. “ What an exciting routine by the elite team. An interesting note Jax Adams helped choreograph this routine. Watch out for these kids, ladies and gentlemen. I believe we will be seeing more of them in the future.” The announcer says. As we leave the ice I can hear shouts of “ That’s our boy.” “ Way to Jax.” “ Go elite team.” I look over at my team to see them beaming with pride for themselves. Jax’s cheeks are red and his head down like he is embarrassed.

He has nothing to be embarrassed about. He did awesome and the team is showing how much by high fiving him. They are too cute. I go off to wait for my score. I’m surprised when the kids follow me. Jax sits beside me and whispers “ You did great Aunty Pixie. I watched the whole thing.” I wrap my arms around his shoulder and pull him in a side hug. “ So did you, Jax. You should be proud of yourself. I know I am.” I say, not addressing the Aunty remark. I’m not sure what to say about that. I will have to talk to his parents and Viper.

The score is announced on the board. I took first. My team jumps up and down shouting. I laugh at their antics. They are a good group of kids. Jax dives at me, I hardly have time to catch him. He squeezes me as tight as he can. “ You did it, Aunty.” he said with a squeal. I laugh and hug him back. “ No buddy. We did. All of us together.” I said. I hear a throat clear next to me. “ Boy, you trying to steal my ol’e lady? Not that I blame you but she is taken.” Viper says. I look up trying to judge his mood. He can’t seriously be upset that his nephew gave me a hug.

I can see Viper is trying his hardest not to smile so I know he is just playing around. Jax let me go and walked over to Viper laughing. “ Don’t be silly Uncle Viper. I would never steal your ol’e lady. I was just congratulating Aunty. Now it is your turn.” Jax said. “ You're a good man Jax.” Viper said, picking Jax up. “ And I will congratulate her after I tell you that you make me proud to be your uncle. That jump was killer.” he said. Jax wraps his arms around Vipers neck. And just like that the big bad biker turns into a teddy bear. “ I’m happy you are my uncle too.” Jax says. The moment is so sweet I have to fight back the tears. And not sad ones.