Sarah and Camila. I just needed to stick it to them after how they hit on you on Shred Live and generally not being nice to me.”
“And now you’re friends with Camila?” Beck says with a smirk, knowing that’s definitely not the case.
“Uh, no. And I do still want to beat them. Especially Sarah, since I always beat Camila anyway. But I also get that it’s not really in my control how they perform on a given day, and it’s not worth my energy to obsess over it. So I just want to have some sick runs out there, and to give the 720 a shot on a bigger stage.”
Beck leans forward until his forehead rests on mine. “It would be pretty cool if we both got to stand on the top of the podium this weekend. But if it doesn’t happen this X Games, there’s always the next one.”
Our friends call us over then to get some food together before the first practice session. My mind isn’t on dinner, or the epic course I’ll get to skate afterward. No, I’m now thinking about my future, something I’ve been doing a lot lately. Specifically, my future with Beck.
Yesterday, I turned in paperwork to defer the next two semesters of college, or the entire calendar year next year. I haven’t told Beck yet. It wasn’t even something I had considered two months ago, but now that I’ve made the decision, I know it was the right one. I’ll still have commitments and expectations, a lot of them. But despite that, I’ve never felt lighter, more free, in my life.
Beck
The hotel we’re staying at has a rooftop deck, and after a crowded practice session, it’s a relief to find it nearly empty. Jordan lets out a comfortable sigh as she leans against my chest.
“Phoebe and my friends from home are pissed I talked them out of coming to watch,” she tells me.
“Why did you?”
“Because I wanted some moments like this and knew if they were here I’d want to visit with them every second I wasn’t skating.”
“Is that what you told them?”
“No, I told them I didn’t want the added pressure, which is also true. And I also told them there will be plenty more opportunities for them to watch me compete.”
“You know, I haven’t wanted to bring it up because I don’t want you to feel swayed, but have you thought more about your plans next semester, next year?” I’ve wanted to ask her this a million times since she revealed to her parents that she’s seriously considering taking a break from college, but I haven’t let myself. I want badly for her to take a break and it’s for selfish reasons.
Jordan pulls away to look at me and her smile is carefree and breathtaking. “I turned in the paperwork yesterday to take an entire year off classes.”
“Fuck, yes,” I blurt out my reaction, filled with happiness for her, for us. I’m aware college is the goal, the dream, the responsible thing to do, but for Jordan, at least in this moment, continuing with college would be the cowardly choice. Maybe not cowardly, but it wouldn’t be the type of path Jordan’s shown she wants to take – one where she embraces life and the good things that come her way wholeheartedly. Without fear.
My arms wrap around her for a tight hug. When we pull away, I go in for a kiss but she pulls back a little. “Why haven’t you asked me sooner? Are you surprised?”
“I wanted it too badly for you. I’ve got all kinds of plans for us and didn’t want to influence you. You needed to make this decision on your own.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Hmm. Maybe, but I’m not going to lie, it helped a lot knowing my parents were on board. I’d only just let myself consider it seriously when I brought it up to them, but once I heard their opinions, I gave myself permission to dream a little more about what it might look like.”
“And what did you envision?”
“You and me, coordinating our travel and competition schedules, skating all over the world together.”
“That’s what I’ve been thinking about too. But I also have some other ideas.”
“Oh yeah?”
“How would you feel about road-tripping all over North America when we’re not competing? I’ve always wanted to do it but thought I’d get bored or lonely by myself.”
Jordan’s eyes dance as her smile grows. “I like this idea. Tell me more.”
And so I