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Probing Questions Celeste allowed herself to smile as she completed her turn. However, the smile faded as she set her arms back in position and took a deep breath. Ready, she launched in a full back handspring, remembering to step out as she had done numerous times in her old routines.
Pleased, she allowed another small smile. She did another full turn before doing a series of small hops. It was amazing how easily some of the elements were coming back to her. However, she still rusty and needed to play it safe. She did a few cartwheels, which carried her to the end of the beam. After another deep breath, she performed her dismount, neatly landing the double twist. “Amazing, Ana!” Ricco gushed as he and Mara approached. Celeste smiled. “If I was still in competition, you would have screamed at me for such a lousy practice.” “You are no longer a competitor,” he stated, brushing the thought away with a wave of his hand. “It is truly amazing how much you can remember and do after all these years.” “Some things you never forget,” she admitted, leaning back against the beam. “I can’t believe you gave this up,” Mara said, running a hesitant hand along wood. “You must have been really good if you just did all that and was rusty.” “Anastasia was one of the finest athletes I have ever coached. She could have gone very far.” “At my height?” Celeste asked with a laugh. However, she quickly sobered. “My heart wasn’t in it after my parents died. It just didn’t seem that important.” “Well,” Ricco said, finally breaking the awkward moment, “you are still welcomed anytime. So, come back often. Nadia would be happy to see more of you.” Celeste nodded. “I hope to do that, Ricco. I’m trying to get back in shape.” “You are off to a good start then, Anastasia. Now, I must get back to the classes.” The older man hastily kissed her on her cheek before scurrying other to another part of the gym. Shaking her head at his antics, Celeste began to pack up her stuff. With a final wave, she and Mara left. “So, when did you start going by Celeste?” Mara asked once they were outside. “Huh?” “Ricco and his wife both call you Anastasia, and they’ve known you since you were little. When did you change your name?” “Just before I started high school, I think,” Celeste replied after a thoughtful moment. “I changed schools so the change was easy since no one knew me.” There was lengthy pause. “So, not long after your parents died?” “No.” The redhead forced herself to smile. “Why? Thinking about changing your name?” “Nah, I was just curious, that’s all,” Mara stated. “I still don’t know a lot about you.” “Well, I’ll try to answer your questions,” Celeste responded, “but I may not answer all of them. Deal?” “Deal.” “Good. Now, how about pizza for dinner? I need a shower and don’t feel like cooking tonight.” “As long as it’s sausage, it’s fine with me.” “Sausage is my favorite, too,” a male voice stated, forcing the two women turn. “How about I join you?” Celeste stiffened. “Ian, go back to whatever hole you crawled out of.” His blue-green eyes narrowed before he smiled at her. “Taking your boyfriend’s dislike of me? How loyal. That is, if Mac is still your boyfriend.” “Why wouldn’t he be?” However, she wanted to take the hasty words back as soon as his smile broadened. “Well, apparently, you haven’t be too truthful with him, have you, beautiful? He really didn’t seem to know too much about your nocturnal activities the last time we chatted. You are a lady of secrets, aren’t you?” “I have no idea what you are talking about,” Celeste replied tersely. She reached for Mara but Ian grabbed her arm first. He narrowed the distance between them. “I know it was you that night in the alley. If I believed that the police wouldn’t laugh me out of the station, I would have you in jail right now.” Out of the corner of her eye, Celeste saw Mara grow pale. Also, the trio was drawing more and more interest from passers-by. The mention of jail wasn’t helping matters either. She threw Ian’s hand off her arm. “I don’t what you’re on right now, Ian. Frankly, I don’t care. I haven’t been anywhere with you except for that day on the ice rink, and if I do see you again, it will be too soon.” Without another glance, Celeste stalked off, pulling Mara along in tow. It wasn’t until they were blocks away that Celeste slowed her pace. Mara cautiously wiggled out of her guardian’s grasp. “What was that all about?” the dark-haired girl demanded. Celeste sighed. “Ian is someone Jonathan knew from growing up in South Carolina. There’s some kind of grudge between them but Jonathan hasn’t told me what it is yet. Anyway, Boreas attacked him and I came to the rescue. I didn’t realize it was him until it was all over. He came to as I was leaving. I had hoped he hadn’t realize it was me.” “Apparently, he did.” “Yeah, he did,” Celeste agreed. “Ian confronted Jonathan about it a few weeks ago. Let’s just say that Jonathan wasn’t happy that I had rescued Ian.” “Would you have?” Mara interjected. “If you had known it was Ian before the battle began?” Her guardian was silent for a moment. “Yes,” she finally answered, “I still would have.” Mara nodded, satisfied with the answer. Their conversation revolved around pizza until they were carrying the warm pie home. Along the way, Mara turned once more to her companion. “Are you going to tell Jonathan?” “Yes,” she replied, “although he’s not going to be happy about it. But it won’t be tonight. I’m going to take a shower, eat some pizza, and watch some cheesy reruns.” Mara laughed. “Sounds like a plan to me.” |
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