You Picked Her, I Picked a Life Without You

The incident happened so fast. The cardboard box in my hand fell, its contents scattered. A wooden frame of my parents' photo... flew and hit Jessica's foot.

"Aaargh! My feet!" She screamed, swaying in pain. The broken frame glass hit the floor, the shards scattering. Blood started flowing from her legs.

I was shocked, about to approach. But instead I stepped on my own broken glass. Pain shot from the soles of my feet, making me stagger.

However, what was more painful was not the wound... but when Liam ran towards Jessica, kneeling down in panic, worried about her condition.

"Jessica!? Hang in there. I'm here!"

I held my breath. Wanting to speak. But before I could say a word, Liam stood up and glared at me. He pushed me roughly until my body hit the wall.

"Do you see what you're doing?! What are you carrying? Those useless things are hurting Jessica!"

I choked and shook my head slowly. It was a photo of my family that was very precious to me. The only memory I had left but Liam said it was useless.

Liam didn't even care that my leg was bleeding, didn't care that Jessica had elbowed me first and made the box fall. All he knew was... I was wrong.

"Liam... I..."

Suddenly Jessica collapsed, crying weakly.

"Liam! It hurts so much. I can't take it."

Liam immediately turned to approach Jessica.

"I'll take you to the hospital."

Jessica nodded weakly. Without hesitation, Liam lifted her body, hugging her as if there was nothing more important in this world than her.

Before leaving, he turned to me. His eyes were full of anger.

"If something happens to Jessica… I don't know what I'll do to you, Daisy!"

Without waiting for my answer, he left. Taking Jessica without looking back at me. Not asking a single question even though I was hurt too. All he saw was Jessica, always Jessica.

I crawled, picking up the shattered picture frame. The remaining glass stabbed my palm, but I didn't care. My tears fell, either because of the hurt, Liam's words, or the now-shattered portrait of my parents.

“I’m sorry… Dad, Mom… I dropped you…” I whispered hoarsely.

I wanted to justify Liam's attitude, that Jessica was indeed his priority. But the truth still hurt. For years I held back these feelings, pretending to be strong. But still... being ignored hurts.

A few days after that incident, I disappeared. Calming down at Grandma's house. But Liam didn't come. Didn't look for me even though he knew my grandmother's house. Maybe he didn't intend to be serious about this relationship.

And that's the reason he kept this relationship a secret from the start.

I was stupid enough to believe him. Including that day, at my so-called important ice skating competition. I thought he was going to propose to me. But it was just empty hope.

All this time I was the one who always gave in, always prioritizing him. But enough.

Quickly, I gathered the rest of my belongings. The photos in the album, the memories that were still there, I put them in a cardboard box. I carried them, even though my legs were still sore. I put them in the car, then sat for a moment.

After treating my wounds, I left. With Grandma, I visited my parents' graves. There, I stared at their tombstones. Missing the figures who had passed away.

****

That night, the ice rink was colder than usual. Or maybe, it was just me.

I stood in the middle of the track, wearing the old shoes that had seen me through injuries and seasons. On the other side of the fence, Coach Elena looked at me. Her smile was soft, but her eyes were puffy.

"Still hard to believe you're going to Harvard," she said, patting my back gently.

I smiled faintly.

"I'm not sure this is real either."

We embraced warmly and meaningfully.

"Don't forget who you are, Daisy," she whispered. "Keep shining and keep achieving your goals. Follow your dreams, honey. You're still my brave little girl."

I nodded, holding back tears.

"Take care of yourself, okay!" She let go of the hug. I smiled and nodded at his words.

After she left, I stayed.

Looking at the empty track. I put on my ice skates and started to glide, letting my body dance to the faint music from the corner of the room. Every movement, spin and jump, was an outpouring of my buried feelings. I glided fast, as if I wanted to leave all the bad memories behind my ice blade trail.

But my mind wandered far away. Thinking about Liam hurting me and the freedom that didn't feel complete yet.

Then, a voice broke my reverie.

"You are great."

I turned around. A man was standing at the edge of the track. He looked strange but somehow felt familiar. He smiled, waiting for my reaction.

"Can I join? Or... can you teach me?"

I hesitated for a moment. Then I nodded.

“It’s okay. As long as you don’t cry when you fall.”

He laughed warmly. “Relax. I’m ready.”

I taught him the basics. He fell down a lot, and we laughed every time it happened. Laughed out loud, a laugh I haven't had in a long time.

For a moment, I forgot everything. Forgot my tears when Liam's words hit me in the chest. Forgot the disappointment. On that ice, I felt alive again.

The night was getting late without me realizing it. My body was tired. I fell asleep at the inn, I don't know when I was taken there. The last thing I know, the man gave me a ride but I fell asleep in his car.