Saving Me

Eva was already on the ice by herself when Gabriel and Adrian Arrived. She was practicing her sit spins, rising in a whirling blur. She stopped and swooped out and back preparing for a jump. Gabriel was impressed when she nailed a triple axle. The more he watched he could have sworn that a glow surrounded her. Pulsing, trailing behind her as she twisted and turned. Her arms were so graceful, her hands held softly with the classic ballet pose. Today her hair was braided in a thick rope down her back, barely brushing her hips. She moved into a stunning pose; her leg was arched behind her, one arm raised above her head, the other back and pointing downward. She was lovely, like some kind of fairy princess.


Adrian whistled shrilly, breaking the spell. Eva looked over and smiled in greeting. Today she was in purple. Black quarter sleeved leotard, purple skirt and leg warmers around her ankles. She wore white skates instead of red. She really was beautiful. Striking. Her cheeks were flushed a glowing pink that enchanted him. She wore very little make up and she didn’t really even need that. They had been working together every day for the past two weeks, but still, every time he stepped into the rink and saw her, his blood heated and surged in him. It was electrifying and empowering but he had no idea why he had such a strong reaction to her. It was frustrating. “So kids, fist chore of the day is to discuss the music you want for the free dance. I’ve got something in mind already for technical. But the free is all you. Ideas?” Gabriel sat and was began lacing up his skates. “You want elegance and sex appeal right?” He looked up at Eva, hearing the concentration in her tone as she searched her mind for the right sound. Adrian answered with humor. “Sex appeal? Honey, I want sex on a hardwood floor. I want torture, need, I want drama.” He said passionately. “I want something raw and primal. Something that will win you the crowd, pull the judges forward to make sure they don’t miss a movement. I want them to see you as lovers, I want you to make the ice melt.” Eva tossed her braid over her shoulder. “Gee Adrian, you think I should throw Gabriel to the floor and molest him?” Adrian blinked innocently. “Couldn’t hurt.”

Gabriel saw her cheeks redden further with embarrassment. He grinned at her and pushed his hair out of his face. “You can’t molest the willing. Do you listen to Nickelback” He asked her and saw her eyes darken and her face light up. “I do.” He pulled of his blade guards and stood. “Have you heard the new album?” He stepped onto the ice and circled around her. “Of course, All the right Reasons. Which song?” She turned and followed him with her eyes and he slid back and forth. “Saving me.” She gasped. “I love that song. It’s actually on the computer Adrian.” The coach nodded. “I’ll put it on, see how it sounds. Warm up, three laps around the rink backwards and forwards. Then start on some simple turns together. K? Be right back.”

Gabriel took the inside and with a grin was off, flying around the rink with Eva right beside him. At the third lap they tucked and spun around to skate backwards. It was exhilarating, the rush of cold air on his warming skin. The hiss of steel across ice, and the beautiful, beguiling woman at his side. The music blared to life, the first strains of the acoustic guitar. They did slow circles over the ice, making figure eights around each other. Eva could see the scene unfolding in her mind. Chad Croger’s voice was edgy with need, pleading for someone to save him. She saw Gabriel perfectly in that role, a fallen angel desperately needing salvation. ‘Teach me wrong from right and I’ll show you what I can be. Say it for me, say it to me and I’ll leave this life behind me say it if it’s worth saving me.’ All the character wanted was love. But he was cajoling it from her, using his seductive wiles to make her tell him she loved him.

They passed Adrian as he came down the stairs. “I love it, Eva?” She nodded and wiped her suddenly damp palms on her pant legs. “Me too. I can see the scene in my head.” Adrian looked from her to Gabriel. “Tell me.” He had a note book in his hand and a pen at the ready. “Start the music over.” Adrian pressed the remote and the song repeated. Eva closed her eyes and made a slow circle, trying to find the words to describe what she saw.

‘Prison gates wont open up for me, on these hands and knees I’m crawling. Oh I reach for you.’

“They’re fighting, he’s broken her heart, shattered it to pieces. She leaves him alone, taking those broken pieces. And as soon as she’s gone the darkness of his soul begins to creep in on him.

‘I’m terrified of these four walls these Iron bars can’t hold my soul and all I need is you. Come please I’m calling.’


He begins to see what he’s done, sees that she was his only hope of ever being free. He runs after her confessing, baring the truth to her. He tells her how much he wants her, but at the same time hating how much he needs her. It makes him weak. She doesn’t want to believe it because even though he looks sincere, there’s a devil lurking behind that angel face.” Her eyes were still closed as she moved over the ice like smoke. Gabriel began to see the scene as well.

“He tells her he wants to be with her, but knows he isn’t good enough. He’s fallen, become something that scares her. He wants to be what she wants, wants to be a good man. But he’s lied to her, cheated and stolen her heart selfishly. Tainted the feelings she had for him, succumbed to the darkness. But he craves to be back in her heart, wants to bask in the light of her love. Craves it like a drug.”

‘And oh I scream for you, hurry I’m falling, show me what it’s like to be the last one standing, teach me wrong from right. I show you what I can be, say it for me, say it to me and I’ll leave this life behind me. Say It if its worth saving me.’

“He takes her from behind, wraps his arms around her.” Eva hugged herself as she circled. “He whispers in her ear pleading with her, he needs her to show him what love is. What it means to be good. He uses his heat to wrap her in a seductive spell, trying to pull the words from her. Trying desperately to convince her that if she’ll forgive him, love him, he can change.”

‘Heaven’s gates wont open up for me, with these broken wings I’ve fallen. All I see is you. These city walls ain’t got no love for me. I’m on the ledge of the eighteenth story, oh I scream for you. Come please I’m calling, all I need from you… Hurry I’m falling. Show me what it’s like to be the last one standing, teach me wrong from right. I show you what I can be, say it for me, say it to me and I’ll leave this life behind me. Say It if its worth saving me.’

“He uses his kisses to show her that she needs him as much as he needs her. He pleads with her to tell him he’s worthy to be with her. Entices her with pleasure, telling her he’ll show the world what he can be if only she’ll give him the chance. And she can’t resist. She gives in, lets him touch her heart. Gives her love, gives her soul to save him, a dark, twisted angel seeking the light.” Eva felt the weave and pull of the song leave her. Say it if it’s worth saving me. The words echoed in her mind, and she opened her eyes. Adrian’s pen was hanging lifeless in his fingers, his mouth open in awe. She flicked her eyes to Gabriel and felt heat stain her cheeks. He was staring at her with his eyes burning, aflame with something foreign to her. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear self consciously. “Sorry, got a little carried away.” She said. Adrian snapped back to life. “I want that…exactly that to show in your program. Give that to the crowd, the judges and we’ve won hands down.”