9. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Alisha
I was surprised I managed to wake up today, but I was determined to continue making progress with my skiing. I had even stomached a bacon roll this morning with a cup of coffee. Hilde was now teaching me how to ski from higher up, straight down into a plough position. The boots didn’t feel as painful as yesterday, which was a good sign I was getting more comfortable with the whole charade. There was also a shift in my overall mood. I felt a bit more optimistic, and hopefully, I’d get some work done today too.
As the lesson went on, Hilde pushed me further to the limit with gentle encouragement.
“That’s it, keep leaning forward,” Hilde said, which was something I initially found difficult.
“I feel my limbs burning!” I called out.
“You’ll feel less of a burn tomorrow,” Hilde replied.
By the end of the lesson, we had done several trips up the ski lift and then skied downward into a plough. Tomorrow, I would be working on turning left and right, which was the bit I was scared about.
I learnt more about Hilde, who was hoping to go to university and become a teacher of PE. This sounded great and she definitely had the knack and patience for it. I once considered becoming a teacher, but then standing up in front of kids, trying to manage their behaviour as well as dealing with my own mental health would be a real task. I was glad I hadn’t gone down that path, and I was doing something I loved. Not a lot of people could feel this way.
Ophelia and I had met up for lunch again, this time trying something new. The schnitzel looked pretty good, and we were given a generous helping of french fries. As I sipped my coffee, I noticed someone familiar sitting down a few tables opposite us. I squinted, no idea why as I had near-perfect vision, and realised it was Mr Grumpy No Smiles aka Felix. He was sipping what looked like coffee or it could have been hot chocolate. I didn’t really think he was a caffeine person but here he was, sipping away and watching people walk by. He had a rigid frame as he sat, almost like he was zoned out until his eyes met mine. I couldn’t ignore the somersault my stomach did as he blinked a couple of times at me.
Ophelia clocked on and cleared her throat, bringing me to my senses. I had to stop looking at his eyes, which were so beautiful.
“I recognise him. He was at the bar yesterday, right?” Ophelia spoke calmly, placing her knife and fork on her empty plate. I wasn’t quite finished with my own food yet, so I continued to eat the rest of my fries.
“Oh, yes,” I said nonchalantly.
Must not give away that I am slightly attracted to him but don’t even know him.
“He looks like he recognises you too. And I’ve gotta say he’s very good looking. Feeling brave enough to go and talk to him?” she asked me rather excitedly.
Ophelia liked to think of herself as a matchmaker and suggested that I try dating apps. I absolutely hated them and if I were to meet anyone again, they’d have to be in person and on my wavelength. I thought Caden had been but clearly not. We were not compatible at all really, now looking at it from a new perspective. We were like oil and water. We just didn’t go together.
“Nah, don’t think so. I’m here on holiday with you. We’ve gotta work too. No time for chatting up men.” I didn’t want to sound curt but I wanted to be truthful with her. I hoped she would move on.
“I’ll go get us some dessert,” Ophelia offered. I was glad she changed the topic. I was fiddling with the napkin I hadn’t used, anything to keep my eyes from deceiving me and meeting his gaze. I was expecting to be uncomfortable as I felt his burning stare, almost as if it was scorching my skin. Don’t look up.
Too late. Another jolt of electricity shot through me as I started to admire his face, the way his Adam’s apple moved and the intensity of his stare. He would be even more handsome if he smiled. I wondered what he was thinking and now started to wish he would come over and talk to me. We could have a staring competition at this rate.
But after what seemed like a lifetime, he got up from his seat and walked over to me. His steps were slow, no real sense of urgency but obviously something had connected in his brain to bring himself to my table.
“H-hi,” Felix said, and it was easy to tell he was nervous. I found this adorable and tried not to blush.
“Hi there,” I replied, trying to sound calm and collected. Trying to ignore the way his thumb kept twitching but it was very fascinating. His body language screamed get away but he stood still, rigid and blank faced.
Riiiight . Can we make this any less awkward?
“Um, how was your skiing? Are you improving?” Felix asked. This was good. He was working on his conversation skills. Maybe I could see what he’s all about.
“Yes, Hilde is a great instructor,” I said blankly.
“Oh, yeah. My sister Mira is friends with her.” Felix scratched the nape of his neck. I had thought they were related as they looked similar.
“Oh cool.” Now what to say next? I hoped he would keep asking the questions as I was sitting here starstruck.
“Did you like the schnitzel?” Felix continued, he seemed less like a stone now and relaxed his shoulders. I always thought posture would change the way a person was perceived. My parents always told me to sit up straight and never slouch, always have your body turned to the person who is talking, show you’re interested. I tried to listen to this advice now and leaned forward, so that I was slightly peering up at Felix.
Ophelia was taking a damn long time.
“Yes. It was tasty. I like the drinks here too.” I started chewing my bottom lip which was already starting to chap due to the cold weather.
“You should try one of the apres-ski. If you like beer and any kind of alcohol.” As he said this, I remembered how tipsy I had been last night.
“Well, if you have any recommendations.”
“I’d try these three, Kitzloch, Kuhstalle and Fire and Ice,” Felix told me. His pronunciation of these words was like velvet.
I’d research at least one of these today with Ophelia and then add to my article. Hopefully today would be more productive.
“And what about dinner?” I queried. Cooking in the chalet was not the plan for every evening and if I really wanted to talk about the real Ischgl in my article, I needed to try different restaurants.
“Here. Take my number and I can tell you the details later.” I was not expecting that. Within a space of a few minutes, he had gone from cold to hot. Ophelia had been right and she was going to be so happy when she got back. Wherever she was.
Felix exchanged his number with me and then I texted him with my name.
“I’ve got to go. Nice seeing you again.” As he said this, he gave me a nod.
“You too.” I smiled for good measure and he disappeared as quickly as I started to inhale a deep breath.
“What the fuck?” I heard a frantic voice and a few people around us looked up from their lunches, some of them frowning and staring in awe at the person. The person being Ophelia, who was now hurrying toward me with a tray of cake and tea.
“Sit down. I’ll tell you,” I said, and she did, slamming the tray day with force. Yikes. She apparently had been watching and had heard the whole conversation.
“I didn’t want to interrupt you both. But my intuition was right.” Ophelia smirked.
“You must be psychic.” I giggled, lifting my fork to take a bit of cake. Ophelia had picked out red velvet for me and chocolate for her.
“I didn’t think he had the balls to speak to you. But I’ve been proved wrong.” Ophelia plunged her fork into her chocolate fudge cake. I had been too.
“We should try one of the apres-ski he mentioned,” I suggested. Partly, I was hoping if we did, that I’d see him at one of them.
“Hell yeah! I’m one hundred percent down for a nice beer in the sun. What more could I ask for with my best friend?” She smiled at me and she was right, it was a good idea. I started to realise how exciting this holiday was going to be and the possibilities of promotion that could come my way.
“You’re so right. I think it’s time I enjoyed myself,” I said, and this time, I meant it.