Chapter 272: Baby Deer On Stilts.
The moment Loli stepped away from the railing and into Hugo's arms, she knew she had made a grave mistake.
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The ice was evil. It was moving. It was alive.
Her legs wobbled like spaghetti noodles, completely refusing to obey her commands, while Hugo stood there like some effortless skating champion, grinning down at her like this wasn't the most terrifying experience of her life.
"Okay, okay, don't panic," Hugo said, holding both of her hands tightly as she clutched onto him for dear life. "Just take it slow. One foot in front of the other."
Loli tried. She really tried. But the moment she shifted her weight onto her right foot, it slid out from under her so suddenly that she let out a loud squeak, her arms flailing wildly.
Hugo snorted. "Wow. That was fast. You almost just summoned the paramedics in record time!"
Loli gritted her teeth. "I'm beginning to think you brought me here just to embarrass me."
"What? No!" Hugo looked far too amused for someone who wasn't guilty. "I just wanted to share a nice moment with my dear girl who is totally, absolutely bad at skating."
Loli groaned but held onto his arms as he slowly guided her forward. "I swear, Hugo, if you let me fall—"
"You'll what? Crawl after me? You can't even stand without me right now."
Loli wanted to argue, but he was right. The moment he moved even an inch, she nearly collapsed again.
Hugo kept laughing, holding her up as he moved them forward at a snail's pace.
"Alright, listen, it's all about balance," he explained, skating backward effortlessly while holding onto her.
"You have to distribute your weight evenly and glide. Don't stomp your feet, just push lightly."
Loli narrowed her eyes. "You're saying words, but none of them are making sense right now."
Hugo rolled his eyes. "Okay, let me put it in terms you'll understand. Imagine you're walking in a dramatic slow motion scene in a romance movie.
"You know, the type where the wind is blowing and the music is playing, and the main lead is striding towards their lover like they own the whole world."
Loli raised an eyebrow. "So, I just have to be sexy on ice?"
Hugo grinned. "Exactly. But right now, you're more like a baby deer on stilts."
Loli gasped and smacked his arm. "I hate you!"
"No, you don't."
Loli huffed but focused again, this time carefully pushing forward as Hugo held her hands.
She managed to take three whole steps without looking like a complete disaster, and for a moment, she thought she had it figured out.
"Oh, I'm doing it! I'm actually—"
And then she lost her balance again.
Her feet skidded in opposite directions, her arms flailed like a cartoon character, and she let out a high-pitched yelp that was way too dramatic for the situation.
Hugo died laughing. "Oh my God, Loli, you—You look like you're fighting for your life!"
"I am fighting for my life!" she yelled back, gripping onto him so hard that she nearly pulled him down with her.
Hugo shook his head, trying to contain his laughter. "Okay, okay, let's try again. I got you. Just bend your knees a little and keep your body relaxed."
Loli obeyed, her lips pressed together in deep concentration.
Hugo, still skating backward like some show off, kept his hands firm on hers, moving her slowly across the ice.
She wobbled every now and then, but after several tries, she actually managed to slide forward a bit more smoothly.
"See? You're getting it!"
Loli beamed. "I am!"
Then she let go of Hugo's hands to prove her confidence—
—And instantly regretted it!
The moment she tried to glide on her own, her foot slipped out from under her, and she let out a terrified scream.
Hugo, reacting on instinct, lunged forward to catch her before she hit the ice.
But in doing so…
He slipped, too.
Time slowed.
One second, Hugo was reaching out heroically, the next, he was airborne. His arms flailed, his feet kicked up, and all of a sudden, gravity betrayed him.
With an unceremonious crash, he landed directly on top of Loli, sending them both sprawling across the ice.
Loli let out a dramatic wheeze, completely pinned beneath him. "HUGO!"
Hugo groaned. "Ow. Okay. This was not part of the plan."
Loli stared up at him, her face an absolute mess of emotions—shock, outrage, amusement, and a tiny bit of embarrassment.
Hugo, however, was too busy dying of laughter again.
"This is karma!" Loli gasped, struggling under his weight. "You laughed at me too much, and now look at you!"
Hugo, still laughing, shook his head. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. At least I tried to save you. That has to count for something."
Loli rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, congratulations. You failed."
Hugo grinned. "But I failed with style."
The two of them stayed there for a moment, sprawled on the ice, their laughter mixing with the distant music of the rink.
Around them, a few people glanced their way, some giggling, others shaking their heads at their antics.
Hugo eventually pushed himself up, extending a hand to Loli, who was still catching her breath.
"Come on, let's try again."
Loli stared at him like he was crazy. "Are you kidding me? I almost died just now."
Hugo smirked. "Nah, you'll be fine. Besides, you already survived one crash landing, what's the worst that can happen?"
Loli groaned but took his hand, allowing him to pull her up. As she steadied herself, she shot him a glare. "If I fall again, I'm taking you down with me."
Hugo laughed, squeezing her hand. "Deal."
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Hey guyyys! It's Hunter here again! Just wanted to check on my wonderful readers and ask if there's anything you all would like added or omitted from the story!
Every bit helps me make the story even better for y'all, so feel free to speak your minds!
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Power stone Goal!
50 PS - 1 Bonus chapter
100 PS - 2 Bonus chapter
200 PS (Quite an achievement as of now) - 3 Bonus chapters.
Castle - 20 Bonus Chapters!