Curate, connect, and discover
there is no doubt that rachel is some sort of an all-rounder. academic wise, surely, but for something that requires physical movement like roller skating? it depends on a case-by-case basis. she finds it easy to understand the concept ⸻ she listens to the instructions well and imagines doing them in her head, and yet when it comes to moving her own body, well, it’s easier said than done. someone like sade probably wouldn’t get it - not that it’s her fault! - seeing how effortless she has been doing with those wheels on. to say she’s a tad bit envious would be an exaggeration, but man, rachel wished she could be that good.
she takes a deep breath when sade comes around her again, mentally preparing herself to go over this thing one more time. “really? you think so?” the reassuring words from sade doesn’t make her feel better, but she appreciates it anyways. “okay, bend my knees,” rachel repeats as she does it. “elbows out for balance. lift from my hips and push,” and again, she’s stuck. c'mon, just push forward, she tells herself, and suddenly it all feels impossible again. “this is not- i know how to walk, sadie. this is not just like walking. like look at you, you’re…” what’s the word? “…gliding, and i am not. i can’t.” maybe this is a sign rachel should just give up.
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-ˋˏ ꒰ 🪐 ꒱ ── sade watches her, arms crossed over her chest, lips slightly pursed to the side. rachel's frustration is clashing with her own, though sade is sure her slightly sour mood isn't improving the situation. why does she feel like she isn't being listened to ? obviously, rachel IS listening, and if sade were to actually look at the other woman's posture then it would be obvious that it's just beginners anxiety ( and potentially the pressure that they're both putting on her. ) but because rachel doesn't get it right away, at least not like sade gets it, she finds the experience mildly aggravating, like rachel is doing it on purpose.
a soft sigh escapes her── okay, maybe she should relax a little. rachel's obviously trying, and struggling, and sade's impatience is not HER fault. she tries to remind herself of all those things her therapist told her when she got back to jersey : not every inconvenience is an attack on you, sadie ! inhaling deeply, sade lets the tension melt from her shoulders, and pushes off the cement so she can skate up beside rachel. " you're really not doing that bad, " it's her reluctant attempt at reassurance. " we'll start from the beginning. bend your knees, like you're sitting down, " she goes through the steps a little slower this time. " hold your elbows out on either side of you for balance. lift from your hips── it'll help you keep your balance. then you just push── " she presses off one foot, rolling forward, though she doesn't go far from rachel. " just one foot. and then the other. it's just like walking. "