Hey everybody! A few days ago, I mentioned in one of my stories that I was searching for a job and I finally found one after months of applying and interviews. Applying for jobs isn't as easy as people make it out to be. Anyway, I'm almost done with my one class so I should have plenty of time for updating soon. Thanks again for being patient with me and enjoy!

For the past couple of weeks, Victor was very ecstatic. The reason was his very first ice skating recital was coming soon. His instructor thought it would be a great idea for the kids to have a recital in order to prepare them for competitive skating if that's what they chose. The instructor chose their music based on what they liked and choreographed most of their pieces, but the students were free to do anything they wanted.

Victor hadn't stopped talking about it since the day it was announced and his excitement caught on to Victoria. She was too young to do performances but she practiced with her brother and offered encouragement.

"I'm so excited, Victoria!" Victor exclaimed as he skated along on the backyard pond, practicing his routine. "The recital is in a few days and I'm so enthusiastic, I could burst!"

Victoria giggled as she obediently stood at the edge of the pond to give her brother enough space to practice.

"Will you really do competive skating later, bratan?" she asked.

"It's competitive, sestra," Victor corrected as he finished his piece with a flourish. He slid to Victoria's side and dragged her onto the ice to skate with him. "And I don't know yet. I guess I'll see how I feel about it after the recital. Maybe I'll do it after college since I don't have any idea what I want to do after."

"You're going to be an awesome figure skater, bratan," Victoria praised.

Victor chuckled and hugged her. "Thanks Victoria. I'm counting on you to cheer me on the loudest, okay?"

She nodded with a cute smile. "Okay."

They skated for another hour until the back door opened. Mamasha peeked her head outside. "Victor! Victoria! Come inside for lunch."

As soon as lunch came out of her mouth, Victoria's face lit up. "Yay, lunch!"

The child hastily stepped off the pond, put on her skate guards, and ran to the house. Victor smiled and followed at a slower pace.

"Victor, after eating lunch, I want you to take a break from skating for a couple of days," Mamasha ordered.

"But Mamasha," Victor whined, "I have to keep practicing."

"I know how much this first recital means to you but it's also important to take a break," she reasoned. "You don't want an injury from overexertion before your first performance, do you?"

At his mother's explanation, Victor conceded. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess you're right."

Victor put away his skates and ate lunch with Victoria.

The day of the recital had finally arrived. Families and friends flooded into the ice skating building, filling up seats. Victor and his family stood off to the side of the incoming crowds.

Victoria hugged her brother. "You are going to be awesome, bratan!"

Victor chuckled and reciprocated the action. "Thanks sestra."

Papasha ruffled his son's hair affectionately. "Although this is just a recital, make sure to go all out, okay?"

Victor nodded. "Of course, papasha."

Mamasha hugged him tightly. "Break a leg, sweetie. If you get nervous, take deep breaths and don't rush your routine."

Victor smiled at his mother's coddling. "Don't worry Mamasha. I'll be fine."

"Bye everyone!" he yelled as he dashed to the side door where the other skaters were entering.

The parents waved their son goodbye while Victoria had a confused expression on her face. She tugged at her mother's pants.

"Mamasha, why did you tell bratan to break a leg? Isn't that a bad thing?"

She giggled at her daughter's confusion. "It's called a figure of speech, honey. When someone is performing, breaking a leg actually means good luck."

Victoria looked more puzzled than before but accepted her mother's words.

Papasha grasped her hand. "All right. Let's head inside to see if there are any good seats left."

They walked inside and managed to find front row seats. Victoria's dad placed her on his lap so she could see well. He then handed her something. Victoria looked at the object with curiosity.

"What is this Papasha?"

"It's a flower crown," he replied. "After Victor finishes his performance, put this on his head."

"How come?" she asked.

"At figure skating shows, giving flower crowns is like getting a trophy."

"Oh, okay."

The lights dimmed so everyone quieted down. All the skaters performed well then lastly was Victor. Victoria clapped loudly when her brother skated by. He saw his family and waved at them before skating to the center of the rink.

The music began and so did Victor. Victoria gazed at him in awe. The aura around him shifted to a more serious and graceful attitude. She could tell that her brother's playfulness was thrown out the window and replaced by something she's never seen in him before. Victor glided on the ice and performed the jumps like a professional ice skater who had many gold medals under his belt.

Victor finished his piece with a flourish. The entire audience stood up in applause. He bowed and waved to them.

"Victor!"

He looked at the direction of the voice and saw his sister waving at him. With a smile, he skated to his family. Victoria then placed the flower crown with red roses on his head, adjusting it so it can fit. Victor looked at her in surprise.

"It's a gift for you," she shouted loud enough for him to hear over the crowd.

His grin stretched and he leaned over to give a quick peck on Victoria's forehead. "Thank you!" he shouted before skating off the ice.

The recital finished so everyone left the building. Victor met up with his family outside. He ran to his little sister, lifting her into his arms and squeezing her tightly.

"Thanks again for the flower crown, sestra," he said.

Victoria giggled. "You're welcome."

"You were wonderful, Victor," Mamasha complimented. "Although it was just a recital, I could tell you were very serious."

"Thanks Mamasha."

"I agree with your mother," Papasha spoke up. "Now let's head home for a celebratory dinner."

"Yay!" the kids cheered.

And that's it for now! Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Review please!