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00:00Hi, I'm Elodie. Before I tell you my story, please like and subscribe. I was born on the
00:04outskirts of Paris and my early life was pretty uneventful until I turned seven and my parents
00:10decided we were going on our first real vacation. That involved flying to the Maldives on the other
00:16side of the earth. I was super excited, but as soon as the plane took off, I started feeling
00:21very uneasy. The height made me feel dizzy. Then halfway in our flight, we started having
00:26really bad turbulence and that made me panic. Are we going to crash? Don't be silly. The chances
00:31are really low. So you're saying there is a slight chance we might die? I cried hysterically for the
00:37remaining flight and when we finally landed, I was shaking. Not even a week of fun at sea could make
00:42me forget and when it was time to go back home, I refused to get on the plane again. I caused such
00:47a scene at the airport that my parents had no choice but to take a ship for the return trip
00:52and it drained their credit cards. This is the last time we're going on vacation ever. Mom and
00:57dad argued about money all the way home and soon after they separated. I was convinced it was my
01:03fault. No, honey. We were having problems for a while and don't worry. We'll be okay. But seeing
01:07them divorce was heartbreaking. Dad remarried, had new children and completely forgot about me. Mom tried
01:14many things to cheer me up, but it seems like nothing was working until one day she took me ice skating at
01:20the local rink and that changed everything. When I was on the ice, it felt like I was flying and all
01:26my problems disappeared. Mom saw the potential I had and signed me up for private lessons. By the time
01:31I was 10, I was already winning junior local competitions. My training was expensive, but mom
01:36worked double shifts to cover for it. If this is your dream, I will do anything in my power to help
01:41you. You're the best, mom. I'll make you proud. At school, I did well enough. My peers admired me,
01:47but unfortunately, I didn't have many close friends. Also, as time went by, I started noticing I wasn't like
01:54other girls my age. Like one time when I was 15, I was at a friend's house for a sleepover and we were
01:59watching the movie Titanic. During the final scene, all the other girls were crying, but I just couldn't
02:04get it. I snatched the remote and paused the movie. This is so stupid. Look, there's enough room on that door
02:09for Jack to climb to. Ella Dee, you're ruining the moment. This moment is already ruined. Who even
02:14likes such dumb movies? Needless to say, I was never invited for a movie night again. So maybe I
02:21wasn't that much of a romantic or at all. Big deal. As I grew older, most of my peers started dating,
02:28breaking up and crying over ice cream while I was still waiting for my first crush to happen. I felt
02:32like I was being weird and the only person in the world who got me was my best friend, Lewis. We got
02:38closer months ago. Mom is happy I'm not getting distracted by dating, but her sister and friends
02:43always ask why I don't have a boyfriend, as if there's something wrong with me. It's not something
02:47you can force, the same way I can't like girls. And even if you never fall in love with someone,
02:52who cares? You're amazing just the way you are. I know, but sometimes I wish I wasn't so different
02:57and that guys would stop asking me out. I wish that was my problem. It would be if you came out.
03:04No, thank you. I'd rather swim with alligators.
03:07Lewis was terrified of his father finding out he was gay. In a way, we were both fishes out of water,
03:12and maybe that's why we got along so well. I knew I could talk to him about everything without being
03:17judged. When I turned 18, I was added to the national competition that would send the winner
03:22to the Olympics. That would give me the opportunity to have a real sponsor, relieving mom of the huge
03:27financial burden. By that point, I was training daily, and my coach had given me a very complex program.
03:33You have a real chance of winning, Elodie, but you really need to land that triple axel.
03:38That jump would keep me up at night. It was so difficult. Less than 20 women landed it in
03:42competition ever. And as if that wasn't enough, one day, the restaurant where mom worked caught fire,
03:48and she ended up in the hospital with a broken ankle and some burns. Her condition wasn't too
03:52serious, but she needed time to recover. I won't be able to work for a while. I'm sorry,
03:57Elodie, but I can't pay your coach anymore. I was devastated. It felt like my only chance at a
04:02career had just been taken away. But I didn't want to show that to mom. She was already feeling
04:06bad, and I didn't want to make her feel worse. I picked up a job in a small cafe to earn some
04:11extra cash, but between studying and working, I was exhausted. I was crying on the phone with
04:16Louis one night when he came up with a crazy solution.
04:19You won't like it, but hear me out. My dad is having this big party in a couple of days with
04:23all his business partners, and he insisted that I invite my girlfriend.
04:27What girlfriend?
04:28Uh, I may have lied about that. Dad kept asking me why I was still single at my age,
04:34so I panicked and told him I was dating someone. I know it's wrong, but I never expected him to
04:39meet her. Anyway, you could pretend to be my girlfriend, and I'll ask him to sponsor you.
04:43He likes donating to all sorts of causes, and for a potential daughter-in-law, I'm sure he'll accept.
04:48I don't know. Plies like that always end badly. Can't you just tell him the truth?
04:52You don't know him. Ever since I was little, he wouldn't stop talking about my future wife and
04:57how he hopes I'll have, like, 25 grandkids. Trust me, this is the only way.
05:01I was uncomfortable with the fake dating plan, but Louis was right. It would benefit both of us,
05:06at least until I managed to win the championship and get another sponsor.
05:10So when the day of the party rolled out, I put on my prettiest dress and ended up charming all of
05:14the guests. Louis was cold sweating when it was time to introduce me to his father, and
05:19I could see why. His dad was a very stern-looking man with a permanent frown on his face, but when
05:25we started talking, he seemed kind in his way. Louis took the opportunity to tell him about mom's
05:30incident and how I needed help with my career. I understand, but unfortunately, this isn't a
05:36good time for my company. Maybe next year. I felt like the earth stopped spinning. Louis looked as
05:41shocked as me and promised to talk to his dad again, but it was of no use. Some days later,
05:45I was at the cafe working, but I really couldn't focus and started crying again. Just then,
05:50someone tapped on my shoulder. Why is a pretty girl like you crying? You're ruining your makeup.
05:55I looked up and saw Henry, a famous skater who had won the championship the previous season,
06:00staring at me. He sat me down, and I ended up telling him all my worries. So now,
06:05my career is basically over. It doesn't have to be. I can pay for your training.
06:09Really? You can? But why? You hardly know me.
06:13I know that everyone needs to see real talent. My family is one of the wealthiest in the country.
06:18My car insurance is more expensive than your lessons. It's nothing.
06:21I couldn't believe my luck. From that day on, I started practicing with Henry,
06:25and he seemed quite impressed with my skills. Some days, we would go have coffee after training.
06:30He was a lot more experienced than I was, and I loved hearing about his travels and all the
06:35talented people he met during competition. One afternoon after practice, Henry was dropping me
06:40at home. When he leaned in and tried to kiss me, I quickly pushed him away, and he seemed very
06:45confused. I'm sorry. Is there a problem?
06:48I think I might have given you the wrong idea, Henry. I like you, but only as a friend. I'm just
06:52not interested in dating anyone. I see. What can I say? It's breaking my heart that you're doing
06:57this to me, and I get it, but I don't think any other guy would. You have to be careful about
07:01giving a guy wrong signals, especially when you get so close in such a short period. Guys always expect
07:07something in return. Anyway, I guess I'll leave now. Henry gave me a quick hug and left. I decided
07:12to keep my distance from Henry after that. I didn't want to hurt him anymore. Soon, it was time
07:17for the competition, but the day before the competition, I was so stressed out I could
07:21barely stay still. So Louis asked me to go to the local fair with him to calm my nerves down.
07:26We went to all the booths trying our luck. I spent an embarrassing amount of money at the
07:30duck pond game, and Louis won at the miniature rifle range. The lady gave him a huge heart-shaped
07:35plushie, which he gave to me. A lucky charm for tomorrow. Sure. It has nothing to do with how
07:41bulky this is. We were having a good time, going on roller coasters and eating fries, but just then,
07:46I heard someone calling my name from the crowd. I turned around and saw Henry walking in our
07:51direction. So he's the reason you broke up with me? Henry? No, you're misunderstanding.
07:56Louis is just a friend. Just like I was a friend to you? You know, if you liked someone else,
08:01you could have just said that. And what's even about this guy that made you reject me? Is it
08:05money? Careful, dude. You got yourself a gold digger. Don't you dare talk to her like that,
08:10or what? You'll hit me. Henry took a step forward. His fist balled up, but I got in the way and pushed
08:15Henry aside. It's not worth it, Louis. He's just a crazy, possessive guy. Forget about him.
08:20Oh, wow. Crazy and possessive? This is how you say thank you for being a good friend and helping you?
08:26something this idiot would never do? I wanted to argue more, but I decided against it and left
08:31with Louis. I couldn't believe Henry would turn on me like that. I thought he was my friend,
08:35but I couldn't waste too much sleep because of him. I had a competition to win. I set the alarm on my
08:40phone and went to sleep early so I got some rest. But the next morning, I woke up to Louis screaming in
08:45my face. Get up, Elodie. You're late. What? Oh my God. How did I not wake up? I checked my phone and
08:51the screen was glitching. It looks like my phone's broken. We don't have time for that. Hurry up,
08:55or you'll miss the competition. I quickly got dressed and left with Louis, but the road was
09:00jam-packed with traffic. It was the weekend and the main carnival day. As if that wasn't enough,
09:05the main bridge was closed because of a small accident. This is the only way to cross the river.
09:10We're never gonna make it. What am I gonna do? I might have an idea. Louis got out of the car and
09:15we made our way back to the fair from the previous night. Okay, anytime now. Who? What? That. I looked
09:21where Louis was pointing. My heart dropped. Right over the fair, a couple of hot air balloons were
09:25already taking off and others were waiting for customers on the ground. Oh no, no, no. You gotta
09:30be kidding. I know you're afraid of heights, but this is your only chance. Listen to me,
09:35Elodie. You can't let your fear win. Not now, when you're so close to making your dream come true.
09:39Louis was right. My stupid fear was getting in the way of my dreams, but I was stronger than that.
09:45We paid the man piloting the balloon and hopped on. As we took off, I closed my eyes and wrapped
09:50myself around Louis like an octopus. You can look now. Trust me. I slowly opened my eyes and it was
09:56so different from what I remembered from that airplane all those years back. Sure, I was still
10:01afraid, but from up there, the world looked so peaceful and beautiful. The flight didn't last long
10:06and soon we were landing in front of the arena. We ran inside and I got my skates on just in time.
10:12The place was packed, but I felt confident and performed my best routine. And then came the
10:18final moment, the dreaded triple axel. We took a deep breath and spun three times, landing beautifully.
10:24And the crowd went crazy. The results were announced soon after, and I was over the moon to bag the
10:29first prize. Right after I got my trophy, I was getting back to Louis when Henry got in my way.
10:35What now? I just came to tell you that I'm sorry. I was wrong and totally out of line. Also,
10:40I really thought that hackers would hack your phone and keep you away from the competition,
10:44but I guess talent always finds a way. You hacked my phone? That's why the alarm didn't go off and
10:50nobody could reach me? That's horrible, Henry. Why would you do that? Because I wanted to show you
10:55your place. But like I said, I was wrong and I'd like to start a new friendship with you from scratch.
11:00Yeah, I don't think so. I can't trust you. And friendship is based on trust. Now,
11:05if you'll excuse me, my friend is waiting for me. I went backstage to Louis and was kind of surprised
11:10to see his dad waiting for me. Congratulations, young lady. I'm proud my son is such a talented
11:16girlfriend. Uh, actually, dad... Louis gathered himself for a moment and then told his dad the
11:21truth. I'm sorry for all the lies, but all this time I was afraid of disappointing you. You're right,
11:27I am disappointed. But with myself, I kept rejecting my ideal life without even considering
11:32you'd want something different. Son, all I really care about is for you to be happy. And you,
11:37young lady, this was a big step in your life and I have a surprise for you.
11:41Louis and his dad took me home with them, where his dad had organized a party to welcome mom after
11:46her discharge from the hospital. She couldn't be at the competition, so the party was our chance to
11:51celebrate together. Mom introduced herself and thanked him. And then they kept chatting and chatting
11:56and it gave me a weird feeling. What's going on with our parents? They're so red. Are they sick?
12:02Worse, they like each other. And yes, you guessed it. That's how I ended up with a stepfather
12:07and brother. I learned that you have to face your fear or you'll be afraid for the rest of your life.