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00:00Hi, I'm Elodie.
00:01Before I tell you my story, please like and subscribe.
00:04I was born on the outskirts of Paris,
00:06and my early life was pretty uneventful, until I turned seven.
00:09And my parents decided we were going
00:11on our first real vacation.
00:13That involved flying to the Maldives
00:15on the other side of the Earth.
00:17I was super excited, but as soon as the plane took off,
00:20I started feeling very uneasy.
00:22The height made me feel dizzy.
00:24Then halfway in our flight, we started
00:26having really bad turbulence, and that made me panic.
00:29Are we going to crash?
00:30Don't be silly.
00:31The chances are really low.
00:32So you're saying there is a slight chance we might die?
00:36I cried hysterically for the remaining flight.
00:38And when we finally landed, I was shaking.
00:40Not even a week of fun at sea could make me forget.
00:43And when it was time to go back home,
00:44I refused to get on the plane again.
00:47I caused such a scene at the airport
00:48that my parents had no choice but to take
00:50a ship for the return trip, and it drained their credit cards.
00:54This is the last time we're going on vacation ever.
00:57Mom and dad argued about money all the way home,
00:59and soon after, they separated.
01:01I was convinced it was my fault. No, honey.
01:04We were having problems for a while.
01:06Don't worry.
01:06We'll be OK.
01:07But seeing them divorce was heartbreaking.
01:09Dad remarried, had new children, and completely
01:12forgot about me.
01:13Mom tried many things to cheer me up,
01:16but it seems like nothing was working.
01:18Until one day, she took me ice skating at the local rink,
01:21and that changed everything.
01:22When I was on the ice, it felt like I was flying,
01:25and all my problems disappeared.
01:27Mom saw the potential I had and signed me up
01:29for private lessons.
01:30By the time I was 10, I was already winning
01:33junior local competitions.
01:34My training was expensive, but mom worked double shifts
01:37to cover for it.
01:38If this is your dream, I will do anything in my power
01:41to help you.
01:42You're the best, mom.
01:43I'll make you proud.
01:44At school, I did well enough.
01:46My peers admired me, but unfortunately, I
01:48didn't have many close friends.
01:50Also, as time went by, I started noticing
01:53I wasn't like other girls my age.
01:55Like one time when I was 15, I was at a friend's house
01:57for a sleepover, and we were watching the movie Titanic.
02:00During the final scene, all the other girls were crying,
02:03but I just couldn't get it.
02:04I snatched the remote and paused the movie.
02:06This is so stupid.
02:07Look, there's enough room on that door for Jack to climb to.
02:10Elodie, you're ruining the moment.
02:13This moment is already ruined.
02:14Who even likes such dumb movies?
02:16Needless to say, I was never invited for a movie night
02:19again, so maybe I wasn't that much of a romantic, or at all.
02:25As I grew older, most of my peers
02:27started dating, breaking up, and crying over ice cream
02:29while I was still waiting for my first crush to happen.
02:32I felt like I was being weird, and the only person
02:35in the world who got me was my best friend, Louis.
02:37We got closer months ago.
02:39Mom is happy I'm not getting distracted by dating,
02:42but her sister and friends always
02:43ask why I don't have a boyfriend,
02:45as if there's something wrong with me.
02:47It's not something you can force,
02:48the same way I can't like girls.
02:50And even if you never fall in love with someone, who cares?
02:53You're amazing just the way you are.
02:55I know, but sometimes I wish I wasn't so different,
02:58and that guys would stop asking me out.
03:01I wish that was my problem.
03:02It would be if you came out.
03:04No, thank you.
03:05I'd rather swim with alligators.
03:07Louis was terrified of his father finding out he was gay.
03:10In a way, we were both fishes out of water,
03:12and maybe that's why we got along so well.
03:15I knew I could talk to him about everything
03:17without being judged.
03:18When I turned 18, I was added to the national competition
03:21that would send the winner to the Olympics.
03:23That would give me the opportunity
03:25to have a real sponsor, relieving mom
03:27of the huge financial burden.
03:28By that point, I was training daily,
03:30and my coach had given me a very complex program.
03:33You have a real chance of winning, Elodie,
03:35but you really need to land that triple axel.
03:38That jump would keep me up at night.
03:39It was so difficult, less than 20 women
03:42landed it in competition ever.
03:44And as if that wasn't enough, one day,
03:46the restaurant where mom worked caught fire,
03:48and she ended up in the hospital
03:49with a broken ankle and some burns.
03:51Her condition wasn't too serious,
03:53but she needed time to recover.
03:55I won't be able to work for a while.
03:56I'm sorry, Elodie, but I can't pay your coach anymore.
03:59I was devastated.
04:00It felt like my only chance at a career
04:02had just been taken away,
04:04but I didn't want to show that to mom.
04:05She was already feeling bad,
04:07and I didn't want to make her feel worse.
04:08I picked up a job in a small cafe to earn some extra cash,
04:11but between studying and working, I was exhausted.
04:15I was crying on the phone with Louis one night
04:17when he came up with a crazy solution.
04:19You won't like it, but hear me out.
04:21My dad is having this big party in a couple of days
04:23with all his business partners,
04:24and he insisted that I invite my girlfriend.
04:27What girlfriend?
04:28Uh, I may have lied about that.
04:31Dad kept asking me why I was still single at my age,
04:34so I panicked and told him I was dating someone.
04:36I know it's wrong, but I never expected him to meet her.
04:39Anyway, you could pretend to be my girlfriend,
04:41and I'll ask him to sponsor you.
04:43He likes donating to all sorts of causes,
04:45and for a potential daughter-in-law,
04:47I'm sure he'll accept.
04:48I don't know.
04:49Lies like that always end badly.
04:51Can't you just tell him the truth?
04:52You don't know him.
04:53Ever since I was little,
04:54he wouldn't stop talking about my future wife
04:57and how he hopes I'll have, like, 25 grandkids.
04:59Trust me, this is the only way.
05:01I was uncomfortable with the fake dating plan,
05:04but Louis was right.
05:05It would benefit both of us,
05:06at least until I managed to win the championship
05:08and get another sponsor.
05:10So when the day of the party rolled out,
05:11I put on my prettiest dress
05:13and ended up charming all of the guests.
05:15Louis was cold and sweating
05:17when it was time to introduce me to his father,
05:18and I could see why.
05:20His dad was a very stern-looking man
05:23with a permanent frown on his face,
05:24but when we started talking,
05:26he seemed kind in his way.
05:28Louis took the opportunity to tell him about Mom's incident
05:30and how I needed help with my career.
05:33I understand, but unfortunately,
05:35this isn't a good time for my company.
05:37Maybe next year.
05:38I felt like the earth stopped spinning.
05:40Louis looked as shocked as me
05:42and promised to talk to his dad again,
05:43but it was of no use.
05:45Some days later, I was at the cafe working,
05:47but I really couldn't focus and started crying again.
05:50Just then, someone tapped on my shoulder.
05:52Why is a pretty girl like you crying?
05:54You're ruining your makeup.
05:55I looked up and saw Henry,
05:57a famous skater who had won the championship
05:59the previous season, staring at me.
06:01He sat me down, and I ended up telling him all my worries.
06:05So now, my career is basically over.
06:07It doesn't have to be.
06:08I could pay for your training.
06:10Really, you can?
06:11But why?
06:12You hardly know me.
06:13I know that everyone needs to see real talent.
06:16My family is one of the wealthiest in the country.
06:18My car insurance is more expensive than your lessons.
06:20It's nothing.
06:21I couldn't believe my luck.
06:23From that day on, I started practicing with Henry,
06:25and he seemed quite impressed with my skills.
06:28Some days, we would go have coffee after training.
06:30He was a lot more experienced than I was,
06:33and I loved hearing about his travels
06:35and all the talented people he met during competition.
06:37One afternoon after practice,
06:39Henry was dropping me at home.
06:40When he leaned in and tried to kiss me,
06:43I quickly pushed him away, and he seemed very confused.
06:46I'm sorry, is there a problem?
06:48I think I might have given you the wrong idea, Henry.
06:50I like you, but only as a friend.
06:52I'm just not interested in dating anyone.
06:54I see, what can I say?
06:56It's breaking my heart that you're doing this to me,
06:58and I get it, but I don't think any other guy would.
07:00You have to be careful about giving a guy wrong signals,
07:03especially when you get so close in such a short period.
07:06Guys always expect something in return.
07:08Anyway, I guess I'll leave now.
07:10Henry gave me a quick hug and left.
07:12I decided to keep my distance from Henry after that.
07:14I didn't want to hurt him anymore.
07:16Soon it was time for the competition,
07:18but the day before the competition,
07:19I was so stressed out I could barely stay still.
07:22So Louis asked me to go to the local fair with him
07:24to calm my nerves down.
07:26We went to all the booths trying our luck.
07:28I spent an embarrassing amount of money
07:30at the duck pond game,
07:31and Louis won at the miniature rifle range.
07:33The lady gave him a huge heart-shaped plushie,
07:36which he gave to me.
07:37A lucky charm for tomorrow.
07:38Sure, it has nothing to do with how bulky this is.
07:42We were having a good time,
07:43going on roller coasters and eating fries,
07:45but just then I heard someone calling my name
07:48from the crowd.
07:49I turned around and saw Henry walking in our direction.
07:51So he's the reason you broke up with me?
07:54Henry?
07:55No, you're misunderstanding.
07:56Louis is just a friend.
07:58Just like I was a friend to you?
08:00You know, if you liked someone else,
08:01you could have just said that.
08:02And what's even about this guy that made you reject me?
08:05Is it money?
08:06Careful, dude, you got yourself a gold digger.
08:08Don't you dare talk to her like that,
08:10or what, you'll hit me?
08:11Henry took a step forward.
08:12His fist balled up,
08:14but I got in the way and pushed Henry aside.
08:16It's not worth it, Louis.
08:17He's just a crazy, possessive guy.
08:19Forget about him.
08:20Oh, wow, crazy and possessive?
08:23This is how you say thank you
08:24for being a good friend and helping you?
08:26Something this idiot would never do?
08:28I wanted to argue more,
08:29but I decided against it and left with Louis.
08:32I couldn't believe Henry would turn on me like that.
08:34I thought he was my friend,
08:35but I couldn't waste too much sleep because of him.
08:38Then I had a competition to win.
08:39I set the alarm on my phone
08:40and went to sleep early so I got some rest.
08:43But the next morning,
08:43I woke up to Louis screaming in my face.
08:46Get up, Elodie, you're late.
08:47What?
08:48Oh my God, how did I not wake up?
08:49I checked my phone and the screen was glitching.
08:52It looks like my phone's broken.
08:54We don't have time for that.
08:55Hurry up or you'll miss the competition.
08:57I quickly got dressed and left with Louis,
08:59but the road was jam-packed with traffic.
09:01It was the weekend and the main carnival day.
09:04As if that wasn't enough,
09:05the main bridge was closed because of a small accident.
09:08This is the only way to cross the river.
09:10We're never gonna make it.
09:11What am I gonna do?
09:12I might have an idea.
09:13Louis got out of the car
09:15and we made our way back to the fair from the previous night.
09:17Okay, any time now.
09:18Who?
09:19What?
09:20That.
09:21I looked where Louis was pointing and my heart dropped.
09:23Right over the fair,
09:24a couple of hot air balloons were already taking off
09:27and others were waiting for customers on the ground.
09:29Oh no, no, no, you gotta be kidding.
09:31I know you're afraid of heights,
09:32but this is your only chance.
09:34Listen to me, Elodie, you can't let your fear win.
09:37Not now, when you're so close
09:38to making your dream come true.
09:39Louis was right.
09:40My stupid fear was getting in the way of my dreams,
09:43but I was stronger than that.
09:45We paid the man piloting the balloon and hopped on.
09:48As we took off, I closed my eyes
09:50and wrapped myself around Louis like an octopus.
09:52You can look now, trust me.
09:54I slowly opened my eyes and it was so different
09:57from what I remembered from that airplane
09:58all those years back.
10:00Sure, I was still afraid,
10:01but from up there, the world looked so peaceful
10:05and beautiful.
10:06The flight didn't last long
10:06and soon we were landing in front of the arena.
10:09We ran inside and I got my skates on just in time.
10:12The place was packed, but I felt confident
10:15and performed my best routine.
10:17And then came the final moment,
10:18the dreaded triple axel.
10:20I took a deep breath and spun three times,
10:22landing beautifully and the crowd went crazy.
10:26The results were announced soon after
10:27and I was over the moon to bag the first prize.
10:31Right after I got my trophy,
10:32I was getting back to Louis
10:33when Henry got in my way.
10:35What now?
10:36I just came to tell you that I'm sorry.
10:38I was wrong and totally out of line.
10:40Also, I really thought that hackers would hack your phone
10:42and keep you away from the competition,
10:44but I guess talent always finds a way.
10:46You hacked my phone?
10:48That's why the alarm didn't go off
10:49and nobody could reach me?
10:51That's horrible, Henry.
10:53Why would you do that?
10:54Because I wanted to show you your place.
10:56But like I said, I was wrong
10:58and I'd like to start a new friendship
10:59with you from scratch.
11:00Yeah, I don't think so.
11:02I can't trust you.
11:04And friendship is based on trust.
11:05Now, if you'll excuse me,
11:06my friend is waiting for me.
11:08I went backstage to Louis
11:09and was kind of surprised to see his dad waiting for me.
11:12Congratulations, young lady.
11:14I'm proud my son has such a talented girlfriend.
11:17Actually, dad.
11:18Louis gathered himself for a moment
11:20and then told his dad the truth.
11:22I'm sorry for all the lies,
11:23but all this time I was afraid of disappointing you.
11:26You're right, I am disappointed,
11:28but with myself,
11:29I kept rejecting my ideal life
11:31without even considering you'd want something different.
11:33Son, all I really care about is for you to be happy.
11:36And you, young lady,
11:38this was a big step in your life
11:39and I have a surprise for you.
11:41Louis and his dad took me home with them
11:43where his dad had organized a party
11:45to welcome mom after her discharge from the hospital.
11:47She couldn't be at the competition.
11:49So the party was our chance to celebrate together.
11:52Mom introduced herself and thanked him.
11:54And then they kept chatting and chatting
11:56and it gave me a weird feeling.
11:58What's going on with our parents?
12:00They're so red.
12:01Are they sick?
12:02Worse, they like each other.
12:04And yes, you guessed it.
12:05That's how I ended up with a stepfather and brother.
12:08I learned that you have to face your fear
12:10or you'll be afraid for the rest of your life.