Stone Cold {bxb}

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

6:45 pm

Already one-hundred fifty skaters have gone which meant only ninety skaters remained. Jose Martinez from West View Peak had just finished for his group and Gabriel couldn't help but get more nervous.

"And that closes out the fifth group of the night," the second announcer spoke. "Give it up for Jose Martinez everyone." The crowd cheered and clapped then slowly it drowned out.

"Now opening our sixth group of the Preliminary test," the first announcer spoke. "From S-Tech Academy and our first runner up from the 2023 World Championship. Give it up for Gabriel amore."

And instantly the crowd went wild as Gabriel made his way to the barricade. Vincent followed behind him and stood by his side.

"Gabriel," Vincent started, and Gabriel looked at him. "Look during all our time in practice and all the yelling it was to prepare you for this moment."

Gabriel stepped out onto the ice, drowning out the crowd while Vincent's voice spoke in his head. "I know you want to be the next best male figure skater." Gabriel glided across the ice. "I know you want to prove us all wrong." Gabriel never looked up from the ice. "I know you don't think you belong here, but you do." He spun around in a half circle. "Because I saw something in you." He took a deep breath in and took his starting stance. "And they're going to see it too."

The lights dimmed and slowly and softly the music began to play. He began moving across the ice to the instrumental piano of the song. The arena was silent to Gabriel as he performed, and he just skated like no one was around. All he wanted was to be the next best male figure skater.

Gabriel performed his first toe jump which was the flip. He started backwards and landed on the same foot which caused the crowd to clap.

"Gabriel Amore with the beautiful toe jump flip," the first announcer spoke. "Moving across the ice-swapping which edge of the blade he used to land on from the outside edge to inside edge is amazing."

Gabriel carried on, throwing in a double axel and another jump move before coming to his next move which was a layback spin. He gracefully reclined back, creating an elegant arch with his body as he spun on one leg. And once he executed it the crowd clapped as he carried on. But finally, his performance was coming to an end, and he began to get nervous as he prepared himself for the back scratch and loop.

He performed the same way Nolan did. He started from the standstill position, brought his arms in front of him, slightly bent his legs in front of him, pulling his arms in and crossing his left leg over his right leg, bringing it lower and lower before exiting. "The back scratch," Vincent spoke in Gabriel's head. Then he went for the lop jump which was his struggling point. His heart started beating faster as he moved across the ice and finally, he went for it and landed. "And loop." The crowd cheered and clapped louder as Gabriel did his final spin which was the donut spin.

He finally undrowned all the noise and felt relieved to hear the crowd cheering his name once he finished his routine.

"I could hear the crowd roaring when I landed," Gabriel spoke suddenly then looked at Vincent. "I miss hearing that," he added with a frown.

"You'll hear it again, Amore," Vincent said.

He placed his hand on Gabriel's thigh which stopped his thumbs from fidgeting and Vincent spoke low. "I promise."

"Gabriel Amore everyone!"

9:15 pm

It was now the end of the test, and all the skaters were waiting for placements. "Did we all enjoy tonight's competition?" The second announcer spoke, and the crowd roared. "Alright, we're gonna start with our fourth overall score."

Slowly the arena got quiet as the guy prepared to read off the placement sheet. "In fourth place in the Preliminary test. From S-Tech Academy give it up for Leo Reece."

Everyone clapped and watched as Leo skated out to stand by the podium.

"Alright and now for our third runner up. From S-Tech Academy give it up for Gabriel Amore."

Gabriel felt his heart drop once he heard his name get called for third. He could already tell that Vincent was disappointed in him again, but he put on a smile and made his way to the ice while the crowd continued to cheer and clap for him. He let the female put the bronze medal around his neck while she told him congratulations.

"Now for our first runner up. From Shontail High, give it up for Marco Santos."

Everyone clapped and watched as Marco made his way to the ice and stood on the second spot of the podium. Gabriel looked over at Marco and watched as the female put the silver medal around his neck. He couldn't help but think that he should be standing there in second place.

"And now," the announcer went on getting their attention. "For our first overall of the Preliminary Test."

Gabriel looked over at his section where all the S-Tech skaters were and noticed a big grin on Nico's face. Then he looked over the Baytone High section and noticed that Joshua was crossing his fingers and closing his eyes as tight as he could.

"From Baytone High, give it up for Joshua Creed!"

And with that Gabriel accepted defeat. Every year and every competition he would beat Joshua. Every competition since he turned nineteen, he's been winning, and he hated to think that maybe S-Tech wasn't the right move for him.

~~~

Joshua and Dayton were the only ones in their locker room after they were dismissed from the arena. Dayton stood by the door while he watched Joshua pack up his things.

"Great job on pulling out that win, Josh," Dayton spoke.

"Thanks," Joshua spoke, zipping up his bag. "But I wouldn't have done it without you."

The two locked eyes for a second before Dayton looked away and cleared his throat. Joshua sighed then pulled his bag up on his shoulder then made his way towards Dayton.

"Dayton, look at me," Joshua said once he stopped two feet in front of his teammate. "Dayton please." And finally, he did. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened at Baytone that night. Kissing you wasn't right but-"

"Don't," Dayton cut the blue haired male off.

"Don't what? Apologize?"

"Don't," Dayton started in a low tone taking a step closer to Joshua. He reached his hand out, wrapping it around his waist. Both their bodies were pressed against one another and slowly Dayton moved his head closer to Joshua. Finally, he whispered, finishing his sentence with one word. "Speak."

Dayton's eyes dropped to Joshua's lips as he moved his face closer to the other male and soon enough their lips touched. It was a gentle touch followed by two more before they looked into each other's eyes.

"So, is this our celebration for tonight?" Joshua whispered.

"Do you want it to be?"

Joshua nodded and slowly a grin appeared on his face. "Yes."

The two shared a smile then connected their lips with more force, making their way to the showers.

Gabriel followed behind Vincent as they finally left the arena in silence. He was looking down at the steps and once he looked up again, he saw Kyhun standing at the end of the stairs.

"Hey Gabe," Kyhun said once Gabriel stepped off the last step.

"Hey Kyhun," Gabriel said, looking at his ex-best friend like he was a ghost.

"Can-can we talk?"

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