Breaking the Ice - Inside Out

On Thin Ice

Riley was running through a fog, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and conversation somewhere ahead, but she couldn't see through the thick mist. She kept running, her heart pounding, her legs aching with every step.

Suddenly, the fog cleared, and she found herself on the hockey rink. Val was there, but she wasn't alone. Alex stood beside her, his arm casually draped over her shoulder. They were laughing together, completely oblivious to Riley's presence.

"Val!" Riley called out, her voice echoing in the empty rink. "Val, wait!"

But Val didn't hear her. She leaned closer to Alex, whispering something in his ear that made him laugh. Riley's chest tightened, a sharp pain cutting through her. She tried to skate towards them, but her feet wouldn't move. She was stuck, helplessly watching as Val and Alex skated away, hand in hand.

"No," Riley whispered, her voice breaking.

"Please, no..."

The scene shifted, and suddenly Riley was falling, the ice cracking beneath her feet. She reached out, desperate to grab hold of something, but there was nothing there. She was falling into darkness, Val's laughter echoing in her ears, blending with Alex's voice.

Riley jerked awake, her heart racing, her body drenched in a cold sweat. She sat up, clutching her shirt, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. The dream had felt so real, so vivid. She could still see Val's face, still hear the sound of her laughter mixed with Alex's.

She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself, but the images from the nightmare wouldn't fade. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid thud of her heart beneath her palm. It took her a moment to realize what the dream had been telling her, the truth that she had been avoiding for weeks.

Her admiration for Val had turned into something more. It wasn't just friendship, wasn't just hero-worship. It was deeper, more intense. She was in love with Val.

The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless and shaken. She had never felt this way about anyone before, had never experienced this kind of longing, this kind of fear. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them, trying to hold herself together.

-

Outside, the early morning light was beginning to creep through the curtains, casting a soft glow over her room. Riley took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn't stay in bed forever. She had to face the day, had to face Val and Alex and whatever complicated feelings were now swirling inside her.

She got up slowly, her body still trembling from the nightmare. She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to wash away the lingering fear, but the feeling wouldn't go away. She dressed quickly, avoiding her reflection in the mirror. She couldn't bear to see the confusion and vulnerability in her own eyes.

Downstairs, her mom was already in the kitchen, making breakfast. The smell of pancakes filled the air, but Riley's stomach churned at the thought of eating.

"Morning, honey," her mom said, smiling as she set a plate on the table. "How did you sleep?"

"Fine," Riley lied, forcing a smile. She couldn't tell her mom about the nightmare, couldn't explain the tangled mess of emotions inside her.

Her mom gave her a concerned look. "You sure? You look a little pale."

"Just tired," Riley replied, poking at her pancakes with a fork. "I've got a lot on my mind with school and hockey."

Her mom didn't press further, but Riley could feel her worried gaze. "Alright, but remember, you can talk to me about anything, okay?"

"Yeah, I know," Riley said, her voice barely above a whisper. She finished her breakfast quickly and grabbed her backpack, eager to escape the house.