Breaking the Ice

4| The Day Off

It's Wednesday afternoon, and the final bell rings, signaling the end of the school day. Study hall had been unusually peaceful—just me, my MacBook, and a sketchpad. I'd spent the better part of the last hour finishing my design for my Snowpoint Winter Classic performance. First, I worked on my long program sketch, where I wanted to incorporate some elements of Filipino culture, a tribute to my roots. I was proud of it, but my short program design was still in progress.

My mind started wandering, and soon, I found myself pulling up images for inspiration. After scrolling through design websites and Pinterest, I landed on something different, something a bit more edgy: a Lara Croft-inspired look, but with my twist. I started sketching faux leather black leggings paired with a black tank top. The key detail? A semi-sheer stomach panel that added a bit of drama. To complete the look, I drew a black jacket—either military-style or biker, but faux leather. The color palette would be dark, with hints of deep blue to soften it. It felt daring, and the idea of wearing something so bold for my short program excited me.

With a satisfied smile, I closed my MacBook and began packing up my things. No skating practice today, no Aiden pushing me to "prove it." Just a day to relax. As I slung my bag over my shoulder and made my way out of the classroom, I let out a small sigh of relief.

Finally, a break, I thought to myself. No practice today. No Aiden pushing me to 'prove it.' Just a day to relax.

I walked into the student parking lot and spotted Kelsey and Arizona waiting by Kelsey's car, their faces lighting up as they saw me approaching.

"There she is!" Arizona called out, her red hair swept up into a messy updo that looked effortless, as always. "We thought you were going to get trapped in there forever."

I grinned. "I survived, Ari. And guess what? I'm off today. No skating, no practice. Just freedom."

"Finally!" Kelsey chimed in, tossing her long, wavy hair over her shoulder. "You've been skating nonstop. You deserve a break."

Arizona's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well then, we've got plans for you. First stop, finding you a homecoming dress."

It had been a while since we'd gone shopping together, and the idea of a homecoming dress hunt sounded like exactly the kind of distraction I needed.

The drive to downtown Snowpoint felt lighter than usual. The autumn air was crisp, and the trees lining the streets were painted in shades of red, orange, and gold. As we passed the bakery, the warm scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the cool breeze. Snowpoint was always picturesque, but in the fall, it felt like something out of a dream. The small boutiques and cozy cafes along the affluent part of town glowed in the late afternoon light, with leaves swirling around the sidewalks. Kelsey parked the car, and we stepped out, the excitement of the day making the chilly air feel refreshing rather than cold.

We wandered through a few shops, trying on different dresses and laughing at the more outrageous ones. Nothing stood out to me, though. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to skating—specifically, Aiden's words from practice echoing in the back of my mind. Still, I shook it off. Today was about fun, not skating. Then, in one of the smaller, more elegant boutiques, I saw it. A simple yet stunning dark navy satin strapless dress with a mid-thigh slit. The fabric flowed beautifully, and it was understated in all the right ways.

"What do you think?" I asked, holding it up for Kelsey and Arizona to see. "It's not too much, right?"

Kelsey's eyes lit up. "It's perfect! You're going to look amazing."

Arizona grinned, nudging me. "Oh. You've got to try it on!"

I slipped into the dressing room, the soft satin sliding effortlessly against my skin. When I stepped out, the looks on Kelsey and Arizona's faces said it all. Kelsey clapped her hands together in approval, and Arizona gave a little cheer.