Breaking the Ice

7| Tension and Trust

Andrea

The sound of my alarm pierced through the early morning quiet, jolting me awake. I groaned, reaching over to silence it, but the soreness from yesterday's training session made every movement feel like a challenge. My muscles were tight, reminding me of the long hours spent at the rink, pushing my body to its limit. Aiden's words from the day before echoed in my mind as I stretched beneath the covers.

"It's about progress, not perfection."

I wanted to believe him, but as the Snowpoint Winter Classic loomed closer, I couldn't help but feel the pressure creeping back in. There was still so much to improve—especially the Biellmann spin—and time was running out. As I lay there, staring at the ceiling, doubt started to cloud my thoughts again. What if I didn't get it right in time? What if I let everyone down?

I forced myself out of bed, determined not to spiral into a mental funk. Today was another day to push through, another chance to make progress. I ran through my morning routine, hoping it would shake off some lingering tension. Unruly from sleep, my hair was quickly braided into a neat side-swept French braid that fell over my right shoulder. I hesitated in front of my closet, debating between something casual or sticking to my uniform for school.

Ultimately, I opted for my school uniform—a crisp white button-down shirt underneath a fitted black blazer with gold buttons, and a dark gray bow tied at the collar. The gray plaid skirt sat just above my knees, and I paired it with white knee-high socks and black loafers. My makeup was minimal, just a few coats of mascara and a swipe of pink lip tint. Before heading downstairs, I clasped my charm necklace that showed the Olympic Rings around my neck, the small metal rings resting under the bow of my uniform.

As I walked into the kitchen, my mom, Amelia, sat at the table, sipping her coffee and flipping through hospital reports. She always started her mornings like this, preparing for another long shift at Snowpoint Community Hospital. She looked up when I entered, her face softening as she took in my expression.

"You alright, anak?" she asked, setting her coffee down.

I shrugged as I sat down across from her. "I don't know. I'm trying not to think about the competition too much, but it's hard not to."

She reached over and placed a hand on mine. "You're doing everything you can. Progress isn't always fast, but it's still progress."

I sighed, nodding but not fully convinced. "I just don't feel like I'm moving fast enough. Regionals are so close, and I'm stuck."

Her grip tightened for a moment. "You'll break through, Andrea. Trust the process."

Her words hung in the air as I stared down at my plate, barely touching my food. Trust the process. That's what Aiden had said too. I nodded quietly, offering her a small smile. "Thanks, Mom."

As we pulled up in front of Snowpoint Academy, my mom brought the car to a stop, her hand resting lightly on the steering wheel. She glanced over at me with a gentle smile, sensing the tension that I hadn't quite shaken off.

"Don't go too hard on Aiden, anak. He's learning too, you know," she said, her voice warm and reassuring.

I chuckled softly, reaching for the door handle. "I'll try."

She leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before I stepped out of the car. "Good luck today, Andrea. You've got this," she added, her confidence in me unwavering.

"Thanks, Mom," I said, shutting the door behind me.

As I waved goodbye, she pulled away, heading off to start her shift at the hospital. I stood there for a moment, watching the car disappear down the street, her words lingering in the cool morning air. With a deep breath, I turned and made my way toward the school, the weight of the day already starting to press down on me.