Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Cold begginging. 9

As the pep rally continued, the energy in the gym was electric. The students were buzzing with excitement, and Alex could feel the camaraderie wrapping around him like a warm blanket. The uncertainty and anxiety that had plagued him earlier were beginning to dissipate, replaced by a flicker of hope.

Logan nudged him, grinning widely. “Dude, you’re actually smiling! This is a good sign!”

“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it,” Alex replied, half-joking, though he couldn’t hide the blush creeping into his cheeks. The atmosphere was infectious, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was part of something bigger.

As Cass finished their energetic speech, the crowd erupted into applause, the sound reverberating against the gym walls. They beamed, a dazzling smile lighting up their face. The way they commanded the attention of the room was nothing short of captivating.

“Let’s go!” Cass shouted, rallying the students. “We need to show everyone what Cedar Heights can do!”

Alex felt a surge of determination wash over him. This is what it’s about, he thought. This is what hockey is about—teamwork, support, and pushing each other to be better. He realized he had been holding back, afraid of disappointing everyone, including himself.

“Alright, next up, we’ve got a little game!” Coach Harris announced, clapping his hands to grab everyone’s attention. “We’ll split into teams for a relay race. Let’s see which class can take home the win!”

Alex’s heart raced as the students cheered, enthusiasm bubbling over. The relay race would pit classes against each other in a series of silly challenges, and while the thought of participating made him nervous, a flicker of excitement took hold.

“Come on, you’re doing this!” Logan said, grabbing Alex’s arm and pulling him toward the front where students were signing up.

“What? No way!” Alex protested, feeling the panic rising in his throat. “I can’t just—”

“Stop being such a wuss!” Logan countered, laughing. “This is all in good fun! You’ll crush it!”

With a reluctant sigh, Alex let himself be dragged into the fray. The rush of students around him created a sense of momentum, and he found himself caught up in the excitement. As he approached the sign-up table, Cass noticed him, their smile broadening even more.

“Alex! You’re going to join us, right?” Cass exclaimed, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “We need you on our team! You’re fast; I’ve seen you skate!”

Alex hesitated, torn between the safety of standing on the sidelines and the thrill of joining in. But as he looked at Cass, he felt that familiar tug in his chest, a sense of connection that pushed him forward.

“Alright, fine! I’m in!” he declared, surprising even himself.

Cass cheered, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “That’s the spirit! We’re going to dominate this!”

As the teams were formed, Alex found himself on Cass’s team, and a wave of adrenaline surged through him. They gathered in a huddle, strategizing for the relay while the crowd cheered them on. He could feel his heartbeat quicken, the mixture of nerves and excitement coursing through him.

The first round of the relay began, and one by one, students raced against each other, laughter and cheers echoing throughout the gym. When it was their turn, Alex felt his stomach flutter with anticipation. Cass was set to run first, their energy palpable as they bounced on their toes.

“Just give it your all, and don’t hold back!” Cass encouraged, locking eyes with Alex. There was a fire in their gaze that ignited something within him.

As the whistle blew, Cass took off, and Alex cheered them on, feeling pride swell in his chest. They flew down the gym floor, effortlessly gliding past the other teams, and as they crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted into applause.

“Yeah! Let’s go!” Cass shouted, their excitement infectious.

One by one, they continued through the relay, each member of the team pushing themselves, and with each race, Alex felt his confidence grow. By the time it was his turn to run, he was buzzing with adrenaline.

“Just like hockey, Alex! You’ve got this!” Logan called, and the cheers from their classmates filled him with determination.

As the whistle blew again, he sprinted forward, focusing on the rhythm of his feet hitting the floor. Every step felt lighter, every breath filled with possibility. He could hear Cass’s voice in the background, encouraging him as he closed the gap between himself and the finish line.

When he crossed it, the cheers erupted, and he couldn’t help but grin. The rush of accomplishment surged through him, and for a moment, all the worries faded away.

Cass rushed over, throwing an arm around his shoulders again, their energy infectious. “You did it! That was awesome! See? You’re a natural!”

“Thanks! I didn’t think I could actually pull that off!” Alex admitted, laughter bubbling up from within.

“Of course you could! You’re part of the team now,” Cass said, their gaze sincere. “And you know, we can’t do this without each other.”

As the rally continued, Alex felt an overwhelming sense of belonging wash over him. The laughter, the support, the connection with his teammates—it was everything he had been searching for.

Even as the games progressed and the energy peaked, he couldn’t shake the feeling that today was a turning point. He was no longer just the kid trying to find his place; he was part of something real, something exciting.

And as he looked at Cass, their smile brighter than the gym lights, he knew he was ready to embrace whatever came next—both on the ice and in life. With each passing moment, the walls he had built around himself began to crumble, leaving space for new possibilities and the chance to explore the connection he felt with Cass.

Today, the pep rally was just the beginning.