Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Cold Begginging.11

As the sun began to set and the chill in the air grew sharper, Alex felt a surge of adrenaline as they finished up their meal at the burger joint. Laughter still hung in the air, a testament to the camaraderie they had built in such a short time. Cass was animatedly recounting a funny moment from their practice, and Alex found himself captivated not just by the story, but by how effortlessly they filled the room with light.

“...and then I totally tripped on my own feet and landed right on my back! I thought I was going to die!” Cass exclaimed, mimicking the fall with exaggerated flair, causing Alex and Logan to burst into laughter.

“You’ve got to stop being so dramatic,” Logan teased, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “But honestly, at least you fell in style.”

“Falling is an art, my friend,” Cass said with a mock-serious expression. “I’ll have you know I’m perfecting my technique. Next time, I’ll make it look like a planned move.”

As they chatted, Alex’s thoughts drifted to the upcoming competitions. Cass’s enthusiasm was infectious, and for the first time, he felt a flicker of excitement for his own hockey games.

“You guys are going to be there, right?” Alex asked, looking at both of them.

“Of course! We wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Erin said, nodding enthusiastically. “We’ll be your biggest fans.”

“Yeah, and I’ll be sure to bring a giant foam finger,” Cass joked, their eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Only if you wear a matching jersey!” Logan chimed in.

“Deal!” Cass said, laughing. “It’s going to be epic!”

The conversation continued to flow, moving from their favorite foods to silly school stories, the three of them effortlessly bouncing ideas and jokes off one another. As they wrapped up their meal, Alex felt a warm glow in his chest. This was more than just friendship; it felt like family.

“Alright, let’s go hit the rink one more time before heading home,” Cass suggested, their energy radiating through the booth. “I need to practice a few things before the competition.”

“Sounds good to me,” Logan agreed, grinning. “I could always use some extra entertainment.”

Alex’s heart raced at the thought of more time with Cass. “I’m in,” he said, trying to sound casual but failing to hide his excitement.

After paying the bill, they headed back to the rink, the cool night air invigorating them. The glow of the rink’s lights welcomed them as they stepped inside, ready to embrace the ice once more.

As they laced up their skates, Cass's excitement was palpable. “I want to work on my spin! You have to see this, Alex!” They looked at him, eyes bright with determination.

“I can’t wait!” Alex replied, feeling a mix of admiration and butterflies.

Logan finished tying his skates and looked at Alex, a playful smirk on his face. “Try not to fall this time. I need you to show off for Cass.”

“Right,” Alex laughed. “No pressure or anything.”

Once they stepped onto the ice, Cass immediately glided away, their movements fluid and effortless. Alex watched, spellbound, as Cass executed a series of jumps and spins, their form sharp and precise.

“Alright, here comes the best part!” Cass called out, preparing for a particularly challenging spin. With one graceful motion, they launched into the air, spinning like a whirlwind before landing perfectly on one foot.

“Wow! That was incredible!” Alex shouted, clapping his hands in awe.

Cass beamed, clearly pleased with the compliment. “Thanks! But it’s not perfect yet. I need to get my landing smoother.”

“Honestly, I couldn’t even attempt that,” Alex said, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re on another level.”

“Just wait until you show me your moves!” Cass replied, a teasing smile on their lips.

Alex felt a rush of heat at the thought. The idea of performing on the ice made his stomach flutter, but he wanted to impress Cass. “Maybe I’ll give it a shot after you practice,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Perfect! I’ll be right here cheering you on,” Cass encouraged, before turning their attention back to the ice.

As Cass continued their routine, Alex slowly began to skate, working on his own form. He felt the cool air whip against his face, and with each push, he gained confidence. The ice felt different now—less intimidating and more like a canvas where he could express himself.

Logan watched from the sidelines, cheering them both on. “That’s it, Alex! You’re doing great!”

Encouraged, Alex picked up speed, trying to emulate Cass’s grace. He focused on the rhythm of his movements, pushing off harder, gliding smoothly across the ice. He felt a surge of exhilaration as he began to lose himself in the moment.

Then, he decided to try a jump—a small one, but it felt monumental to him. As he launched into the air, he felt weightless for just a moment, a rush of freedom that filled him with joy. But when he landed, he stumbled slightly, struggling to regain his balance.

Cass skated over, a wide grin on their face. “That was awesome! You’re getting so much better!”

“Thanks! It felt good… until I almost fell,” Alex said, laughing sheepishly.

“Almost is still impressive! The more you practice, the better you’ll get,” Cass said, their encouragement lifting his spirits.

“Just don’t go stealing all my moves,” Alex joked, feeling bolder.

“Never! I could never replicate your charm,” Cass replied, their tone playful.

As they continued to practice, the sun fully set, leaving the rink illuminated by bright overhead lights. The soft sound of skates on ice mixed with laughter and cheers created an atmosphere that felt alive with potential.

Alex couldn’t help but feel that this was a turning point—not just for his skating, but for everything. With Cass by his side, he felt like he was finally discovering who he was, and the possibilities seemed endless.