Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Unravelling threads. 16

The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of Alex's bedroom, casting a golden hue across the walls as he stirred awake. He blinked against the light, feeling a rush of warmth and comfort that was still lingering from the previous night’s kiss with Cass. The memory played back in his mind like a highlight reel: their laughter, the playful banter, and the feeling of connection that seemed to pulse between them.

As he sat up, Alex’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter—not just for him, but for them. He grabbed his phone off the nightstand, checking for any messages. There was one from Cass, and a smile broke across his face as he read it.

Morning! Last night was amazing. Can’t wait to see you at practice later!

His fingers hovered over the screen, and he quickly typed back. Good morning! I feel the same way. See you later!

After a quick shower, Alex dressed in his favorite hockey jersey and a pair of well-worn jeans. He felt light and energetic, the anticipation of seeing Cass bubbling within him. They had agreed to meet at the rink later that day, where they would practice together.

Before heading out, Alex grabbed a granola bar from the kitchen, his mind racing with thoughts of their relationship. What would it look like? Would they share more moments like last night, or would the reality of their busy lives get in the way?

The drive to school felt longer than usual as he contemplated the day ahead. The halls were already buzzing with students when he arrived, laughter and chatter filling the air. He maneuvered through the crowd, his heart lifting as he spotted Cass by the lockers, animatedly talking to a group of friends.

Cass looked radiant, their eyes sparkling with excitement as they gestured animatedly. Alex's heart raced, his earlier uncertainty melting away in their presence.

“Hey, Alex!” Cass called out, spotting him and breaking into a wide grin. They waved him over, and he felt a rush of warmth at the sight of their smile.

“Hey! Good morning,” Alex replied, his voice slightly louder than intended to cut through the noise of the hallway.

Cass’s friends were quick to notice their interaction, raising their eyebrows and smirking. “Look at you two! Someone’s in a good mood,” one of them teased, elbowing Cass playfully.

“Yeah, well, I might have a reason to be,” Cass replied, their cheeks flushing slightly as they glanced at Alex.

“I can’t wait for practice later. We should totally work on that new routine!” Alex suggested, trying to steer the conversation away from any awkwardness.

“Absolutely! I’ve been thinking about how we can integrate the spins with the jumps. It’s going to be epic!” Cass said, their enthusiasm contagious.

Alex felt a surge of adrenaline at the thought of skating alongside Cass, their presence filling him with a sense of courage he hadn’t expected.

“Alright, you two lovebirds, break it up before you make us all sick,” another friend teased, and Alex felt a rush of heat creep up his neck.

“Shut up, Jamie,” Cass shot back, rolling their eyes but unable to hide their smile.

“Whatever, just don’t forget about us when you’re all famous and stuff,” Jamie said with a wink.

“Don’t worry, I’ll still need you guys to keep me grounded,” Cass replied, laughter mingling with the chatter around them.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of first period, Alex and Cass fell into step beside each other, sharing stories and laughter that seemed to echo through the hallways. But as they entered the classroom, a knot of anxiety tightened in Alex’s stomach.