Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Unravelling Threads.18

The moment they returned to the ice, Alex could feel the shift in his mindset. The taunts from the older skaters still lingered at the edges of his thoughts, but Cass’s steady presence next to him helped him focus. They picked up their routine from where they left off, their blades carving clean lines in the fresh ice. Every movement felt sharper, more intentional, as if they were both pushing to prove something—not to the others, but to themselves.

Cass led the sequence this time, moving with a grace that mesmerized Alex. The way their body moved in perfect sync with the rhythm of the music felt effortless. They spun effortlessly, their arms stretching outward in perfect form, before transitioning into a smooth glide, turning to flash Alex a smile.

“You’re up!” Cass called, their voice light despite the tension that had filled the rink earlier.

Alex took a breath and launched into his own part of the routine. His movements weren’t as elegant as Cass’s, but he executed each move with power and precision. He focused on the feeling of the ice beneath his feet, letting the cool air whip against his face.

He nailed his next jump, landing solidly before sliding back to Cass’s side, where they exchanged a quick, triumphant glance.

“We’re killing it,” Alex said, his breath coming in heavy bursts.

“Yeah, we are,” Cass agreed, giving him a playful nudge with their elbow. “Don’t let them get in your head.”

Alex nodded, trying to suppress the lingering frustration. “I won’t,” he promised, but as they started their next sequence, the whispers and laughter from the group on the sidelines wormed their way back into his mind.

Just as they reached the midpoint of their routine, Alex stumbled during a spin. His skate caught on a rough patch of ice, and he nearly lost his balance, his arms flailing for a moment. Cass was by his side in an instant, steadying him before he could fall.

“You okay?” Cass asked, concern flickering in their eyes.

“Yeah, just—got distracted,” Alex muttered, shaking his head. “Let’s go again.”

But even as they started the routine over, Alex’s concentration was faltering. The sneers and laughter from the other skaters clung to him like a heavy fog, and every time he moved, he felt like they were watching, judging, waiting for him to mess up again.

After another failed spin, Alex cursed under his breath, skating off toward the boards. He ripped off his gloves, his fingers curling into fists as he tried to contain his frustration.

“Alex,” Cass called softly, skating over to him. “Don’t let them win. You’re better than this.”

Alex’s jaw clenched as he ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him. “It’s just… they act like we don’t belong here. Like we’re a joke.”

“Who cares what they think?” Cass said firmly. “This rink is ours, too. And we’ve worked just as hard to be here.”

“I know, but—” Alex hesitated, his frustration bubbling up. “It’s like they see us as less than. I don’t get it.”

Cass stepped closer, their hand brushing against Alex’s. “It doesn’t matter what they think. You belong here, Alex. We both do. We just have to keep skating.”

Alex looked at Cass, their determination shining through the uncertainty in their eyes. He could feel their words settling deep inside him, steadying him in a way that nothing else had. It wasn’t about proving something to the others; it was about proving something to themselves, about standing tall in a world that was always going to question them.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Alex finally said, his voice softer now. “Let’s finish what we started.”

Cass smiled, their eyes bright with encouragement. “That’s the spirit.”

They skated back to the center of the rink, the air between them charged with renewed energy. The older skaters were still watching, but this time, Alex didn’t care. He focused on the rhythm of his own movements, the steady beat of his heart in time with Cass’s. Together, they began their routine again, their skates slicing through the ice in perfect harmony.

This time, they didn’t stumble.

Every move was sharp, precise, and filled with purpose. They moved as one, blocking out the noise from the sidelines, their bodies telling a story of strength, resilience, and unity. As they reached the end of the routine, Cass launched into a final spin, their arms outstretched in a display of pure grace, while Alex nailed his last jump with a solid landing.

They skated back to each other, breathless but triumphant. The rink had gone silent, the older skaters no longer laughing. For a moment, it was just the two of them on the ice, standing tall in the face of everything that tried to knock them down.

Cass turned to Alex, their eyes shining with pride. “Told you we’ve got this.”

Alex grinned, his heart light once more. “Yeah, we do.”

As they left the ice together, hand in hand, Alex felt the weight of the world lift. This was their space, their story, and no one else could take that from them.