Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Fractures Beneath The Ice. 39

As the competition resumed, the group’s laughter echoed through the skate park, and the friendly atmosphere made it easier for Alex to shake off the anxiety that had plagued him earlier. He felt invigorated by the energy around him, the thrill of trying something new, and the support of his friends.

Cass took another turn, attempting a complicated maneuver that involved a spin in mid-air. They soared upward, and for a moment, it felt like they were flying. The crowd gasped as Cass twisted gracefully, but they landed awkwardly, stumbling slightly before regaining their balance.

“Not bad! Almost had it!” Leo called out, clapping enthusiastically. “Next time, just watch out for the landing!”

Cass laughed, a bright sound that made Alex’s heart flutter. “Thanks! I’ll get it next time, I promise!”

When it was Alex’s turn again, he felt the excitement bubbling inside him. He wasn’t just motivated by competition anymore; he wanted to impress Cass, to show them that he could push his limits too.

He climbed the ramp with renewed determination. As he reached the top, he glanced over at Cass, who gave him a thumbs-up and a smile that lit up their face. With that encouragement fueling him, he took a deep breath and pushed off.

This time, he aimed for a simple trick—a 180-degree spin. As he hit the ramp, adrenaline coursed through his veins, and he felt the rush of air against his skin. He launched into the air, twisting his body just like he had practiced.

He landed it!

The momentum carried him forward, and he skated away from the ramp, laughter bubbling up in his chest. His friends erupted in cheers, and he felt a rush of pride swelling within him.

“See! I told you you could do it!” Cass shouted, their voice filled with excitement as they skated up to him.

“I can’t believe I actually did it!” Alex replied, breathless. The joy in Cass’s eyes made his heart race in a different way now.

As the night wore on, the group continued to take turns, each one trying to outdo the last. They set up an impromptu scoreboard on a piece of cardboard, jotting down names next to the tricks each person landed. It was all in good fun, but the sense of competition fueled their energy even more.

“Alright, alright! Last round before we wrap up!” Leo announced, clapping his hands to gather everyone’s attention. “Let’s see who can land the most ridiculous trick!”

“Ridiculous? I’m in!” Cass said, already grinning at the thought of attempting something outrageous.

“I’ll do my best!” Alex added, feeling a wave of excitement wash over him.

One by one, they took turns, each one trying to push the limits of what they could do on the board. Laughter filled the air as falls turned into comedic moments, and friendly jabs flew between friends.

Finally, it was Alex’s turn again. He approached the ramp with a sense of daring. He wanted to try something bolder this time, something that would really impress Cass. Taking a deep breath, he visualized the jump he had seen Cass perform earlier—the same move they had done flawlessly.

“I’m going for it!” he announced, looking at Cass and Leo, who nodded encouragingly.

With determination, he took off down the ramp, his heart racing. He hit the edge with a burst of speed, launching himself into the air. Time slowed down as he executed the trick, feeling the exhilaration of flight.

But as he came down, something went wrong. He lost his balance mid-air, and instead of landing on the board, he hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop.

“Alex!” Cass cried, rushing toward him, their expression shifting from excitement to worry in an instant.

“Ugh,” Alex groaned, struggling to catch his breath. “That didn’t go as planned.”

The laughter from their friends faded, replaced by concern. Cass knelt beside him, their eyes scanning him for any signs of injury. “Are you okay? That looked rough.”

“I think so,” he replied, wincing as he pushed himself up. “Just a little bruised ego.”

“You need to be careful,” Cass said, their voice laced with genuine concern. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know, I know,” he said, a sheepish grin on his face. “But it felt so good to try! I’ll get it next time, I promise.”

Leo joined them, offering a hand to help Alex up. “Dude, that was a bold move! You just need to tweak it a bit, and you’ll nail it.”

As Alex stood, he felt a twinge of pain in his ankle but brushed it off. “I’ll be fine. Just need to walk it off.”

Cass stood beside him, their expression still worried. “Are you sure? We can take a break if you need to.”

“I’m okay,” he insisted, trying to keep the mood light. “Really. Just a little sore, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“Alright, but you better listen to your body,” Cass replied, their tone softening.

They lingered for a moment, the concern in Cass’s eyes making Alex’s heart race again, but this time it was different. It wasn’t just admiration; it was something deeper, something that made him want to share more of himself with them.

As the group began to disperse, the energy slowly shifting from high adrenaline to the calm of the night, Alex found himself lingering by Cass. “Thanks for caring so much,” he said, the words spilling out before he could think. “It means a lot to me.”

“Of course,” Cass replied, their smile warm and sincere. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

“Yeah,” he said, feeling a flutter in his stomach. “And I hope we can keep doing this… together.”

Cass’s gaze held his for a moment, and he could see the understanding in their eyes, the connection that had formed between them. “Definitely. I’m here for you, Alex. Always.”

As they walked toward the park exit, side by side, Alex felt a sense of hope blossom in his chest. The weight of the world still hung over him, but with friends like Cass by his side, he felt ready to face whatever came next.