Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Fractures Beneath The Ice. 42

The sun peeked through the curtains of Alex’s bedroom, casting a warm glow across the room. He blinked against the brightness, groggily pushing himself up from the comfort of his blankets. Memories of the previous night flooded back—the excitement, the camaraderie, but also the tension that had momentarily darkened their fun. He sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

As he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, he caught sight of his hockey gear, neatly arranged in the corner of the room. The thought of practice later that day sent a ripple of anxiety through him. How could he focus on hockey when so many other things felt unresolved?

After a quick breakfast of cereal and toast, he grabbed his hockey bag and headed out the door. The chill of the morning air hit him as he stepped outside, and he took a moment to gather himself. The skate park incident lingered in his mind like a distant echo, but he pushed the worry aside, determined to focus on the day ahead.

When he arrived at the rink, the familiar sound of skates gliding over ice greeted him. The smell of freshly resurfaced ice mixed with the scent of popcorn from the snack bar. He felt the familiar thrill of anticipation, but there was also a heaviness in his chest that he couldn’t shake.

“Hey, Alex!” called out Ethan, one of his teammates, waving from across the rink. “Ready to show us what you’ve got today?”

“Always,” Alex replied, forcing a smile as he made his way over. The energy from his teammates was infectious, and he felt a little of his anxiety ebb away.

As practice got underway, Alex threw himself into the drills, pushing through the exhaustion and focusing on the rhythm of skating. The coach barked orders, and the team moved in unison, the camaraderie of the ice helping to drown out any lingering doubts. But every time he skated past Ethan, he felt a prickle of unease, as if the friendly banter hid something deeper.

After practice wrapped up, Alex changed quickly and headed to the parking lot, where Cass was already waiting by their car. The sunlight glinted off the windshield, and they leaned casually against the side, scrolling through their phone.

“Hey! How was practice?” Cass asked, looking up and smiling as Alex approached.

“It was okay, I guess,” he replied, trying to keep his tone light. “Just the usual. You know how it is.”

Cass’s expression shifted slightly, their brow furrowing with concern. “You sure? You seemed a little off last night and now too. Anything on your mind?”

“Just… thinking about everything,” Alex admitted, crossing his arms defensively. “School, hockey, family stuff. You know, the usual.”

“Yeah, I get that. But if it’s bothering you, you should talk about it,” Cass encouraged gently, their eyes softening. “You don’t have to carry it all alone.”

Alex hesitated, feeling the weight of Cass’s gaze. “I don’t want to bring you down with my problems. You’ve got enough on your plate.”

Cass shook their head. “That’s not how it works. We’re friends. Friends help each other. So, what’s going on with your family?”

Taking a deep breath, Alex finally opened up. “It’s just… my parents have these expectations, you know? My dad’s always pushing me to excel in hockey, and I feel like I’m supposed to be this perfect player, this perfect son. But what if I don’t want that? What if I just want to skate for fun?”

Cass nodded slowly, understanding etched on their features. “That’s a lot of pressure to deal with. But it’s your life, Alex. You get to decide what you want, not them.”

“I know, but it’s hard to break that mold,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I just feel like I’m letting them down if I don’t meet their expectations.”

“You’re not letting anyone down by being true to yourself,” Cass replied firmly. “Trust me, I know. My parents had a different vision for me, too, especially with figure skating. But I realized that I had to follow my own path, even if it disappointed them at times.”

Their words resonated with Alex, striking a chord deep within him. “What did you do?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“I found a balance,” Cass explained. “I still skated, but I started incorporating tricks and moves that made me happy, not just what was expected. And yeah, there were some tough conversations, but in the end, it was worth it. I started enjoying skating again.”

“Maybe I could try that,” Alex mused, feeling a flicker of hope. “I just don’t know how to start.”

“Maybe we can work on it together,” Cass suggested, their voice warm and inviting. “We can create our own styles, you know? Blend hockey and skating in a way that feels right for us.”

The idea excited Alex, the thought of melding their two passions into something unique igniting a spark in him. “I like that. Maybe we could start by practicing some tricks together? We could hit the skate park later.”

“Absolutely!” Cass beamed. “I’ll bring some of my gear, and we can brainstorm ideas. We’ll make it a fun session!”

As they climbed into the car, Alex felt lighter. The burden he had been carrying felt a little less heavy with Cass by his side. He realized that while he may be grappling with his own identity and familial expectations, he had a friend who understood him—someone who would stand by him no matter what.

As they drove to the skate park, the music played softly in the background, and the sun shone brightly through the car windows. The anticipation of their upcoming session bubbled in Alex’s chest, mixing with a newfound sense of determination.

“Hey, what do you think about our idea?” Cass asked, glancing over at him. “Like, we could create a new kind of routine that combines everything we love.”

“I think it’s brilliant,” Alex replied, his heart racing with excitement. “It could be something totally different. Something that shows both our styles.”

“Exactly!” Cass’s enthusiasm was infectious. “And we can even showcase it at that local competition coming up next month. I bet we could wow everyone with our routine.”

The thought sent shivers down Alex’s spine. A competition—an opportunity to share their work with the world. “You really think we could pull it off?”

“Absolutely! With your skills on the ice and my flair for creativity, we could make something unforgettable. Plus, it’ll be fun!”

Alex couldn’t help but smile at Cass’s infectious optimism. Maybe this was the spark he needed—a chance to express himself and break free from the constraints of expectations.

As they pulled into the skate park, the excitement in the air was palpable. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden light over everything, and he could hear the familiar sounds of wheels on pavement.

“Let’s get to it!” Cass exclaimed, grabbing their gear from the trunk. “We’ve got a lot of work to do if we’re going to blow everyone away!”

With a surge of energy, Alex followed Cass into the park, the worries of the world falling away as he focused on the freedom of skating and the creative possibilities that lay ahead. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of hope blooming within him.