Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Fractures Beneath the Ice. 43

As they entered the skate park, the sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. The atmosphere was alive with the sounds of laughter, the clatter of boards hitting pavement, and the occasional shout of encouragement. The energy was infectious, and Alex felt a surge of excitement course through him.

"Look at all these people! We're definitely not alone here," Cass said, scanning the park. "We can find a spot to practice those tricks and maybe even get some ideas from the others."

"Sounds good," Alex replied, eyeing the various ramps and grind rails. "Let's find a place where we can be creative without getting in anyone's way."

They wandered over to a quieter corner of the park, where a small half-pipe stood, surrounded by a few skaters. Alex felt a thrill of anticipation as he stepped onto his board, the familiar feeling of the wood beneath his feet grounding him.

"Okay, show me what you've got!" Cass encouraged, clapping their hands. "Start with something simple, and then we'll build from there."

Alex took a deep breath, focusing on the half-pipe. He pushed off, gliding up the ramp, feeling the wind rush past him. He'd practiced this maneuver countless times, but there was something different about it now. With Cass watching, he felt the pressure to impress but also the excitement of sharing something he loved.

He launched off the top of the half-pipe, spinning in the air before landing smoothly back on the board. The cheers from a couple of nearby skaters fueled his confidence, and he couldn't help but grin.

"Nice one!" Cass shouted, their eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Now let's add a twist!"

Encouraged by their support, Alex tried a few more tricks, incorporating spins and slides as Cass suggested. They spent the next hour experimenting, both of them laughing and cheering each other on.

After several rounds of practicing different moves, Cass pulled out a small notebook from their backpack. "Alright, let's brainstorm some ideas for our routine," they said, flipping through the pages filled with doodles and notes.

Alex leaned over, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking we could start with you doing a solo trick to grab attention," Cass suggested, their fingers tapping against the paper. "Then I could follow with some of my figure skating moves, and we can weave in and out of each other's routines."

"I love that idea! We can create a flow between our styles," Alex replied, feeling a sense of excitement building. "It'll show how our different worlds can come together."

Cass nodded, jotting down notes as they spoke. "Exactly! And we could end it with a big finale where we both do a trick at the same time, something to leave everyone in awe."

As they fleshed out their ideas, Alex felt a warmth spread through him. This wasn't just about skating or hockey anymore; it was about creating something uniquely theirs, a reflection of their friendship and individuality.

After discussing their routine, they decided to take a break, grabbing some water and sitting on the edge of the half-pipe. The sun was setting, and the golden light made everything feel magical.

"Can you believe we're actually doing this?" Cass asked, taking a sip from their water bottle. "It feels like a dream."

"I know! I've never felt this excited about skating before," Alex admitted. "It's like I finally have a purpose beyond just playing hockey. I can't wait to show everyone what we can do."

As they talked, the conversation shifted, weaving through their hopes and dreams. Cass opened up about their own struggles in figure skating, sharing moments of doubt and frustration with their parents' expectations.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in this box, you know? Everyone expects me to be graceful and perfect all the time. But I want to express myself differently, like you're doing with hockey," Cass said, their voice tinged with vulnerability.

"I get that," Alex replied, his heart aching for them. "It's tough when you feel like you can't be yourself. But I think we're breaking those boxes together, one trick at a time."

Cass smiled softly, their eyes reflecting the fading light. "Thanks for saying that. It means a lot, especially since I've always felt like I had to hide parts of myself."

"Me too," Alex admitted, looking away as a wave of insecurity washed over him. "It's scary, feeling like you don't fit in. But with you, I feel like I can be me."

As they shared their thoughts, the bond between them deepened, strengthened by their shared experiences. They leaned against each other, the comfort of friendship wrapping around them like a warm blanket.

Suddenly, a loud crash interrupted their moment. They turned to see a couple of skaters attempting a trick on the other side of the park, one of them wiping out spectacularly. The laughter that followed pulled them back into the lively atmosphere, breaking the moment of seriousness.

"Looks like we're not the only ones taking risks today," Cass said, chuckling as they pointed towards the skaters.

"True! We should probably get back to practicing before the park gets too crowded," Alex suggested, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Agreed! Let's show them what we've got!" Cass said, excitement bubbling up once more.

They hopped back on their boards, the adrenaline coursing through them as they skated toward the half-pipe. The sense of freedom enveloped Alex, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something special.

As they worked on their routine, laughter and encouragement filled the air, and for that moment, nothing else mattered. Alex felt a spark of creativity ignite within him, and he knew that they were forging a new path-not just in skating, but in life.

And with Cass by his side, he felt ready to embrace whatever came next.