Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

Fractures Beneath The Ice. 45

The next day, the early morning sun streamed through Alex’s bedroom window, casting golden rays over the scattered hockey gear strewn across the floor. The familiar scent of fresh coffee wafted in from the kitchen, mingling with the sharp aroma of mint toothpaste as he prepared for the day. He could hear his parents’ voices drifting from downstairs, filled with the usual morning bustle.

As he dressed, Alex’s mind drifted back to the skate park. The thrill of landing that double spin and Cass’s unwavering support filled him with excitement. He had never felt so energized and ready to embrace the day ahead. But just as quickly, a pang of anxiety tugged at him. The upcoming school day loomed over him like a dark cloud.

“Alex! Breakfast!” his mom called, pulling him from his thoughts.

“Coming!” he replied, forcing himself to shake off the lingering doubts. He made his way downstairs, where the kitchen was filled with the sounds of clinking silverware and the faint hum of the radio.

“Hey, champ!” his dad greeted, flipping pancakes on the griddle. “You’re up early! Big game today?”

“Uh, just practice,” Alex replied, taking a seat at the breakfast bar. He could feel the curious eyes of his parents on him, searching for more.

“Practice? You know, your team could really use you. It’s important to stay committed,” his mom said, glancing at him over her coffee cup. “We’ve been talking about how much we believe in your potential.”

“Yeah, I know,” he murmured, feeling the weight of their expectations press down on him. He wanted to say something—anything—about skating with Cass, but the words caught in his throat. The fear of disappointing them clouded his thoughts.

His dad broke the silence. “You should also focus on your studies, buddy. School comes first, remember?”

“Yeah, I get it,” Alex said, forcing a smile. He felt the familiar tug-of-war within him, torn between his passion for skating and the responsibilities that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

After breakfast, Alex grabbed his backpack and headed to school, his mind racing. The bright blue sky above him clashed with the storm brewing inside. When he arrived, the bustling hallways filled with students amplified his anxiety.

“Hey! Alex!” a voice called from behind. It was Ryan, his best friend since childhood. “What’s up, man?”

“Not much,” Alex replied, trying to mask his tension. “Just gearing up for practice after school.”

“Sweet! I’ll come watch. I heard you’ve been working on some new tricks,” Ryan said, his enthusiasm infectious.

“Yeah, it should be fun,” Alex said, his lips curving into a genuine smile for the first time that morning. Ryan had always been supportive, even if he didn’t fully understand Alex’s passion for skating.

As they navigated through the hallways, the weight of Alex’s internal struggle lingered, but he was grateful for the distraction. They reached their lockers, and as Ryan chatted about the latest video game releases, Alex found himself momentarily lost in the familiar banter.

“Have you seen Cass lately?” Ryan asked, snapping Alex back to reality.

“Yeah, we hung out at the skate park yesterday,” Alex replied, trying to gauge Ryan’s reaction. “We’re working on a routine for a competition.”

“Really? That’s awesome! You’re not just slacking off, then!” Ryan teased, punching Alex lightly on the arm. “I’d love to see you two combine skating and hockey moves. It’ll be epic!”

Alex chuckled, feeling a flicker of pride. “We’ll see. It’s a work in progress.”

As the bell rang, signaling the start of first period, Alex headed to class with a renewed sense of determination. He sat through lectures, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the skate park and the routine he was building with Cass. He couldn’t help but feel that this was something he needed to embrace, no matter how daunting it felt.

Finally, the day wore on, and as the final bell rang, Alex gathered his things and made his way to the rink. He met Cass outside, who was stretching on the curb, their figure skating outfit contrasting with Alex’s baggy hockey gear.

“Ready to kick some butt?” Cass asked, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Absolutely! Let’s show them what we’ve been working on,” Alex replied, adrenaline surging through him.

They made their way inside the rink, the cool air hitting them like a refreshing wave. The sound of skates gliding over the ice echoed around them, and Alex felt his nerves begin to settle. This was where he belonged.

As they laced up their skates, Cass turned to him, their expression serious. “Remember, no matter what happens, we’re doing this for ourselves. Let’s have fun!”

“Right! Fun!” Alex echoed, feeling a smile creep onto his face. With that simple mantra, he felt a sense of liberation wash over him.

Once on the ice, they began to practice their routine, Cass gliding effortlessly while Alex tried to keep pace with the rhythm of their movements. At first, it was challenging to synchronize their styles, but with each attempt, they found a way to blend their unique talents together.

“Try to match my flow!” Cass encouraged, demonstrating a fluid move that transitioned seamlessly into a jump.

Alex followed suit, attempting to mirror their grace. He felt clumsy at times, but he pushed through the awkwardness, determined to get it right. They spent the next hour perfecting their routine, laughter and encouragement punctuating their practice.

As they finished their session, Cass leaned against the boards, breathing heavily but smiling wide. “That was incredible! We’re really getting somewhere!”

“Yeah, I think we might actually be ready for the competition!” Alex replied, exhilaration bubbling within him.

“Let’s keep this energy going! Maybe we can add some elements from figure skating to your hockey moves,” Cass suggested, their excitement infectious.

“I’m down! Let’s go all in,” Alex said, feeling a surge of confidence. This was their moment, a chance to shine together.

But just as they were about to continue, Alex spotted a familiar figure in the stands—his parents had arrived. A knot tightened in his stomach, and the weight of expectations crashed over him once again.

“Hey, Alex, you okay?” Cass asked, noticing his sudden change in demeanor.

“Uh, yeah,” he lied, forcing a smile. “Just… a little nervous.”

“Don’t let them get to you. Remember, this is our routine, and we’re doing it for us,” Cass said, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.

Taking a deep breath, Alex nodded. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”

With renewed determination, they took their positions on the ice, ready to embrace the challenge ahead, not just for themselves, but for each other. As they began to skate, Alex felt a flicker of hope igniting within him, a spark of possibility that perhaps, just perhaps, they could create something truly remarkable together.