Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

The Icy Divide. 50

The weeks leading up to the competition flew by, and the air was charged with excitement. Practices intensified as Alex and Cass poured their hearts into perfecting their routine. Each session on the ice was a dance not just of choreography, but of unspoken feelings—moments of laughter interspersed with shared glances that lingered a second too long.

One chilly Friday evening, the rink was filled with other skaters practicing their own routines, but Alex and Cass had claimed their corner, a space that felt like theirs. With the competition just days away, the pressure weighed heavy, but so did the thrill of possibility that hummed between them.

“I think we should add that twist you mentioned last week,” Cass suggested, adjusting their skating skirt as they focused on the music. “It’ll make our routine stand out even more.”

Alex nodded, his heart racing as he watched Cass move with confidence. “Yeah, I like that idea. But are you sure we can pull it off? It’s risky.”

Cass shot him a determined look. “We’re ready, Alex. I believe in us. We’ve trained for this, and you’ve come so far since we started. Just trust yourself.”

“I’m trying,” he replied, feeling a mix of admiration and apprehension. “But every time I think about performing in front of everyone, it makes me nervous.”

“Then let’s do it together. We’ll support each other out there, like we always do,” Cass said, their voice steady. They reached out and squeezed Alex’s hand, grounding him in the moment. “We’ll face it as a team.”

As they practiced their new routine, the ice seemed to come alive beneath their feet, each glide and leap infused with the energy they shared. They fell into a rhythm, the music guiding them, and for the first time, Alex felt a surge of confidence.

“Let’s try the twist,” Cass urged, eyes sparkling with determination.

Taking a deep breath, Alex nodded. They set up for the move, the world around them fading away. With Cass by his side, he felt invincible. As they spun and twisted, everything else faded into a blur—just the two of them, lost in the music and the moment. When they finished, breathless and exhilarated, Cass beamed.

“That was amazing!” Cass exclaimed, practically bouncing on their skates. “I knew we could do it!”

“Yeah, we really nailed it!” Alex replied, grinning from ear to ear. “I didn’t think I could pull it off, but with you, it felt… easy.”

“See? Just like I said—trust yourself. I’m here for you,” Cass said, their voice filled with pride.

As they practiced late into the evening, the world outside the rink began to darken. When they finally finished, they flopped onto the bleachers, panting and exhilarated.

“Can you believe the competition is just around the corner?” Cass asked, glancing at the clock. “We’re going to blow everyone away!”

“Yeah, I can’t wait. I just hope we do well,” Alex replied, leaning back and closing his eyes.

“Stop worrying so much!” Cass said, nudging him playfully. “You’re going to be great. We’re going to be great.”

A comfortable silence settled between them, and Alex opened his eyes to find Cass looking at him, the soft glow of the rink lights reflecting in their eyes. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” Alex said, his heart quickening slightly.

“Have you thought about what happens after the competition?” Cass asked, their expression serious. “I mean, where do you see us going from here?”

The question caught Alex off guard. He hadn’t allowed himself to think too far ahead. “I guess I just wanted to focus on one thing at a time. I’m still figuring out how I feel about everything.”

Cass nodded slowly, their expression thoughtful. “I get that. But I like you, Alex. I want to explore this—us—beyond just skating.”

“I like you too,” Alex said, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest. “But what if it changes everything? What if we mess it up?”

“We won’t,” Cass said firmly, their eyes filled with determination. “We’re in this together. And besides, what’s the worst that could happen? We figure it out, right?”

Alex took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of fear and hope. “Yeah, I guess so. I just don’t want to lose what we have.”

Cass reached out, gently placing a hand on his arm. “You won’t lose me. We’re already more than friends, aren’t we? We’re a team on and off the ice.”

Alex looked down at their hand on his arm, a wave of warmth washing over him. “You’re right. I just need to trust that we can navigate this together.”

“Exactly,” Cass said, their smile returning. “So, after the competition, how about we go out? Just the two of us? We could go for ice cream or something.”

“I’d like that,” Alex replied, his heart racing at the thought. “That sounds perfect.”

Cass’s smile widened, and Alex felt a sense of lightness. They were embarking on something new, something exhilarating, and it felt right.

As they left the rink that night, Alex felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was still uncertain, but he knew one thing for sure: with Cass by his side, he was ready to face whatever came their way. Together, they would conquer the ice and whatever else life had in store for them. The competition would be just the beginning of their journey, and Alex couldn't wait to see where it would lead.