Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

The Icy Divide. 51

The next day brought a new energy to the rink. The competition was less than twenty-four hours away, and the excitement was palpable. As Alex entered, he could feel the electric buzz in the air. Skaters glided across the ice, practicing their routines while coaches shouted encouragement and directions. He spotted Cass, their figure skates glimmering under the bright lights, going through the final touches of their performance.

“Hey! Ready to crush this?” Cass called out, flashing a confident smile as Alex approached.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Alex replied, trying to match their enthusiasm, though nerves fluttered in his stomach like a trapped butterfly.

“Let’s go over our routine one more time. I want to make sure we’re absolutely perfect,” Cass said, their voice steady and focused.

Alex nodded, feeling a mixture of admiration and pressure. “Okay, let’s do it.”

As they warmed up, Alex couldn’t help but steal glances at Cass, their grace on the ice mesmerizing. Every twist and turn seemed to tell a story, a dance woven with emotions that mirrored his own. They were a perfect harmony—Alex’s strength on skates complementing Cass’s fluid movements.

They began their routine, the music filling the air and washing away Alex’s nerves. The moment they started, the outside world faded, and it was just them, gliding through the melody as if the ice beneath them was an extension of their very souls. They executed the first set of moves flawlessly, each leap and spin bringing them closer to the exhilarating high of performance.

“Here comes the twist!” Cass called as they approached the crucial moment.

Alex took a deep breath, feeling the rush of adrenaline. As they spun into the move, everything fell into place—their bodies moved in perfect synchronicity, and when they landed, it felt like they were flying.

Cass’s laughter echoed as they skated to a stop, beaming. “We nailed it! Did you see that?”

“Yeah! That was incredible!” Alex replied, exhilaration flooding through him. “We should feel this good tomorrow!”

“Absolutely!” Cass said, their enthusiasm infectious. “But we need to keep our focus. Let’s not lose sight of what we came here to do.”

The hours flew by as they continued to practice, and with each run-through, Alex felt more confident. However, the moment they stepped off the ice, reality struck him again like a cold wave.

“Hey, can we talk?” Alex asked, pulling Cass aside as the rink began to empty.

“Of course. What’s on your mind?” Cass replied, concern evident in their expression.

Alex took a deep breath, searching for the right words. “I’ve been thinking about the competition… and about us.”

Cass tilted their head, their expression curious yet encouraging. “What about us?”

“I’m just worried about how things will change after tomorrow. What if the pressure gets to us? What if we don’t win?” Alex said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Cass stepped closer, their eyes softening. “Alex, it’s okay to feel scared. But remember why we started this in the first place. It was about us, our love for skating, and our bond. Winning is just icing on the cake.”

“Yeah, but it still matters to me,” Alex admitted, feeling the weight of his worries pressing down. “I don’t want to let anyone down—especially not you.”

“You could never let me down,” Cass reassured, their voice firm. “We’re a team, remember? No matter what happens tomorrow, we’ll face it together. That’s what matters.”

Alex felt a surge of gratitude wash over him. “Thanks, Cass. I just needed to hear that.”

“Anytime,” they said, their smile returning, brightening the room like a ray of sunshine breaking through clouds. “Now, let’s head out for some dinner. We need to fuel up for tomorrow!”

“Sounds like a plan,” Alex replied, feeling lighter as they walked side by side.

As they left the rink, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. It felt like a sign—a new chapter on the horizon.

Over dinner, they talked about everything and nothing, laughter filling the space between them. They shared stories of their favorite childhood memories, their dreams for the future, and their hopes for tomorrow's performance. The weight of competition melted away, replaced by the warmth of companionship.

“Do you remember the first time we met?” Cass asked, leaning forward, a teasing grin on their face.

“Of course! You thought I was a lost puppy when I stumbled into the wrong practice,” Alex laughed, recalling the awkwardness of that day.

“And you were so embarrassed,” Cass added, their laughter infectious. “But look at us now!”

“Yeah,” Alex said, a soft smile spreading across his face. “I guess it was the best mistake I ever made.”

As the evening wore on, the weight of the competition began to fade. With Cass beside him, Alex felt ready to embrace whatever came their way. The ice was calling, and so was the promise of a new beginning, one that he hoped would solidify not just their partnership on the rink, but the love that had blossomed between them.

That night, as Alex lay in bed, he replayed the day’s moments in his mind—every laugh, every word shared with Cass. He closed his eyes, hoping for sweet dreams, confident that together they would navigate the challenges ahead. Tomorrow was a new day, filled with promise and potential. And he couldn’t wait to face it with Cass by his side.