Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

The Icy Divide. 53

As the final notes of their performance echoed through the rink, Alex felt a rush of emotions surge within him—relief, joy, and something deeper that fluttered in his chest. The applause washed over him like a warm wave, filling him with a sense of belonging he hadn’t felt before.

“Did you see that?” Cass shouted, their voice barely audible over the cheers. “We did it! We actually did it!”

“Yeah! We were amazing!” Alex replied, breathless as they skated off the ice together, laughter bubbling up between them.

As they reached the sidelines, their coach, Mr. Thompson, rushed over, beaming with pride. “You two were incredible out there! The judges are going to love it!”

“Thanks, Coach!” Cass replied, grinning widely. “It felt so good!”

“I told you to trust yourselves,” Mr. Thompson said, clapping Alex on the back. “Now, let’s go grab a snack and watch the rest of the performances. We deserve it.”

They headed to the rink's snack area, their energy still buzzing from the performance. Alex grabbed a bottle of water and sat down at a small table, stealing glances at Cass, who was animatedly recounting their routine to their friends.

“You should have seen the way we nailed that twist!” Cass said, gesturing enthusiastically with their hands.

“That was so cool!” one of their teammates, Mia, exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement. “I can’t believe you both managed to pull it off like that!”

“I know, right?” Cass replied, still riding the high of their performance.

As Alex listened to Cass, a swell of warmth enveloped him. He felt so lucky to have someone who understood him, who celebrated his achievements and shared in his passions.

But as the next few performances unfolded, the competitive nature of the event began to creep into his thoughts. He watched as skaters from other schools showcased their routines, and with each dazzling spin and intricate move, a familiar anxiety settled back in.

“Alex, you okay?” Cass’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “You look a little spaced out.”

“Yeah, I’m good,” he replied, forcing a smile. “Just… thinking.”

Cass raised an eyebrow. “Thinking about what? You can tell me.”

“About how we’re going to be judged,” Alex said, looking away from the ice. “What if we don’t place?”

Cass took his hands, squeezing them gently. “Hey, listen. We gave it our all. That’s what matters. No matter what happens, we’re in this together, remember? You won’t lose me over a score.”

“I know, I know,” he said, feeling the tension ease slightly at Cass’s reassurance. “But I just really want to make you proud.”

“Trust me, you already have. Just being out there with you was incredible. We’ve already won in so many ways.” Cass smiled, their eyes shining with sincerity.

Alex took a deep breath, letting the warmth of Cass’s words wash over him. “Thanks, Cass. You always know how to make me feel better.”

Before they could continue their conversation, the announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers, cutting through the chatter of the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are now ready to announce the results of the Intermediate Pair category!”

Alex’s heart raced again as he and Cass shared a glance, both their expressions shifting to a mix of excitement and anxiety. They watched as the judges gathered their scores, the tension palpable in the air.

“And in third place, with a stunning performance, we have Julia and Sam from Lincoln High!” The crowd erupted in applause as the two skaters made their way to the center of the rink, beaming with joy.

“Okay, okay,” Cass said, biting their lip. “That’s one down.”

“In second place, we have Lisa and Mark from Crestwood Academy!” The announcement was met with another round of cheers, and Cass squeezed Alex’s hand, their excitement bubbling.

“C’mon, let’s do this!” they whispered, their eyes bright with hope.

“And finally, in first place, with an extraordinary performance, we have Alex and Cass from Riverwood High!”

The rink exploded with applause, and Alex felt as though the ground beneath him had shifted. “We won! We really won!” he exclaimed, his heart pounding in his chest.

Cass pulled him into a tight hug, spinning him around as laughter erupted between them. “I can’t believe it! We actually did it!”

Tears of joy prickled at the corners of Alex’s eyes as they skated onto the ice to accept their trophy. The moment felt surreal, like a dream come to life.

As they held the trophy aloft, surrounded by cheers and applause, Alex’s worries seemed to melt away. In that instant, all the fears he had harbored were replaced by an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and belonging.

“This is just the beginning, isn’t it?” Cass asked, their voice full of wonder.

“Yeah,” Alex replied, gazing into Cass’s eyes. “Together, we can do anything.”

“Always,” Cass affirmed, their hand finding Alex’s as they skated off the ice, their hearts full and spirits soaring.

The day had begun with a mix of anxiety and anticipation, but now it ended with the promise of new adventures and a deepening bond. Alex knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he and Cass would face them together—on and off the ice.