Edge Of The Ice (On Going And Own Book)

The Icy Divide. 54

As they skated off the ice, the exhilaration of their victory enveloped them like a warm blanket. The applause from the audience echoed in Alex's ears, and he couldn't stop grinning as they headed toward the stands, where their friends and family waited.

"Alex! Cass! Over here!" Mia waved enthusiastically, her excitement contagious.

The pair made their way through the crowd, and as they approached, Alex's parents stood, beaming with pride. His mom waved the trophy in the air, her face lit up with joy.

"I knew you could do it!" she shouted, her voice ringing with excitement.

Alex's heart swelled as he reached them, holding the trophy like a treasure. "We did it, Mom! We really won!"

"Absolutely! I'm so proud of you both!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Thanks, Mom," Alex said, squeezing her back before stepping aside for Cass to receive her own embrace.

Cass's parents were there too, and they enveloped her in a whirlwind of congratulations. "You were phenomenal out there!" her dad exclaimed, ruffling her hair playfully.

"Thanks, Dad!" Cass laughed, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

As the celebrations continued, Alex couldn't shake the feeling of overwhelming gratitude. He looked around, taking in the warmth of the moment-the cheers, the laughter, and the camaraderie that surrounded them. This was more than just a trophy; it was a recognition of their hard work and dedication, a testament to their journey together.

"Let's take some pictures!" Mia suggested, pulling out her phone.

"Good idea! I want to capture this moment," Cass said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

They gathered together, trophy held high, grins plastered across their faces as Mia snapped photo after photo. The flash of the camera lit up their smiles, and Alex couldn't help but feel as though they were creating a memory that would last a lifetime.

As they posed, laughter filled the air, and Alex caught Cass's eye. There was something about the way they looked at each other-an unspoken connection that spoke volumes.

Once the photos were taken, the excitement in the rink began to settle, and people started to filter out. "How about we celebrate?" Cass suggested, a mischievous glint in their eyes. "I'm thinking pizza and ice cream!"

"Count me in! I could eat a whole pizza right now," Alex replied, his stomach rumbling in agreement.

The group made their way to a nearby pizza place, still buzzing with the day's events. As they sat around a large table, the conversation flowed easily. Stories about their routines, funny moments during practice, and playful jabs about who had the better skills filled the air.

"Okay, but can we all agree that Cass totally nailed that spin?" Mia said, leaning back in her chair, a playful smirk on her face.

"Thanks, but Alex did an amazing job on the lifts! He made it look so effortless," Cass chimed in, nudging Alex playfully.

Alex felt heat rise to his cheeks at their praise. "I just tried to keep up with you! You made it easy," he said, laughter in his voice.

As they devoured slices of pizza, Alex felt a sense of contentment wash over him. Surrounded by friends and loved ones, he realized how much he had grown. The fear that once haunted him seemed distant, replaced by the joy of being true to himself and sharing it with those who mattered most.

After dinner, they decided to walk to a nearby park to continue celebrating. The night air was cool, and the sky was dotted with stars, creating a magical backdrop for their evening.

"I can't believe we did it!" Cass exclaimed, throwing their arms wide as they walked. "We should celebrate like this more often!"

"Definitely! This was the best day ever," Alex agreed, feeling the warmth of Cass's presence beside him.

"Hey, what's next for you two?" Mia asked, glancing between them. "More competitions? A skating tour?"

Cass shrugged, grinning. "I think we should keep pushing ourselves. There's always more to learn and improve on, right?"

"Absolutely," Alex chimed in. "But let's not forget to have fun along the way."

Mia nodded enthusiastically. "And maybe a summer skating camp? We could all go together! I can already see the epic routines we'll create."

As they chatted about their plans, Alex felt the excitement bubble up inside him. It was a new beginning, not just for him and Cass but for all of them.

Suddenly, Cass stopped walking, a thoughtful expression crossing their face. "You know, after all this, I think it's important we share our journey with others. Like how we found each other and this incredible connection through skating."

"Definitely! We could start a blog or something," Mia suggested, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Sharing tips, routines, our experiences!"

"Or even do video tutorials! We can inspire other skaters out there," Alex added, feeling a rush of inspiration.

Cass smiled, their eyes shining. "I love that idea! Let's do it! Together."

The three of them continued brainstorming as they made their way through the park, ideas flowing freely, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the night.

As they walked, Alex couldn't help but feel that this moment was just the beginning. With Cass by his side and their friends supporting them, the future was bright. Together, they would navigate the ups and downs of skating, friendship, and love, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

And as the stars twinkled above them, Alex knew one thing for certain-he was ready to embrace whatever came next.