Rivals on Ice

Chapter 10: Talents

Judith had found the perfect hiding place behind the old brick wall near the edge of the school rink, where she could see everything without being seen.

Or at least, that was what she told herself.

Her eyes found his crush almost immediately.

He was out on the ice with his teammates practicing and laughing as he chased after the puck, cheeks flushed from the cold.

She smiled helplessly every time she saw him score.

She smiled helplessly.

“You're doing it again.”

She nearly jumped out of her skin.

Her best friend Leah stood behind her, arms folded, wearing the most unbearable grin.

“I am not.”

“You absolutely are.”

“Am not.”

Leah leaned around her and looked toward the rink.

Then back at her.

“Ohh,” she whispered dramatically.

Judith rolled her eyes. “Keep your voice down.”

“You're hiding behind a wall to watch your crush play hockey.”

“I'm appreciating the sport.”

“Ooh really. "Leah tried hard not to laugh.

She nudged her shoulder. “You've been staring at him for fifteen minutes.”

“I have not.”

" How many goals has he scored?"

" Three."

Leah's grin widened.

“You're proving my point.”

She covered her face with both hands.

“Please stop.”

“Never.”

Then, suddenly, she gasped. gasped.

“Wait. Ray ,, he is looking over here.”

Her hands dropped instantly.

“What?”

She then burst out laughing.

“You should've seen your face!”

“You're horrible.”

Judith peeked toward the rink again, cheeks burning.

And there he was.

Looking in their direction.

For one fleeting moment, their eyes met.

He smiled.

She turned away quickly."Let's go ."

She grabbed Leah's hand and disappeared immediately.

****

The rink was loud.

Blades hissed sharply against the ice as the players flew from one end of the rink to the other, sticks snapping against the boards and pucks scattering across the surface.

Their coach's whistle cut through everything, sharp and commanding.

“Again!”

They pushed gave all they had.

The drills began with simple skating patterns—quick turns, sudden stops, explosive bursts of speed.

Each player leaned hard into their edges.

"Ready."Coach Philip said and dropped the puck.

Pass. Receive. Shoot.

Zane moved effortlessly ,stick close to the ice as he carried the puck around cones.

He shifted left, snapped right, accelerated, then fired. The puck slammed into the net with a satisfying c***k.

His teammates shouted.

“Nice one!”

He grinned and skated back into position.

The next drill was harder.

Leo and Sheldon battled along the boards while John waited for the puck.

Shoulders collided, sticks fought for possession, and skates scraped violently against the ice. Nobody wanted to give an inch.

“Keep moving!” the coach shouted.

They did.

By the end of the session, their breathing came hard beneath their helmets. Sweat dampened their hair despite the cold air, and their legs trembled with exhaustion.

One final whistle echoed across the rink.

The players slowed to a stop.

For a moment, there was nothing but heavy breathing and the soft scrape of blades.

"That's all for today."

The players disbursed. Zane took his backpack and took his water bottle.

"Thanks man." Leo snatched it and begun to drink.

Zane looked at him frustrated.

"You are lucky am tired ."

****

It was raining heavily that evening.Zane ,Leo and John went to the tennis club.It was their routine to go there every Monday.

They were heading to take the rackets when they heard a familiar voice.

"Zane."

They stopped and turned.

Tyler was standing at the entrance to the court, racket hanging loosely from one hand, looking almost as surprised as he felt.

"Hey." He waved.

Zane stood looking at him for a while.

He then walked towards him .

Slowly.

Neither said a word.

There was tension in the way they looked at each other, as if one wrong word could turn the moment into a fight.

To everyone else, they were difficult to understand—two men who constantly challenged each other.

They stood face-to-face .

Zane took another step forward.

Tyler didn't move.

For a moment, it looked like they might actually fight.

Instead, Tyler quietly said,

"It's been a while."

Zane smirked.

"You are good at ghosting people." He finally said with anger in his voice .

Tyler stared

No apology.

No explanation.

"Let's go ." James came out of nowhere.

Tyler didn't say a word.

Before he they could Zane called .

"Wait."

“I never knew you played tennis.”

A half smile tugged Tyler's lips. “There's a lot you don't know about me.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I have talents."Tyler snapped.

Zane smirked.

He looked him up and down, pretending to inspect him seriously.

“So you've got more talents hidden ?"

“Maybe.”Tyler answered.

“Should I be worried?”

“Depends.” Tyler grinned. “Are you planning on discovering them?”

Well then man with talents.Show me what you've got.

He smiled.

“Okay."

He went back and took the racket James stood at the left side with some few men who were supporting Tyler while Leo and John stood at the other side also with some supporters.

The first serve cracked through the air.

Tyler barely had time to react before the ball shot toward the corner. He lunged, racket snapping forward, and sent it back with a sharp thwack.

Zane grinned.

“Oh, so that's how we're playing?”

“You asked me to show you what I've got.”

Another serve.

Faster this time.

The rally exploded.

Back and forth, they tore across the court—forehands, backhands, quick volleys that barely cleared the net.

Their shoes squeaked against the surface as they changed direction, each refusing to give the other an easy point.

“Come on!” Zane called, laughing breathlessly. “Keep up!”

The ball came screaming toward him.

He returned it down the line.

Tyler chased it, stretched, and somehow got his racket beneath it.

The ball sailed back.

Zane sprinted.

His heart hammered as he reached it just before the bounce, twisting his body and striking with everything he had.

The ball landed perfectly in the corner.

Silence.

Then,

“Damn.”

He leaned against his racket, breathing hard, a smile spreading across his face.

Tyler walked toward the net, still catching his breath.

“You're enjoying this way too much.”

“Maybe I enjoy beating you.”Zane uttered.

“Oh, you wish.”

They stared at each other across the net, both smiling, both exhausted, neither willing to look away first.

Somehow, the match had become a challenge between them,a playful battle of pride, stubbornness, and of discovering just how well they matched each other.

Tyler massaged his shoulder a little.Zane watched.

He looked worried.

"Still in pain?" He asked.

There was a drop of silence.

"No , I'm perfectly fine ."

"Good, I'm curious what more talents you've got."

"A lot ."

"I come here often but I've never seen you." Zane asked .

"It's my first time here , guess I'll be coming more often."

They both smiled.

"Game is over, time to go ." James shouted.

They both walked towards their friends.

Leo looked keenly at Zane's face as if studying him.

"Cut it." Zane warned.

"When did you two get close ?" He asked.

"Before you were born." He took a gulp of water.

Tyler and James headed slowly outside.Tyler turned and his eyes met with Zane's .

He gave him a salute.

Zane smiled as he watched them both disappear.

And somehow, the tennis match suddenly felt like the best thing they both had.