Gemotions

"Ready to go, champ?" her dad asked, clapping a hand on her shoulder. The words, so familiar, had never sounded quite like this. For months, Chloe had dreamed of this day. She'd worked hard, running every morning before school and dedicating every weekend to practice.

She felt a bubbling lightness inside her. The arena lights gleamed, reflecting off her gleaming helmet. It felt like she was floating. She pictured herself gliding across the ice, the smooth glide, the exhilarating speed, the satisfying crunch of the skate blade carving into the ice.

Her dad gave her a wink. She knew she could do this. She knew she was good.