Breaking the ice

Grace

The rhythmic sound of sneakers slapping against the gym floor echoed in my ears as I adjusted my position in the middle of the gym. Cheerleading practice was in full swing, and despite my nerves from the strange encounter a few days ago, I was trying to focus on the routines. Emma and I had been working hard on a new stunt, and I couldn't afford to let my mind wander—not with the team relying on me.

"Okay, girls, let's take it from the top!" our coach shouted, her voice sharp and commanding.

I nodded, setting my shoulders straight and preparing to launch into the routine. Emma, beside me, flashed a quick grin before we both snapped into position.

To my left, Lily Carter bounced on the balls of her feet, always buzzing with energy. "I swear, if we nail this, we should totally make Coach take us out for ice cream," she whispered.

"Yeah, like that's gonna happen," Savannah Blake muttered, adjusting her ponytail. "She'd probably make us run laps just for asking."

"Oh, come on, Miss Perfectionist," Mia Reynolds drawled, cracking her knuckles. "We deserve a reward after all this torture."

"Focus," Ava Martinez warned gently, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Coach is already looking impatient."

The music started, and we launched into the routine, our bodies moving in perfect synchronization. My muscles burned from repetition, but I couldn't help keeping an eye on the door. I wasn't sure why. Maybe I was just waiting for that nagging sense of being watched to fade.

As we hit the final pose of our sequence, I noticed movement from the corner of my eye. At first, I thought it was just another student passing by the open gym doors, but then my heart skipped a beat when I realized who it was.

Jaxon Reed.

He was leaning against the wall outside the gym, arms crossed, watching us with that usual, confident grin. The moment I caught his eye, a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. He wasn't supposed to be here. I hadn't even known he was coming, but there he was—like a surprise I didn't expect, but couldn't help but appreciate.

"Okay, everyone, take five!" Coach called out.

I stood still for a moment, my eyes still locked on Jaxon. He had that look in his eyes, like he was watching me, observing me in a way that was oddly... comforting.

Emma noticed me staring and smirked. "So, someone's got a fan club now, huh?" she teased, nudging my side.

Before I could respond, Riley Thompson jogged over, overhearing. "Wait, wait, wait—Grace, is that him?" she asked, looking toward the door.

Lily let out a dramatic gasp. "It is him! The hockey captain himself, Jaxon Reed, here to witness the magic that is cheerleading."

Savannah snorted. "Please. He's just here to flirt with Grace."

"Oh my god, he totally is," Mia deadpanned. "He's literally got that 'I'm-so-charming' smirk on."

Ava shook her head at them. "You guys are ridiculous."

Riley grinned. "No, we're just right."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could say anything, a loud noise from the corner of the gym made my stomach drop.

There he was again.

That same figure I'd seen before. The man, standing outside the gym's windows. This time, I could see his features more clearly. He was tall, wearing a dark jacket, and standing still, almost unnervingly so. It was like he was watching me through the glass, just as I had seen him across the street near the dorm.

My breath hitched in my throat, and I froze. The man's gaze was locked on me, and I felt that same chill I'd experienced before—the unsettling feeling creeping up my spine, like something was wrong.

"Grace?" Emma asked, her voice soft but laced with concern.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. It was just my imagination. I had to be imagining it. The nightmare was messing with my head again.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I forced a smile, but I could tell Emma wasn't convinced.

"You sure? You look like you've seen a ghost," she pressed.

I didn't answer her. Instead, I quickly glanced back at the window, but the figure was gone. The spot where he had been standing was empty now, as if he had never been there.

"I'm fine," I repeated, forcing myself to sound more convincing this time. "Just a little distracted."

Emma didn't seem to buy it, but she let it go.

Jaxon, however, had caught the shift in my demeanor. He pushed off from the wall and made his way toward the gym doors, entering with that casual, confident stride of his. The sight of him didn't ease the unease building in my chest.

"You okay?" Jaxon asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied me, probably noticing the way I had stiffened. I've spent my whole life trying to be invisible, but somehow, he sees me like no one else ever has.

He came closer, looking at me with concern. I nodded, smiling tightly. "Yeah. I'm just... a little distracted, I guess. I didn't expect to see you here."

He shrugged, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "I wanted to watch you in action. Didn't want to miss out on the Grace-Show."

Lily let out a dramatic sigh. "Wow, I wish someone would watch me in action."

Riley nudged her. "You trip over your own feet, that's why no one watches."

Lily gasped. "I do not!"

Savannah crossed her arms, smirking. "You kinda do."

Mia rolled her eyes. "Can we focus on the real question? Why are you here, Reed?"

Jaxon grinned at them, completely unfazed. "Can't a guy just watch some elite athletes at work?"

Riley tilted her head. "Mmm, or maybe one athlete in particular?"

I groaned. "You guys are impossible."

Jaxon just winked. "Gotta keep you on your toes."

I felt my heart flutter just a little at the sight of him standing there, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed to melt away. I didn't want to overthink it anymore, not tonight, not right now. But as I tried to push away the eerie feeling from earlier, something told me that this wasn't over.

Something told me that the man watching me wasn't just some random passerby.

And maybe, just maybe, I wasn't imagining the connection between that figure and my father.

But I pushed the thought aside, at least for now. I wasn't going to let it ruin the moment.

For now, I focused on Jaxon, on his smile and his presence, and the small amount of peace it brought me.

I just hoped that whatever was happening, whatever was lurking in the background, wouldn't come back to haunt me.