"Applause still echoed."
Silver could still hear it. The crowd. The cheering. The way everyone had stood for her even though she'd only done a simple three-minute program with modified jumps and cautious spins.
She sat in the locker room on the bench, still in her costume, skates unlaced but not removed. Her body buzzed with adrenaline. Her knee throbbed but she didn't care.
She'd done it. Actually done it.
The door opened. Americus burst in, followed by Riley and Maya.
"YOU WERE AMAZING!" Americus tackled her with a hug. "Like legitimately, genuinely, tear-inducingly amazing. I cried. I actually cried real tears. Do you know how rare that is?"
"You cry at dog food commercials," Riley pointed out, hugging Silver next.
"Those commercials are manipulative and you know it." Americus pulled back, wiping her eyes. "But seriously. Silver. That was beautiful. Not technically perfect maybe, but emotionally? Flawless."
