Nico stands at the edge of the rink. The ice looks big and shiny.
Swish! Swish! Skaters glide across the ice.
Nico hugs their skates tight. “What if I fall?”
“What if everyone laughs?” Nico’s tummy feels wiggly.
Nico sits on the bench. The laces feel tricky.
Nearby, a little girl steps onto the ice.
Slip! She falls down.
She laughs. Then she stands back up.
A coach smiles. “Everyone falls. Try again.”
Nico takes a deep breath. “Maybe just one step.”
One skate touches the ice.
Wobble. Wiggle.
Slip! Down goes Nico.
Nico blinks. Then… giggles.
“That wasn’t so bad!”
Up I go.
One step. Then two.
Whoosh! Nico glides all alone.
“I’m skating!” Nico cheers.
Nico smiles at the ice. “I can’t wait to come back.”
