Katarina and Heath drive Lee’s freezing Chevy pickup to Cleveland for the U.S. Championships. Even with the cold, Katarina remembers the trip as joyful and intimate, with the two of them holding hands, singing to the radio, and arriving early enough to use an open practice session on the competition ice. Entering the arena makes Katarina feel as if she has finally reached the bigger stage she has wanted.

As Katarina and Heath warm up, Katarina studies the other pairs and judges them as competitors. Katarina notes that last year’s silver medalists, Paige Reed and Zachary Branwell, have strong technique but little chemistry, and Katarina also notices Paige favoring an injured leg. The other unfamiliar teams seem beatable to Katarina because they lack either skill, flow, or connection.

Katarina’s confidence shifts when another pair takes the ice in full costume and makeup and performs with polish, charisma, and stamina. Katarina immediately recognizes that this team is the real threat and feels both intimidated and energized by the challenge. Heath tries to calm Katarina by saying that doing their best is what matters, but Katarina wants more than that; she wants to prove that she and Heath can compete at the highest level.

Motivated by the rival team’s intensity, Heath and Katarina step onto the ice and begin improvising together to the music, slipping into the easy physical and artistic connection they have built at home. For a moment Katarina forgets everything except Heath, the music, and the skating. Then the moment breaks when Katarina suddenly crashes to the ice, hurt and disoriented, and sees the immaculate skates of the other girl stopped near her. Looking at the engraving on the blades, Katarina realizes the skater is Isabella Lin.