Hockey isn't just a sport to me- It's my life. Without it, I'm nothing. No backup plan, no second option. Just this. I've spent years pushing myself beyond my limits, not just for passion, but because it's all I have. My only dream. My only purpose.
And all that work led me here.
My high school coach, Mr. Richard, saw my potential and recommended me to this university. My skills spoke for themselves. I wasn't just accepted-I was chosen.
The coach saw my potential and made me captain of the junior team-a role rarely given without a real test. Even my teammates agreed I was the right choice.
Some think I took a shortcut-that I got into the university team on my coach's word alone and then skipped the selection process for captain. They say I didn't earn it.
But they don't know what I've sacrificed to be here. And I won't let anyone take this from me.
Tonight, we're up against Sanshen University's team, The Shadow Blades. It's our first official match outside the university. Until now, we've only played intra-squad games against our seniors. But this? This is different.
Both our senior and junior teams are competing tonight-our seniors against theirs, and us juniors facing off with their junior team.
I tighten the laces on my skates, pulling them snug before standing up. A confident look settles on my face as I prepare to hit the ice.
One by one, the announcer introduces our players. I wait for my turn, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension.
"We welcome our defenseman, Aiden Greenwood!"
Aiden smirks, patting my back before skating onto the ice, waving to the crowd like the cocky showoff he is. His eyes scan the arena, probably looking for his girlfriend. He mentioned she'd be here tonight.
And just as I expect, he blows a kiss toward someone in the audience. I can't see clearly from here-it's a huge crowd-but judging by his stupidly lovesick grin, I already know.
Aiden joins our team at the center of the rink, standing opposite the opposition.
I take a slow breath, anticipation buzzing under my skin as I wait for my name to be called. A small smile tugs at my lips.
"And now, please welcome the captain of the Midnight Howlers—Our final player—the university's heartthrob, Nicolas Damien Sinclair!"
The arena erupts in cheers as I skate onto the ice, waving to the crowd. Yeah, I have fans. A lot of them.
Aiden has been gushing about his girlfriend more than our game today. Let's see what kind of girl turned him into a lovesick puppy.
I scan the crowd, searching for her. He's shown me pictures before, but I've never seen her in real life. Her name was something water-related, right? Oh yeah—Rain.
And then—
My eyes catch on not something but Someone.
Everything else fades.
The roar of the crowd dulls to a distant hum. The flashing lights, the movement, the energy of the arena—it all blurs, slipping into the background like an unfinished thought. My breath falters, my chest tightening. A slow, aching pull tugs at me, drawing me toward her.
She's already looking at me.
Amelia.
The name echoes through me like a memory I've never quite let go of.
She's just as breathtaking as I remember, yet somehow different. Softer. Wiser. Still the same girl who once meant everything to me. And yet—
She doesn't want me to see her.
I can tell in the way she stiffens, the way her fingers curl into the fabric of her dress, gripping so tightly it trembles. Her breath is shallow, her gaze wavering between wanting to run and knowing it's too late.
Why?
Why is she here?
Is she here for me? No—that would be foolish to think.
And yet, the way she shifts, the way her lips press together, betrays something unspoken.
For a moment, time slows. It's just us, suspended in this fragile, electrified silence.
She doesn't want me to see her.
But I have.
A slow smirk tugs at my lips. She's adorable when she's flustered. But I don't let myself dwell on it. Not now. Not when I have a game to focus on. So I turn away, skating over to stand with my team.
But concentration? Impossible.
Even as I take my position, my focus splinters. My eyes flicker back to her. Just once. Just a quick glance.
That's what I tell myself.
But then—she moves.
Amelia suddenly shoots up from her seat, and at that exact moment, the music cuts off. The crowd's cheers die down.
Silence crashes over the arena. And just like that, she has my full attention again.
Her eyes widen in horror.
Yeah, she just made a scene.
I bite back a laugh, masking it with a smirk as she flushes deep red. Still cute as ever.
A hand tugs her back down into her seat. That's when I notice who it is—Rain.
Aiden's girlfriend.
My smirk deepens. So she's friends with Rain?
Perfect.
Amelia's gaze snaps to mine, and I don't look away. I just keep smirking.
Funny how she thinks this is our first meeting after three years.
To her, this is new. To me? Not so much.
And now that Fate has made the first move, I won't waste it.
Not this time.