HU:
As I make my rounds on the rink, I spot Ruby skating toward me, and I let out a sigh. When she gets close enough, I come to a stop.
“What on earth has been going on?” she demands, a frown forming on my face as I stare at her.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
She scoffs at my response, folding her arms. She nearly trips, but I instinctively reach out and grab her hand.
“Oh, please do not save me. Your hands have already been on her!” she growls, and I release her with another sigh.
“Are you serious right now? She was about to fall, and—”
“You yelled at Caspian because of her, and I know that.”
I stop speaking as she cuts me off. For a moment, there is silence between us.
“You claimed you had no feelings for her, but you are just a liar. Worse still, you are not even trying to hide it. People have already noticed because I heard the gir
GINGER: Shock is an understatement for what I feel right now. It’s like the universe is conspiring against me, determined to make me suffer. I could have trained with Caspian, but somehow, fate decided against it. The coach continues speaking while I remain frozen, Caspian stroking my hand in reassurance. Meanwhile, he is assigned to some random girl. “Hey, loosen up,” Caspian whispers in my ear to calm me. I glance up at him, my breath caught in my throat. “Hu is my best friend,” he continues. “I promise, you’re in excellent hands. He can be tough, and yeah, he has his issues, but not everything is his fault. Deep down, he’s a good guy.” I force a smile and nod, even though my stomach is churning. If only Caspian knew that Hu’s outburst earlie
GINGER: Saturday arrives like a gust of wind, which means it is my first practice with Hu. The moment I wake up, I glance out the window and notice his curtains are drawn shut. Just as I am about to turn away, the curtains shift slightly, making my heart race as I instinctively duck down. “Okay, I’ve got this,” I whisper to myself, taking a deep breath. My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I reach for it. A message from Caspian lights up the screen, easing the tension in my chest a little. “I know the arena is in your estate, but I’ll be around in thirty minutes to see you off.” Warmth spreads through my chest as I read his text. He really is as thoughtful as Hana always says. But just as the feeling settles, another notification drops down, this time from Hu. “You have an hour to meet me at the arena.” I roll my eyes before typing a quick response to Caspian. “See you later, babe.” With that, I grab a towel and head to the shower, trying to focus on Caspian rather than h
Ginger: “Great, you two have already met,” I say, trying to sound casual. I know my mom is just being friendly, but the way they’re sitting together so comfortably—like they’ve known each other forever feels unsettling. “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Orbblood. I hope I get to try that soup you mentioned next time,” Caspian says as he stands, flashing her a charming smile. My face twists in disgust as I head for the door. “Good luck, honey!” my mom calls after me, but I don’t respond. I step outside, and Caspian follows. Reaching his car, I yank the door open and slide in, shutting it behind me. He gets in after me, turning to face me. “Did I do something wrong?” “Yes! Bonding with my mom!” I blurt out, crossing my arms. His brows knit together. “You call that bonding?” “You tell me! You two were already talking about soup, and it had barely been five minutes! Five min—” Before I can finish, he presses his lips against mine, silencing me. The warmth of his touch melts my fr
HU: I told myself the best way to get over Ginger was to stop caring about whatever she was doing or what was happening to her. And it was working—until she fell again. I know I’m supposed to help her up, but I try to avoid any contact with her because every time I touch her skin, I lose control, but it eats deep, and I know she is padded properly but I feel weird seeing her fall. The feeling hurts, and I want to hold her and guide her slowly, but I cannot. “What do you mean, you’re leaving?” I ask as she heads for the locker room, but she ignores me. “Hey, the coach put me in charge of you!” “Then tell him I quit unless he wants to change my trainer!” she yells back before disappearing inside. I sigh and sit back on the bench, tossing my stick hard against the floor. Frustration courses through me as I rip off my helmet, leaning back. I wish I could break this cycle, but every time I see her, all I want is to hold her in my arms. I know I need to get a grip, especially before Ca
Hu: “What the hell was that, Hu?” Ruby comes after me as I make my way towards my car, and her voice does nothing but grate on every nerve in my body. “You think you can just waltz in here, have sex with me, and leave, making me feel used?!” I want to stuff something in her mouth to make her shut the fuck up, but I don’t. Instead, I turn around, grabbing her. I pull her closer, then look into her eyes, which burn with fury. Without hesitation, I press my lips against hers. Softly kissing her, I pull away almost immediately. “It wasn’t my intention to leave that way. I was in the middle of something, then I thought of you and came over.” Her lips curve, and in no time, she is grinning like a child. She throws her arms around me, pressing her chest hard against mine. This feels like a prison, and I want nothing more than to leave at once. But I also signed up for this, so complaining will do me no good. “I love you, babe. Sorry I overreact sometimes, but I just keep thinking of
GINGER:Truth be told, I’m kind of worked up about Hu. His behavior is driving me insane—in a bad way. And not the kind of insane where you’re secretly in love with him. Since he was being a total douchebag, I got Caspian to teach me instead, and honestly? It was the easiest thing ever. Hu looked normal when he walked in, but then, out of nowhere, Mr. Nice just disappeared.I stand there for a moment, watching as he disappears into the locker area. I make up my mind not to confront him because it only seems to fuel whatever demon lives inside him.Then, suddenly, he walks back out, holding a stick and a puck.“I see you’re advanced in your skills, so maybe it’s time to incorporate these,” he says, approaching me.I study him carefully—from the twitching of his fingers to the wrinkle in his brow, to his face, which refuses to relax.Is he mad I took lessons from Caspian? Shouldn’t that make his job easier?I don’t know why I’m even questioning myself. I mean, it’s Hu. The only thing he
GINGER:“What?” I ask in a low voice, staring into his eyes.“Show me,” he shrugs, his arms still folded and brows furrowed. “We could sit if you want,” he adds, and I nod, running a hand down the back of my neck.I close the space between us, staring into his notebook. “I don’t think we need to because it’s just a minor mistake, and…” I pause as I realize how that sounds.“I don’t mean that you do…” I try to find a word that doesn’t insinuate that he isn’t bright. “Never mind, I’ll just show you.”I trace my hand over the notebook to where he used a negative sign instead of a positive one.“So, you misplaced the signs. When negatives multiply, they become positive. It’s a simple rule, but we tend to forget it sometimes,” I say, then look up to catch his gaze on me. He shifts it immediately back to his notebook, his brows furrowing even more.He stares into the book for a moment, then takes a step back, walking to the bench and looking into it while I stand there, unsure of what to do
HU:I know I shouldn’t be here. She asked me not to come, but today felt different. Today with her felt really good. For a moment, I forgot how shitty my life was. She’s so smart, so pretty, so bad at hockey—my fucking dream girl.I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy. Even when I tried to sound serious, she would find a joke to lighten the mood, like she couldn’t stand to see me upset.After a lot of hesitation, I throw on my clothes and rush to her house. When I get to her window, I realize it’s shut, so I tap on the glass.She turns, her mouth parting. “Ar—” She starts to scream, but then slaps a hand over her lips, her brows furrowing as she recognizes me.I pray she doesn’t turn me away.She hesitates before walking to the window and unlocking it, sliding it up.“Can I come in?” I ask.She rolls her eyes but steps back, giving me just enough space to squeeze through. Once I’m inside, I close the window and turn to face her.“What are you doing here, Hu?” she whispers,
GINGER:It is the first day of school after the match, and the halls are silent with praise for me. No one is giving me a disgusted look, and the people who hate me so much have their lips shut as I walk down the hallway.The feeling is great, I must admit, but there are more pressing issues. I get to my locker, put my stuff away, take out the things I need, and then shut it just in time to see Hu walking towards the classroom halls. I go after him.“Hu!” I call out, and he comes to a halt without turning to face me. I make my way to his front, standing before him, and even now, he has his face down. He is making this more difficult for both of us, and I wish he would just speak to me, but it doesn’t look like he will be doing that anytime soon.“Is everything okay?” I question, and he glances up at me with his expression neutral.“Yes, everything is
Ginger:The arena is a frenzy of cheers, clapping, and blurry bodies moving in celebration, but all I can think about is Hu. My eyes dart from face to face as I search the crowd, my heart pounding louder than the echo of the victory horn. Seeing him fall scared the shit out of me, but then he stood up like nothing happened. I know he’s probably hurt, and I feel the need to be there for him—like he’s always been there for me.“Excuse me—sorry!” I murmur, weaving through fans waving the Shadow Pelt flag, looking for that familiar, stubborn face. He’ll say he doesn’t need help, and he’s probably somewhere trying to soothe his pain.I don’t see him anywhere near the bench or the sidelines. Not even among the players being lifted and hugged. My chest tightens as I try to keep my feelings in check. I shouldn’t panic. This is Hu, who doesn’t give a shit about m
Hu:Coach Greg’s voice slices through the locker room as he marches in, blowing his whistle multiple times, clapping his hands to get the rowdy locker room to come to a halt. I know the girls did well yesterday, but the fact we won’t have a shot at the finals if we fail is where the pressure is. We are the only shot needed to save face for our pack. Although we have never lost to any team, there is still need for preparation.“Hu!” He shoots me a commanding look, and I jog up to him, standing beside him. Then he faces the rest of the team.“I don’t care how good the Blue Shadow boys are. I don’t care if they’ve got players with ice for blood. We are Shadow Pelt!” he growls, pacing in front of us. “Yesterday, they took victory from our girls, and it is our duty to protect them, so we must restore their dignity!”Every guy in the team stands straighter, and I can see the raw burn of revenge in their eyes. Well, it is mostly because some boys have taken a liking to the girls. The team is
GINGER:Ginger’s breath comes in ragged gasps as she rushes down the hallway, her vision blurred with unshed tears. The echo of the crowd’s cheers for the Blue Shadow Pack rings in her ears, each sound amplifying the shame tightening in her chest. She cost them the game. She fell at the most critical moment.She doesn’t stop until she reaches the empty corridor leading to the locker rooms, but heavy footsteps pound behind her, gaining on her fast.“Ginger!” Hu calls out, but she doesn’t slow down.She clenches her fists, trying to ignore him, but within seconds, he is beside her. His longer strides close the distance between them, and before she can pull away, his hand curls gently around her wrist, forcing her to stop.“Leave me alone, Hu,” she whispers, her voice cracking.He doesn’t let go. “Why are you beating yourself up?”
GINGER:The locker room is buzzing with high energy as we prepare for the match against the Blue Shadow Pack. Everyone is talking over one another, debating who should go on the field first. I sit on the edge of the bench, tying my skates, trying to block out the noise. Then I see a pair of familiar shoes walking toward me, stopping inches away.Ruby speaks before I can look up. “She shouldn’t play.” Her tone is laced with disgust. “She’s too fat, and she’ll slow us down and make us lose.”My fingers freeze over my laces as I lift my head to see her standing with her hands on her waist.Silence falls for a brief second before a few girls start giggling, while others shift uncomfortably. My chest tightens as heat rises to my face, and I will myself to look unaffected, but my nails dig into my palm.“Ruby might be right,” someone says
GINGER:I push the door open, my body still damp from the pool, Hu’s oversized shirt clinging to me. My heart sinks the moment I step inside and find Janet’s side of the bed empty. Worse, my property is all over the place. My clothes are on the ground, and they are wet.A shaky breath escapes me as I scan the room. I walk over to one of my shirts, lifting it off the ground, watching as water drips from it. Tears well up in my eyes, and I try so hard to ground myself, but they keep falling. I know I hurt someone, but this is too much karma for my sins. A choked sob slips out, and suddenly, I sink onto the cold floor, pulling my knees to my chest.I try to breathe, but it feels like I’m suffocating. Like the walls are closing in. And then it happens before I can stop it. The darkness I dread envelops me, pulling me under like quicksand, dragging me back to a place I never want to be.The room fades, and it is just me, standing with my father, watching him p
GINGER:“Hey! Stop!” I call out to Janet as she catwalks away toward the pool exit.I cannot believe I bought into her nerdy girl nonsense because, looking at her now, I can barely see that. She is the typical mean girl—the ones who spend their entire lives investing in heavy skincare, starving themselves to have an enviable build. She is… Ruby!“Hey! Stop!” I try again, pushing myself against the edge of the pool, but she only laughs, tilting her head.“Why?” she taunts. Then she pauses, a smile curling on her lips as we hear the voices of approaching students. “You better stay in there because I doubt anyone wants to see your mom tits.” She glares at my bra. “I cannot believe those boys are fighting over this. Ew.”I suck in a shaky breath, trying to hold myself together. “Don’t do this, please. It isn’t fair.&r
GINGER:Janet and I swim around for a while, splashing each other and floating lazily in the cool water. The sun shines down on us, warming my skin despite the chill of the pool. It’s peaceful having just the two of us here, and a part of me dreads that this will soon end when the other students arrive.Janet swims closer, resting her arms on the edge of the pool. “You know,” she starts, her voice softer than before, “I just want to say… I’m really sorry for everything. The bullying, the rumors, all of it. You don’t deserve that.”Hearing her say this doesn’t make me feel better about myself, because a part of me feels like I deserve it. I hurt Caspian, and this is probably my karma.I shake my head at her.“I know I can’t change what’s happened,” she continues, “but I just want you to know that I’m here for you,
Ginger:The blare of a loud alarm sends both Janet and me flying from our beds. I land back on the bed on my butt. It hurts a bit, so I rub it slightly while Janet tries to stand on the ground where she has fallen.“Attention, students! This is Coach Billy, and I am here to officially welcome all of you.” I groan at his voice, which scratches my ears as it blares through the speakers. “I know I met some of you yesterday, but on behalf of the Red Pack students who arrived late, I am welcoming you guys once more.”The Red Pack is here? I question myself.I had no idea my pack had a hockey team now in high school. I pray silently that I do not see anyone I know, because I do not want to answer questions.“The first match is tomorrow, but for today, you can mingle, make friends, and have fun together because it is a Sunday.” He yells a slogan that I can barely make out. &