The moment I step into the locker room, I’m struck by the heavy atmosphere in the air. The usual banter and camaraderie of the pre-game space is completely absent. Instead, there is a palpable sense of unease. As expected, morale in the room is low. For a moment, I feel a pang of awkwardness at en
‘I know you can help them. Please, Carol, work your magic. You’re their best shot at victory.’ I rub my forehead. As much as I appreciate his faith, I feel as though all I can do is disappoint. I already tried to encourage them. I’m not sure how anything I say could affect them at this point. Stil
“You are the Statford Freeze, with or without Aiden,” I remind them. “You’ve risen to fame. You’ve made it to the semifinals. Has all of that growth been for nothing?” I hear a quiet chorus of “no” in response to my words. A passionate smile pulls at my lips. “Then show them,” I challenge. “Show
The moment I open the door, I hear Aiden calling out to me from the living room. I rush in with a giddy expression on my face — one that Aiden is wearing, too. He looks in surprisingly high spirits considering he hasn’t been well enough to move far from the couch. “You brought champagne,” he says
Aiden’s physical therapy and recovery regimen pick up in speed shortly after the semifinals match. I can’t help but marvel at his incredible resilience. The X-Rays showed that Aiden’s injury was incredibly serious, but he still managed to make incredible progress. I help Aiden with any at-home e
I half expect Mrs. Cruz to stand up for me again in the face of such wild statements. Last time I saw her, she was quick to defend me. When I glance at her, however, her eyes are firmly fixed to the ground. Her body is stiff and her face is lined with nervousness. What happened to her? I wonder.
As the days pass, Aiden’s recovery steadily continues. His physical therapy becomes more and more easy with each passing day. Soon enough, he’s able to move around on crutches — albeit slowly. I can’t help but feel a swell of pride as he regains his strength, his determination unwavering. Now that
My interest is piqued by Oliver’s words. Since Aiden only moved to town recently, I haven’t really spoken to anyone who knew Aiden before he met me. Aiden’s family was obviously a no-go for finding out more about Aiden. Oliver, however, was a wonderful potential resource. “Hey, Oliver,” I begin te