LOGINAkira’s POVFive days. That was all we had until the championship. I stared at the calendar on my phone while sitting at the kitchen table, slowly stirring my drink.Five days until Kael, Justin, Adrienne, and the rest of the team stepped onto the ice against Ravencrest Academy.Five days until all the practices, arguments, mistakes, and second chances were finally tested. And somehow, life outside hockey was still moving.My phone buzzed.Camila: I think I'm going to lose my mind.I smiled. Me: What happened?Her reply came almost immediately.Camila: Saturday.I frowned. Me: What about Saturday?Camila: The dinner.I laughed. Of course. The dinner with her parents and Daniel's family. The same dinner she had almost forgotten about.I typed back.Me: You're going.Camila: Unfortunately.I laughed again. Then another message appeared.Camila: And Adrienne wants to see me afterward.I smiled. Me: So what's the problem?There was a long pause.Then:Camila: I don't know how I'm suppose
Justin’s POVI arrived at the rink before sunrise. I barely slept after Coach's message.Report to my office tomorrow morning before practice. There's something we need to discuss about the championship.I'd spent half the night wondering what it meant. Maybe he'd changed his mind. Maybe the school had discovered something else.Maybe— I stopped myself. No, I wasn't going to start imagining the worst.I'd spent enough time running from consequences. Whatever Coach wanted, I would face it. I knocked on his office door."Come in."I stepped inside. Coach was sitting behind his desk with several sheets of paper in front of him.He looked up."Close the door."I did. My heart immediately started beating faster."Sit."I sat. Coach folded his hands."You know why you're here?""Not exactly."He nodded. "Good. Because I want you to listen before you react."I swallowed. "Okay."He pushed one of the papers toward me. I looked down. It was the championship lineup..My eyes scanned the names.T
Justin’s POVThe room felt painfully quiet.I stared at the administrator standing in front of me, waiting for the words that would decide whether I would play in the championship.I had prepared myself for the worst. Maybe I deserved it.After everything that happened, nobody would have blamed the school for removing me from the roster.The administrator looked down at the folder."Yesterday's scrimmage was reviewed by Coach and the athletic department."My heart pounded. She continued."Your academic requirements have been met."I released a breath."But your conduct remains a concern."I nodded. "I understand."She looked at Coach."However, Coach has recommended that you be given one final opportunity."My head snapped up. Coach? He nodded."One chance."I stared at him. "You mean...""You can remain on the championship roster," Coach said, "but you're on probation."I couldn't speak. The administrator continued."Any deliberate unsportsmanlike behavior, fighting, retaliation, or
Justin’s POVI barely slept. The paper Coach had given me was still sitting on my desk the next morning.Championship eligibility: UNDER REVIEW.I had read those words so many times that they had started to blur together. I knew I had passed the chemistry assessment. I knew my grades had improved.But I also knew why the school was reviewing me again. It wasn't only about my grades.After the fight with Kael, the school had every reason to question whether I could control myself during a high-pressure game.And honestly? I couldn't blame them. I had spent months letting anger control me.Yesterday, Kael had told me he wanted me on the team. I couldn't let him down, not because I wanted his approval.Because for once, I wanted to earn something honestly.I grabbed my bag and headed for school. Today, I wasn't going to make excuses.>>>>>>>>Akira’s POVI noticed Justin the moment I entered the classroom. He was sitting alone, his usual group wasn't around him. He wasn't laughing, he wa
Kael’s POVThe next afternoon, the rink felt different..Maybe it was because everyone knew what Coach had planned. Or maybe it was because I knew exactly who I would have to play beside.Justin. Adrienne.The three of us stood near the bench while Coach explained the rules."Full-contact scrimmage," he said. "I want intensity, but I don't want stupidity. You play hard, you play smart, and you keep your heads."His eyes landed on me. Then Justin."Especially you two." Justin nodded. I looked away. I didn't need the reminder. Coach pointed at the lineup board."Kael, center. Adrienne, left wing. Justin, right wing."Justin glanced at me. For a second, neither of us said anything. Adrienne cleared his throat."So….” I looked at him. He smiled awkwardly. "Guess we're teammates." Justin gave a small nod."Looks like it."Coach blew his whistle. "Get on the ice!"We moved. I tightened my gloves. This was going to be interesting.>>>>>>>>Akira’s POVI sat in the bleachers beside Camila. I w
Akira’s POVThe sound of hockey sticks hitting the ice echoed through the rink. Usually, it was one of my favorite sounds. Today, it made my stomach twist.I stood near the bleachers with my arms folded, watching the players skate across the rink. Kael was there, Adrienne was there, and Justin was there. For the first time since everything came crashing down, we were all in the same place again.I hadn't planned on coming to practice. I had actually told myself I wouldn't.But then Coach had asked me to help with some schoolwork related to the team's academic requirements, and somehow, I had ended up standing here.Maybe I was also tired of running away. Justin noticed me almost immediately. His stick slowed. For one second, our eyes met. I looked away.Not because I was scared. Because I didn't want him to think that looking at him meant I was ready to forgive him. I wasn't.Coach blew his whistle. "Eyes on the drill!" Everyone moved again. I watched Justin skate away. He looked diff







