Chapter 001

Lena's POV 

"To maintain your provisional scholarship, you are required to participate in the school's hockey tryouts. Your performance will determine your eligibility moving forward" 

I stared at the mail again, blinking as if it had the same effect a slap would have. I read it again hoping there was a mistake. Across the room, my roommate, Sarah sat upright on her bed as her jaw dropped open. 

"Did you also get the notification?" She asked, equally surprised. While I'd been on a scholarship since my first year in high school, she wasn't because she couldn't meet the requirements.

But we both decided to try our lucks for a college scholarship, for her it was trying her luck, but for m, it was of survival. Get it right or go back home.

No scholarship simply meant I wasn't going to college. I nodded in response to her and got out of bed, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

Every line of fatigue were so perfectly sculpted into my features, I had not enjoyed a good night's rest in the past two weeks. Either I woke up jittery from nightmares or I was up studying because I had to do well academically to keep the scholarship, but now it wasn't even enough. I couldn't play any sports and I really didn't like physical draining activities and of all sports to choose .... Hockey? 

I hissed as I pulled my hair into a bun, I had dark bags under my eyes and my skin looked very dull. I missed my shine 

"What are you going to do…?" Sarah asked also getting off the bed. 

I raised an eyebrow as I turned to face her. " I? Aren't we in this together?" 

She shrugged and pushed open the door to the bathroom, " I could always call my parents if I don't get the scholarship..... but It's a bit different for you, you know ?" 

My heart skipped as I realised what she just implied. Without a word, I trudged out carrying my backpack and a bottle. She wasn't wrong, I had no one, I was just a lady all on her own.

My first class was by 8am and I was already running late.

I watched as cars drove past me, blaring their horns loudly. Almost every student had a car, I had joined the school after a kind woman from the orphanage had nominated me for a competition in the school, I won and was granted a fully funded scholarship, that meant I had all I needed academically was provided. That way I could study in one of the biggest and wealthiest schools regardless of my background.

The only sad part was I still had a lot of need with no one to provide for it. This has always been my burden, one I'm hoping to change. My name is Lena and I'm an orphan.

I have no idea how my parents died, all I know was that I grew up in an orphanage till I was selected for the competition. That was the last time I had been to the orphanage, since then it has been myself and my roommate. 

Only the situations were so different, while I had to struggle to make ends working a part time job at a bakery, my roommate had all she needed.

My eyes watered at how hard my life has been but I shook it off and broke into a sprint. I had to get to class early and I couldn't afford to sulk, I was stronger than that!. 

I was lucky to get into the class before it was over, it ended quickly and I packed my notes. My phone beeped and I glanced at it.

It was Sarah, "Hockey lessons start immediately after your first class, I figured you wouldn't check, that's why I'm sending this" 

I smiled as I punched in a "thank you" before making my way to the rink. I always found my way through everything and this wouldn't be different. 

The arena was pretty crowded when I arrived, I walked in slowly as I watched the students skate on the Ice, I always viewed this sport as an aggressive one, I couldn't believe I was going to play now. 

A group of girls walked in giggling loudly. There had to be an event going on or something, someone yelled as a group scored and I walked to the edge of the rink.

The students on the ice were fully armoured, I looked around to find the coach, perhaps I could lend some gears till I could afford mine.

I was still searching when someone bumped into me suddenly and I lost my balance, I fought to stand but I couldn't and I crashed onto the ice. The pain shot through my elbows as i crashed into it and the cold seeped into my body. I couldn't help but scream in pain. 

I caught the culprit from the corner of my eye and it was no other than the most popular girl in high school, Kiera Winters. She chuckled mischievously as she walked away.

The ice felt really slippery and the more I tried to stand, the more I slipped. I felt someone walk towards me. 

"You think this is a pool or what?" A gruff voice came behind me. 

I rolled over and faced him. Standing next to me was who I assumed to be the coach, he stood six feet tall as he glared at me with an expression I couldn't quite figure out. Or was it Disdain?

"I fell... Someone pushed me" I explained 

"Off the ice!" He yelled and walked away. I stared at his backside in anger, I couldn't even stand , how was I supposed to leave the rink?

One of the players skated towards me and helped me up. "Thank you" I muttered as he helped me get off to the dry land. There were eyes on me and I felt very embarrassed. 

Kiera walked up to me and smiled again, she now had her hockey gear on. "You don't belong here so scoot along now in one piece while you still can" 

I clenched my fist as I walked away. Getting into a fight on the first day would only disqualify me from playing and I wasn't about to lose my scholarship to a spoiled daddy's girl.