เข้าสู่ระบบAnne-Marie’s P.O.V“I’ve been– I’ve been good.” I choke out.Coach Brian’s gaze narrows. He purses his lips and shakes his head. “You promised you’d be back after a year… You never returned, and you cut all contact with all of us… I thought we were family…” I drop my eyes to my lap, pressing my lips together as I release a deep breath. “Anne-Marie?”My eyes are forced back up to meet his. Concern floods his gaze. And he asks, “What has happened to you in the last four years?”A lump forms in my throat. But I shake my head. “Nothing. Nothing… I was just earning a living.”“And what about your mom?”“My mom?” My voice cracks. Tears sting my eyes. I grind my jaw, fighting the tears. My hands start to tremble. “She’s– she’s, um, she’s okay.”His eyes fall on my hands, then flick back up. I clench my fists, hoping the shaking stops, but it only worsens.Coach Brian remains silent.Pain lodges in my chest, slowly stealing my strength and composure. My gaze blurs. My lips quiver; I bite d
Memphis’s P.O.V~A few hours ago~The image of her meeting my gaze in Miss Blake’s class stays etched in my head as I stare into space. “... Some witch with green eyes.” Russo’s words play on repeat in my mind. Those sharp green eyes begging to be noticed…She’s the one. She’s the Ice Queen. I’m as certain as the air I breathe. It’s chilling.I spit out a foul word and slap a palm over my face, hoping to wake up from this unbelievable nightmare. My hand pushes my hair out of my face, and I turn around instantly, exiting the Sports Science building. “Memphis? Wait up!” Avan yells.“I need a minute,” I reply without looking back.He knows not to catch up with me. “Call me.”I throw up my hand, giving him a thumbs up.With a deep sigh of conflict, my feet carry me to the Sports and Athletics building. I head straight for Mr. Snape’s office. ****It’s been more than thirty minutes of mental torture, turmoil, and grave disappointment in Mr. Snape’s office. Seated opposite him at his des
Anne-Marie’s P.O.VStill sprinting, my head snaps over my shoulder. Who I see yanks the speed out of my pace; I slow down into a pause.It’s Kaizer. The choreographer for the figure skaters.Panting, I squint and turn around fully as he strides out of the library. My hands sink in front of me, my fingers gripping the top grab handle of my backpack. Taper faded dark-blonde hair, warm brown eyes, the gait of a prince with no care in the world. He’s just as good-looking as he was when I had the biggest crush on him throughout my three years on campus before I left. His lips spread into a pleasant grin. Plain black T-shirt, cream tailored pants and boots, he picks up pace, shortening the distance between us, and he says, “I knew I wasn’t hallucinating… It’s really you. My ice queen…”A corner of my mouth twitches as I stare into his eyes. I adjust my hood to keep it on my head. My heart isn’t racing; butterflies aren’t flapping in my stomach like they used to whenever he called me his I
Anne-Marie’s P.O.VThe one person I’ve spent the past two years trying to bury from my memory—the one person who brings me the most heartache whenever I think of them—is my classmate. And I’ve been paired up with him for group work. This has to be a deadly prank life is playing on me, and it’s not funny at all.My head is pulsing from worry. My heart is pounding against my chest, threatening to break out. Taking deep breaths, my eyes follow him as he races out of class without sparing anyone a glance, roughly pushing his way through the throng as if he’s being chased.It’s really him. Champion… the guy I saw two nights ago – Marcus’ younger brother.“Memphis?” Someone calls after him.And his name is Memphis.I drop my eyes in a blink, quickly packing my books into my backpack, my hands trembling. I could barely concentrate on anything Miss Blake said during class. I snatch my phone from my desk, toss it into my bag, zip it up, grab my backpack, and spring to my feet.“Hi,” Caleb stops
Memphis’s P.O.VHer head snaps over her shoulder while my mouth still hangs slack. I quickly shut my mouth. She tracks back to Miss Blake, and I hear her stutter, “Ma’am, can I switch partners with someone else?”“You know her?” Avan inquires. But terror has got my tongue clipped.“You can’t. Memphis is the only one without a partner.” Miss Blake answers.My heart pounds unguardedly, like it’s about to leap out of my chest. I feel stares at me, prickling my skin, and I can tell everyone is wondering what connection exists between us.“Class is starting. Return to your seat.” Miss Blake dismisses her, the fondness vanishing from her eyes.Anne-Marie is frozen on the spot, her back to the entire class. She folds her right fist.I dig my teeth into my lower lip, unable to fathom what’s going on in her head. She’s probably losing her mind like I am, or worse, thinking of sending me where her late mom now resides. She turns suddenly. I drop my head fast to avoid her gaze, hoping I can act
Memphis’s P.O.V~Monday~I’m back on campus after an awful weekend and a sour birthday. At least Sunday wasn’t all that bad. No training, no Coach Gale yelling, or getting another bruise to add to my batches of honor. After I arrived at the house I share with Avan and Norman, I slept in, something I haven’t had the luxury of doing in months. Then, the boys and I played video games in the evening. It was a day well spent.A new season starts next month, so we get two full weeks of rest. I plan on sleeping every single day. However, there’s still one pending battle to win—the figure skaters never setting foot in the Den. And a new development—green-eyed princess. Anne-Marie. The girl from my past, from a different state entirely, several miles away, is now involved with my brother. How does this even happen to anyone?‘I may have made things worse. I kissed her.’‘I kissed her.’Even if she’s rejected him, it only confirms that something really is going on between them. I mean, they’re







