Chapter Two

Ryan’s Pov

By the time I arrived at Ridgeview Academy the morning after the Winter Pep Rally, every hallway conversation seemed to stop for exactly one second before continuing with barely concealed laughter.

I didn’t need to check my phone to know why. My teammates had already sent enough screenshots to fill my notifications, most of them freezing on the exact moment Zoey Bennett calmly dismantled my final point in front of the entire town. Apparently my facial expression had become everyone’s favorite meme.

I shoved my phone into my backpack and walked toward my locker, pretending none of it bothered me.

“Morning, Captain.”

I turned just in time to see Mason Carter leaning against the row of lockers with the biggest grin I’d ever seen on his face.

“You survived.”

“I wasn’t aware there was a chance I wouldn’t.”

“Oh, there definitely was.” He laughed. “I’ve watched that debate at least six times.”

“I bet you have.”

“You know what my favorite part is?”

“I really don’t.”

“It’s when you realize she’s winning.”

“I wasn’t losing.”

“You absolutely were.”

“I was being polite.”

“You were speechless.”

“I was choosing not to argue.”

“You literally had nothing left to say.”

I sighed as I spun the combination on my locker. “You’ve had your fun.”

“I’ve barely started.”

Mason pulled out his phone before I could stop him and pressed play without warning. “‘The rest of the year we’re divided into people who matter and people who don’t.’”

Several nearby students immediately recognized the audio and started laughing. Someone called out from farther down the hallway, “Hey, Captain! Debate team recruiting?” More laughter followed.

I closed my locker with slightly more force than necessary. “I really appreciate everyone’s support.”

“Oh, don’t look so miserable,” Mason said, slapping my shoulder. “It was actually refreshing.”

“Being publicly embarrassed is refreshing?”

“You finally met someone who isn’t impressed by you.”

“I don’t expect people to be impressed.”

He raised one eyebrow. “Ryan… your face is literally on a billboard outside the arena.”

“I didn’t put it there.”

“No, but you definitely smiled for the picture.”

Before I could come up with a response, Coach Harris’s voice echoed down the hallway. “Walker.”

Every player standing nearby immediately straightened. Coach Harris wasn’t the kind of man who needed to raise his voice to command attention. Years of coaching championship teams had given him a presence that made people instinctively listen.

“My office.”

I nodded once. “I’ll be there.”

The moment I stepped inside, Coach motioned for me to close the door behind me. He remained silent for a few moments, reading through a stack of papers on his desk. I waited. Finally he looked up.

“How are you handling the attention?”

“I’m fine.”

He studied me for another second. “That wasn’t an answer.”

I exhaled quietly. “I’ve had better mornings.”

“I imagine you have.” He leaned back in his chair. “I watched the debate.”

“I’m guessing everyone did.”

“Hm.” He folded his hands together. “Tell me something honestly.”

“Okay.”

“Did Zoey Bennett insult you?”

I frowned. “No.”

“Did she attack your character?”

“No.”

“Did she disrespect the hockey team?”

I thought back to everything she’d said. “No.”

“So what exactly are you upset about?”

The question caught me off guard. I opened my mouth before realizing I didn’t actually have an answer.

Coach smiled slightly. “She challenged your opinion.”

“I know.”

“And she made you think.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I still think hockey brings this town together.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“But she wasn’t entirely wrong either.”

“There it is.”

“What?”

“The first honest thing you’ve said since you walked in.” He stood and walked toward the window overlooking the practice rink. “You’ve spent years leading this team, Ryan.”

“I know.”

“But leadership isn’t about convincing everyone to agree with you.” His eyes met mine. “Sometimes it’s about learning to listen.”

Before I could respond, someone knocked on the office door. The school secretary stepped inside. “Sorry to interrupt, Coach.” She looked toward me. “Ryan, Principal Ellis would like to see you.”

I frowned. “Now?”

“Immediately.”

I exchanged a confused glance with Coach before leaving the office.

The principal’s office wasn’t exactly where I expected to spend my morning. When I arrived, Principal Ellis greeted me with an unusually serious expression.

“Come in, Ryan.”

I sat across from his desk. He didn’t waste time with small talk.

“You’ve probably noticed the atmosphere around town.”

“I have.”

“The rivalry between Evergreen and Ridgeview has become much more heated over the past twenty-four hours.”

“I figured people would forget about it in a few days.”

“They haven’t.”

He slid several newspapers across his desk. Every headline mentioned the debate. Some praised it, others criticized it, and one article questioned whether the competition between the two schools had become unhealthy.

Principal Ellis sighed. “Local businesses have started contacting both schools.”

I looked up. “Why?”

“They’re concerned.”

“About what?”

“The growing hostility.” He clasped his hands together. “The Winter Festival is only a few weeks away.”

I nodded.

“As you know, it’s organized jointly by both schools.”

“Right.”

“If students refuse to cooperate, sponsors may withdraw funding.”

I blinked. “They’d really do that?”

“They already have.”

That answer surprised me more than I wanted to admit.

“Our community depends on students setting an example,” he continued. “Right now, they’re doing the opposite.”

“So… what does that have to do with me?”

A faint smile appeared on his face. “I’m glad you asked.” He stood and walked toward the door. “Come with me.”

We crossed the hallway in silence before entering the conference room. The moment I stepped inside, I stopped walking. Zoey Bennett was already there. She looked just as confused as I felt. She glanced at me before looking back toward the principals from both schools.

“This is a joke, right?” she asked.

“I’m afraid not,” Principal Ellis replied.

Evergreen’s principal smiled politely. “Please have a seat.”

Neither of us moved.

Zoey folded her arms. “I think there are plenty of other students who would be better suited for whatever this is.”

“I agree,” I said, at almost the same time.

The principals exchanged amused looks. “That’s exactly why we chose the two of you.”

I frowned. “I’m not following.”

Principal Ellis folded his hands. “Yesterday’s debate showed something very important.”

“That we disagree?” Zoey asked.

“That people listen when the two of you speak.” The room fell quiet. “The Winter Festival Committee needs strong student leaders from both schools.” He looked directly at us. “You’ll be co-chairs.”

Zoey laughed once. “I’m sorry…” She looked around the room as if expecting someone to tell her this was all a misunderstanding. “You want us to work together?”

“Yes.”

“For weeks?”

“Yes.”

I shook my head before I could stop myself. “I have hockey practice every evening.”

“And I have debate tournaments to prepare for,” Zoey added.

“We understand,” Evergreen’s principal replied. “Your schedules have already been adjusted.”

I stared at him. “You adjusted our schedules?”

“We did.”

Neither of us spoke.

“The committee begins tomorrow after school.”

Zoey looked at me. For the first time since the debate, we made direct eye contact. Something told me we were thinking exactly the same thing.

This was going to be a complete disaster and somehow, neither of us had any way out.