Chapter 5: The stick that rules the rink

Hazel’s POV

A low beam of sunset sliced through my window blind, hitting the screen of my laptop just as my fingers hovered above the keyboard. I stared hard at the blinking cursor.

Author: WildLifeOnCampus

Title: The Stick That Rules the Rink

I groaned and collapsed back onto my pillows, I was anxious as if I was about to commit a felony.

I should’ve been studying for my psych quiz. Instead, I was writing about Jaxon Carter’s abs and his endowment.

Jaxon Carter might be the reason why half the girls on campus suddenly care about hockey. But it's not just the way he skates and flips the puck like a god or the fact that he can score blindfolded.

No. It’s what that jersey hides underneath.

I’m talking about real abs and there are rumors about what’s in his shorts, and if they’re true? Let’s just say he’s got enough stick to break more than hearts.

Blogging was never meant to get this personal.

When I started WildLifeOnCampus, it was just a way to whisper the things no one else dared say out loud; sex, who hooked up in the art studio, latest breakup and makeup gist, and how to find your true self

It made me feel powerful. Unseen, but heard.

But now, writing a piece on Jaxon Carter’s superior stick felt too personal and made me feel like I was betraying my own sanity.

Not because Jaxon wasn’t ugh…ridiculously hot. He was, I’d give him that. And worse, I couldn’t help but remember someone else.

Tyler.

The first boy who ever made my heart fluttered.

Was I seriously going to post this?

I was still battling with my thoughts when I heard the door rattle open.

Crap.

I slammed the laptop shut and yanked my blanket over it just as Sasha, my roommate walked in and trailing behind was a girl from the cheer squad who looked like she’d stepped straight out of a shampoo commercial.

“Hey roomie,” Sasha sang, kicking off her sneakers and tossing her tote bag across her bed. “Smells like fries and books in here.” She gave me a smile.

I gave her a flat look. “Hi, Sasha.”

The cheerleader stepped forward, eyes scanning me intently “Wait you’re Hazel, right?”

My stomach tightened. “...Yeah?”

Her whole face lit up like she’d just solved a mystery. “You’re Jaxon’s girl?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Don’t even try to act innocent. He kissed you in the dining hall like a scene from a N*****x rom-com,” she said, practically bouncing. “Do you know how many people are jealous of you right now?”

Sasha giggled. “Including her,” she added, thumbing toward her friend.

I blinked again.

“Oh, shut up,” the girl grinned. “But seriously, Hazel. How? Like how? You’re all mysterious and lowkey, and he’s… him. Hot, popular and cocky. You’ve gotta give us something.”

Sasha cut in “Seriously Hazel, You and Jaxon? Wow. And here I thought he liked loud girls.”

I offered a weak smile, even though my insides were doing somersaults.

“Anyway, you’re lucky,” the cheerleader continued with a dreamy sigh. “Jaxon Carter is literally the most wanted guy on campus now. Even the senior girls have been crying into their group chats since he claimed you.”

Claimed.

Was that what happened?

If only they knew the truth.

“Are you going to the Ice Hounds’ party tonight?” the cheerleader asked as she twisted her hair into a perfect ponytail.

“Ofcourse, I got to be there, it's for Jaxon’s win.”

Sasha raised a brow. “Ooooh. That was real quick. You are taking your rightful place.”

I rolled my eyes, anything to distract them from the way my fingers clenched my sheets

It was just for show, just a fake date. Nothing real.

Even though a part of me wished I was truly as visible as this.

***

Later That Night

I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of my swimsuit.

Pink.

Hot pink.

And it hugged my curves a little too well, especially without my usual sweater and glasses. My curls were out, wild and defined, and for once, I looked confident.

I wasn’t dressed to fit in.

I was dressed to annoy him.

Jaxon had said no pink.

So, of course, I wore pink.

And I was kind of hoping he’d hate it.

The party at the Ice Hounds’ house was already in full swing when I arrived. Music thumped through the open windows, laughter spilled into the night air.

I spotted Jaxon near the porch steps, surrounded by a group of teammates.

His red board shorts hung low with his half-buttoned striped shirt exposing his hot body. His damp hair curled at the tips, like he just stepped off the cover of a beach magazine and of course, with his casual smug look like he didn’t know what he did to people

When he turned and saw me his smile disappeared and he stared at me blankly.

His gaze trailed down slowly, from my curls to my collarbone and to my legs, lingering just long enough to make my heart trip over itself.

He didn’t say anything at first, no lazy grin, no cocky smirk, just silence and his eyes stunned, like he’d never really seen me before.

Then his lips curved, warm and honest. “You look… amazing.”

I blinked. That wasn’t what I was expecting.

He stepped closer, he was still staring at me like I was something rare. “Wow, Hazel.”

I rolled my eyes, remembering why I wore pink in the first place. “You said no pink.”

He finally saw it, “I did, didn’t I?”

I raised a brow. “Was that your brain short-circuiting now?”

He grinned, closed the space between us, and ruffled my hair like we were six.

“I take it back,” he teased. “You look decent.”

He said I looked amazing few minutes ago. But did he mean it, or was this all still pretend?

I swatted his hand away, but my cheeks were already warm.

“Whatever,” I muttered. “Let’s go play pretend.”

“Right,” he said, but there was a softness in his eyes as he offered me his hand.

As we stepped into the house, the bass coming from the speaker vibrated in my bones, my palms were already sweaty. When everyone saw us together, the effect was instant.

Heads turned and conversations slowed down.

People stared.

I heard someone whisper my name.

Someone else gasped. One guy even tripped over the beer pong table.

“Who's that girl with hot Jaxon?”

“Is that seriously Hazel?”

I tried not to react, but my stomach tightened.

Without my glasses and sweater, I wasn’t just the quiet girl in class anymore.

I was with Jaxon Carter.

And they all noticed.

Jaxon leaned down to whisper, “You sure know how to make an entrance.”

“You’re welcome,” I whispered back, fighting a nervous smile.

We walked in farther, deeper into the glowing lights and pulsing bass, hand-in-hand like the best couple on campus.

But nothing about this felt natural.

Not the way my heart beat faster when his fingers brushed mine.

Not the way his eyes kept finding mine when no one was looking.

Just as I was trying to steady my breathing, Tiffany spotted us instantly from where she was.

“Hazel,” she purred, her voice laced with venom as she walked up to us. “What a surprise.”

I stiffened. Jaxon’s grip on my hand tightened slightly.

“Tiffany,” he said with a polite nod, but his tone was ice.

She didn’t even glance at him. Her eyes were locked on me.

“I wasn’t sure you’d actually come,” she said, smiling wide and fake. “Then again, bold move wearing pink. You desperately want to belong.”

“Thanks,” I said coolly. “I dress for myself not to belong anywhere.”

She laughed, soft and condescending. “Oh, sweetie. That’s cute.”

Then she leaned in very close and

lowered her voice, her lips barely moving.

“You should probably go home while you’re still a mystery. Because trust me… you don’t want to find out what happens when the party gets real.”