The Rival And The Rumurs

Dominic's POV

Everyone was talking.

Everywhere I turned it was whispers and stares and smirks. People pretending to not look at me while totally looking at me. And I already knew what it was about. I didn’t even need to hear the words.

Caleb and Selena.

Her name was everywhere now.

In the halls. In classrooms. On lips that used to not even say hi to her. Now they said her name like it was candy. Or dirt. Depending on which side you were on.

And Caleb’s name right next to hers.

"Did you see them in the planning room together?" "I heard he drove her home." "They make such a weird couple." "Is he, like, into weird girls now?"

It crawled under my skin.

I was on the ice but not really there. My stick cracked against the puck but it veered way left. Coach blew the whistle again and again and I kept hearing her laugh.

Not her laugh now.

Her laugh then. That soft one she made when she thought nobody was listening. That real one that cracked out when she said something dumb by accident and laughed at herself.

And now she was laughing with him.

I skated hard, throwing all my weight into the next shot. The puck slammed into the goalpost and bounced.

"What the hell, Lakes!" Coach yelled. "You're all over the damn place today."

I didn’t answer. Just bent down, breathing heavy.

My head was not in the game. My fists were sore. I needed to hit something.

After practice, I didn’t even shower. Just shoved on my hoodie and stormed into the hallway outside the locker room, ignoring everyone. The halls were quieter now. Just echoes. And my head full of noise.

Then I heard them.

Coach and Assistant Trainer Reed.

"He's not focused. Something's off with him."

"Lakes? Yeah, he's been snapping at the other guys."

"We need him sharp for Ravenshore. If he keeps this up—"

I turned the corner and they both shut up.

"Problem?" I asked, voice flat.

Coach crossed his arms. "Just talking about tomorrow. You good, Lakes? You need to get your head on straight."

I nodded once. "I’m good."

I wasn’t.

I stormed off. I didn’t even know where I was going.

Until I saw her.

She was standing by the vending machine, jamming a dollar into the slot, her back turned to me. Hoodie loose. Hair slightly messy. Like she didn’t care and somehow still looked like something that could knock the air out of your chest.

I stopped. My heart kicked weird.

She didn’t see me at first. Just muttered under her breath when the machine spat her money back.

"Stupid greedy metal trashcan."

I walked up.

She jumped a little when she saw me. Her lips snapped shut. Eyes narrowed.

"What?" she asked.

I stared at her. Really stared. She looked tired. But stronger too. Like fire pretending to be smoke.

"You trying to be Cherry now? Or outdo her?"

Her mouth dropped open. Then her eyes went sharp.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You’re signing up for everything now. Hanging on Caleb like you’re building your own campaign brand. Smiling for the cameras. You want people to think you’re her now?"

She blinked, hard.

Then she laughed.

"Wow. You really think the world revolves around you, don’t you?"

"Answer the question."

"Why do you care?"

My jaw clenched.

She stepped closer. Her hand brushed mine by accident and my body stiffened. Electricity. It always happened. I hated it.

"You think I’m doing this for you? You humiliated me. In front of everyone. Pretended like you didn’t know me. And now you think this is about you?"

I didn’t say anything.

Her face was so close. Her breath uneven.

"Get over yourself, Dominic."

Her hand brushed mine again and I didn’t move.

She looked at me. Really looked.

And for a second I forgot why I was mad.

Her mouth opened like she was going to say something else.

Then the sharp click of heels hit the floor.

Cherry.

Of course.

She walked up and immediately hooked her arm in mine.

"Babe, Coach is looking for you."

Selena stepped back. Her face turned off like a light.

"Have fun," she said. Voice empty.

She turned and walked off before I could say anything.

That night, my phone buzzed like a wasp nest.

Screenshots. Posts. Tags.

A photo.

Selena and Caleb sitting side by side at a table, heads leaned close, smiling at something.

The caption said: "Power Couple Goals??”

I stared at it.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t breathe.

Cherry sent it to me too.

Followed by: "Told you. She just wants attention."

But the worst part?

I didn’t feel angry.

I felt something else.

Like I was losing something I never really had.

And it made me feel stupid.

So stupid I almost punched a hole in my wall.