تسجيل الدخول~RHEA~I didn’t know what to make of Chase’s message last night. I’d spent hours thinking about what his words meant, but I still couldn’t figure it out.“Eat, Ladybug.”I turned to Zander, and guilt welled up inside me.He’d asked me several times if I was okay, and I’d wanted to tell him about Chase’s message, but something had stopped me. I couldn’t explain what it was yet.My mother had also sent me a message, reminding me to call her and come home.I couldn’t deal with her right now. I couldn’t let her ruin the happy bubble I was currently in, just like I couldn’t let Chase get inside my head.“You okay?” Zander asked softly.I looked at the worried expression on his face, and my heart melted.I couldn’t let Chase destroy what Zander and I were gradually building. I loved how I felt whenever I was with him, and I wanted things to stay this way.“I’m okay. Just tired.” I picked up the burger he’d gotten for me and took a bite.Even if my stomach couldn’t hold it down, it was worth
~HEATHER~ I watched the doors, waiting for Rhea to pop up as I sat beside Mason in the cafeteria.After reading her message last night about her mother, I immediately tried to call her back but she told me she was tired so I let it go but today, today I wasn't letting go.If she walked in here and it looked like she had cried herself to sleep, I was going to find Chase and I swear…“Heather!” I lifted my head up and was surprised when Zander walked into the cafeteria alone.Immediately, all eyes turned to him and not once did he act like he cared.Knowing Zander, he probably didn't.Wait… why was he calling me?“Can I talk to you for a second?” He asked and my eyes widened.Zander and I have never had a conversation without Rhea being present before. Was something wrong with her?“Is everything okay?” Mason asked beside me.“Yes. I just need to speak with Heather" Zander said, his face giving nothing away.“I'll be right back” I said to everyone on the table with a smile before f
~RHEA~My hands were shaking.I clasped them together, hoping it would stop, but the trembling only grew worse.What had Chase told my mother? Had he told her that I was stealing Lyra’s life? That I had taken everything that belonged to my sister?But she was the one who had forced me into this. So why was she suddenly calling me home?“Rhea!”Zander’s sharp voice suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts. I blinked and realized he was standing in front of me.“Rhea,” he called again, this time more gently as he reached for my clasped hands. “What’s wrong? What happened?”I was about to shake my head and pretend everything was fine, but the tears came rushing down my cheeks before I could say a word.“Fuck.”Zander quickly took the basket from my arm and pulled me into his embrace.“Tell me what’s wrong,” he pleaded. “Tell me so I can help you.”He sounded like he was begging me to let him share whatever burden I was carrying.But what could I say? That I was afraid of my own mother?That
~RHEA~“Zander!”I called out as soon as I saw him standing outside the locker room with Chase.They both turned toward me, and I hurried over, immediately placing myself in front of Zander like a shield. My heart was racing as I glared at Chase.“What do you want now, Chase?” I asked through clenched teeth.He scoffed. “Why are you shielding him? He was the one who attacked me, not the other way around.”“Ladybug.” Zander’s voice was soft, instantly drawing my attention away from Chase.I slowly turned around and looked up at him. A small smile curved his lips as he stared down at me.“Are you okay?” I asked worriedly.He reached out and gently caressed my cheek.“Were you worried about me?”I nodded without hesitation.“I don’t want you getting into trouble anymore,” I told him.He chuckled before pulling me into his arms.“You heard that, Chase. My girl doesn’t want me getting into any more trouble, so I suggest you stay away from me from now on.” Zander’s voice turned cold as he g
~RHEA~As soon as Zander disappeared from my sight, I glanced around the rink.“Who are you looking for?” Heather asked as she came to stand beside me.My eyes landed on Coach Jones, and a determined sigh escaped my lips.“Wait here. I’m going to talk to Coach,” I told her before walking away.Coach was having a conversation with Mason when I tapped him on the arm.“Can I talk to you, Coach?” I asked.They both immediately turned to me.“Rhea? What’s wrong?” Mason asked, his eyes searching my face for any sign of trouble.I smiled and shook my head.“I’m okay. I just need to talk to him alone, please.”Coach glanced between us before letting out a knowing chuckle.“Ah, I see what’s going on here.”I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as he turned to Mason.“I’ve heard what you said. Go join the others and wash up,” he told him, giving him a light pat on the shoulder.Mason nodded, glanced at me briefly, then walked away.“Would you like to talk in my office?” Coach asked.I nodded and
~ZANDER~ I clenched my fist as I stared at Mason.As if the C on his chest wasn't enough, he was purposely trying to piss me off.“I'm always on the front line” I muttered through clenched teeth as I glared at him.He met my stare right on.“Yes but it's better to get out of your comfort zone. Plus, you'll get to play with the others now and not just Kai, Richard and I” He stated and I paused then turned to Coach.So this was their plan. They were trying to get me to be closer to the others.My hold on my hockey stick tightened as I turned back to Mason. He knew I had a hard time connecting with the others and he still pulled this shit?“Go on, Zander! Woohoo!” My eyes immediately snapped to Rhea and immediately I saw her cheering for me, all my anger dissipated.“You can do this!” She cheered and I flashed her a smile then nodded.My beautiful girl. She was right, I could do this.“Okay everyone. Get into formation and let's get this practice started!” Coach announced and everyo
~RHEA~ “He left you on the curb?” Heather screeched, horrified, as she led me up to her room.I had called her earlier and she had immediately given me the location of her dorm and luckily, she had taken my luggage with her.“Technically, I got out of his car and he can't exactly force me” I mut
~RHEA~ Girlfriend?“Girlfriend?” Heather, Chase and Sienna echoed as they stared at me like I knew a fuck about what was going on.The murmurs began as everyone in the crowd stared at us with wide eyes and I could see the questions in their eyes but they seemed too scared to speak.Before I could
~ZANDER~ Something was seriously wrong with me.Because for the last twenty minutes, all I could think about was a girl in a stupid Ladybug shirt.It made no fucking sense.Girls like her were exactly the kind I stayed away from, the ones that were too bright, too innocent looking and too soft.
~RHEA~ I wanted to look away but I couldn't.My eyes stayed locked on Zander Cole as if they had forgotten how to function properly.Water still clung to his skin, sliding down the sharp lines and tattoos on his chest before disappearing beneath the towel hanging dangerously low on his hips. Ever







