chapter 6-Maya's POV

I woke up the next morning feeling calm and almost weightless, like maybe everything that had happened yesterday was only a dream. But the thrill in my chest told me it was real. Hockey,just thinking about it made me feel alive.

A burst of laughter drifted from the kitchen. I slid out of bed, pulled on a hoodie, and padded down the hall.

“Congrats, superstar!” Stella’s voice nearly knocked me back as I stepped through the doorway.

Fiona threw her arms in the air like she was announcing a winner. “I can’t believe my roommate is a hockey player. You did what most guys in this school couldn’t even try.”

I blinked, startled. “Wait,what? You were watching?”

“Of course we were,” Stella said, grinning wide. “The whole school is talking about how you smoked those guys yesterday.”

Fiona wagged a spoon at me. “Girl, we are so proud of you. And we barely even know you yet!”

A tight warmth filled my chest. I felt tears threatening. “You two are… unbelievable. I don’t even know what to say.”

“Say you’ll let us come to every game,” Stella said, already pouring orange juice.

“And maybe sign a stick for us when you’re famous,” Fiona added with a wink.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Okay, okay deal. But no screaming my name from the stands.”

“No promises,” Fiona said, sliding a plate of eggs toward me.

We ate together, easy chatter bouncing around the small kitchen. It felt… safe.

When we finally headed out for class,Stella nudged me with her shoulder. “First official day on the team,excited?”

“Excited and terrified,” I admitted. “I might’ve made a few enemies yesterday. Or friends, depending on how they take the defeat.”

“Anyone who can’t handle losing to you isn’t worth your time,” Fiona said firmly.

Their words followed me out the door, a warm echo against the morning chill.

When we reached the main hall, we split up to head to our classes. I had a lecture before practice, so I hurried along the corridor, my stomach flipping with excitement. First official class. First real day as part of the team.

Then I saw him.

Liam.

He was leaning against the doorway like he owned the place. For a heartbeat we just stared. His eyes caught mine and held them, and everything around me went quiet.

“Morning,” he said finally, his voice low.

I swallowed. “Morning,” I echoed, trying to sound casual.

Before I could step past, a warm arm swept around me.

“There she is!” Zack’s voice boomed as he pulled me into a bear hug. I let out a surprised laugh.

“Zack!” I gasped. “You nearly crushed me.”

He grinned down at me. “Worth it. Congrats, champ. I knew you’d make the team. Can’t wait to see you at practice later.”

“Thanks,” I said, smiling up at him. “I’m just hoping I survive the drills.”

“You’ll crush it,” he said, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze before stepping back.

I caught a flash of something in Liam’s eyes—curiosity? irritation? but he stayed silent, hands shoved in his pockets.

Zack tilted his head toward him. “You coming to practice, man?”

“Yeah,” Liam replied, his gaze flicking to me again. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

I forced a small smile and slipped past them. “I should grab a seat before class starts. See you later.”

“See you on the ice,” Zack called after me.

The lecture passed in a blur, but I couldn’t shake the strange tension from that brief moment with Liam. Whatever it was, I didn’t want trouble especially not with that Lia girl always hovering around him.

After lunch I hurried across campus, the late sun warm on my back. My stomach fluttered the whole way to the rink. First real practice as an official player—my heart thudded like skates on ice.

Coach was waiting in his office, a navy jersey folded on his desk.

“Here she is,” he said with a big grin, handing me the uniform. “Our first official female player. You’ve got guts, kid.”

“Thank you, Coach,” I said, holding the jersey close. It felt heavier than it looked.

He gave me a careful look. “Just remember… this team isn’t like other teams. You’ve got more eyes on you than you think.”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

He only smiled, half-secret. “You’ll see. Now get changed and show them what you can do.”

His words lingered in my mind as I walked toward the locker room. My palms were damp when I reached the door. I took a deep breath, ready to push it open.

The door swung out first.

It was him. Liam.

And he was shirtless.

For a second I froze. His skin gleamed with a faint sheen of sweat, muscles moving as he pulled a shirt from his bag. My breath caught and I hated that I noticed.

He raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smirk tugging at his mouth. “You lost, rookie?”

I forced myself to look away, cheeks hot. “No. I,I’m here for practice,” I said quickly, a little louder than I meant to. My voice echoed through the room.

Every head inside turned.

Great. Now the whole team was staring.

Liam chuckled low under his breath. “Relax. We don’t bite.”

I stepped past him, clutching my jersey like a shield.

Then I heard a friendly voice from the back.

“Maya! Over here!” Zack waved from his spot on the bench, his grin easy and warm.

Relief washed over me. I crossed the room, trying to ignore the curious eyes and the faint smile still playing on Liam’s face.

I braced myself for whispers or cold shoulders, but when I stepped onto the ice the team surprised me.

“Hey, Maya!” one of the defensemen called.

“Glad to have you with us,” another said with a grin.

Their smiles eased some of the tension in my chest. Everyone seemed… welcoming.

Everyone except one guy.

James.

He stood near the blue line, stick balanced across his shoulders, staring at me like I was something he’d scraped off his skate. His eyes were sharp and cold.

I tried to ignore him, but it was hard not to feel the weight of that glare.

Zack skated up beside me and lowered his voice. “Don’t mind James,” he said, giving me a reassuring tap on the arm with his stick. “He’s like that with some people. It’s not you.”

“You sure?” I asked, still feeling the heat of James’s stare.

“Positive,” Zack said firmly. “He just… thinks he’s the best. Prove him wrong.”

I nodded, tightening my grip on my stick. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

The whistle blew and we started drills. I focused on every stride, every pass, letting the cold air fill my lungs. It felt good like a part of me woke up that had been sleeping for years.

Some of the guys shouted encouragement when I landed a clean shot on goal. “Nice one, Maya!”

But the knot in my stomach stayed. Being surrounded by so many guys stirred memories I hated. The things my father had done his voice, his hands ,sometimes they crept in when I least expected it. I pushed the thoughts away, skating harder.

A sudden shadow slid up beside me.

James.

He leaned close as we coasted to the boards, his voice a low challenge. “You think you can keep up with us?”

I met his icy stare. “I’m not here to keep up,” I said evenly. “I’m here to win.”

He smirked, eyes narrowing. “We’ll see about that.”

Before I could answer, Zack glided between us, giving James a pointed look. “Back off, man. She’s on the team. Deal with it.”

James only shrugged and pushed off toward the other end of the rink, but I caught the edge of a grin on his face like he’d just started a game of his own.

I steadied my breathing and skated back to the line, telling myself I wasn’t here to be scared. I was here to play.