4

Chapter 4

Adele Wilson

I got to school as early as I could so I could meet with Jason.

After what happened yesterday, I spent the night thinking of the offer, and I already made up my mind to take it.

I knew this was going to cost me more than I imagined, but for the first time in my life, I was ready to make a change in my life. It didn't matter the consequences of my decision.

My heart hammered hard against my chest as I made my way to the school's ice rink, where I presumed Jason would be by now, probably practising since they had a hockey match in a few hours from now.

Just as I had presumed. There he was, graced in a blue jersey particularly for their team. He had his helmet over his head.

A smile spread across my lips as I watched him skating on the ice rink, his fingers holding the stick tightly as he passed the puck for some seconds until he hit it right inside the net.

“Goal!” I didn't know when I blurted out, clapping my hand. It was at that moment Jason noticed me, because he stopped and looked in my direction.

For a moment, he stood there, looking at me. I couldn't tell what expression he had on his face until he removed his helmet, and his honey-brown eyes welcomed me.

My fingers tightened around my backpack tightly, my abdomen twitching as he skates toward me, and once he got to the edge of the ice rink, he stepped out of it.

“Hey… good morning.”

Jason slid past me, going to sit on the bench.

“Hmm. Morning.” He finally replied to me while getting rid of his skates, not sparing me a glance.

I walked over to him, swallowing nothing as I stood in front of him.

“Uhm… thank you for yesterday.” I said again, hoping to start a conversation with him.

He stood up, staring straight at me as he just nodded simply.

He walked past me, and I quickly followed him.

“Do you need help with that?” I asked, referring to his skates as I walked behind him down the walkway leading to their locker room.

“I'll help you with that.” I didn't wait for him to speak before snatching the skates from him, and he gave me a brief stare before walking ahead while I trailed behind him.

As I followed him to the locker room, I kept looking around, to be sure no one was watching me. I wasn't up for another bullying this morning, please.

“Thank you.” He stopped once we were in front of the locker room, snatching the skates from me.

He had turned to go inside when I called his attention.

“Uhm… about the other day…” I paused, lowering my gaze. I could hear my heart in my ears as it pounded loudly, with every beat heavier than the previous one. “I'll take it.”

I raised my gaze to find him staring at me with an unreadable expression on his face.

“I mean the offer. To help me. I will take it.” My voice barely made it out this time. I stylishly rubbed my sweaty palms on my dress as I gazed into his eyes.

“I…uhm…” I was still speaking when he walked into the locker room and shut the door on my face.

My heart suddenly felt heavy as though a heavy weight was just dropped on it.

Slowly, I clenched my fingers into a ball as I gazed down at the floor, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. Is he mad at me? Is he not going to help me?

He was the last hope I had. If he ignored me, then I would be doomed.

I was jolted back to reality by the faint chattings and footsteps approaching the locker room, so I hurried away before anyone would see me around.

“Oh my goodness! You look so gorgeous, Chloe.” I heard a female voice as I walked past the female locker room, so I paused and went to have a look.

I felt a sting in my heart as I watched Chloe along with the other girls, all in their cheerleading uniform. They were lucky to have the perfect body. They were fortunate enough to be able to do whatever they like, which included being cheerleaders and even figure skating, but here I was. I couldn't join any of the sporting clubs in the school— because I was too plump.

I had come to the school originally to fulfill my dream of becoming a figure skater, but I was never allowed in any of the team. Nobody wanted me in their team.

“Jason is going to be all over you, trust me.” I heard one of the girls say as I walked away.

An hour passed before it was finally time for the ice hockey match of the year. The whole time before now, I was on the rooftop, trying to get myself distracted.

The arena was already filled by the students and parents who had come to watch their kids play by the time I arrived. I could barely see the ice rink, but somehow, I managed to push my way to the front.

I was first welcomed by Jason, and a smile formed on my lips.

Our eyes met, causing my heart to skip.

“Jason! Whoa!” I traced the voice to Chloe, cheering excitedly, and I looked back to Jason. He wasn't looking at me this time, but at Chloe. Waves of jealousy spurred through me.

The game began shortly after.

Almost every single student cheered only for Jason, and a few for Henry who was also a member of the hockey team, but not in the same team as Jason.

I focused my attention on Jason as I watched him skating in the ice rink, his stick pushing the puck around, dodging each player, and just before he made it to the net, Henry double-crossed him, hooking the puck and Jason with his stick.

I could feel my heart in my throat, my eyes widened as I prayed silently that Jason scores a goal.

“You can do it, Jason!”

Jason tried to get away from him, when Henry suddenly grabbed his jersey, pulling him back aggressively, and tripping him. Jason almost fell, but maintained his balance.

He kicked the pluck past the goalie, sending it straight into the net.

“Goal!!” Cheerful screams erupted in the arena.

The first period was soon over, and the players were asked to go get some rest.

“Jason…” Chloe rushed to him with a bottle of water the moment he stepped out of the ice rink.

“You must be tired. You should drink this.” Chloe reached for his face with a handkerchief in a bid to clean his sweat, but he flinched.

“Thanks for this.” He smiled at her faintly after he collected the bottle, and Chloe's face dropped disappointedly.

My heart fluttered when I spotted Jason walking up to me after he left Chloe.

He halted right in front of me, his eyes piercing into mine.

I blinked my eyes, confusion settling deep inside me as I wondered what he was about to do.

He stared into my eyes, his face softened as he asked. “Will you be my girlfriend, Adele?”

Huh?!