The Hockey Star Who Ruined Me

Chapter 1

Vivienne Sinclair

Ding!

'... Loan overdue. Loan balance: Fifty thousand dollars’

My breath caught in my throat. What a way to ruin this special day for me.

My fingers tightened at my sides. Perhaps I wouldn't be in this mess now if I had just gone for a school I could afford… But I just wanted the best for myself.

How could I hope for a better life when I wasn't even born for one? My chance at it was probably buried with my mom deep in the grave ten years ago.

My dad... Let's not even talk about him. He's the worst father on earth. Despite being the CEO of an average company, I'm left to fend for myself because he's busy with his wife's daughter.

After he remarried and adopted his wife's daughter, his attention shifted to her. While I struggled, worked my ass off to earn a living for myself, she got everything without asking for it. She went to the best highschool, while I was withdrawn in the first first year to a cheaper school... And even now, she got into the most expensive sport school in New York with dad's help.

'I can't waste my money on you, Vivianne. You should just go to a cheaper school'

Dad had said when I told him I wanted to go to the same school as my step sister.

My life wasn't going to amount to anything there… I needed to be in a good school where I'll have a chance at a better future, so I saved up and registered at Stormbridge academy… Saved up? No! I took loans... Tons of it.

Yeah, it was crazy. But I was desperate, and here I am in this mess.

Ugh! Fuck my life.

Well, this will be over soon. After I graduate in a few months, I'll take a few part-time jobs, and pay up my loans, but for now, I need to head back to the arena and watch the conclusion of the hockey match... I need to see Noah Boulevard ace this match as usual.

Oh… It's the 2025 Stormbridge's interschool ice hockey competition.

I rushed towards the ice hockey arena, but tripped over something, my knees cracking against the tiled floor as I dropped to the floor.

I winced.

"Oops! Didn't see ya,"

I lifted my gaze. Bailey Sinclair. My step sister.

Oh... Here comes the perfect daughter.

“What the fuck was that, Bailey?!"

"You bumped into me, Vivianne," she shrugged.

“I told you not to show your face here... Have you forgotten that you don't belong here?” She crossed her arms in front of her, eyes locked down on me.

Well, Bailey is Stormbridge's self-appointed queenbee, and Noah's wannabe's girlfriend.

Pain exploded through my knees as I tried to get up. God help this bitch, because she'd be so fucking screwed once I manage to get up from here.

“What? Does it hurt?” She huffed.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and when I lifted my gaze, I saw people walking out of the arena.

I gasped. Is the match over already?

'What is going on there?’

'Oh, my God! Isn't that Vivianne? Come on, let's go watch them. I think something interesting is happening there’

One thing I hate? Being seen vulnerable. God! I feel like disappearing. I hate being pathetic.

Fuck! I need to put this bitch in her place!

I muffled a cry as I tried to stand on my feet, but limped and staggered, crashing back to the floor.

By then, students already had their phones in the air, taking videos of me.

"I thought she's strong. Why is she being all pathetic now?"

"What a day to witness the downfall of Vivianne. She's always so full of herself."

My nails dug into the floor, my jaw tightening, chest burning with rage.

Fuck!

Then suddenly, their loud noises slowly faded into silence, each head turning back as loud footsteps echoed behind them.

I blinked. What's that?

Bailey gasped, covering her mouth the moment she turned her head back.

“Noah?” Her voice cracked.

I blinked. Noah?

“What's going on here?”

My breath caught as his voice tore through the heavy silence. Sharp, firm, and demanding.

“No…Noah…” Bailey stuttered before she was shoved out of the way, and Noah stood before me.

He had just stepped out of the ice hockey arena, still in his jersey, sweat dripping down his body.

My breath stopped as our eyes locked.

I've had a crush on Noah since I transferred to Stormbridge Academy months ago.

I'd daydream about him… imagine shits in my head… I'd even imagined what sex with him would feel like.

You wouldn't blame me, right? Noah is hot, talented, flirty, soft-spoken, and even the top student in the whole Stormbridge… In short, he ticked all my boxes. How could I not want him?

“Vivianne?”

I blinked. He knows my name? It's the first time he's saying my name. I always thought he never noticed me.

“Are you okay?” He rushed towards me, and as he touched me, I felt a spark inside me, my throat tightening.

I crashed into his chest the moment he helped me up to my feet.

That wasn't intentional. My knee still hurts.

He turned to Bailey, his face dripping with rage. “Did you do this to her?”

Her lips trembled. “It's… it's not what you think, Noah. I was… I was…”

“You!” He gritted angrily, then turned to me and said, “I'll take you to the infirmary,"

And without a warning, he swept me off my feet.

I froze, my eyes widened.

Then he turned to Bailey. "You better be ready to explain to the dean why you were trying to ruin Stormbridge's reputation by bullying someone,"

‘What’s going on between them?’

‘Why is Noah helping her?’

Whispers echoed behind us, as he walked away with me in his arms without even a single glance back at them.

My cheeks burned hot, eyes fixed on his sharp jawlines, my fingers fisted on his hard chest.

Is this a dream? Noah stepping up to help me? Or is he just trying to save the academy's reputation?

We reached the infirmary, and the nurse attended to my wound.

*****

“Can you walk?” Noah asked as I limped beside him out of the infirmary.

‘No, I can't’

I wanted him to carry me again… It felt good earlier. I could see his face close-up… and I enjoyed the view, but still, I shook my head.

“Hmm… Thank you.”

“I'm sorry for bothering you.” I muttered, fidgeting with my fingers.

“It's nothing at all.”

A smile crept up my face as I looked away. Thanks to that bitch, I got to be in Noah's arms. I guess I will forgive her this time... but wait! She fucking made me not to see the conclusion of the match.

Well, scratch that! I'm going to make her pay for this.

Maybe I should ask Noah how the match ended.

“Uhm… The match…”

“Stormbridge won the game today. We're having a party to celebrate our win tonight. Mind coming..." His voice trailed off and he sighed, glancing down at my knees. "Sorry... I almost forgot. Of course, you can't make it."

Can't make it? Give me a fucking break! I don't mind going there in a wheelchair. I mean, Noah just invited me, so I must be there.

"Yeah, sure... I'll be there."

He blinked.

"Oh... This is fine. It doesn't hurt as much." I chuckled nervously.

Unlike some other rude rich kids, Noah is different. He is down-to-earth, sweet, polite, and cheerful despite being the son of the wealthiest man in New York.

"Are you sure about this?"

I nodded.

"Let me have your phone."

I handed him my phone and we exchanged numbers.

"Saved it for you." he turned my phone screen to me. He'd already saved his number on my phone.

"Send me your address. I'll pick you up tonight."