All Chapters of Fake Hearts On Ice: Chapter 1 - Chapter 3

“You don’t get it, Ava. You never get it,” I snapped at my best friend, my voice already fraying even though the night hadn’t officially started.Ava Reed didn’t even look up from her phone as I spoke. She just lay sprawled across her bed in her oversized hoodie, hair piled into a careless bun, one sock missing, scrolling like the fate of the universe wasn’t currently pressing down on my chest. Our room smelled like vanilla body spray, instant noodles, and the faint chemical bite of disinfectant wipes the hall porter had overused earlier that afternoon. Outside, someone down the corridor blasted music that vibrated through the thin walls, bass thudding like a that of a baby volcano.“It’s a party, Lila,” she finally said lazily. “ Just a hockey team party. You’ll survive.”I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of my skirt like it had personally betrayed me. My reflection stared back, too aware, too sharp-eyed, already imagining everything that could go wrong tonight. Th

At first, I told myself not to panic.Jake was probably at the drinks table, laughing with someone and forgetting he was supposed to be back in the next one second. The song had only just started. The lights had softened, the DJ letting the rhythm stretch, giving couples time to settle into each other. It made sense that he stepped away right before the dance. He had said one second. Well, people always said one second and meant something else.So I should just wait. Right? RIGHT?I shifted my weight and waited.As I did so, I smiled faintly, still playing the part, still pretending this was all under control.Drinks, I thought again. He’s just getting drinks.I glanced toward the table. It was crowded, a knot of people pressing forward, plastic cups raised, faces flushed. I scanned for his dark hair, his jacket, that confident posture that had drawn my eyes earlier.Nothing.My stomach tightened in response.Okay. Bathroom, then. Maybe, he became pressed and had to go to the restr