All Chapters of FALLING FOR THE HOCKEY PLAYER (WHILE OVERSIZED): Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Ella's POV When I got to school this morning, I went straight to the library to return some of the books I had borrowed. The halls were already alive with movement. Students filled every corner—laughing loudly, gossiping in small circles, lockers slamming shut in uneven rhythms. The air felt thick with energy, like it always did at the start of the day. It was all familiar. Routine. Safe. After dropping off the books at the front desk, I paused for a second, watching the librarian scan them in. Then I turned and made my way back into the hallway, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder. I headed toward my locker, my thoughts drifting elsewhere. I was thinking about the upcoming history test. About the chapters I still needed to study. About dates and names that refused to stay in my head no matter how many times I read them. Nothing important. Nothing urgent. Just normal things. Then I heard my name. “Ella.” I stopped mid-step and turned. A group of people stood near th

Ella's POVThe situation from the hospital weakened me so much that I slept off while still thinking. I didn't even know when my mom came back from the diner. The last thing I remembered was my head on my pillow, my mind still replaying the kiss, Kael's face, the hockey team staring at me.It was her soft tap that woke me up this morning.I opened my eyes. The morning light was coming through my window. My mom was sitting on the edge of my bed. Her face was calm. Too calm."You never told me you are into girls," she said.I sat up fast. "Mom, it is not what you think."My heart was pounding. I tried to sit up properly, to explain everything to her. The warehouse incident was still fresh in my mind. Damon was still in the hospital. And now this?"I know, dear." She smiled. "I just overheard some of your schoolmates talking about you kissing someone.""No, Mom." I shook my head. "I was being kissed. I didn't kiss anyone."She nodded slowly. Like she understood something I didn't."Remem

Delilah's POVI grew up with an older brother who loves everything I love. And because he is a boy, my parents always made sure he got it first. Before me. Always before me.New phone? Damon gets it first. New car? Damon gets it first. New clothes? Damon picks his before I even see the options. I have endured it my whole life. I swallowed the jealousy. I smiled when I wanted to scream.But this time, with Ella, I am not going to let him get her too.I discovered I am into girls when I was thirteen. It wasn't a big dramatic realization. It just happened. I saw Ella in the hallway, laughing with a friend, and something clicked inside me. My heart raced. My stomach fluttered. I knew.The first person I ever liked was Ella.I tried to get close to her back then. But the distance between our grades made it hard. She was older. We didn't share classes. We didn't move in the same circles. So I watched her from afar. In the cafeteria. In the hallways. At school events.After a few years, I fi

Ella's POVI collapsed into my bed immediately when I walked into my room.The last time I walked all the way from school was the night Damon betrayed me at the awards. That night, my feet carried me home because I had no other choice. My phone was shattered. My heart was broken. And I had no one to call.Now, Kael, my mate, just made me do the same thing.The cry I had been holding in as I walked home came pouring out of my eyes as I lay flat on my bed. My face was buried in my pillow. My body was shaking. My chest hurt.I hated being the person everyone in school used as the latest news. I was the gist. The topic. The scandal. Everywhere I walked, people were whispering. Pointing. Laughing. And I hated it.I cried so hard that I slept off at some point. I didn't even realize when my eyes closed. The tears just stopped. The sounds just faded. And everything went dark.When I woke up, the room was dark. The moon was out. I didn't know how long I had been asleep.I sat up. Wiped my fac

Ella's POV"Is it just me, or did the room get brighter when you walked in?"I heard the voice immediately as I walked between the library shelves. I turned back.Delilah was standing there. Already placing her hand on my waist. Her fingers were light. Gentle. But to be honest, I wasn't comfortable with it."What are you doing here?" I asked."You're not the only one who loves studying, dear." She smiled.I looked at her. "Really?""You got me." She laughed. "This is the only place we can see each other and have time together."I breathed down. Slow. Deep. I had been avoiding this conversation for days. But I couldn't avoid it forever."Delilah, I'm not sure I can give you what you want." I looked her in the eyes. "I can't do this with you."This was the fourth time I was telling her this. Four times since the incident at Kael's place. Four times since I saw him with Judith.It has been three days. Three days of avoiding Kael. Three days of him trying to explain himself. He kept calli