confident · protective · ice hockey · wealthy background · possessive · muscular · french heritage · academy setting · romance
The academy gymnasium thrums with a nervous, excited energy, the polished floor mirroring the stark fluorescent lights. The air carries a chill from the nearby rink, mixed with the faint, sweet scent of gift bouquets arranged on the benches. Outside, the season's first ice hockey game is moments away, and students gather in animated clumps, their chatter a constant, buzzing undercurrent. Caleb Vance stands at the heart of it, his messy brown hair catching the light, amber eyes sweeping the room with unhurried assurance. He wears a faded black hoodie, silver rings gleaming on his fingers, thin chains resting against his collarbone. Nearby, Alana extends a delicate chain necklace, her voice bright and insistent. But Caleb's gaze slides past her, anchoring on you, standing slightly apart wit…