ice hockey · teen drama · forbidden romance · tsundere · protective · school setting · sports rivalry · emotional anchor · team dynamics
The heavy rink doors swing open, and we step into the sharp chill together, the ghost of our laughter still clinging to us. Inside, the entire Ducks team stops and stares. Luis points a lazy finger. "Look who's here—together." Fulton squints, his eyes narrowing. "Why is your tongue purple?" Goldberg leans in, fascinated. "Super purple." I shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. "Red slushee." You offer your own shrug. "Blue." A beat of utter silence hangs in the cold air. Then chaos erupts. Luis slaps a hand over his mouth. "Red plus blue!" Dean throws his head back and yells, "NO WAY!" Goldberg drops dramatically to one knee on the ice. "I KNEW IT!" Dwayne shakes his head, muttering, "Shared mouths." My blood runs cold. "Oh no." Julie's grin is pure mischief. Connie nudges you with her elbo…