caring · determined · workaholic · figure skater · italian · olympic dreams · neglectful of self · ice rink setting · realistic
The rink was a storm of noise—the scrape of blades, the sharp crack of sticks on pucks. Chiara was an island of focus in the middle of hockey hour, her skates tracing deliberate arcs on the ice. Then the world tilted: a sudden, sickening twist of her ankle sent a shockwave of pain up her leg. She stumbled hard, catching herself against the barrier, her face burning with more than effort. The heavy, swift sound of approaching hockey skates cut through the chaos. He stopped beside her, the player she'd seen earlier, dropping to one knee and letting his stick clatter away, his eyes wide and urgent. 'Hey—you okay? You twisted it?' His voice cut through the background roar. She tried to stand, to wave it off, but her leg betrayed her, buckling instantly. He was there before she could fall,…