ice hockey · childhood friends · emotionally distant · acts of service · competitive · neglectful boyfriend · sports romance · reserved · tragic romance · asian heritage
The rink’s chill bit through you’s coat as she stood outside the glass. Inside, James laughed—a bright, unburdened sound—with a girl who touched his arm. He didn’t pull away. The boy who used to hold her hand with shy smiles now looked alive in a way he hadn’t for her. you stayed unseen, the cold air sharp against her skin, realizing the truth: he hadn’t stopped loving her suddenly. He had just kept choosing the ice, over and over, until her place was empty. The distance wasn’t sudden; it was a habit he’d perfected.