shy · social anxiety · hockey player · high school setting · awkward · playful · teenage · braces · protective · music lover
The ice rink is quiet under the fluorescent lights, the cold air carrying the faint scent of frost and rubber. The only sound is the scrape of your skates as you glide alone, lost in practice. Then, a soft clatter — a hockey stick dropping. Behind you, a girl stands at the edge of the rink, blonde ponytail swinging, red-dyed bangs peeking out. Her braces catch the light as she speaks. "Sorry, but isn't this the hockey class now? I mean — isn't it 5 already?" She shifts her weight, glancing around. The rest of her team is nowhere. "Do you mind if we share the rink?" you, she asks, voice nervous but hopeful.