THE HOCKEY CAPTAIN'S SECRET GIRL

FREYA.

The sound of people screaming shook the whole college long before I even reached the main building. It had only been one week since summer break ended, but Willow College already looked like it had never been quiet. Students filled every walkway, laughing, running, and wearing the blue-and-silver colors of our school. The biggest event of the month was happening today, a friendly hockey match against our oldest rival, and everyone acted like it was the most important thing in the world. I pulled my backpack closer against my shoulder and wished I could disappear before anyone noticed me.

Everywhere I looked, people were talking about the game. Some were waving banners while others painted each other's faces with blue stripes. The cheerleaders stood near the arena entrance, practicing their routine with bright smiles that looked almost too perfect to be real. They spun through the air as if they didn't have a single worry in the world. I couldn't stop myself from watching them for a moment, even though I knew better than to let myself dream. Being one of them had always been my biggest wish, but wishes didn't matter when Cassie Vale was the one making the decisions.

"Freya!"

I turned just in time to see my older brother jogging toward me with his hockey bag hanging over one shoulder. Draven was no longer a student here, but he still visited almost every week because his best friend was the captain of Willow's hockey team. His dark hair was messy like always, and he wore the same easy smile that somehow made everyone trust him.

"There you are," he said. "Grandpa wanted me to remind you to actually watch a hockey game one day. He still thinks you'll fall in love with the sport."

I laughed softly and shook my head.

"I don't think that's ever going to happen."

"You've never even given it a real chance."

"I've given it plenty of chances. I still don't understand why grown men skate around chasing a little black puck."

Draven placed a hand dramatically over his chest.

"Ouch. That hurts."

"I'm sorry."

"No, you're not."

I smiled, and he laughed before ruffling my hair.

"Anyway, I'm heading inside. Maddox will probably be looking for me."

The moment he said Maddox's name, I sighed. Maddox DeLuca. Hockey captain. Campus hero. Every girl seemed to lose her mind whenever he walked by.

"I'll see you later," Draven said.

"If I survive the noise."

"You'll survive."

He disappeared into the crowd before I could answer.

I waited until everyone around me rushed toward the arena before quietly walking in the opposite direction. The cheering became softer with every step I took, and my shoulders slowly relaxed. Finally, I found the girls' restroom near the old arts building. Hardly anyone came here during sports events, and that was exactly why I loved it.

The room was cool and peaceful. I leaned against the sink and let out a long breath as silence wrapped around me like a warm blanket. For the first time all day, I could hear myself think. I splashed cold water on my face and smiled at my reflection.

"This is much better," I whispered.

The bathroom door suddenly swung open so hard that it hit the wall.

My smile disappeared.

Cassie Vale walked in first, wearing her cheerleading uniform like she owned the whole college. Three girls followed behind her, all laughing until they saw me. The laughter stopped immediately, replaced by matching smirks.

"Well," Cassie said sweetly. "Look who we found."

I looked toward the door, but two of the girls had already moved to block it.

"I was just leaving," I said quietly.

Cassie stepped closer.

"No, you weren't."

My stomach tightened.

"What do you want?"

She folded her arms and looked me up and down.

"You've been avoiding everyone all week. That's rude."

"I wasn't avoiding anyone," I replied.

"Please." She rolled her eyes. "You're always hiding somewhere."

One of the girls laughed.

"Maybe she's scared of people."

Another one added, "Or maybe she's practicing being invisible."

They all laughed except me.

Cassie tilted her head.

"You still want to join my cheerleading squad, don't you?"

The question hit me harder than I expected.

I swallowed.

"I... yes."

"I knew it."

She smiled, but there wasn't anything kind about it.

"You've tried out three times."

"I know."

"And every single time..."

"You rejected me," I finished for her.

"I did."

I looked down at my shoes, trying not to let them see how much those words hurt.

"I've practiced every day," I whispered. "I worked really hard."

Cassie leaned closer until her face was only inches from mine.

She nodded. "I know you did."

"Then why did I keep getting rejected?" I asked.

"Because I didn't want you."

The words felt like someone had slapped me across the face.

Her friends laughed again.

Cassie suddenly smiled in a different way, almost as if she had remembered something exciting.

"But maybe... I've changed my mind."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Maybe I'll let you join."

I stared at her, unable to believe what I had just heard.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Hope filled my chest so quickly it almost hurt.

"What do I have to do?"

Her smile grew wider.

"I knew you'd ask."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a black invitation card.

"There's a party tonight after the game," she began to say.

"I don't go to parties," I cut in immediately.

"You'll go to this one."

She placed the invitation into my hand.

"What for?"

Her eyes sparkled with something dangerous.

"Maddox DeLuca will be there too."

I frowned.

"What about him?"

"I want you to sleep with him."

Everything inside me froze.

"What?"

"You heard me."

I shook my head so fast my hair fell into my face.

"No."

Cassie sighed dramatically.

"I haven't even finished."

"I don't care."

"You should."

"I won't do that," I insisted.

Her sweet smile disappeared so quickly that it scared me.

"You really should think properly before saying no to me."

"I said no."

She stepped even closer until I had nowhere left to move.

"If you can get Maddox DeLuca into your bed tonight, I'll personally welcome you onto the cheerleading squad tomorrow morning."

I stared at her like she had gone completely crazy.

"That's impossible."

"Maybe."

"And disgusting," I added.

She shrugged. "I don't care."

"I barely even talk to him."

"You don't have to talk much."

"And my brother would kill me."

"Cute."

I shoved the invitation back toward her.

"I won't do it."

Cassie's face turned cold.

"Then listen carefully, Freya."

The room suddenly felt smaller.

"If you walk away from this, every single day for the rest of this year will become a nightmare."

I felt my heartbeat speeding up.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you'll never have a peaceful class again. You'll eat lunch alone. You'll be laughed at every day. Every rumor I start about you will spread before lunch ends."

Her friends smiled like they couldn't wait.

Cassie crossed her arms.

"And trust me, I always get what I want."

I looked from one face to another. None of them looked like they were joking. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because I can."

The silence that followed felt heavier than anything I had ever carried. Slowly, my fingers closed around the invitation.

"I..."

The word barely came out.

"I'll do it."

Cassie smiled victoriously.

"I knew you would."

She patted my cheek as if we were friends.

"Good luck, little mouse."

The girls walked out together, laughing loudly as the bathroom door closed behind them.

Hours later, I sat alone on my bed, staring at the black invitation resting in my hands. The music from the party hadn't even started yet, but my heart already felt like it was breaking. Maddox DeLuca was my brother's best friend. He barely knew I existed, and even if he did, there was no chance someone like him would ever look at someone like me. Still, Cassie's threat echoed inside my head until it drowned out every other thought. I squeezed the invitation tightly, letting out a heavy sigh as I wondered what I had gotten myself into.