after the death of her mother, leighton's father sends her to a boarding school halfway across the world to be taught a lesson. she knows no one and no one knows her.
but the cherry on top is who her roommate is.
#2 in ptsdawareness
#2 in anxiety
#...
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"cause in a sky full of stars. i think i see you."
-sky full of stars by coldplay
⎯⎯⎯
"Yes, Kai!" I scream.
The arena buzzes with energy, the sound of blades cutting into the ice and pucks slamming against boards filling the space.
I can hardly sit still in my seat, my heart pounding in rhythm with the cheers and chants echoing around me.
It's the championship game, and Kai's team is one goal away from victory.
I should be thrilled, but my nerves are twisted in knots.
Kai skates across the ice with determination, his eyes locked on the puck like it's his lifeline.
His movements are sharp, precise—he's in his element, completely absorbed in the game. But there's something else, too, something simmering beneath the surface.
I can see it in the way his shoulders are set, in the tightness of his jaw.
The other team's players have been taunting him all night, trying to get under his skin. And I can tell it's working.
I know that look in his eyes, the one that says he's about to snap.
My grip on the edge of the seat tightens as the puck glides toward Kai. He catches it, skates past two defenders with effortless skill, and winds up for a shot.
The sound of the puck hitting the goalie's pads echoes through the arena, followed by a groan from the crowd. The game is getting more intense by the second.
One of the opposing players slams into Kai as he goes for the rebound, shoving him hard into the boards.
The crowd gasps, and I flinch as if I can feel the impact myself.
Kai's helmeted head snaps back, and for a moment, everything slows down. My breath catches in my throat, fear twisting in my chest.
Please, not again.
Instead, he pushes himself off the boards and shoves the guy back, hard.
The other player doesn't hesitate; he swings at Kai, his fist connecting with Kai's jaw.
It's like a match has been struck, igniting the tension that's been building all game.
Everything explodes.
Before I can even process what's happening, Kai and the other player are in an all-out brawl, fists flying, bodies colliding.
Their teammates rush in, trying to pull them apart, but it's chaos on the ice. The referees are blowing their whistles, the crowd is on its feet, shouting and screaming, but all I can focus on is Kai.
