Breaking the Ice

17| The Invitation

Andrea

The cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday chaos—students filling the air with laughter and the clinking sounds of trays, silverware, and lunch bags. I sat at our usual spot near the windows, watching as sunlight filtered in, warming the space. Around me, my friends were immersed in animated conversations, and Homecoming seemed to be the topic of the day.

Kelsey and Arizona were particularly excited, their eyes practically sparkling as they talked about dresses, shoes, and how they'd style their hair. Kelsey's cinnamon-colored hair, worn loose today, bounced with every laugh. Across from her, Arizona's vibrant red hair, tucked behind her ears, caught the light, its natural, fiery hue setting her apart from everyone else. Carter and Jackson, seated beside them, looked more laid-back, but even they occasionally joined in with nods and supportive smirks.

I tried to keep my focus on the sandwich in front of me, but the conversation kept tugging me in.

"Seriously, Drea," Kelsey said, nudging me with a playful elbow. Her voice was a mix of excitement and disbelief. "You can't seriously be thinking about skipping Homecoming. It's gonna be so much fun!"

I shifted a little in my seat, glancing down at my tray, hoping the conversation would move on. But of course, that didn't happen. "I don't know," I mumbled, playing with the corner of my sandwich wrapper. "Aiden said I could go, but with regionals coming up... I just don't know if it's the best idea."

Kelsey's eyes widened, and she gasped as if I'd just told her the biggest secret in the world. "Wait—hold up. Did you just say Aiden actually gave you permission to go?"

All of them stared at me, their eyes filled with newfound excitement. Arizona leaned in, resting her elbows on the table, a knowing grin spreading across her face. "Drea, you have to go now. If your coach, Mr. Serious Aiden Kane, is giving you a night off, that means he believes you've earned it."

Carter's eyes widened, clearly impressed. "Wait... Aiden Kane? As in the former hockey player Aiden Kane?" He leaned forward, a look of genuine interest crossing his face. "You know he's like a legend around here, right? People thought he'd go straight to the NHL right out of high school."

I felt my cheeks flush a little, the attention suddenly making me self-conscious. I nodded, shrugging slightly. "Yeah, that's him."

Carter shook his head, still in awe. "Man, everyone thought he was going to go pro right after graduation, but he surprised everyone when he chose to go to Harvard first. A smart move, honestly. Harvard hockey and an education... that's no joke."

Jackson chimed in, nodding along. "Yeah, I remember hearing about him. He was a big deal even before he left for college. It's wild that he's your coach."

I glanced down, feeling a little embarrassed by how impressed they all seemed. "I know. He's intense but... he believes in me. He's been pushing me to my limits."

Jackson, Arizona's boyfriend, who usually stayed quiet in these conversations, gave a low whistle, impressed. "Man, if Aiden Kane is your coach and he's giving you the green light, you deserve to have some fun for a night. Homecoming isn't something you'll get back once it's over."

I glanced around at all of them, feeling the beginnings of a smile tugging at my lips despite my hesitance. Their excitement was contagious, and they were all watching me with such eager faces. They weren't wrong—I'd poured myself into training for months, working harder than ever, leaving very little room for anything outside the rink. It had been tough but worth it. Still, the idea of taking a single night off felt... daring. Risky, even.

"What if I fall behind in training?" I argued, my voice still laced with doubt.

Arizona rolled her eyes, her grin widening. "Come on, Drea. You've been killing it. One night won't set you back." She gave me a look that seemed to say she wouldn't let me wriggle out of this. "Trust me, you've more than earned this. Aiden knows it too; that's why he gave you the go-ahead."