Playing To Win || paused might be continued soon ||

chapter one

Third person

The clinking of silverware and murmurs filled Hawthorne Valley College's cafeteria. Emery Valenti was stabbing her salad with a barely-contained frustration, her thoughts elsewhere. Across from her, Ava Monroe and Sienna Blake sat in animated conversation, but Emery wasn't listening, her mind instead drifting to thoughts of Landon Kingston.

"—and I nailed the triple toe loop!" Sienna was saying, eyes bright with pride. "Seriously, this season is going to be killer."

"Yeah, I'm sure," Ava muttered, her gaze darting around to notice the side glances and whispers thrown their way. She leaned closer to Emery and Sienna, her voice dropping. "Anyway, speaking of killer... tell me why everyone thinks I'm some sort of heartbreaker when I haven't even... you know... actually done anything."

Emery raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh? Big bad Ava Monroe, the one and only, hasn't sealed the deal?"

Ava groaned dramatically, running a hand through her platinum blonde hair. "Laugh all you want. I flirt, I kiss, but after that... well, I'm gone. Poof."

Sienna choked on her drink. "Poof? Like you disappear into thin air?"

"Maybe she's just keeping it dramatic for the suspense," Emery said with a smirk.

Ava rolled her eyes. "People think that just because I could have anyone, I have had everyone."

Before Emery could respond, the cafeteria doors swung open, and a wave of tension swept over the room. The hockey team had arrived—Jaxon Reed, Connor Brooks, Ethan Cole, Logan Hayes, and, of course, Landon Kingston. The air seemed to grow colder as he walked in, his sharp gaze slicing through the crowd, carrying a dark edge that seemed to follow him everywhere. He was every bit the ghost of his reputation; rumors circulated about him, stories of what he'd been through, though none were ever confirmed. He seemed to revel in being a mystery wrapped in a shadow.

Jaxon veered off from the group, heading straight toward them with his signature cocky grin.

"Uh-oh," Sienna muttered under her breath, shooting a knowing look at Ava.

"Ladies." Jaxon greeted them, his gaze landing on Ava. "Monroe, what's the latest heartbreak count? Seven, or is it eight?"

Ava gave him a dismissive look. "It's zero, actually. Not that it's any of your business."

Emery chuckled, drawing a glare from Jaxon. "What's so funny, Valenti?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing," she replied smoothly. "Just amusing to watch you assume everyone's interested."

Before Jaxon could come back with a retort, the rest of the boys joined, trays piled with food. Connor, Ethan, Logan—and Landon. He dropped his tray on the table across from Emery, claiming the seat as if it were his territory.

The air crackled with a familiar tension as Landon locked eyes with Emery. He leaned back, his gaze intense and unreadable, studying her with a smirk that hinted at something dangerous, almost predatory.

"Valenti," he said coolly, his voice carrying a dark amusement, "still pretending that salad's an actual meal?"

Her fingers tightened around her fork. "Still pretending you're a real athlete?"

The table erupted into amused chuckles, but Landon's smirk only deepened. He leaned forward, his voice dropping low enough for only Emery to hear. "I'd be careful with that sharp tongue of yours, Valenti. Might just cut you one day."

A chill ran through her. There was a darkness in his eyes, an edge that hinted at something far deeper and twisted. For a moment, Emery wondered if the rumors were true—if the stories about his past, the trauma he never spoke of, were as severe as people claimed. She'd never cared to ask or know, but now, staring into his cold, dark gaze, she felt a flicker of curiosity and unease.

Emery forced herself to scoff, maintaining her composure. "Maybe you're just afraid of a little competition," she replied, her voice steady but her pulse quickening.

"Competition?" He chuckled, low and dark. "You don't get it, do you? I'm not afraid of you, Emery. But you... you should be very afraid of me."

Before she could respond, Jaxon cut in with a grin. "Alright, alright. You two argue so much, it's like watching a married couple."

"Oh, totally," Sienna chimed in, smirking. "Enemies-to-lovers? Very on-brand."

Ava snickered. "Right? It's like a messed-up version of romance, but with a lot more tension."

Emery clenched her jaw, her cheeks warming as she shot her friends a glare. Across from her, Landon watched her reaction with an unsettling amusement, his gaze darkening. He seemed almost intrigued, as though he were studying every flicker of emotion she tried to suppress.

"Don't worry, Valenti," Landon murmured, his tone mocking. "When we finally do make this thing official, I'll let you plan the honeymoon. I hear the ice rinks in Alaska are nice and cold—just like you."

Emery's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with venom. "I'd rather freeze than spend another second with you."

Landon's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with something she couldn't quite place. "Careful, Emery. Hate and desire aren't so different. You might wake up one day and realize you can't tell the difference."

Silence settled over the table as everyone exchanged glances, sensing the raw intensity between them. Landon's words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling, as if he'd spoken some truth that Emery hadn't yet realized.

Jaxon raised his drink, breaking the tension with a laugh. "To Emery and Landon—the perfect enemies-to-lovers story!"

Everyone joined in the toast, laughing and clinking glasses, but Emery felt a chill run down her spine. She glanced back at Landon, who was watching her with that same dark, unreadable expression, as if daring her to unravel whatever secrets he held beneath his cool exterior.

As laughter surrounded them, Emery realized that whatever game she thought they were playing had just become something much darker, far more dangerous. And in that moment, she understood: Landon Kingston was more than just a rival. He was a storm, one that threatened to pull her in and leave her forever changed.

—————

I hope you all enjoyed this first chapter and I hope you all had a good laugh!

HAVE A GOOD DAYYY!